Effect of HIV antibody testing and AIDS education on communication about HIV risk and sexual behavior. A randomized, controlled trial in college students.

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing and education about HIV infection on communication about sexual risk behaviors for HIV transmission. Randomized, controlled trial with three arms. University student health center. Of 2196 heterosexual university students attending the student health clinic for medical care, 435 were interested in education about HIV and HIV testing and were randomly assigned to three groups. Follow-up at 6 months was done in 370 subjects (85%): 90 control subjects, 144 subjects who received education alone, and 136 subjects who received education plus HIV testing. Subjects who received HIV testing plus education questioned sexual partners about their HIV status more than subjects receiving education alone or those in the control group (56%, 42%, and 41% of subjects, respectively; P = 0.01). No consistent differences among groups in the number of sexual partners or in the use of condoms were found at follow-up. Heterosexual university students who received education about HIV infection plus HIV testing had increased communication with sexual partners about the risk for HIV infection after 6 months. Further reduction in risk behaviors for HIV transmission may require additional interventions in this population.