Analysis of Factors Influencing the Acceptance of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Among Sexually Active College Students in Zhejiang Province, China.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, China has seen a rapid rise in the HIV epidemic, especially among college students. However, the uptake of HIV testing was low. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing the acceptance of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) among sexually active college students, in order to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of HIV infection on campus.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was completed at 13 colleges in 11 cities by stratified cluster random sampling. We formulated a questionnaire to collect information on demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, sexual attitudes, HIV-relevant knowledge, and HIV/AIDS interventions. The chi-square test was performed to compare composition ratios. Single-factor logistic regression and multivariate regression analyses were performed to determine the influencing factors.

RESULTS

This study included 3873 college students with sexual experience, of whom 199 had received VCT, accounting for 5.14%. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the participants who were age ≥ 22 (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.36-3.29), had casual sex in the past year (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.21-2.52), had received a lecture or health education class on HIV/AIDS at school (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.07-3.02), had received school information on HIV testing (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.32-3.50), and had received a school-based HIV risk self-assessment in the last year (OR = 3.47, 95% CI: 2.40-5.03) were inclined to receive VCT.

CONCLUSION

The findings revealed that college students who had received health education about AIDS or acquired HIV testing information on campus were inclined to receive VCT, especially those who had engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors. Regarding HIV prevention among college students, it is recommended that health education related to AIDS be conducted regularly on campus and that HIV testing be promoted to increase the testing rate.