Knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the perceived risks of infection and sources of information of Asian-Indian adolescents born in the USA.
This study examined the extent and specificity of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the most used sources of information and the usefulness of these sources among Asian-Indian adolescents who were born in the USA and whose parents emigrated from India. Although 86% knew that having unsafe sex with a person infected with HIV could transmit HIV, 47% did not know that sharing a razor with an HIV-positive person could do so, and a significant proportion believed that donating blood (27%) and taking blood tests (14%) could transmit HIV. Television was the most used source of information, but school programmes on HIV/AIDS were considered the most useful source. The results indicated that to be effective, HIV/AIDS prevention programmes must assess the gap in scientific knowledge and beliefs, and clarify misconceptions, reinforce school programmes to present clear messages about the transmission of HIV/AIDS and utilize television to reach adolescents.
Bhattacharya
G
G
National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI), New York, USA. gbhattac@uiuc.edu
Cleland
C
C
Holland
S
S
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States