HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors among African-American Students Attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities

OBJECTIVE: African Americans are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. Data suggest that students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) engage in risky sexual behaviors and are unwilling to seek on-campus HIV testing. We assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) regarding HIV/AIDS among students attending HBCUs. METHODS: African-American students ages 18-25 years were recruited from 26 HBCUs. After providing informed consent, anonymous online surveys were administered. RESULTS: 1,230 students were enrolled; 1,172 surveys (95.3 %) were analyzable. 52% of respondents were female, 75% were ages 18-21, and 56% were in their first two years of college. The majority (79%) of students perceived themselves to be at low risk for HIV acquisition; 55% had used condoms at last sexual encounter. Of males reporting sex with only females, 45% had had encounters with multiple (2 – 5) partners in the previous 12 months. Of males reporting sex with only males, 59% had had encounters with multiple partners in the past year. For females reporting sex with only males, 48% reported multiple partners in the past year. However, 58% of students had previously been tested for HIV and 66% were willing to have an HIV test on campus. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a perception of low risk, many students engaged in behaviors associated with HIV acquisition, such as sex with multiple partners and inconsistent use of condoms. Many students had been tested for HIV and were willing to have an on-campus test. Prevention efforts should increase awareness about risk-reduction behaviors and expand HIV testing services at HBCUs.