Associations between impulsive personality traits and HIV-related knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among college students in Chengdu, China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Impulsive personality traits (IPTs) are key predictors of individuals’ engagement in sexual risk behaviours. This study investigated the associations between IPTs and HIV-related knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among Chinese college students. Methods A sample of 1062 freshmen (first year) and sophomore (second year) students was obtained through stratified random sampling from 11 universities and colleges in Chengdu, China. The sociodemographic information, and HIV-related knowledge, beliefs and behaviours were investigated. A 20-item Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale (S-UPPS-P) was employed to estimate IPTs. Contingency table analyses (χ2) and adjusted logistic regression were used to analyse the association between IPTs and HIV-related knowledge, beliefs and behaviours. Results The S-UPPS-P scale measure of IPTs yielded scores among college students ranging from 26 to 70. Students with a greater level of IPTs were more likely to have a high level of HIV stigma (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.13–1.89), and a low level of HIV knowledge (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.11–1.80) and HIV prevention beliefs (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.09–1.80). All variables of HIV-related behaviours were not significantly associated with IPTs (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Future campus health education should provide HIV education without neglect of early identification of students’ IPTs.