College students and HIV/AIDS: a comparison of nontraditional and traditional student perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
The authors compared nontraditional college students' knowledge and perceptions of HIV/AIDS and sexual practices with previously reported results about traditional students.


METHODS
Nontraditional students completed an online survey with questions based on national HIV/AIDS surveys. Traditional students completed the same survey with paper and pencil.


RESULTS
Overall, the authors found more similarities than differences between the 2 groups. The findings support previous research that suggests that although college students are knowledgeable about HIV and its risks, they express little personal concern about becoming infected. The authors also discuss how apparent differences between nontraditional and traditional students regarding personal concern about becoming infected, relationship status, and information sources may influence the development of effective prevention strategies geared toward nontraditional college students.


CONCLUSIONS
Institutional leaders need to adapt to these differences, and researchers should undertake additional studies to clarify these differences so that college students may be more effectively educated about HIV/AIDS and encouraged to get tested.
Opt
Susan
S
Department of Communication, Salem College's, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Loffredo
Donald
D
Knowles
Laura
L
Fletcher
Claire
C
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017150:Public Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012067:Religion; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology