Young Hispanic Men’s HIV and STI Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors

Abstract

Introduction: The rate for new infections of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has increased for Hispanic males. Method: This descriptive correlational study describes knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of HIV and other STIs and explores the relationship between age and HIV and STI knowledge among young adult Hispanic males. A sample of 179 Hispanic men aged 18 to 64 years attending college completed the 80-item Community Health Packet, the 18-item Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire, and the 27-item STD Knowledge Questionnaire. Results: Almost half of the participants were involved in some form of high-risk sexual practices such as having multiple sex partners, holding apathetic views on condom use, showing low rates of HIV testing, having incorrect knowledge of STI transmission, and holding misconceptions about HIV. Findings included a moderate positive relationship between age ( M = 24.05; SD = 7.08) and HIV knowledge scores ( M = 13.21; SD = 4.04), r(175) = .43, p < .00, as well as a positive relationship between age ( M = 24.05; SD = 7.08) and STI total scores ( M = 14.47; SD = 7.20), r(173) = .31, p < .00. Conclusion: Study findings reveal the need to continue HIV and STI prevention education programs on college campuses to increase knowledge and help decrease new cases of STIs and HIV in Hispanic men.