Social, demographic and attitudinal correlates of AIDS: Knowledge in the general population of Spain

The association between AIDS knowledge and various social, demographicand attitudinal variables was examined to elicit a better understandingof what makes some individuals more knowledgeable than othersabout HIV infection. A total of 1,800 individuals were surveyedin Madrid (Spain). Results show that having a low level of education(OR_adj = 4.3, 95% Cl 3.0, 6.2), being older than 45 years (OR_adj= 3.3, 95% Cl 2.4, 4.5) and being on the right of the politicalspectrum (OR_adj = 2.7, 95% Cl 1.8, 4.0) increases the odds ofhaving a low level of AIDS knowledge. Given the educationaland political characteristics of those less knowledgeable, healtheducation efforts need to convey simple and understandable messagesadapted to their way of thinking. Results also show that lackof knowledge is associated with fear. A catastrophic perceptionof the magnitude of the epidemic (OR_adj = 1.9, 95% Cl 1.4, 2.5)is strongly associated with low knowledge. However, lack ofknowledge is associated not only with fear but also with thesupport of coercive measures to prevent the spread of HIV Infection.Therefore, health education messages that incite fear of AIDSand feelings of vulnerability may increase coercion as wellas affecting AIDS knowledge.