Predictors of intention to use hiv testing service among sexually experienced youth in Thailand

Abstract

© 2015 The Guilford Press. This study examined the predictors of intention to use HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services among those who had never used HCT services in a sample of 2,536 Thai youth in Bangkok (ages 15-24). Web-based questionnaires included assessments of HIV knowledge, HIV testing attitude, AIDS stigma, and youth-friendly HCT (YFHCT) service expectation. More than 80% of the sexually experienced youth had never used HCT services but among this group 74.06% reported having intentions to do so. The significant predictors consisted of favorable expectations of YFHCT services (p < .001), positive attitude toward HIV testing (p <.005), perceived high risk for HIV infection (p <.01), having multiple sex partners while also using condoms consistently (p <.01), willingness to pay (p <.001), and being informed about HCT and knowing service locations (p <.001). Policy makers, as well as health promotion program developers and researchers can use these findings to increase intention and use of HCT services among at-risk youth.