I Think I'm Clean: Predicting College Student's Intentions to Get Screened for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

摘要

A wealth of literature exists regarding a variety of health-promoting and help-seeking behaviors. Researchers have sought to identify predictors of certain behaviors in order to more effectively promote them. One such behavior is that of STD screening. While the rates of STDs have been well documented among young adults, including college students, little is known about their actual screening behaviors and what factors predict it. The purpose of the current study was to examine the factors that may contribute to college students' intentions to get screened for two common STDs of varying curability -- chlamydia and genital herpes -- using an integrated theoretical approach combining factors from the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Health Belief Model. Data were obtained from 364 college students and analyzed using hierarchical regression analyses. Further, differences between these two STDs were examined using analyses of variance. For both chlamydia and genital herpes, more positive attitudes towards screening, less negative subjective norms, and greater perceived susceptibility to STDs predicted greater intentions to screen for STDs. The results from this study help to better explain college students' intentions to get screened for STDs. Limitations, implications, and suggestions for future research are also discussed.