Understanding individual barriers to HIV testing among undergraduate university students: results from a cross-sectional study in Southern part of Italy

The dataset was used in a cross-sectional study primarily aimed to assess the uptake and factors associated with HIV testing in Southern part of Italy. In one month period, between 1st and 31st of July 2020 a cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of the Italian university student of one public university of Calabria Region, that include both medical or life science and non-medical or life science courses. The information is collected through an online questionnaire that is filled in by respondents. The online survey was sent via institutional email. An anonymous and structured questionnaire was used, comprising of five sections: (1) socio-demographic and sexual history characteristics; (2) knowledge related to HIV infection; (3) attitudes towards HIV infection; (4) sexual and testing behaviors; and (5) sources of information about HIV. The knowledge score about HIV infection was calculated by assigning one point for each correct response and summing the scores for each statement (range 0–8). High-risk sexual behavior has been defined as at least one sexual activity which exposes the individual to the risk of contracting HIV. The focus in the present study has been on unprotected sexual intercourse, early sexual debut (defined as having had first sexual intercourse at or before age of 14 years), alcohol consumption before sexual intercourse and having multiple sex partners (4 or more people) during life.