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

Knowledge and Awareness of Risk Factors for HIV Infection and about HIV Testing among Medical Students in Warsaw

BACKGROUND

The number of late diagnoses of HIV remains very high in Poland, leading to a high proportion of patients developing and dying of HIV-related diseases. The main reason for this is the very low utilization of HIV testing. Our analyses aimed to investigate knowledge about the indications for HIV testing among medical university students, as well as identify their own HIV testing experiences.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional survey study was designed to collect information on the students' demographics and their experiences of HIV testing, as well as their knowledge of virus transmission and the indications for testing. Data were collected as part of the HIV_week@WUM project conducted at the Medical University of Warsaw in parallel with the 18th European AIDS Conference, which took place in Warsaw between 18 and 21 October 2023.

RESULTS

In total, 545 questionnaires were collected. The median age of the study participants was 20 (interquartile range (IQR): 19-22 years). The majority of respondents were as follows: women (67.5%), born in Poland (97.8%), and were attending the medical faculty (56.7%). Only 114 (21.43%) participants had ever been tested for HIV. For all modes of HIV transmission, most of the respondents overestimated the risk of acquiring HIV, but, at the same time, they had never been tested for HIV.

CONCLUSIONS

Only one in five health sciences students has ever had a test for HIV, which is less than estimates for the general population of Warsaw. There is an ongoing need to popularize testing among future health care providers in order to address both the indications for testing for individuals and the better use of HIV testing in clinical practice.

Factors Associated with HIV Testing among Male Students Who Have Engaged in Sexual Behaviour in Zhejiang Province, China

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, identify factors associated with HIV testing among male students who have engaged in sexual behaviour in Zhejiang province, and provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of HIV infection on campus.

Methods

Stratified cluster random sampling analysis was performed, which included general characteristics, sexual attitudes, sexual behaviours, information on HIV testing, and self-risk assessment for HIV infection. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the influencing factors.

Results

Among 2734 male students who have engaged in sexual behaviour, 319 (11.7%) had undergone HIV antibody testing in the previous year. The results of multivariate analysis demonstrated that the participants who were in the junior grade level (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.10-2.30) exhibited acceptance to male homosexual behaviour (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.19-2.52), had been exposed to testing publicity in the previous year (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06-2.15), had been exposed to self-risk assessment for HIV infection (AOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.99-3.55), had male or bisexual partners (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.05-2.46), had a score for the scale indicating awareness of different testing methods between 2 and 5 (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.51-3.16) or greater than 6 (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.01-2.66), and had a score for the scale indicating knowledge of different testing facilities between 3 and 5 (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.00-2.66) were inclined to engage in HIV testing.

Conclusions

In this study, the proportion of HIV-testing among male students who have engaged in sexual behaviour was low. This study revealed that students who exhibited acceptance to male homosexual behaviours had been exposed to publicity for HIV testing or a self-risk assessment for HIV infection which were more inclined to engage in HIV testing. Our study underscores the urgent need to enhance educational interventions concerning HIV risks and warnings as part of the health education curriculum on campus. The graveness of the AIDS epidemic among students necessitates this emphasis. Moreover, we recommend deploying condom-dispensing machines or HIV testing facilities across the campus for easy access to preventive and testing services for HIV.

How to Safeguard University Students Against HIV Transmission? Results of a Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Italy

Introduction

Young people represent a growing share of the group living with HIV, and monitoring the sexual behaviors of this vulnerable age group is necessary to control and prevent the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The present study has been conducted to investigate the level of knowledge and attitudes toward HIV infection and sexual behaviors among a sample of undergraduate university students in Southern Italy.

Methods

Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire between 1st to 31st July 2020 and included questions on socio-demographic and sexual history characteristics, knowledge and attitudes toward HIV infection, sexual behaviors, and sources of information about HIV. The eligibility criteria for the study were: age between 18 and 30 years and registered as an undergraduate student at the university.

Results

Among the 1,318 students who completed the survey, 62.5% knew that HIV can be transmitted through blood, vaginal secretions and semen. The overall median knowledge score was 10, and the main determinants of knowledge were being younger and attending to medical or life science majors. Less than half of the students (45.8%) reported that they always wear a condom during any sexual activity. Predictors of consistent condom use were being younger, having a later sexual debut and a good knowledge score.

Conclusions

The study findings showed a not completely satisfactory level of knowledge and unsafe sex practices among university students. These results reiterate the need to tailor HIV prevention strategies among young individuals. Such a change could dispel misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention that affect risk-taking sexual behaviors. These strategies may ultimately contribute to lessing the effect of HIV/AIDS transmission in Italy.

Positive attitudes towards persons living with HIV in North Kosovo: The university students' perspective

HIV-related stigma could delay the identification and treatment of persons living with HIV (PLHIV), particularly in regions affected by ethnic conflicts. The aims of this study were to assess attitudes towards PLHIV and examine factors associated with stronger positive attitudes towards PLHIV among university students in the Serbian province of Kosovo. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica during the academic year 2013-2014. A total of 1,017 first- and fourth-year students completed an anonymous questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, PLHIV, high-risk groups for acquiring HIV and health behaviour. The main outcome measure was the Attitude Score (ATS), calculated as a sum of points awarded for all attitude-related items. The majority of students (84%) expressed positive attitudes towards PLHIV, while others were indecisive. Most students held negative opinions about persons who use drugs (64%), homosexual persons of both genders (50%) and sex workers (42%). Being female (odds ratio [OR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-2.09) and older (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.03-1.24), not doing paid work while studying (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.63-6.84), studying health-related disciplines (β = -0.113, 95% CI = -0.085 to -2.747), having stronger positive attitudes towards homosexual persons of both genders (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.64-0.94) and not using illicit drugs (β = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.03-4.20) were associated with stronger positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Social inclusion of PLHIV and individuals at high risk for acquiring HIV could help reduce the HIV-related stigma.

What do patients consulting in a free sexual health center know about HIV transmission and post-exposure prophylaxis?

BACKGROUND

Screening, condom use and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are among existing HIV prevention strategies. However, efficient use of these strategies requires that patients have an adequate knowledge of HIV transmission routes and awareness of risk behaviors. This study aimed to assess knowledge about HIV transmission among patients who attended a free HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening center in Paris, France, and to explore the patient profiles associated with HIV-related knowledge.

METHODS

This observational cross-sectional study included 2002 patients who attended for STI testing from August 2017 through August 2018 and completed a self-administered electronic questionnaire. Based on incorrect answers regarding HIV transmission, two outcomes were assessed: lack of knowledge and false beliefs. Factors associated with these two outcomes were explored using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Only 3.6% of patients did not know about HIV transmission through unprotected sexual intercourse and/or by sharing needles. More than one third of patients (36.4%) had at least one false belief, believing that HIV could be transmitted by sharing a drink (9.7%), kissing (17.6%) or using public toilets (27.5%). A low educational level and no previous HIV testing were associated in multivariate analyses with both lack of knowledge and false beliefs. Age and sexual orientation were also associated with false beliefs. Furthermore, 55.6% of patients did not know that post-exposure prophylaxis consists of taking emergency treatment as soon as possible after risky intercourse.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the main HIV transmission routes are well known, false beliefs persist and knowledge regarding PEP needs to be improved. Prevention campaigns must focus on these themes which appear as a complementary strategy to pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce HIV infection.