Evolution of college students' AIDS-related behavioral responses, attitudes, knowledge, and fear.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Evolution of college students' AIDS-related behavioral responses, attitudes, knowledge, and fear.

AIDS Educ Prev. 1990 Winter;2(4):322-37. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/91144981
Fisher JD; Misovich SJ; AIDS Risk Reduction Project, Storrs, Ct 06269-1020.

Abstract: Data were collected (a) to document extant levels of AIDS-risk behavior, AIDS-preventive behavior, AIDS-knowledge, and attitudes toward prevention among college students, (b) to assess the evolution from 1986 to 1988 of college students' behavioral and attitudinal responses to the AIDS epidemic, and (c) to document changes over time in college students' knowledge about AIDS. Although students' current levels of AIDS-knowledge were found to be relatively high, and their attitudes toward prevention were in the neutral range, actual preventive behavior was low, and unsafe sexual practices were high. Concerning changes in these dimensions across time, data using comparable samples of undergraduates in 1986, 1987, and 1988 indicated that there were substantial increases in knowledge about AIDS, in the favorability of attitudes toward certain safer-sex behaviors (e.g., discussing safer sex), and in the utilization of relevant informational resources. Students' perceptions of others' vulnerability to AIDS (but not their own vulnerability), had also increased. However, at the same time, students reported a decrease in the safety of their sexual behaviors. Numbers of sexual partners, likelihood of being in an intimate (sexual) relationship, and unsafe sexual practices have all increased since 1986. Finally, evidence suggested that alcohol may play a significant role in students' AIDS-risk behavior.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/ PSYCHOLOGY Adolescence Adult Cross-Sectional Studies *Fear Female Human *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Male Questionnaires Sex Behavior Students/*PSYCHOLOGY United States JOURNAL ARTICLE
910630
M9160706

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