Investigation of AIDS cognition and testing willingness among freshmen in Fengtai District, Beijing / 中国学校卫生

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.