Safe Sex Practices and HIV-Related Cognitions Among University
Students in Czechia and Estonia

J 2026

Safe Sex Practices and HIV-Related Cognitions Among University Students in Czechia and Estonia

DROBOV, Anton; Bohdana REZKOVÁ; Anneli UUSKÜLA; Ave PÕLD; Palmira IMMORDINO et al.

Základní údaje

Originální název

Safe Sex Practices and HIV-Related Cognitions Among University Students in Czechia and Estonia

Autoři

DROBOV, Anton; Bohdana REZKOVÁ ; Anneli UUSKÜLA; Ave PÕLD; Palmira IMMORDINO; Michal KOŠČÍK a Abanoub RIAD

Vydání

Bratislava Medical Journal, CAMPUS, SPRINGERNATURE, 2026, 0006-9248

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Stát vydavatele

Velká Británie a Severní Irsko

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

URL

Impakt faktor

Impact factor: 1.100 v roce 2024

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Organizační jednotka

Lékařská fakulta

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam, Recenzováno

Změněno: 4. 6. 2026 12:50, Mgr. Tereza Miškechová

Anotace

V originále

Background The unique social and transitional life stages experienced by university students present both challenges and opportunities for targeted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention initiatives. In Central and Eastern Europe, limited comparative evidence exists regarding HIV-related perceptions and preventive behaviours in this group. Objective This study aimed to assess HIV-related awareness, attitudes, perceptions, and safe sex practices among university students in Czechia and Estonia, and to examine the sociodemographic and contextual factors associated with these outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2023 and March 2024 among students at Masaryk University (Czechia) and the University of Tartu (Estonia). Participants completed a self-administered digital questionnaire assessing HIV-related knowledge and attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLWH), perceived risk and testing behaviour, and condom use. Multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors. Results Among 619 respondents (Czechia: 323; Estonia: 296), HIV-related awareness was higher in Czechia (mean 4.41/6) than in Estonia (3.68/6, p < 0.001). Men who have sex with men (MSM) and sexual minorities reported significantly higher awareness and testing rates compared to other participants. Overall, 36.5% had ever tested for HIV; condom use consistency was 40%. We found that higher awareness and positive attitudes were associated with safer sex practices and greater HIV testing. International students reported greater perceived risk but lower HIV-related awareness. Awareness and attitudes did not independently predict behavioural outcomes after adjustment. Conclusion While students showed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes related to HIV, significant gaps persist, particularly among heterosexual and non-medical students. These findings support the need for inclusive, context-sensitive HIV prevention strategies in university settings that address both.

Návaznosti

LX22NPO5101, projekt VaV

Název: Národní institut pro výzkum socioekonomických dopadů nemocí a systémových rizik (Akronym: SYRI)

Investor: Ministerstvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy ČR, Národní institut pro výzkum socioekonomických dopadů nemocí a systémových rizik, 5.1 EXCELES

MUNI/A/1545/2024, interní kód MU

Název: Prohlubování znalostí v oblasti zdravotních rizik a benefitů výživy, prostředí a životního stylu VII

Investor: Masarykova univerzita, Prohlubování znalostí v oblasti zdravotních rizik a benefitů výživy, prostředí a životního stylu VII

MUNI/A/1623/2023, interní kód MU

Název: Prohlubování znalostí v oblasti zdravotních rizik a benefitů výživy, prostředí a životního stylu VI

Investor: Masarykova univerzita, Prohlubování znalostí v oblasti zdravotních rizik a benefitů výživy, prostředí a životního stylu VI

Citovat

DROBOV, Anton; Bohdana REZKOVÁ; Anneli UUSKÜLA; Ave PÕLD; Palmira IMMORDINO; Michal KOŠČÍK a Abanoub RIAD. Safe Sex Practices and HIV-Related Cognitions Among University Students in Czechia and Estonia. Bratislava Medical Journal. CAMPUS: SPRINGERNATURE, 2026. ISSN 0006-9248. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44411-026-00627-w.

@article{2577014,
   author = {Drobov, Anton and Rezková, Bohdana and Uusküla, Anneli and Põld, Ave and Immordino, Palmira and Koščík, Michal and Riad, Abanoub},
   article_location = {CAMPUS},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44411-026-00627-w},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0006-9248},
   journal = {Bratislava Medical Journal},
   title = {Safe Sex Practices and HIV-Related Cognitions Among University Students in Czechia and Estonia},
   url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44411-026-00627-w},
   year = {2026}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2577014
AU  - Drobov, Anton - Rezková, Bohdana - Uusküla, Anneli - Põld, Ave - Immordino, Palmira - Koščík, Michal - Riad, Abanoub
PY  - 2026
TI  - Safe Sex Practices and HIV-Related Cognitions Among University Students in Czechia and Estonia
JF  - Bratislava Medical Journal
PB  - SPRINGERNATURE
SN  - 00069248
UR  - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44411-026-00627-w
N2  - Background The unique social and transitional life stages experienced by university students present both challenges and opportunities for targeted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention initiatives. In Central and Eastern Europe, limited comparative evidence exists regarding HIV-related perceptions and preventive behaviours in this group. Objective This study aimed to assess HIV-related awareness, attitudes, perceptions, and safe sex practices among university students in Czechia and Estonia, and to examine the sociodemographic and contextual factors associated with these outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2023 and March 2024 among students at Masaryk University (Czechia) and the University of Tartu (Estonia). Participants completed a self-administered digital questionnaire assessing HIV-related knowledge and attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLWH), perceived risk and testing behaviour, and condom use. Multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors. Results Among 619 respondents (Czechia: 323; Estonia: 296), HIV-related awareness was higher in Czechia (mean 4.41/6) than in Estonia (3.68/6, p < 0.001). Men who have sex with men (MSM) and sexual minorities reported significantly higher awareness and testing rates compared to other participants. Overall, 36.5% had ever tested for HIV; condom use consistency was 40%. We found that higher awareness and positive attitudes were associated with safer sex practices and greater HIV testing. International students reported greater perceived risk but lower HIV-related awareness. Awareness and attitudes did not independently predict behavioural outcomes after adjustment. Conclusion While students showed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes related to HIV, significant gaps persist, particularly among heterosexual and non-medical students. These findings support the need for inclusive, context-sensitive HIV prevention strategies in university settings that address both.
ER  -

DROBOV, Anton; Bohdana REZKOVÁ; Anneli UUSKÜLA; Ave PÕLD; Palmira IMMORDINO; Michal KOŠČÍK a Abanoub RIAD. Safe Sex Practices and HIV-Related Cognitions Among University Students in Czechia and Estonia. \textit{Bratislava Medical Journal}. CAMPUS: SPRINGERNATURE, 2026. ISSN~0006-9248. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44411-026-00627-w.

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