| dc.description.abstract | The escalating prevalence of Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome has precipitated many efforts aimed at informing
the public about the deadly AIDS virus and how to avoid
infection. Since the university population consists
largely of single young adults, many of whom are sexually
active, it is an important target population for AIDS
education. The present study examined through the use of
an AIDS Questionnaire (AIDSQ), the relationships among
knowledge about AIDS, concern, barriers to change, and
behavioural change. The AIDSQ was administered to 121
female and 38 male introductory psychology students
attending a Northern Ontario University. Results
indicated that knowledge alone was not sufficient to
produce behavioural change. Several factors which did
appear to be related to behaviour change included level
of concern about contracting AIDS, confidence in one's
ability to estimate the risks associated with one's
behaviour, confidence in the effectiveness of the
recommended behavioural changes for avoiding AIDS, and
the degree of comfort felt engaging in the recommended
behaviours. Implications for future educational
interventions and research are discussed. | |
