Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Research article

Sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and use of HIV prevention services among male undergraduate students in Hunan, China: a cross-sectional survey

Authors: Hehua Xu, Jiaying Xie, Zhizi Xiao, Hong Xiao, Xianhong Li, Lloyd Goldsamt, Ann Bartley Williams, Honghong Wang

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The dramatic increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among undergraduate students in China, especially among the male students, is alarming. This study aimed to describe sexual attitudes and behaviours and to examine the use of HIV prevention services and related factors among male undergraduate students in Hunan, China.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2017 to January 2018 among male students from three universities in Hunan, China. Self-administered questionnaires were uploaded online to collect data anonymously. HIV-related knowledge and sexual attitudes were assessed with the unified National AIDS Sentinel Surveillance Questionnaire and Sexual Attitude Scale, whereas sexual behaviours and use of HIV prevention services were examined with researcher-created questionnaires. HIV-related knowledge, sexual attitudes and behaviours, and use of HIV prevention services were described. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyse the factors associated with the use of HIV prevention education services. P values ≤0.05 were considered significant.

Results

Of the 1431 respondents, 1068 (74.6%; 95% CI: 72.4–76.0%) used HIV prevention education services and 105 (7.3%) took HIV testing. The openness of sexual attitudes was moderate overall. About 299 (20.9%) of this sample had active sex partners, and 49 (16.4%) of them had sex with males. The consistent use of condoms was unsatisfactory among the sexually active students, especially among those with homosexual behaviours. Participants who were older in age (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.70–0.86), who were university seniors (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70–0.91), who drank alcohol (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55–0.93), and who had open attitude towards paid sex (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54–0.95), were less likely to use HIV prevention education services.

Conclusions

Although male undergraduate students show open attitude to premarital sex and engage in risky sexual behaviours, their use of HIV prevention education services is unsatisfactory, particularly in terms of HIV testing. More comprehensive and specific education on HIV prevention and testing services should be designed and offered on campus.
Literature
1.
2.
NCAIDS, NCSTD, China CDC. Update on the AIDS/STD epidemic in China in April, 2018. Chin J AIDS STD. 2018;24(6):535.
3.
4.
Zhang D, Pan H, Cui B, Law F, Farrar J, Ba-Thein W. Sexual behaviors and awareness of sexually transmitted infections among Chinese university students. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2013;7(12):966–74.PubMedCrossRef
5.
Jin SS, Bu K, Chen FF, Xu HF, Li Y, Zhao DH, et al. Correlates of condom-use self-efficacy on the EPPM-based integrated model among Chinese college students. Biomed Environ Sci. 2017;30(2):97–105.PubMed
6.
Chang C, Sun XY, Shi YH, Ai XT, Lan F, Liu ZH, et al. Research on AIDS related sexual safety among Chinese university students. China J AIDS STD. 2009;15(2):170–2.
7.
Sun X, Liu X, Shi Y, Wang Y, Wang P, Chang C. Determinants of risky sexual behavior and condom use among college students in China. AIDS Care. 2013;25(6):775–83.PubMedCrossRef
8.
9.
Zhao DH, Hui S, Wang KL. Discussion on AIDS prevention education strategy in colleges and universities. Chin J of PHM. 2010;26(5):551–2.
10.
Wu ZY. Situation and strategy of AIDS prevention and control in Chinese schools. Chin J Sch Health. 2015;36(11):1604–5.
11.
Wu YC. Researches on HIV/AIDS prevention and education in Chinese colleges and universities in recent 10 years: a review. Chin J School Doctor. 2018;32(5):389–93.
12.
Zhang YJ, Wei R, Liu JZ, Wei S, Lin LM. Investigation on AIDS-related knowledge, attitude and behaviors among undergraduates in Wuhan. Chin J AIDS STD. 2018;24(2):196–201.
13.
Liu Z, Wei P, Huang M, Liu Y, Li L, Gong X, et al. Determinants of consistent condom use among college students in China: application of the information-motivation-behavior skills (IMB) model. PLoS One. 2014;9(9):e108976.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
14.
Tung W, Cook D, Lu M, Ding K. A comparison of HIV knowledge, attitudes, and sources of STI information between female and male college students in Taiwan. Health Care Women Int. 2015;36(8):870–82.PubMedCrossRef
15.
Volck W, Ventress ZA, Herbenick D, Adams Hillard PJ, Huppert JS. Gynecologic knowledge is low in college men and women. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2013;26(3):161–6.PubMedCrossRef
16.
Ding LL, Lin P, Li Y, Lin ZM, Fu XB, Long QS. HIV testing and associated factors among young students in Guangzhou. Chin J AIDS STD. 2017;23(6):161–6.
17.
Caldeira KM, Singer BJ, O'Grady KE, Vincent KB, Arria AM. HIV testing in recent college students: prevalence and correlates. AIDS Educ Prev. 2012;24(4):363–76.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
18.
Jiang J, Pan XH, Yang JZ, Ma QQ, Chen L, He L, et al. Willingness for HIV test and associated factors among 535 college students who had sex in Zhejiang province. Chin J Epidemiol. 2016;37(10):1356–60.
19.
Zhu FL. The statistical analysis of the AIDS epidemic assessment in Hunan province: Changsha University of Science & technology; 2014.
20.
Jin YY, Xu J, Wu ZY. Mobile internet based survey of current status of HIV test and related factors in men who have sex with men in college students in China. Chin J Epidemiol. 2017;38(5):629–33.
21.
Wen MM, Zhu GR, Sun X, Liu YH. Investigation on the intention and needs of HIV antibody detection among college students. Chin J Sch Health. 2015;36(3):432–4.
22.
Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS. Designing clinical research. Philadelphia: Lippnicott Williams & Wilkins; 2013. p. 81
23.
Yang YM, Shen YL, Li SY, Yan H. Occurrence of sexual behaviour among college students in mainland China: a meta-analysis. Chin J Public Health. 2018;1(34):142–7.
24.
25.
Wang HH, Yang AY, Williams AB. Knowledge, attitudes, willingness of care about HIV/AIDS among nursing college students. J Nurs Sci. 2003;3(18):166–8.
26.
Luo D, Xiao SY, Deng YJ, Ou JW. Sexual attitudes, sexual behavior and related factors among college students at a university. Chin Ment Health J. 2008;22(7):480–4.
27.
Peng ZR, Li QH, Gui JW, Zhao JX, Chen XD, Yang X, et al. Investigation on AIDS knowledge publicity and education in colleges and universities in Hunan province. Pract Prev Med. 2015;22(5):570–2.
28.
Qin QR, Gao Y, Zong M, Zhu HB, Zhang Z, Kong J, et al. Investigation on cognition and willingness of HIV test among college students in ma'anshan city. Occup Health. 2017;33(24):3407–10.
29.
Peng L, Zhang JH, Wang XH, Zheng WR, Yu CY. Questionaire investigation of undergraduates aquisition and attitude to homosexuality in a Certain University. Health Med Res Pract. 2009;6(2):58–60.
30.
Jiang JP, Huang J, Huang H, Lin W. A survey of premarital sexual behaviors and sexual attitudes among university students. Chin J Sch Health. 2001;21(1):11–2.
31.
Khalajabadi FF, Akhondi MM, Shirzad M, Azin A. HIV/STI risk-taking sexual Behaviours and risk perception among Male University students in Tehran: implications for HIV prevention among youth. J Biosoc Sci. 2018;50(1):86–101.CrossRef
32.
Majumdar C. Attitudes towards premarital sex in India: traditionalism and cultural change. Sexuality & Culture. 2018;22(2):614–31.CrossRef
33.
Kar A, Mukherjee S, Ventriglio A, Bhugra D. Attitude of Indian medical students towards homosexuality. East Asian Arch Psychiatry. 2018;28(2):59–63.PubMed
34.
Chi XL, Yu L, Winter S. Prevalence and correlates of sexual behaviors among university students: a study in Hefei, China. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:972–81.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
35.
Mavhandu-Mudzusi AH, Asgedom T. The prevalence of risky sexual behaviours amongst undergraduate students in Jigjiga University, Ethiopia. Health SA Gesondheid. 2016;21:179–86.CrossRef
36.
Sureerut R, Assanangkornchai S, Chongsuvivatwong V, Duangmala P. Sexual orientation and sexual risk behaviors among male students of a university in southern Thailand. J Med Assoc Thail. 2013;96(9):1224–8.
37.
Wei C, Raymond HF. Pre-exposure prophylaxis for men who have sex with men in China: challenges for routine implementation. J Int AIDS Soc. 2018;21(7):e25166.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
38.
Chi X, Hawk ST, Winter S, Meeus W. The effect of comprehensive sexual education program on sexual health knowledge and sexual attitude among college students in Southwest China. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2015;27(2):NP2049–66.PubMedCrossRef
39.
40.
Jinming S, Deng L, Wu W, Weijian C, Yijia M. The ethical arguments of AIDS prevention and control for colleges and universitis in China. Chin Med Ethics. 2017;30(7):836–40.
41.
Dennison O, Wu Q, Ickes M. Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus testing and associated risk factors in college students. J Am Coll Heal. 2014;62(5):309–18.CrossRef
42.
Wu W, Deng L, Chen W, Gao Q. Predicament and countermeasures of AIDS prevention for college students. China J AIDS STD. 2016;22(9):765–7.
Metadata
Title
Sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and use of HIV prevention services among male undergraduate students in Hunan, China: a cross-sectional survey
Authors
Hehua Xu
Jiaying Xie
Zhizi Xiao
Hong Xiao
Xianhong Li
Lloyd Goldsamt
Ann Bartley Williams
Honghong Wang
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6570-2

Other articles of this Issue 1/2019

BMC Public Health 1/2019 Go to the issue

Research article

Overcrowding and health in two impoverished suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa

Research article

A systematic review and meta-analysis of adherence to physical activity interventions among three chronic conditions: cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes

Research article

The effect of introducing a free breakfast club on eating habits among students at vocational schools

Study protocol

Effect of diabetic counseling based on conversation map as compared to routine counseling on diabetes management self-efficacy and diabetic distress among patients with diabetes in Pakistan: a randomized controlled trial (study protocol)

Research article

Early sexual debut and risky sex in young adults: the role of low self-control

Study protocol

INTERACT: A comprehensive approach to assess urban form interventions through natural experiments