Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and suburban adolescents: knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and risks

Abstract

A seventy-nine question survey concerning AIDS was administered to 142 students in a high school senior class in Manhasset, Long Island, an affluent New York City suburb with a low incidence of AIDS. The instrument elicited information about knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, behaviors, and risks. Overall knowledge levels were high. However, substantial numbers of students demonstrated poor knowledge about the epidemiology of AIDS. Only a minority (22.7%) knew that most new cases of AIDS in the United States are among intravenous drug users. Of great concern is that 17.1% thought that AIDS could be contracted during a routine visit to the doctor's office. Of equal concern is that 19.9% thought or were not sure that AIDS could be transmitted while donating blood. When questioned about their attitudes toward those with AIDS attending school, visiting their homes, or living on their blocks, students exhibited the lowest level of tolerance for the school setting with 14.8% objecting to the presence of AIDS-infected students. While 97.9% knew of the protective effect of condoms, 25.6% were either not sure or erroneously thought that urinating after sexual intercourse lowers the risk of contracting the disease. Only a minority of students (39.7%) thought that the government was telling the truth about AIDS. While only 29.8% had had sexual intercourse, most (56.5%) planned to become sexually active in college. This coupled with the consumption of alcohol to the point of getting high or drunk by 57.1% and a history among 15.2% of having sexual intercourse while drunk is of concern. Significant AIDS risk factors found in this population include alcohol use and sexual activity.