Young adults and HIV vaccine: determinants of the intention of getting immunized.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of a hypothetical HIV vaccine and to identify the psychosocial determinants of the intention of receiving HIV immunization, based upon Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Of the 136 young adults surveyed, 120 (88%) had a moderate to high intention to receive the HIV vaccine. A logistic regression was performed and two psychosocial factors from the TPB were significant predictors of the young adults' intention of getting HIV immunization: their attitude towards getting HIV immunization (OR = 4.80, CI 95% = 2.08; 13.05) and the perceived behavioural control of getting HIV immunization (OR = 2.52, CI 95% = 1.17; 6.05). These results show that HIV immunization is well accepted by young adults. This finding is particularly relevant because the effectiveness of HIV immunization programs will depend on an individual's acceptance of this vaccine. Also, our results suggest that psychosocial determinants can influence a young adult's decision to receive the HIV vaccine once it becomes available.