Using a web-based survey to assess correlates of intention towards HIV testing among never-been-tested but sexually...

The purpose of this study is to identify influential psychosocial factors predicting testing intention among college students who have never been tested but are sexually experienced. A web-based survey was conducted during the spring semester in 2003 in a major Southeastern university (N = 440). Results showed only 7.7% of the students expressed intention despite having been sexually experienced. Multiple logistic regression models showed that the combined five psychosocial factors examined (perceived pros, cons, risk, self-efficacy and availability/accessibility related to testing) significantly predicted testing intention (p < 0.001). Two factors, perceived pros (OR = 1.641) and perceived risk (OR = 1.357), showed significant coefficients. The reduced model with only these two predictors showed increased correct classification of students in terms of their testing intention (from 91.8 to 93.4%). Results suggested that educational and prevention programmes aimed at encouraging testing should address these important testing-related psychosocial constructs to maximize programme impacts. Future studies need to further investigate the role of other factors in affecting testing intention or related behaviours among other sub-groups of students.