NCJ Number
115382
Date Published
1988
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Responses from 33 of the 36 nations surveyed by means of a questionaire developed by Gallup International have produced extensive information about attitudes toward AIDS.
Abstract
Most nations used national population samples and gathered the information between August 1987 and February 1988. Some countries used practices that were slightly different from those recommended by Gallup International to gather the data, so the results from some countries are not completely comparable with the data from other countries. The results have been sent both to London, England and to Princeton, New Jersey. They include analyses by age, sex, marital status, and other demographic criteria. A master tape of all data will be available at some future date. In most nations, well over 90 percent of the population surveyed is aware of AIDS. Although some people in some nations are unaware of the risks for AIDS transmission of homosexual practices and general promiscuity, the dangers are generally well known. In addition, a substantial proportion of respondents are aware of transmission through transfusions to hemophiliacs and through intravenous needle sharing by drug abusers. Many respondents also unrealistically fear AIDS transmission through all forms of receiving blood and through casual contact such as working with someone known to have AIDS. Results indicate the need for increased efforts at public education both about real risks and about unrealistic fears. Data tables.