Knowledge about AIDS and HIV in the US adult population: Influence of the local incidence of AIDS

L.F. McCaig, A.M. Hardy and D.M. Winn

American Journal of Public Health, 1991, vol. 81, issue 12, 1591-1595

Abstract: Background. Accurate information about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is important for prevention. This study determined whether AIDS knowledge varied among populations residing in areas with a low, medium, or high incidence of AIDS. Methods. Respondents to the 1988 National Health Interview Survey of AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes, which is based on a nationally representative sample of 29,659 adults, were rated on their knowledge about modes of HIV transmission, general knowledge about AIDS, and misperceptions about HIV transmission through casual contact. Results. Persons 50 years of age or older, Blacks, Hispanics, and persons with less than a high school education had lower knowledge scores and higher misperception scores. Residents of the high-incidence area had more misperceptions than those who lived in the medium- or low-incidence areas. Sociodemographic determinants of scores were important factors overall and within each AIDS incidence area. Conclusions. These data suggest that the ability of educational messages to reach and be absorbed by individuals nationwide is less dependent on whether they live in an area with a high incidence of AIDS and more dependent on other demographic variables. New and continued efforts are needed to improve knowledge in older persons, minorities, and the less educated in all parts of the country.

Date: 1991
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1991:81:12:1591-1595_5

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().