HIV-related behaviors among black students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) versus white students attending a traditionally white institution (TWI)

Abstract

Recent data indicated the unexpected movement of the HIV epidemic in the Southeastern US and the transmission among college students especially in black campuses. The current study is the first one attempted to assess and compare HIV-related behaviors among black students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and white students attending a traditionally white institution (TWI). Black students were recruited from HBCUs (n=222) and white students from a TWI (n=335) via online surveys. The majority of students in both samples were between 18 and 24 years old (mean = 20.65) and self-identified as heterosexual oriented (91%), although the HBCU sample revealed slightly higher proportion of females (81.1% vs. 72.5%). Data indicated different behavioral patterns. Although, both groups reported similar prevalence of oral and anal sex; after adjusting for age and gender, HBCU blacks were more likely to have had vaginal sex (OR = 1.7) and at younger age (16.3 vs. 17.5 years), more likely to have had Sexually Transmitted Infections (OR = 4.4), have been or gotten someone pregnant (OR = 3.6). They were, however, less likely to use alcohol before sex of any type, and more likely to have been tested for HIV (OR = 8.4), ask partner's status (OR = 3.8) or being asked of status (OR = 2.9). Comparing with TWI whites, HBCU blacks also perceived higher risk of HIV infection, higher peer norms toward vaginal and anal sex. The findings showed HBCU students taking more protective behaviors in some aspects while practicing riskier behaviors in others. Results have implications on developing tailored HIV behavioral interventions.

Keywords:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• behavior
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• traditionally white institution (TWI)
• internet