Exploring Barriers Related to HIV Testing among College Students

Objective: This study aimed to identify ways of increasing HIV testing rates among college students. Participants: Participants consisted of 112 college students aged 18 years and older from a mid-sized south-eastern university. Methods: A survey was used to obtain initial qualitative data and recruit participants for interviews. Results: Barriers identified were fear, social stigma, and invincibility, accessibility and embarrassment among others. The most common motivators to testing were being sexually active, students thinking they could have HIV, and possibly being been born with HIV. Promotional techniques to increase testing rates and the importance of HIV education were also described. Conclusions: These factors should be considered when creating social messaging, educational materials and policies that are aimed at addressing barriers to HIV testing among college students