The Interaction of HIV Knowledge, Perceived Risk, and Sex Differences on Risky Sex

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Risky sexual behavior increases during college. HIV knowledge and risk perception have been inconsistent predictors of risky sex independently. Methods: This study tested the interaction between HIV knowledge, risk perception, and sex to predict risky sex in college students (N = 171; 52.0% female). Results: Women's HIV knowledge resulted in greater reports of risky sex when risk perception was low. Conversely, men's HIV knowledge translated into greater reports of risky sex when risk perception was high. Conclusions: Although preliminary, this study calls for nuanced models of risky sex and the inclusion of risk perception modules in HIV reduction programs.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV knowledge
• risky sex
• perceived risk
• college students
• gender differences

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank research assistants who have worked on the “RSF” study.