OBJECTIVE: To find the students' level of knowledge, attitudes and conduct concerning HIV/AIDS. INTERVENTIONS: Data-gathering by means of a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: 450 students (60.8%), average age 17, took part. 52.9% answered questions on the disease correctly. 48.9% believed they had sufficient knowledge/information. More men than women thought they were well-informed. 89.6% said they would accept someone with AIDS in their class. 65% said they were worried about the possibility of being infected. 31.6% said they were sexually active. All of these affirmed that they knew of and took preventive measures. 83% said they always used a condom, the reason being to avoid pregnancy. 0.9% took intravenous drugs, but have never shared syringes. 100% knew that this protected them from infection. 42% (more men than women) believed that today's youth is changing its life-style because of AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of knowing the basic facts about HIV/AIDS, students have many mistaken ideas. They do not think that these facts have given rise to changes in their behaviour. These results could be useful for the design of a future health education intervention.
OBJECTIVE: To find the students' level of knowledge, attitudes and conduct concerning HIV/AIDS. INTERVENTIONS: Data-gathering by means of a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: 450 students (60.8%), average age 17, took part. 52.9% answered questions on the disease correctly. 48.9% believed they had sufficient knowledge/information. More men than women thought they were well-informed. 89.6% said they would accept someone with AIDS in their class. 65% said they were worried about the possibility of being infected. 31.6% said they were sexually active. All of these affirmed that they knew of and took preventive measures. 83% said they always used a condom, the reason being to avoid pregnancy. 0.9% took intravenous drugs, but have never shared syringes. 100% knew that this protected them from infection. 42% (more men than women) believed that today's youth is changing its life-style because of AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of knowing the basic facts about HIV/AIDS, students have many mistaken ideas. They do not think that these facts have given rise to changes in their behaviour. These results could be useful for the design of a future health education intervention.
Authors: Esther C Gallegos; Antonia M Villarruel; Marco Vinicio Gómez; Dora Julia Onofre; Yan Zhou Journal: J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care Date: 2007 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 1.354