HIV TESTING AMONG HETEROSEXUAL TERTIARY STUDENTS

Data from annual (1992 to 1995), cross-sectional, self-complete survey s of students in a first-year Behavioural Sciences course at Macquarie University were examined for factors associated with heterosexual ter tiary students' testing for HIV antibodies. Approximately 18% of the s tudents had had an HIV test and the proportion tested was significantl y greater in later years of data collection. Logistic regression analy sis revealed that regardless of gender, older students, those who had a greater number of sexual partners and those who were in a regular re lationship were more likely to have been tested. The students gave a w ide variety of personal, interpersonal, occupational and medical reaso ns for HIV testing. Many of the students tested for HIV as part of est ablished medical or administrative procedures. Others who chose to be tested gave reasons pertaining to sexual activity, particularly within regular relationships where testing for some appears to be part of a deliberate strategy to forgo the use of condoms.