Public knowledge of AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome)

Abstract

Despite the vast amount written about AIDS since it was first identified in 1981, there are very few published studies of public knowledge of AIDS. The present study is an attempt to determine what people know about the transmission of AIDS and its symptoms and to find out which groups of people are considered to be more at risk of getting AIDS than the general population. Respondents were also asked where they would go if they wanted to find out more about AIDS. A telephone questionnaire, developed for the purpose of the study, was administered to 200 adults aged 16 years and over living in private households in the Wellington area. Results showed that people with University Entrance or above had a better overall knowledge about AIDS than those with lower or no academic qualifications. Approximately one-third of respondents did not know that AIDS could be transmitted by normal vaginal intercourse and just over two-thirds were aware that AIDS is not transmissible by sharing cups and plates. These are important basic facts about AIDS which should be universally known. Results also indicated that there is a continuing perception of AIDS as a disease of male homosexuals without a clear understanding of why this group is more vulnerable. Implications of the results are discussed and suggestions made about factors that need to be considered in the development of future education campaigns about AIDS.