Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Adolescents: Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors

¹ From the School of Public Health, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston

Adolescents are a group at high risk for exposure to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Results of a random-sample survey of 860 adolescents 16 to 19 years of age, in Massachusetts indicate that many adolescents are still misinformed or confused about AIDS and AIDS transmission. Of the adolescent respondents, 70% said they were sexually active (having sexual intercourse or other sexual contact) but only 15% of them reported changing their sexual behavior because of concern about contracting AIDS, and only 20% of those who changed their behavior used effective methods. Of both sexually active and nonactive adolescents, 8% did not know that AIDS is transmitted by heterosexual sexual intercourse. Psychoactive drugs other than alcohol and marijuana had been used by 13% of those responding, and 1% reported injecting drugs. Of those psychoactive drug users, 8% did not know that AIDS can be transmitted by injecting drugs. There was no significant difference in knowledge between the sexually active and nonactive adolescents concerning sexual behavior and AIDS transmission or between the drug users and nonusers concerning drug use and AIDS transmission. The majority of respondents knew a relationship exists between AIDS and blood, and other body fluids, but knowledge of the mode of transmission was limited. Hence, many adolescents, including those in the highest risk subgroups of sexually active or psychoactive drug users, did not know what sexual and drug precautions are needed to prevent transmission of the virus. School systems and health care providers should systematically educate this population about AIDS to counter the current misinformation and confusion. Additional surveys of adolescents can help monitor whether misunderstandings can be reduced and knowledge of the means necessary to avoid transmission increased.

Key Words: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome • adolescent • knowledge • behavior

Submitted on December 29, 1986
Accepted on January 21, 1987

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Potsonen and O. Kontula Adolescents' knowledge and attitudes concerning HIV infection and HIV-infected persons: how a survey and focus group discussions are suited for researching adolescents' HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes Health Educ. Res., August 1, 1999; 14(4): 473 - 484. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. CARNEY, J. L. WERTH Jr., and R. L. MORRIS AIDS-Related Knowledge and Beliefs among Incarcerated Adolescent Males Criminal Justice and Behavior, March 1, 1997; 24(1): 96 - 113. [Abstract]

				D. J. BARTHLOW, P. F. HORAN, R. J. DICLEMENTE, and M. M. LANIER Correlates of Condom Use among Incarcerated Adolescents in a Rural State Criminal Justice and Behavior, September 1, 1995; 22(3): 295 - 306. [Abstract]

				S. L. Rosenthal, F. M. Biro, P. A. Succop, J. G. Baker, and L. R. Stanberry Reasons for Condom Utilization Among High-Risk Adolescent Girls Clinical Pediatrics, December 1, 1994; 33(12): 706 - 711. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. N. Singh, A. A. Zemitzsch, C. R. Ellis, A. M. Best, and N. N. Singh Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Students' Knowledge and Attitudes About AIDS Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, July 1, 1994; 2(3): 156 - 163. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Hennessy Adolescent Syndromes of Risk for HIV Infection Eval Rev, June 1, 1994; 18(3): 312 - 341. [Abstract] [PDF]

				W. C. Mccaughrin, J. I. Zielasko, and R. A. Sarris Targeting Markets for Effective College Health Programs under Tight Budget Constraints Eval Health Prof, March 1, 1994; 17(1): 77 - 95. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. E. Damond, N. L. Breuer, and A. E. Pharr The Evaluation of Setting and a Culturally Specific HIV/AIDS Curriculum: HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Behavioral Intent of African American Adolescents Journal of Black Psychology, May 1, 1993; 19(2): 169 - 189. [Abstract]

				B. F. Stanton, M. Black, L. Kaljee, and I. Ricardo Perceptions of Sexual Behavior among Urban Early Adolescents: Translating Theory through Focus Groups The Journal of Early Adolescence, February 1, 1993; 13(1): 44 - 66. [Abstract]

				N. L. Leland and R. P. Barth Characteristics of Adolescents Who Have Attempted to Avoid HIV and Who Have Communicated with Parents About Sex Journal of Adolescent Research, January 1, 1993; 8(1): 58 - 76. [Abstract]

				C. W. Metzler, J. Noell, and A. Biglan The Validation of a Construct of High-Risk Sexual Behavior in Heterosexual Adolescents Journal of Adolescent Research, April 1, 1992; 7(2): 233 - 249. [Abstract]

				V. I. Rickert, A. A. Gottlieb, and M. S. Jay Is AIDS Education Related to Condom Acquisition? Clinical Pediatrics, April 1, 1992; 31(4): 205 - 210. [Abstract] [PDF]

				W. MARSIGLIO Male Procreative Consciousness and Responsibility:: A Conceptual Analysis and Research Agenda Journal of Family Issues, September 1, 1991; 12(3): 268 - 290. [Abstract]

				J. M. Carabasi and F. M. Bernt Development of the Survey about AIDS for Seventh and Eighth Graders (SASEG): An Initial Report Educational and Psychological Measurement, September 1, 1990; 50(3): 637 - 642.

				R. J. DiClemente The Emergence of Adolescents as a Risk Group for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Journal of Adolescent Research, January 1, 1990; 5(1): 7 - 17. [Abstract]

				S. C. Kalichman, J. A. Kelly, and J. S. St. Lawrence Factors Influencing Reduction of Sexual Risk Behaviors for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: a Review Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, January 1, 1990; 3(2): 129 - 148. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. M. LANIER and B. R. McCARTHY Aids Awareness and the Impact of AIDS Education in Juvenile Corrections Criminal Justice and Behavior, December 1, 1989; 16(4): 395 - 411. [Abstract]

				D. J. Nicholl Sex and the modern medical student -- the effect of Aids publicity Health Education Journal, January 1, 1989; 48(1): 17 - 20. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Aggleton HIV/Aids education in schools: Constraints and possibilities Health Education Journal, January 1, 1989; 48(4): 167 - 171. [PDF]

				L. K. Brown and G. K. Fritz AIDS Education in the Schools: A Literature Review as a Guide for Curriculum Planning Clinical Pediatrics, July 1, 1988; 27(7): 311 - 316. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. E. Sandberg, M. J. Rotheram-Borus, J. Bradley, and J. Martin Methodological Issues in Assessing AIDS Prevention Programs Journal of Adolescent Research, July 1, 1988; 3(3-4): 413 - 418. [Abstract]

				P. Gillies Educating teenagers about Aids - recent developments in the USA Health Education Journal, January 1, 1988; 47(4): 122 - 124. [PDF]

	Home | My Pediatrics | Journal Information | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscriptions & Services | Contact Us Click here for faster international access © 1987 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.