       Document 1002
 DOCN  M9621002
 TI    HIV/AIDS knowledge among the U.S. population.
 DT    9602
 AU    Sweat MD; Levin M; Department of Sociology, Emory University, USA.
 SO    AIDS Educ Prev. 1995 Aug;7(4):355-72. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96026588
 AB    This analysis examines knowledge of HIV and AIDS among 71,370 persons
       interviewed in a national sample of the U.S. population. Factor analysis
       of 26 questions about HIV infection and AIDS identified four distinct
       dimensions of AIDS knowledge: 1) transmission mechanisms; 2) commonly
       known nontechnical information; 3) definitions of AIDS; and 4) technical
       information. Significant differences across racial, ethnic,
       socioeconomic, and demographic groups exist for each dimension of AIDS
       knowledge. In general, racial minorities and those with lower
       socioeconomic status are shown to have lower knowledge levels. Exposure
       to mass media about AIDS, and knowing a person with HIV or AIDS, are
       also strong predictors of increased knowledge. Multivariate analysis
       demonstrates 1) that socioeconomic status is a better predictor of
       knowledge of AIDS than race or ethnicity; and 2) exposure to AIDS mass
       media has the strongest effect on all dimensions of AIDS knowledge
       except for knowledge of technical issues about AIDS. Policy implications
       of these results are discussed.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/
       PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Adult  Cross-Sectional Studies  Female  *Health
       Education  Health Promotion  Human  HIV Infections/*PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male
       Risk Factors  Sampling Studies  Socioeconomic Factors  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

