The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between HIV knowledge, perception of HIV risk and severity, prior sexuality education, and HIV risk behaviors among college students. The participants of this study consisted of a convenience sample of students who attended a large Midwestern urban university during the fall quarter of the 2006-2007 academic year. Most students were female, white, and heterosexual. It was concluded that sexual risk behaviors were affected by both HIV knowledge levels and whether or not sexuality education was received. Furthermore, it was concluded that a relationship existed between several factors: condom use frequency, HIV knowledge, number of partners in the past year, personal beliefs regarding HIV transmission, sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and the type of sexuality education received.

Given the lack of an appropriate vaccine or an effective treatment for AIDS, more attention has been focused on controlling the threat of the disease, particularly through efforts to increase widespread behavioral change. HIV antibody testing has been advocated as an important intervention to influence people to practice safer sex to decrease the risk of infection with HIV (CDC, 2003; Wilson & Jaccard, 1993). The theory of reasoned action and planned behavior (Ajzen, 1975. 1991) was used to explore the factors that influence HIV testing decisions among 186 sexually active heterosexual college students. According to the TPB, the most important determinant of an individuals' HIV testing is his/her behavioral intention to be tested for HIV. The present research operationalized all components of the TPB model and several extensions including attitudes (perceived benefits & HIV testing Beliefs), subjective norm (college norm and friend/family/sexual partner norm), perceived behavioral control, and perceived barriers. The role of anticipated regret was explored as well as the relationship between returning for test results and several model variables. Results revealed that despite a relatively high knowledge level, students are continuing to engage in a multitude of HIV risk behaviors that are not translating into an increased likelihood of being tested for HIV. The hypothesized relations among the study independent variables and HIV testing intentions and behavior were partially supported in the regression analyses. HIV testing intentions was significantly related to perceived benefits and anticipated regret, whereas HIV testing behavior was significantly related to college norm, family/friend/sexual partner norm, HIV testing beliefs, and perceived behavioral control. As noted in the literature review, the present research was the first of its kind to apply the full TRA/TPB model to HIV testing intentions in college students. Overall, the TPB model variables (attitudes [perceived benefits, testing beliefs], subjective norms [college norms, family/friend/sexual partners' norms], perceived behavioral control and anticipated regret, accounted for a significant amount of the variance in HIV testing intentions, approximately 30%. This was particularly the case with non tested students. These findings offers support for the use of the full TRA/TPB model variables in research on variables that may influence decisions to be tested for those who have never been tested. The general findings of this research are that the TRA/TPB is a useful and valuable model to use as a framework to inform HIV testing interventions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young people aged 18 to 25 are at a significant risk for acquiring and transmitting HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections). Primary developmental processes that place college students particularly at risk include the experience of intimacy, sexual desires and the centrality of the peer group. During these routine developmental processes, college students experiment with unprotected sex, multiple sex partners and alcohol and illicit drugs, all of which are contributing risk factors for HIV/STI infections. Early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV and other STIs is germane to promoting the sexual health of college students and reducing high HIV/STI infection rates among young people. This edited volume will provide innovative and cutting-edge approaches to prevention for college students and will have a major impact on advancing the interdisciplinary fields of higher education and public health. It will explore core ideas such as hooking up culture, sexual violence, LGBT and students of color, as well as HIV and STI prevention in community colleges, rural colleges and minority serving institutions.

The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with HIV testing behaviors among Guatemalan women using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2008 – 2009 National Health Survey in Guatemala. A total of 16,819 women from the larger sample of 23,905 participants (men and women), aged 15 – 49 years were surveyed using a household, interviewer-administered questionnaire. The survey collected self-reported data on fertility, family planning use, young adult reproductive health and practices, HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk behaviors, history of sexually transmitted infections, nutrition, infant health and mortality, and domestic violence. In the current study, I reported HIV testing behavior, and determined association with demographic factors, risk perception, and HIV knowledge. Significant associations were found between age, HIV knowledge, education, risk perception, marital status, ethnicity, employment, and HIV testing behaviors. The study findings suggest that there has been a shift in HIV testing policy to prioritize indigenous women. It is recommended that HIV prevention campaigns in Guatemala continue to prioritize this group and expand efforts to promote testing among older women. Sustained HIV risk monitoring and access to testing services in indigenous communities are needed.

The current study utilized the Information Motivation Behavioral Skills (IMB) model (Fisher & Fisher, 1992) as a framework to investigate HIV risk behaviors among a sample of university students in Trinidad. The Caribbean ranks second in the world in terms of HIV rates, and although a relatively small island, the rates of HIV infection in Trinidad are of grave proportions. This research examined their existing level of HIV/AIDS knowledge, their motivation to practice safer sex, and their perceived behavioral skills at engaging in HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors. Further, this study also sought to test the fit of the IMB model to the data for this sample of Trinidadian university students. A sample of 90 sexually active participants were selected for purposes of this study and were recruited from various classes at the University of the West Indies located in Trinidad. The findings revealed that the IMB model did fit the data for this sample. However, the information variable was found to not be related to any of the model variables. Motivation on the other hand was found to be the strongest predictor of some of the preventive behaviors. Cultural examinations revealed that there were moderately high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge, low condom use and HIV testing, and somewhat positive attitudes toward preventive acts among the participants. Exploratory analyses also revealed significant gender differences. The implications of this study for its contribution to the continued effort to understand the reasons behind the growing prevalence of HIV/AIDS are also discussed.

An estimated 1.2 million adults and adolescents are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States and approximately 50,000 are newly infected each year. If HIV is left untreated, the disease will eventually progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV continues to be a concern in public health, yet the public perception about the severity of the HIV epidemic has declined in recent years. Although research suggests that college students are highly educated on modes of transmission for HIV, they continue to practice risky sexual behaviors that will increase their risk of HIV transmission. The researchers in this study utilized a descriptive, non-experimental, quantitative design to determine college students' knowledge regarding HIV and their willingness to be tested for HIV. Data analysis revealed that college age students were not knowledgeable of HIV. Findings revealed a great need for further education regarding HIV knowledge and HIV testing among college students in the southeastern United States.