Psychosocial correlates of voluntary HIV antibody testing in college students

Although past research has examined correlates of HIV testing, much of it h as focused on demographic differences between tested and nontested individu als. The present study examined psychosocial differences between individual s seeking a voluntary HIV test at a college student health center and indiv iduals who have never had an HIV test. Variables included in the model were four components of the health belief model (perceived susceptibility, perc eived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers), as well as perceiv ed norms, consideration of future consequences, and risky sexual behavior. Results suggest that individuals seeking an HIV test perceived more benefit s of having a test, tended to perceive fewer barriers to having a test, wer e higher in consideration of Future Consequences, and engaged in riskier se xual behavior than individuals never having had an HIV test. Implications f or both HN testing interventions and the health belief model are discussed.