Children's AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes: variations by grade, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and size of community.
Variations of AIDS-related beliefs by grade, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and size of the community were examined for a diverse group of elementary school children (n = 609). Consistent with prior research, beliefs about HIV transmission and willingness to interact with persons with AIDS increased across grades 1 to 5. Black children living in rural communities held most misconceptions about AIDS and, relative to white peers, black children were more reluctant to interact with persons with AIDS (PWA). Support for more negative attitudes toward PWA among boys was also found. Knowledge of transmission mediated grade and sex differences in willingness to interact, but not race differences. Implications of results for AIDS prevention programs are discussed, along with directions for future research.
Kistner
J
J
Psychology Department, Florida State University, Tallahassee 32306-4063, USA.
Eberstein
I W
IW
Quadagno
D
D
Sly
D
D
Sittig
L
L
Foster
K
K
Balthazor
M
M
Castro
R
R
Osborne
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors