College students and HIV testing: cognitive, emotional self-efficacy, motivational and communication factors

Abstract

Most college students have never been tested for HIV, even though they regularly have unprotected sex and multiple sex partners. Theory-based research addressing factors influencing HIV testing among college students is limited. This study explored this topic via a conceptual framework that integrates the health belief model with emotion and communication factors. Data was collected with a sample of four focus group panels, including two male and two female groups (N = 52). Transcripts for the seven discussion questions were produced based on the audio recordings of group sessions. Two research assistants reviewed, summarized and cross-validated the discussion content to address each of the four research questions under study. Students believe HIV to be a severe health threat, but feel ‘invincible’ about contracting the virus. Their low emotional self-efficacy is a barrier for adopting HIV testing. Gaining social approval and emotional support for making a testing decision can help them overcome the perceived fear, stigma and lack of response efficacy associated with taking the test. Students are open to receiving cues to action via confidential HIV-testing related communication from health professionals or important others as well as media messaging from various sources. Bridging the perceptual-emotional gap between perceived invulnerability and fear can help increase emotional self-efficacy in coping with HIV testing. Normalizing HIV testing as a primary care routine for harm avoidance/reduction will increase perceived benefits of testing. Communicating cues to action will help reinforce HIV testing as a societally approved and socially supported protective behavioral norm.

HIV testing behaviour and associated factors in men who have sex with men by level of urbanisation: a cross-sectional study in the Netherlands

“…Social approval and emotional support can help to overcome perceived fear and stigma related to planning on HIV testing. 22 …”

Relevance of students’ demographic characteristics, sources of information and personal attitudes towards HIV testing for HIV knowledge: evidence from a post-conflict setting

“…A large percentage of students who were not interested in testing, or were unaware of the fact that HIV testing was available free of charge in Kosovo, was observed. Lin et al (2017) reported that perceived invulnerability among students and students' low emotional self-efficacy represent important barriers to HIV testing. The HIV testing rate in this study was markedly low compared with that reported in other countries, such as the United States (9.3%-47.5%), Cameroon (40%), Greece (28.3%), Ireland (17.5%) and Iran (13.1%) (Gullette & Lyons, 2006;Inungu et al, 2009;Shokoohi et al, 2013;Choudhary et al, 2015;Nubed & Akoachere, 2016;Kann et al, 2018).…”

Recreational Drug use and Risk of HIV Infection Among Young Men Who Have Sex with men: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tianjin, China

“…They were willing to know their HIV infection status, which prompted the emergence of detection behaviors. Some studies had also pointed out that the feeling of guilt and the fear of HIV infection caused by conducting high-risk sexual behaviors would also prompt the detection of HIV [42,43].…”