HIV-Related Knowledge and Perceptions by Academic Major: Implications for University Interventions

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Education
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Many university students do not receive formal sexual health or HIV/AIDS education.
• Lack of education may correlate with higher engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors.
• Understanding variations in knowledge and perception across academic disciplines is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine perceived knowledge, risk, and consequences of HIV/AIDS among college students.
• To compare these perceptions based on academic major classifications.
• To inform targeted HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and interventions in higher education settings.

Main Methods:

• Survey data collected from 510 college students.
• Analysis involved binary and multinomial logistic regressions.
• Comparisons were made between academic major categories.

Main Results:

• Limited differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk perception were found among STEM majors.
• Students in Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, and Business (PMEB) majors reported lower knowledge of HIV compared to health majors.
• PMEB majors perceived behavioral factors as less risky for HIV contraction but viewed HIV as more detrimental to overall quality of life, yet less so to mental well-being.

Conclusions:

• Academic major is associated with varying levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge and perceived risk.
• Findings suggest a need for tailored, major-specific health education programs on college campuses.
• Interventions should address specific perceptions to improve HIV/AIDS awareness and promote safer behaviors.