NCJ Number
126486
Journal
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1990) Pages: 58-69
Date Published
1990
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a study in which measures of AIDS knowledge and beliefs were developed to monitor the effectiveness of AIDS prevention programs among 3 groups of adolescents at high-risk for AIDS: 43 runaway males, 43 runaway females, and 35 self-identified homosexual males.
Abstract
The development process included reviewing the literature, conducting focus groups, pilot testing, and reviewing the instruments with advisory councils. The knowledge instrument covered practical information regarding safer sex or interpretation of HIV test results, as well as general information about AIDS and HIV infection and its prevention and transmission. The belief instrument covered self-efficacy, perceived threat, self-control, high-risk sexual situations, expectation to act to prevent pregnancy, and peer support for safe acts. The knowledge and belief measures showed high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and no ceiling effects. Analysis of results indicate homosexual male adolescents have greater knowledge about AIDS than runaways, there are few differences in beliefs among the three groups, and there is a significant correlation between knowledge of AIDS and belief about prevention of AIDS. These results suggest the measures are reliable indicators of knowledge and belief about AIDS in high-risk youth. The AIDS knowledge, safer alternatives, and beliefs about preventing AIDS tests are appended. 28 references (Author abstract modified)