HIV/AIDS knowledge and the implications for health promotion programs among Chinese college students: geographic, gender and age differences.

Data were collected in 2000 from 1081 students from eight colleges in China to assess the overall level of AIDS knowledge, and to explore regional, gender and grade differences in AIDS knowledge. The data indicate an inconsistent level of AIDS knowledge among students, with a significant gender and grade difference. More than one-third of the students perceived themselves as having limited knowledge of AIDS. While the students could identify transmission modes, they were less knowledgeable about symptoms, activities that did not transmit the virus, treatment and preventive measures. The majority of the students reported having discussed AIDS issues with their peers and friends, but few of them had done so with their parents or teachers. AIDS knowledge varied among students by site of residence, with the highest knowledge among students from the urban areas and the lowest among those from rural areas. The data underscore the urgent need for HIV/AIDS-related health promotion and prevention efforts targeting college students as well as younger age groups in China.