Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Chlamydia/Gonorrhea Testing Among Heterosexual College Students: Who Is Getting Tested and Why Do Some Not?

Abstract

Objective: This study explored college students’ reported history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and chlamydia/gonorrhea and characteristics of students reporting testing. Additionally, it assessed their motivation regarding future testing and reasons for lack of motivation. Participants: The sample consisted of 292 sexually experienced college students self-identifying as heterosexual at a midwestern university. Methods: Participants completed a 26-item survey during the 2010–2011 academic year. Results: Demographics (sex, age, race/ethnicity), behaviors (higher numbers of sex partners, currently not using condoms), and motivation for future testing distinguished those who had been tested ever and those who had not. Half of participants were not motivated to seek testing in the next 3 months; the most common reason for no motivation being perceived lack of risk. Conclusions: Interventions promoting testing can use these findings to target those likely to never have been tested. These results also highlight the need to find ways to motivate students to get tested.

Keywords:

• chlamydia
• gonorrhea
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• motivation
• testing rates