Racial differences in AIDS knowledge among adults.
Adults 18 to 65 years of age (N = 1237) were interviewed by telephone to explore differences in AIDS knowledge between black and white Americans. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated to determine the association between race and AIDS knowledge. Results show no discrepancies between black and white respondents in the level of knowledge about proved HIV transmission modes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90-1.90). Racial differences in the level of knowledge of preventive measures (ORadj = 1.39, 95% CI 1.00-1.94) are due primarily to differences in educational attainment and not to race. However, lack of awareness of the difference between asymptomatic individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and persons with AIDS (PWAs) remained significantly higher for black than for white respondents (ORadj = 1.81, 95% CI 1.32-2.50) after adjustment for educational attainment. This lack of awarenes may facilitate exposure of a larger proportion of black respondents to HIV. Racial disparities in the level of knowledge about unproved transmission modes also remained after adjustment for educational attainment (ORadj = 1.92, 95% CI 1.37-2.70). To interpret unexplained differences in knowledge, factors related to unaccounted-for socioeconomic confounding and to the effect of several variables involved in the communication process are discussed.
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HIV Research Unit, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC 20037.
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D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications