Prevalence of HIV testing and factors influencing the attitude of high school students towards HIV testing uptake in U.S. using, Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2017 data

ABSTRACT

This study examined associations between the prevalence of HIV testing and factors or behaviors that influence HIV testing in U.S.A. 9th to 12th graders using the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBSS) data. Selection criteria was based on a positive report of sexual debut (Ever had sex? Yes/No). Outcome of interest was having ever tested for HIV. Independent risk factors included age, sex, grade, race, condom use, age at first sexual intercourse, number of lifetime sexual partners, use of contraceptives, use of drug or alcohol before last sexual activity and several other factors. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate factors associated with HIV screening participation. HIV testing prevalence was 20.34%. Females (53.97%) were more likely to participate in HIV screening test than males (67.37% females versus 32.63% males) and had higher odds of testing (OR: 2.229; p < .0001). Those in 11th and 12th grade, aged greater than 16 and with multiple sexual partners had higher rates of HIV testing. Strongest associations with HIV testing were older age at 1st sexual intercourse, odds ratio (OR): 0.413; (p ≤ .0001), having three or more sexual partners (OR: 2.023; p ≤ .0001), being female (OR: 2.021; p ≤ .0001), use of contraceptives (OR: 1.828; p ≤ .0001) and describing grades in school as mostly A’s or B’s (OR: 0.696; p ≤ .001).

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS
• HIV testing
• youths
• sexual activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).