Investigation of AIDS cognition and testing willingness among freshmen in Fengtai District, Beijing

Abstract

Objective To examine college students’ awareness of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), as well as their willingness to undergo testing, and to provide guidance for further education targeted towards AIDS prevention.

Methods The respondents were selected from two companies of military training camps in 4 universities in Fengtai District of Beijing using cluster sampling, and a questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information among 1 248 college freshmen. The content of the questionnaire included basic information about the students, awareness of AIDS, and willingness to undergo testing.

Results A total of 87.18% students were familiar with AIDS-related knowledge, and 62.98% students intended to have HIV tests in the future. Willingness to be tested for HIV was higher among not local students (67.39%) than among local students (55.65%) (χ ² = 17.32, P<0.05). The willingness to get HIV testing was higher among students who had an understanding of AIDS (65.26%) than among those who lacked an awareness (47.50%) (χ ² = 18.87, P<0.05). In terms of the willingness to be tested for HIV, the main concerns focused on personal privacy (23.24%) and the cost (18.59%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that improving students’ awareness of five of the items related to a basic knowledge of AIDS may increase their willingness to get HIV testing ( P<0.05). Most students indicated a preference to get HIV testing at a hospital (68.51%) or at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (42.79%).

Conclusion The willingness to get HIV testing can be increased by launching an AIDS health education program that targets weak knowledge points with respect to AIDS awareness.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 了解北京市丰台区大学新生艾滋病认知情况与检测意愿, 为进一步开展大学生防艾教育提供参考依据。 方法 采用整群抽样方法, 从北京市丰台区 4 所高等院校中的新生军训营中, 各随机抽取 2 个连, 被抽取到的连队中的全 部学生共 1 248 名参与调查问卷, 内容包括学生基本情况、艾滋病知晓情况、艾滋病检测意愿等。 结果 87.18% 的学生知 晓艾滋病相关知识, 62.98% 具有检测意愿。外地生源的学生艾滋病检测意愿 (67.39%) 高于北京生源学生 (55.65%) (χ ² = 17.32, P<0.05)。知晓艾滋病相关知识的学生检测意愿 (65.26%) 强于不知晓者 (47.50%) (χ ² = 18.87, P<0.05)。接受艾滋 病检测的主要顾虑是担心泄露隐私 (23.24%) 和费用问题 (18.59%)。多因素 Logistic 回归分析显示, 艾滋病基本知识 8 道 题目中, 提高其中 5 道题目的知晓率有助于提升检测意愿 ( P 值均<0.05)。多数学生更倾向在医院和疾病预防控制中心获 取艾滋病检测服务, 接受率分别为 68.51% 和 42.79%。 结论 有针对性地对大学生艾滋病认知的薄弱环节开展相关健康 教育活动, 有助于提升艾滋病检测意愿。