In the past decade, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection risk and the prevalence of infected cases in the younger generation have increased in Hong Kong. To promote HIV prevention and control, it is critical to understand the situation of HIV-related knowledge, stigma, and awareness among the younger adults, especially college students. 810 college students (mean age = 20.63 ± 2.05) have participated in the current survey. In mediation pathway analysis, the results show that participants' greater knowledge about HIV is associated with higher awareness, and this relationship is partially mediated by the knowledge-related increase in accepting attitudes toward the people with HIV, but not via reducing stigma. Our findings provide an updated profile of HIV-related knowledge, attitude and awareness among college students in Hong Kong. In addition, we have clarified the mediating role of acceptance in the relationship between knowledge and awareness and pinpointed the importance of knowledge education and workshops to promote acceptance of people with HIV. Insights were provided for tailoring health-promotion programs to reduce risky sex and prevent HIV infection on college campuses.
Keywords: HIV; acceptance; awareness; college students; knowledge; stigma.