Developmental and Family Correlates of Children's Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding AIDS

Assessed developmental and family variables associated withchildren's knowledge of and emotional attitudes toward AIDS.Participants included 65 first to sixth graders from two privateelementary schools and their mothers. Between-groups comparisonsshowed that children knowledgeable about AIDS were older andhad more mature illness concepts than children who were notknowledgeable. Among children who were knowledgeable about AIDS,a relatively negative attitude toward AIDS was associated witha negative attitude toward illness in general. Moreover, thechildren's attitude toward AIDS was more negative than theirattitudes toward other serious illnesses. Family relations andmaternal AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes were linked withneither children's knowledge nor their attitudes.     

Parents' Contributions to Children's Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding AIDS: Another Look

Attempted to determine, using a sample of students in Grades3, 5, and 7, whether parent-child communication about AIDS andparent knowledge of AIDS predict children's knowledge, socialattitudes, and worry regarding AIDS, partially replicating testsby Sigelman, Derenowski, Mullaney, and Siders (1993) of maineffects, interaction, and potentiation models of parent-childsocialization. Most parents had talked to their children aboutAIDS but many were susceptible to myths about HIV transmission.Child age was the strongest predictor of accurate knowledgeand positive attitudes, but gender, ethnicity, and parent educationalso made modest contributions. Consistent with the potentiationmodel, parent knowledge of common transmission myths predictedchild knowledge of those same myths (and willingness to interactwith individuals who have AIDS as well) only when parent-childcommunication about AIDS was relatively extensive (and onlywhen child rather than parent reported it). Findings suggestthat both the quantity and quality of parental messages mustbe considered by socialization researchers but that parentsmay not be the primary socializers of knowledge and attitudesregarding AIDS and other health issues.     

Assessing Children's Conceptions of AIDS

Assessed intuitive theories of AIDS transmission through clinicalmethod interviews in a cross-sectional design for a sample of205 1st; 195 3rd; and 208 5th-grade students, balanced by sexand race (black/white). Analyses of relationships between thetypes of theories children held and their responses to closed-endquestions about transmission and willingness to interact witha person with AIDS supported the validity of the interview method.Grade differences were noted for knowledge of high-risk routes,rejection of misconceptions, and cohe-siveness and complexityof children's theories. Theories also differed by race and verbalabilities. Implications for most appropriate ways to assesschildren's understanding of illnesses and directions for futureresearch are discussed.     

Parents' Contributions to Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding AIDS

Examined, in a sample of 170 students in Grades 1–12,relationships between parental background and socializationvariables and children's knowledge of AIDS risk factors andwillingness to interact with people who have AIDS. Most parentshad talked to their children about AIDS and supported earlyAIDS education, but were susceptible to common transmissionmyths. Age was the strongest predictor of a child's knowledgeand attitudes, but parent ethnicity, education, and occupationalstatus also contributed. Moreover, consistent with a "potentiation"model of socialization, parent knowledge of common transmissionmyths predicted child knowledge of those same myths only whenparent-child communication about AIDS was relatively frequent.     

Intuitive Theories of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission: Their Development and Implications

Explored the use of cluster analysis to characterize the developmentof intuitive theories of HIV transmission and examined relationshipsbetween children's theories and their attitudes regarding AIDS.In Study I, analyses of interviews with 188 children and adolescentsled to the identification of three relatively immature theories(undifferentiated thinking in which anything can cause AIDS,uncertainty about its causes, and a hybrid theory emphasizinggerms as well as any form of drug use) and two relatively matureones (both emphasizing true AIDS risk factors but differingin their understanding of blood exchange as a cause). Unwillingnessto interact with persons with AIDS and worry about AIDS decreasedwith age and the former in particular was most closely associatedwith the belief that AIDS is spread through casual contact.In Study 2, analyses of data from a largely Mexican Americansample of 306 third, fifth, and seventh graders yielded largelysimilar findings despite use of different risk factor sub-scales.Overall, the intuitive theories approach and the use of clusteranalysis in its service appear to be promising ways of assessingchildren's knowledge of disease so that appropriate interventionsfor different subgroups of children can be designed.     

Children's Perceptions of Ill Peers as a Function of Illness Conceptualization and Attributions of Responsibility: AIDS as a Paradigm

Assessed the impact of developmental level of illness conceptualizationand degree of assigned responsibility on children's reactionsto ill peers. Accounts of hypothetical peers were manipulatedin a multivariate design with three levels of Disease Label(AIDS vs. cystic fibrosis vs. no label) and two levels of ResponsibilityInformation (low responsibility vs. no responsibility information),with the children's conceptualizations as a continuous variable.Subjects receiving information that the peer was not responsiblefor the illness tended to endorse higher ratings of acceptancethan those receiving no information about illness responsibility.Accounts of peers with AIDS resulted in lower ratings of acceptancethan those presented with accounts of peers with cystic fibrosisor an unlabeled illness. Subjects obtaining higher illness conceptualizationscores tended to perceive less vulnerability to casual contagion.     

Children's conceptions of AIDS: a developmental analysis

Examined causal reasoning about AIDS in children representing three major phases of cognitive development: prelogical, concrete logical, and formal logical thinking. 60 Ss (age groups: 5-7 years, 8-10 years, and 11-13 years) were administered the Concepts of AIDS Protocol. Responses were scored using the developmentally ordered Concepts of Illness Category System. The data confirm that, as a group, children's causal thinking about AIDS parallels the ways in which children think about illness in general. More specifically, the data could be organized in terms of 6 major categories or ways in which children conceptualize AIDS and its causes. The findings provide an initial empirical foundation for AIDS education curricula.     

Children's Perceptions of Peers with AIDS: Assessing the Impact of Contagion Information, Perceived Similarity, and Illness Conceptualization

Assessed factors that affected acceptance of a hypotheticalpeer with AIDS. Children in Grades 4–6 read vignettescontaining one of four levels of contagion information and oneof two levels of perceived similarity. Illness conceptualizationwas measured as a continuous variable. Results indicated thatthe type of AIDS information given to children affected theirperception of the peer. Specifically, informing children aboutthe modes of HIV transmission was not sufficient to increaseacceptance, but clearing misconceptions by describing ways HIVis not transmitted positively affected children's reactionsto the peer. No other significant results were found. Resultsof the current study have clear and practical implications forAIDS education programs in schools.     

AIDS and Hemophilia: Implications for Interventions with Families

Informational needs of hemophiliacs must first be assessed todevelop effective educational and prevention programs. A surveyof 132 hemophilia patients and family members was conductedto determine the information needs, the preferred source ofinformation and the patients' knowledge of AIDS. Results indicatedthat the major source of information for the patients was themedia; the preferred source was the hemophilia treatment center.Most patients wanted more information about the treatment ofAIDS and how to cope with the stresses of AIDS. Although patientsindicated that they had received sufficient information aboutthe sexual transmission of AIDS, answers to knowledge questionsindicated important misconceptions. Results are discussed withrespect to the development of educational and prevention programsfor hemophiliacs and their families.     

Knowing someone with AIDS: the impact on adolescents

Tested 25 adolescents who reported knowing a person with AIDS or HIV (PWA) and were matched by gender, race, grade, school type, and academic achievement with 25 adolescents who reported not knowing a PWA. The groups were compared with respect to their knowledge, beliefs, and social anxiety about AIDS and with respect to their worries about personal vulnerability to HIV infection. Social anxiety was significantly lower in those reporting knowing someone with AIDS than in the matching group. No significant differences between the two groups were found for knowledge, beliefs, or vulnerability worries. The implications of these findings for research on AIDS interventions with adolescents are discussed.     

Misconceptions About AIDS Among Children Who Can Identify the Major Routes of HIV Transmission

Described knowledge about HIV transmission among 1,048 third,fourth, fifth, and sixth graders from a multiethnic urban schooldistrict. Participants answered questions about behaviors leadingto HIV transmission and about mechanisms of transmission. Childrenat all grade levels demonstrated a high level of recognitionof the three primary routes of HIV transmission (through sex,through drug needle sharing, and in utero). However, childrenwho knew about these routes also had many misconceptions aboutthe mechanisms involved in acquiring HIV through these routesand about the ways HIV is not transmitted. Misconceptions decreasedwith grade and socioeconomic status (SES). Although there wereno race/ethnicity differences in knowledge of actual routesand mechanisms of HIV transmission, there were more misconceptionsabout routes and mechanisms of HIV transmission among AfricanAmerican and Asian American children than among white children.     

2009年广州市越秀区不同人群艾滋病基本知识认知调查

目的了解广州市越秀区高危人群和一般人群艾滋病知识认知现状,以便进一步深化在城市不同人群中开展艾滋病健康教育工作。方法采用问卷调查的方式对越秀区六类不同人群进行调查,并对调查结果进行统计分析。结果发放问卷1 074份,回收有效问卷1 031份。同性恋人群、校内青少年认知率较高,均超过95%;流动人口、吸毒人群认知水平次之,为82.00%和73.48%;校外青少年最低,为68.00%,各类人群的艾滋病基本知识认知差异有统计学意义（χ2=57.66,P=0.000）。结论除吸毒人群对艾滋病相关知识认知率没有达到《中国遏制与防制艾滋病行动计划（2006-2010）》的要求外,其他人群均达到了标准。今后对流动人口、吸毒人群、校外青少年要加强健康教育力度,全面有效地提高人群艾滋病认知水平。     

Knowledge,attitudes and prevention practices regarding HIV/AIDS among barbers in Ho municipality,Ghana

Barbering poses risks of HIV transmission if it is not conducted in a hygienic manner. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices regarding HIV transmission among barbers in the Ho Municipality, Ghana. A cross-sectional design was employed in Ho Municipality, and data were collected from 121 participants and analysed using Stata version 13.0 at the significance level of 0.05. Knowledge was low (63.6%) and was associated with attitude [COR=4.37 (95% CI: 1.98–9.62); p<0.001] and with level of education [COR=4.92 (95% CI: 1.70–14.21); p=0.003]. Attitude was inadequate (58.7%) and was associated with level of education [COR=3.47 (95% CI: 1.18–10.14); p=0.023]. Poor prevention practice was high (87.6%) and was associated with work experience [COR=20.72 (95% CI: 3.86–111.05); p<0.001] and location of operation [COR=4.92 (95% CI: 1.60–15.14); p=0.006]. Programmes aimed at improving knowledge, attitudes and practices should focus on Barbers in urban communities, those without any formal education, and those with less than five years work experience.     

高职院校学生对艾滋病防治知识了解情况及其影响因素分析

目的 研究高职院校学生对艾滋病防治知识了解情况及其影响因素。方法 按照随机抽样方式抽取江西省4所高职院校2016年9月~2018年9月的4995名高职院校学生作为研究对象,通过问卷调查方式收集学生的一般资料及对艾滋病防治知识的了解情况,分析其影响因素。结果 本研究共发放4995份调查问卷,回收4995份,有效率100.00%。其中高职院校学生的艾滋病防治知识得分中,3年级学生的得分高于1、2年级（P＜0.05）,医学相关专业学生得分高于非医学专业学生（P＜0.05）,接受过、参加过艾滋病宣传的学生得分高于未接受、未参加过艾滋病宣传的学生,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。Logistic回归方程分析可知,发现年级、专业、接受过艾滋病宣传均是影响高职院校艾滋病防治知识的因素。结论 高职院校学生对艾滋病防治知识了解甚少,应受到重点关注,学校应尽早制定相关干预措施,来提高学生对艾滋病防治知识的认知程度。     

Characteristics of African-Americans with multiple risk factors associated with HIV/AIDS

Multiple risk factors in young African-Americans have tremendous implications for the spread of AIDS. Two hundred forty-two heterosexual college students were classified as having low, moderate, or high risk for HIV infection based upon their self-reported sexual practices. Results indicated that subjects differed in AIDS knowledge and attitudes toward condoms with respect to both Gender and Risk level, with men and High Risk individuals being less knowledgeable and having more negative attitudes than their female and Low Risk counterparts respectively. Interaction effects revealed that High Risk men were less knowledgeable than both Low Risk men and High Risk women. High Risk men as well as High and Low Risk women reported more anger surrounding condom usage than Low Risk men. Low perceptions of vulnerability for AIDS were reflected in the entire sample. The implications of this study for primary prevention and future research are discussed.     

清远市高危人群HIV感染状况及艾滋病相关知识知晓情况调查

目的了解清远市高危人群HIV感染流行趋势和艾滋病相关知识知晓情况,为采取有针对性的行为干预措施和开展宣传教育工作提供准确的信息。方法于2005-2008年采用横断面调查的方法对强制戒毒者、暗娼和性病门诊就诊者等高危人群进行监测,并调查吸毒者和暗娼的艾滋病相关知识知晓情况。结果吸毒人群HIV抗体阳性率介于2.58%～4.15%之间;吸毒者中注射吸毒的比例为82.05%,其中共用注射器吸毒的比例为57.26%;吸毒者中42.39%有商业性行为,而且从未使用安全套的比例为52.53%。在227名暗娼中未发现HIV抗体阳性者,暗娼中最近1个月与客人发生性行为时坚持每次使用安全套的比例为39.43%。性病门诊就诊者HIV抗体阳性率介于0.20%～0.42%之间;34.56%的性病门诊就诊者最近3个月有非婚性伴,而且从未使用安全套的比例为16.25%。调查人群的艾滋病相关知识总体知晓率为57.17%,其中吸毒者和暗娼艾滋病相关知识总知晓率分别为53.05%、61.73%。结论清远市高危人群中以吸毒者HIV抗体阳性率较高,注射吸毒及共用注射器的比例较高,性乱人群中HIV流行水平较低,但存在不安全性行为;高危人群中艾滋病相关知识知晓率低,需采取有效的行为干预措施,加大宣传力度和覆盖面。     

Mom or Dad Says I Shouldn't: Supervised and Unsupervised Children's Knowledge of Their Parents' Rules for Home Safety

Parents and their 8- to 10-year-old children completed matchedquestionnaires that inquired about what at-home problems wereimportant and worrisome, asked about what rules parents hadgenerated concerning potential problem situations, and suggestedseveral rules that parents and children might or might not adhereto, asking for acceptance or rejection of these rules. The parents'responses to a written questionnaire showed that the parentsrated emergency situations, encounters with strangers, playlocation, etc., as presenting important and worrisome problems,that they had formulated multiple rules concerning their children'sbehavior in these situations, and that they believed their childrenwere aware of these rules. However, the children's oral responsesto the questionnaire indicated clearly that children who wereleft unsupervised once, two to three times, or more than fourtimes a week, as well as children who were never left alone,were largely unaware of their parents' rules. These findingsare discussed in terms of their implications for child accidentprevention, child health, and child home security.     

Perceptions of acquired immune deficiency syndrome by children and their parents.

Assessed perceptions of acquired immune deficiency syndrome in school-aged children and their parents. Using a hierarchical regression analysis, parent attitudes toward AIDS were found to be significant predictors of a child's attitudes toward persons with AIDS, but were not significant predictors of a child's knowledge of AIDS. The child's own knowledge level served as a significant predictor of the child's attitudes and vice versa.