HIV knowledge mediates the relationship between HIV testing history and stigma in college students. Issue 7 (3rd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: James, Tyler G.; Ryan, Sadie J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 66:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 561
• Page End: 569
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03
• Subjects: HIV testing -- HIV knowledge -- HIV stigma -- mediation -- college students; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1432623
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : HIV-related stigma is one of the strongest barriers to prevention and treatment. HIV prevalence in U.S. college students is estimated around 0.02%, but is thought to be drastically underreported. We examined the influence of HIV knowledge on the relationship between HIV testing history and stigma in college students.Participants : A random sample of 2343 students, over the age of 18, attending a large university in the southeastern United States completed the survey in January 2016.Methods : A mediation model was constructed in regression framework to explore the relationship between HIV testing history, knowledge, and stigma.Results : HIV testing history was associated with higher knowledge scores ( a path: B = 4.08, p < .001) and higher knowledge scores were associated with lower stigma ( b path: B = .01, p < .001). These results suggest that HIV knowledge partially mediates the relation between HIV testing history and stigma in college students.Conclusions : HIV testing history may decrease stigma by increasing knowledge. Results can be used to inform college health promotion practice on developing programs and services.