AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behavior among inner city, junior high school students

Abstract

To gain information about AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of junior high school students, 1,967 students in three junior high schools in an inner city school district were surveyed. Ages of the participants ranged from 11-16 years, and 48% were male. Ethnically, 33% were Asian, 31% African-American, 24% Latino, and 5% white. African-American students had greater AIDS general knowledge than Asians and similar general knowledge to Latinos and whites. Most students wanted to be taught about AIDS in school. Misconceptions about casual contagion of AIDS were common. Students with these misconceptions were more likely to believe that students with AIDS should not be allowed to attend school. A high proportion of students had engaged in high-risk behavior including sexual intercourse, drinking alcoholic beverages, and using street drugs. More boys than girls reported each of these activities. Of individuals having had sexual intercourse, a positive association was found between the belief that condoms are effective in preventing HIV infection and use of condoms. These findings support the possibility that improving knowledge about HIV transmission would result in more tolerance toward students with HIV infection and would result in less high-risk behavior.

PIP: In June 1988, researchers analyzed data from 1235-1882 questionnaires concerning AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behavior among inner city, junior high school students [90% ethnic minorities, especially Blacks (61%)] in San Francisco, California to get baseline data so educators could design relevant AIDS prevention programs geared toward minorities. Asians knew less about AIDS than Blacks (p.001), Latinos (p.001), and Whites (p.001). Most students knew what activities were high risk for acquiring HIV, but up to 50% often thought HIV could also be transmitted via casual contact. The students who had such beliefs were more likely to believe that students with AIDS should not be allowed to come to school (p.001-.05). Boys (42%) were more likely to have had sexual intercourse than girls (18%; p.001). Further they tended to use street drugs more (11% vs. 5%; p.001). More Blacks claimed to have sexual intercourse than Latinos (p.001), Asians (p.001), or Whites (p.01). On the other hand, whites reported significantly higher drug use than Blacks (p.001), Asians (p.001), and Latinos (p.01). More boys believed condoms hindered pleasure than girls regardless of level of sexual activity. 25% of the boys found it difficult to find places that sells condoms compared to 18% of girls (p.01). 59% of all students, especially girls (p.001), said that their often was disagreement about using condoms or not with their sex partners. Sexually active students who believed condoms prevent transition of HIV (80%) used them more often than those who believed they work a little (47%; p.01). 89% wanted AIDS education in school, especially those who believed it unlikely or not possible to contract AIDS from casual contact (p.001). In conclusion, AIDS education course designers should consider anxiety about peer pressure and sexual matters since anxiety could hinder acquiring and retaining information about AIDS prevention thereby preventing adolescents from planning for the consequences of sexual contact and drug use.