Vermelho LL, Simoes Barbosa RH, Perez MA, Sarantakos G; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1989 Jun 4-9; 5: 936 (abstract no. E.806).
University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
OBJECTIVE: To provide information for health educational programs based on real status of knowledge, perception and behavior related to AIDS among university students. METHODS: Four hundred students of the Rio de Janeiro Federal University were interviewed and answered 41 questions each one. To analyse the results, simple proportions and higher correlations were inferred from these questions with stronger associations. Finally, the epidemiological and psychosocial profile were defined and reported. RESULTS: The disease etiology, main mechanisms of transmission and prevention were correctly answered by 75% of all students. There was, however, a significant increase of undecided and uninformed answers about the transmission by mosquitoes, saliva, cutlery, cups, water closet and others. Women's transmission is supposed to be associated with lesbianism. Information about the treatment and vaccine are poorly known. Finally, a strong prejudice correlated to homosexualism was observed. CONCLUSION: Despite university students have a high level of information about AIDS from TV, newspaper, books, scientific reviews and others, the perception of the problem is distorted by prejudice and fear. Being AIDS a disease related to sexuality and death, subjects very difficult to deal with in terms of changing habits and behaviors, new Educational Programs should use new methodology based on these issues.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Attitude
- Curriculum
- Educational Status
- Female
- Health Education
- Humans
- Interpersonal Relations
- Knowledge
- Perception
- Sex Education
- Sexual Behavior
- Students
- Universities
- education
Other ID:
UI: 102180930
From Meeting Abstracts