Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a significant public health problem in United States and globally. It is estimated that about 1.1 million people are living with HIV. Early diagnosis through HIV screening is an important secondary prevention measure. Since 2006, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended routine HIV screening in medical settings. However, recent surveys in US show that about 54% people have ever received an HIV screening and only 22% of have taken an HIV test in the past year. It is in this context, that the purpose of this study was to develop and validate an instrument based on the novel multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change that could measure changes in HIV screening behavior in Puerto Rican college students who are a high risk group. A 44-item instrument measuring the constructs of participatory dialogue in which advantages outweigh disadvantages, behavioral confidence, and changes in physical environment for initiating HIV screening behavior and the constructs of emotional transformation, practice for change and changes in social environment was developed and validated. The study presents the instrument and its process of establishing face, content construct validity and internal consistency reliability. The instrument is invaluable for interventional research.

Presenters

Jessenia Zayas-Rios

Amar Kanekar
Associate Professor, School of Counseling, Human Performance and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Vinayak K Nahar

Manoj Sharma

Luma Akil