Are adolescents getting smarter about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome? Changes in knowledge and attitude over the past 5 years
J. D. Steiner, G. Sorokin, D. L. Schiedermayer and T. J. Van Susteren
Educational Services Division, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
A survey was administered to 1543 adolescents from southeastern Wisconsin
to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and persons with the disease. Responses
were compared with those of other studies involving adolescents using
identical or similar test items. Results of the study demonstrate that
knowledge of AIDS and of the modes of human immunodeficiency virus
transmission have increased dramatically over the past 5 years.
Ninety-eight percent of high school students in this study understood the
modes of transmission and that merely touching a person with AIDS will not
transmit the virus. However, results also revealed that many negative
biases remain toward people who have been infected with human
immunodeficiency virus. Forty-five percent of the students believed that
homosexuals and intravenous drug users were "getting what they deserve."
Recommendations are made that future educational efforts focus on changes
in attitudes and behaviors in relation to adolescents' previously acquired
knowledge of AIDS.