HIV Risk Perception Among College Students at a University in the Midwest

Abstract

Despite the high prevalence of risky sexual behavior among college students, HIV risk perception in this population remains low. Overall, there is a dearth of studies examining HIV risk perception among college students. We examined HIV risk perception among college students at a University in the Midwest. Students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses were recruited for this pilot study (n = 200). The outcome of interest was perceived HIV risk perception. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were utilized to examine the association between HIV risk perception and four measures namely: perceived severity of/susceptibility to HIV, perceived benefits of safe sex, perceived barriers to safe sex and self-efficacy, measured using validated instruments. Overall, greater proportion of students perceived that they are not at risk of HIV infection (81.5 %). Participants had high scores for all measures, except for perceived barriers to safe sex [mean score (standard deviation) 24.5 (15.3)]. The multivariable model showed a statistically significant negative association between composite severity of/susceptibility to HIV/AIDS score and moderate perceived HIV risk (OR, 95 % confidence interval) (0.96, 0.93–0.99, p = 0.04). In addition, the odds of having moderate perceived HIV risk were higher among students who currently have a dating partner compared to students who currently do not have a dating partner (3.19, 1.24–8.18, p = 0.01). College level HIV prevention efforts should continue to address HIV risk. Additional research examining risk perception in a much larger, and more diverse, student population is needed.