Objective: This study among 400 undergraduate students enrolled at Jackson State University (JSU) study aimed to assess knowledge about HIV and AIDS among African-American undergraduate students attending a historically black college and university. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered, and standardized questionnaire on knowledge regarding risks for HIV and AIDS. Three hundred and eighty-six students (96.5%) had good knowledge about HIV and AIDS, although some participants had misconceptions about the modes of HIV infection transmission. There were no significant gender differences for HIV and AIDS knowledge among the participants (χ² = 3.05; P = 0.08). In general we concluded that JSU undergraduate students had adequate knowledge about HIV transmission modes and AIDS, although some participants had misconceptions about the routes of HIV infection transmission. Hence, this study calls for strengthening HIV and AIDS awareness education among undergraduate students.

Objective: This study aimed to determine HIV/AIDS knowledge level, attitudes toward individuals living with HIV/AIDS and to explore the relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes among African American undergraduates in Jackson, Mississippi. Methods: A cross-sectional method was used in this study. A total of 400 students were randomly selected from Jackson State University undergraduate students. Data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire on HIV/AIDS knowledge and their attitudes toward individuals living with HIV and AIDS. Results: Most of the students (96.5%) had good knowledge about HIV/AIDS, while some students had some misconceptions about HIV infection transmission. There was no significant difference between male and female students on HIV/AIDS knowledge in this study (χ² = 3.05; P = 0.08). Most of the study participants (87.8%) showed positive attitudes toward individuals living with HIV/AIDS. However, there were some negative attitudes toward individuals living with HIV/AIDS among participants of this study. Male participants expressed more negative attitudes compared to female participants (19.1% vs. 8.5%, χ² = 9.6; P < 0.002). HIV/AIDS knowledge was significantly associated with positive attitudes toward people living with the disease (p= 0.019, Pearson’s χ² = 7.431). Conclusions: In general, we concluded that most students (96.5%) in this study demonstrated high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge and positive attitudes (87.8%). There was an association between knowledge of the disease and positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS patients. However, there were HIV/AIDS knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and intolerant attitudes toward HIV positive patients also identified in this study. Hence, this study calls for more robust and age-appropriate HIV/AIDS awareness education programs geared towards reducing the impacts of negative attitudes toward individuals living with the disease, eliminating the gaps in HIV/AIDS knowledge and misconceptions identified in this study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk behaviors relating to HIV infection among African American undergraduate students at a Historically Black University. Methods: A cross-sectional study method was used. A total of 400 participants were randomly selected from Jackson State University undergraduate students. This study utilized a self-administered questionnaire on HIV/AIDS knowledge and their risk behaviors. Results: Majority of the students (96.5%) had good knowledge about the disease, some respondents had some misconceptions about HIV infection. This study found no significant difference between male and female participants of this study on HIV/AIDS knowledge (χ2 = 3.05; P = 0.08). About 75.8% of respondents in this study have had at least one HIV risk behavior. HIV risk behaviors of these students were not varied by gender (χ2 = 2.76; P = 0.1). However, some students engaged in various HIV risk behaviors such as having unprotected sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners, low and inconsistent condom use. There was an association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk behaviors relating to the disease (p= 0.03, Pearson’s χ2 = 5.237). Conclusions: Majority of the students demonstrated good knowledge of the disease and practiced at least one risk behavior predisposing them to HIV infection. There was an association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk behaviors relating to the disease infection. This study finding has shown that good knowledge about HIV/AIDS may not translate into positive behavior change. Hence, this study calls for sustained effective youth friendly programs geared toward addressing gaps in HIV/AIDS knowledge, misconceptions of the disease and eliminating various risk behaviors identified in this study.

Aims: This study aimed to assess and compare risk behaviors for HIV Infection among undergraduate students by gender at a historically black university. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted from January 10, 2016 to September 30, 2016. Participants were selected through convenience sampling among undergraduate students of Jackson State University (JSU). Methodology: Sample: We included 400 undergraduate students (141 males, 259 females; age range 18-57 years). Data were collected using a validated self-administered standardized questionnaire that was designed to measure their risk behaviors for HIV Infection. Results: Over seventy five percent of undergraduate students in this study have had at least one risk behavior related to HIV infection transmission. The engagement of these students in HIV sexual risk behaviors were not varied by gender (Chi-square test = 2.76; P = 0.1). However, participants engaged in various risk behaviors related to HIV infection transmission such as multiple sexual partners, unprotected sexual intercourse, low and inconsistent condom use. Conclusion: We concluded that about 75.8% of the students have had at least one risk behavior related to HIV infection and engaged in various risk behaviors related to HIV infection transmission. The engagement of these students in HIV sexual risk behaviors were not varied by gender. This investigation calls for sustained effective youth appealing interventions tailored toward addressing various risk behaviors identified in this study.

Objective: HIV infections have taken a heavy toll on young adults in the USA. Most undergraduate students fall within the age group who are at high risk of HIV infections. The effect of age on HIV risk related behaviors among African American undergraduate students has never been investigated before. Thus, this study assessed the effect of age on HIV risk related behaviors among African American undergraduate students at a Historically Black College and University. Methods: A total of 400 respondents were randomly selected from Jackson State University of the USA, a Historically Black College and University. A cross-sectional study design was utilized from January to September, 2016. Data were collected using a validated self-administered standardized questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to see the association between age and HIV risk related behaviors. Results: Over seventy five percent of the study participants have had at least one risk behavior related to HIV infection transmission and there was significant statistical difference between students aged 18-24 years and students aged 25 years and above (p<0.05). The students aged 18-24 years were more likely to participate in risk behaviors that could predispose them to HIV infections (P = 0.02). Conclusions: As the HIV related risk behaviors was higher among students aged 18-24 years old, age appropriate HIV preventive programs that are appealing to young people will be required to effectively prevent HIV infection among this vulnerable population.