AIDS Awareness at a Small Private College for Women

Abstract

In 1990, 91 freshmen at a small women's college responded to a questionnaire designed to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness of HIV and AIDS. The survey included questions on various aspects of the AIDS crisis, including biology, epidemiology, condom use, mandatory testing, and social policy issues. The original questionnaire was revised and distributed to the entering freshmen class during student orientation from 1991–1994, and these results were compared with those of the 1990 survey. Thus, data collected over a five year period have been reviewed. The students' general knowledge of HIV disease improved during the five year study period. The vast majority of respondents favored mandatory HIV testing in the health care setting. Although most students were able to identify high risk behaviors, including unprotected sex, for contracting HIV, the majority said that they do not use condoms on a regular basis. The findings of the survey underscore the need for AIDS education programs that focus on identifying and reducing high risk behaviors.