A five year follow-up study of attitudes to HIV infection among Finns

Changes from 1986 to 1990 in knowledge, attitudes and behaviouramong Finnish people towards HIV infection were studied. In1986, 1 013 Finns aged 15 to 64 years were chosen at randomfrom the entire population, and from 1987 to 1990 about 1 900annually were similarly selected. Interviews took place at homeor by telephone, using a structured questionnaire. Throughout the period knowledge was good about modes of HIVtransmission, as well as diagnostic methods and location oftest facilities. There appeared to be improvements over timein awareness about some aspects of transmission. Support forcompulsory population screening declined during the period,while the proportion in favour of voluntary testing grew. Opinionswere stable over the need for screening certain special groups.Perceptions of the personal threat of HIV also remained constantover the study years. There were no significant alterationsin sexual behaviour due to the risk of HIV infection. The study revealed that perceptions among Finns towards issuesof HIV infection did not change markedly between 1986 and 1990.Finnish opinions and attitudes relating to HIV infection maythus have stabilized.