Abstract
Purpose To assess behavioral determinants (sexual behavior stage, partner numbers, partner types, condom use, and sexual orientation) on risk perceptions related to HIV infection among college students. HIV risk perception has been shown to be significantly related to prior HIV testing behavior; however, current knowledge of determinants related to HIV risk perceptions among college students has been limited. Understanding how behavior risk factors influencing HIV risk perception can play a critical role for developing effective HIV prevention and education programs. Methods A Web-based survey was administered during spring 2003 at one of the major universities in the southeastern United States. Results A total of 440 college students participated in the study: mean age 21 (SD = 2.48), 75% female, 88% heterosexual. Mean of the “perceived risk of HIV” scale (3-item), rated on five-point Liker scale, was used to classify students into low versus high risk perception groups (mean = 6.40). Sexual behavior stage index grouped students as “no to any sex” (16.7%), “yes to oral sex only” (17.2%), “yes to both oral and vaginal sex” (43.0%), and “yes to oral and (vaginal) and anal sex” (23.2%). Logistic regression, with sexual behavior stage index, number of partner index (oral + vaginal + anal), types of partner index (someone as injection drug user, with multiple partners, or paid for sex), condom use index, and sexual orientation as independent variables, was used to predict HIV risk perception. Results indicated that the full model of the combined five predictors was statistically reliable in distinguishing between students with high versus low risk perception (X(5) = 23.162, P Conclusion Despite risky sexual behaviors prevalent among college students, the overall perception of HIV infection was low. Results suggest that educational messages addressing the number of partners and its relationship with actual risk of HIV infection could be an effective strategy to increase risk perception.
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