NCJ Number
134229
Journal
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1991) Pages: 367-375
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study determines how much young adolescents know about AIDS and risk and identifies areas of confusion that might serve as important targets of educational intervention.
Abstract
A multiethnic sample of 303 seventh-grade students in three greater New York area schools completed questionnaires assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions concerning AIDS and risk. The sample was 43 percent white, 33 percent black, and 18 percent Latino; and 48 percent were male. Questionnaires were completed in a regular classroom period in late February 1990. Consistent with previous studies of older adolescents, the study found that young adolescents had a high degree of knowledge about AIDS risk. Two areas of confusion emerged about AIDS risk. Specifically, 31 percent of adolescents did not correctly identify "not having sex" as the most effective way of preventing AIDS, and 33 percent believed AIDS could be spread through casual contract. Black adolescents were less likely than whites to know that AIDS was a disease that affects the immune system. Latino youth were more likely than whites to know that AIDS can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. In addition, there were significant differences between boys and girls on several knowledge, attitude, and behavioral intention items. Most adolescents planned to use a condom if they had sex in the future. Study results demonstrated that, since the two major modes of HIV transmission are intravenous drug use and sexual behavior, the failure of knowledge-based interventions to impact on these behaviors has major implications for AIDS prevention. 17 references and 2 tables (Author abstract modified)