Intention to test for HIV in a national sample of Latinos in the United States: The role of acculturation and attitude

There are many psychosocial factors that have been shown to predict HIV testing intentions and behaviors. However, not many studies have focused on Latino populations, particularly in large representative samples. This study investigated the psychosocial and demographic predictors of intention to test for HIV in a national sample of unmarried Latinos living in the US. In particular, this study examined the relationships of attitude towards testing for HIV and acculturation to the U.S. with intention to test for HIV. Acculturation to the U.S. was operationalized in terms of language usage. A mediational model based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980; Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975) was proposed, in which attitude was expected to mediate the relationship between acculturation and intention to test for HIV. Furthermore, the model was tested separately by gender and in a sample which excluded those participants who indicated they would test for involuntary reasons.; In general, this mediational model was not supported by the data in the full sample or in the sub-samples. Attitude did not mediate the relationship between acculturation and intention, but there was a direct effect of acculturation to the U.S. on both intention to test for HIV and attitude towards testing for HIV. Participants with lower acculturation (Spanish-speakers) had higher intention to test than participants with higher acculturation (English-speakers). In addition, participants who spoke English and Spanish equally well (Bilinguals) had higher intention to test than English-speaking participants. The opposite was true of the relationship between acculturation and attitude towards testing for HIV. Participants with higher acculturation (English-speakers) had more positive attitudes than participants with lower acculturation (Spanish-speakers). Bilingual participants also had more positive attitudes than Spanish-speaking participants. These findings were only significant in the overall sample and in the female sub-sample. Implications for future research were discussed. Adaptations of the theory of reasoned action may be necessary to take into account the socioeconomic, gender-specific, and linguistic contexts in which Latinos live.