Exploring the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of university students regarding STI screening

Abstract

Background: The study aims to understand the relationship between knowledge, awareness, behaviours regarding Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing among University students in North-East Scotland and test the effectiveness of an action planning intervention . Research Questions 1. Which psychological and social factors predict University students’ past testing and intentions to attend STI Screening? 2. For students who intend to attend STI Screening in the next month, does completing an action plan increase likelihood of reporting having attended one month later? Methods: Cross-sectional survey with an independent measures experimental element. Participants will be students at Aberdeen and Robert Gordon Universities. Sample Size, 768. Outcome measures include past STI Screening behaviour, intention to attend STI Screening and self-reported attendance at STI screening in a follow-up survey one month later. Relationships between different variables and STI screening behaviours will be investigated using Chi-squared test and multiple regression.. A three-way log linear analysis will be used to analyse the effect of action planning on STI testing. Expected results: Greater understanding of psychosocial predictors of past testing and intention to attend STI screening, including STI knowledge, psychological constructs e.g. attitude, subjective norms, self-efficacy, and demographics e.g. gender. Students who complete an action plan will be more likely to report attending STI screening one month later. Current stage of work: Ethical approval obtained, data collection to commence from 15/03/16. Discussion: Results from this study will provide valuable insights in the development of effective communication of sexual health information to young people and potentially effective planning interventions.