Understanding Motivations for STI Testing: Comparing Presenters and Non-presenters Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and Health Belief Model

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a leading health risk to the college-aged population with young adults age 15- 24 accounting for half the new STI diagnoses in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Despite these alarming numbers, approximately 50-70% of college students have not been tested for STIs (Barth, Cook, Downs, Switzer, & Fischhoff, 2002; Bontempi, Mugno, Bulmer, Danvers, & Vancour, 2009; Boudewyns & Paquin, 2011). The current manuscript draws on the Theory of Planed Behavior and the Health Belief Model to explore how attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, and barriers contribute to STI testing intentions. In a novel extension of Boudewyns and Paquin (2011) and Wombacher, Dai, Matig, and Harrington (2018), two unique groups of students are examined: those presenting for STI testing at a university health center, and individuals who did not present for testing. Results suggest attitude is the strongest predictor of intention to get tested, and individuals with previous experience as well as those presenting have greater intentions to engage in future STI testing. This comparison between young adults engaging in a positive health behavior (i.e., testing) and those who have not illuminates differences between these populations and provides valuable insight for future STI testing campaign message development.