• S Alexandra Marshall, Taylor Neher, LaTunja Sockwell, Lee Brown, and Nickolas Zaller.
• Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health, Little Rock, AR, USA. Electronic address: smarshall@uams.edu.
• J Natl Med Assoc. 2020 Aug 1; 112 (4): 374-380.

Background/PurposeHIV testing prevalence is low among young adults (YA) ages 18-24. Previous research supports routine testing among African-American college students. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are uniquely situated to support HIV education and prevention efforts. This study aimed to assess current HIV risk behaviors and current knowledge of PrEP among HBCU students.MethodsIn collaboration with a partnering organization, we conducted HIV testing events and HIV risk assessment at four HBCUs in a southern state.ResultsAmong participants (N = 615), most identified as African American (578, 94.8%), female (377, 61.3%) and 18-24 years old (540, 87.9%). Many (42.3%) had never been tested for HIV. Most reported they had been sexually active in the last year (533, 86.8%) with many reporting 2-5 partners (270, 43.9%). Among males (n = 236), 8.6% reported same sex partners. Many participants reported inconsistent condom use during vaginal sex (242, 46%). Most participants had not heard of PrEP (473, 86.2%).ConclusionConsidering most participants had one or multiple HIV related risk behaviors, and many had never been tested for HIV, HBCUs may be important venues to promote HIV risk reduction and regular HIV testing.Copyright © 2020 National Medical Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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