Acceptance of HIV testing among African-American college students at a historically black university in the south.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
Routine HIV testing on college campuses has the potential to increase students' awareness of their HIV status. Testing targeted only at persons reporting HIV risk behaviors will not identify infected persons who may deny or be unaware of their risk. Thus, this study sought to investigate the acceptability of rapid HIV testing among African-American college students in a nontraditional setting on a historically black college/university (HBCU) campus.

METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey on risk behaviors, barriers to testing, and HIV testing history was administered to 161 African-American college students at an HBCU. All approached students (both those participating and not) were offered free HIV rapid testing.

RESULTS:
Eighty-one African-American college students consented to be tested for HIV and all tested negative. Results of the questionnaire indicated that African-American college students engage in risky sexual behaviors (such as unprotected sex) yet perceive themselves as at little or no risk. College students who reported past HIV testing often did so in conjunction with routine exams, such as annual pap smears, rather than specifically seeking HIV testing.

CONCLUSIONS:
Routine HIV testing on college campuses may be an important public health initiative in reducing the spread of HIV. Specifically, this strategy may provide a model for student access to HIV testing, particularly males and other students who may be less likely to seek HIV testing at traditional medical settings. These data supports expansion of routine testing programs directed at African-American college students.

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Author information

Author/s: Payne, Nanetta S (NS); Beckwith, Curt G (CG); Davis, Melvin (M); Flanigan, Timothy (T); Simmons, Emma M (EM); Crockett, Kathy (K); Ratcliff, Tanya M (TM); Brown, Larry K (LK); Sly, Kaye F (KF);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, USA. npayne(-atsign-)lifespan.org

Grants: 5 T32 DA13911 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Journal of the National Medical Association (J Natl Med Assoc), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Dec; vol 98 (issue 12) : pp 1912-6

Dates: Created 2007/01/17; Completed 2007/02/09; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 17225833, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

AIDS Serodiagnosis - utilization
Adolescent
Adult
African Americans
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
HIV Infections - prevention & control

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Mass Screening - utilization
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Student Health Services
United States

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