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Knowledge of AIDS and Safer Sex Practices Among College Freshmen
Author(s) -
Dilorio Colleen,
Parsons Margaret,
Lehr Sally,
Adame Daniel,
Carlone Joyce
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1446.1993.tb00045.x
Subject(s) - family medicine , safer , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , safer sex , health education , public health , medical education , condom , nursing , syphilis , computer security , computer science
We assessed knowledge of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and of safer sex practices among college freshmen. A second purpose of the study was to assess this knowledge among black as well as white students. Students attending classes at three private colleges in a large southern city were asked to participate in the study. Respondents completed the modified AIDS information survey, the knowledge of safe sex practices questionnaire, and a demographic data sheet. A total of 689 questionnaires were received from single college freshmen. The results indicated that respondents were knowledgeable about the cause and transmission of AIDS but were less knowledgeable about medical aspects. Most knew that condoms are effective in preventing the spread of AIDS, but fewer could differentiate between the effectiveness of latex and nonlatex condoms. These findings are useful to health educators in improving AIDS education programs.