College students' AIDS risk perception.
1. Students in this study appraised their AIDS risk using their sexual and drug-use behavior as criteria, which accurately reflects their knowledge of HIV transmission. 2. AIDS risk perceptions were not always congruent with the students' self-reported sexual and drug use behavior. Some students reporting high-risk behavior perceived their AIDS risk as "nil" or "small." 3. Perceived riskiness of behavior increased as distance from the students increased. The students viewed their friends' AIDS risk as moderately greater than their own risk and their peers' risk even greater.
Center for Urban Health Research, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
E J
EJ
Brown
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology