Directions for AIDS education for Hispanic women based on analyses of survey findings.

In 1988 and again in 1990, the National Center for Health Statistics conducted a survey of the AIDS related knowledge and beliefs of Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults in the United States. A survey of Los Angeles Hispanic women was conducted in 1990, using the 1988 survey instrument. This study is an examination of the trends in knowledge and beliefs by comparing those of Hispanic Los Angeles women in 1990 to Hispanic and non-Hispanic female respondents in the 1988 national sample. Despite intense public health, local community, and media efforts to educate the public about AIDS, the women in the Los Angeles sample did not show appreciable differences in knowledge and beliefs compared with the 1988 national sample, and in many areas they were less knowledgeable. These results may be related to differing education and acculturation levels as well as possible differences in ethnicity. Hispanic groups will need focused prevention efforts which take into account specific areas of knowledge, educational level of information, adherence to traditional beliefs and practices, and ethnicity of the targeted community.