Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to HIV and AIDS among Female College Students in Taiwan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Our purpose was to assess the knowledge and attitudes, source of HIV and AIDS information, and behaviors related to HIV and AIDS among female college students in Taiwan and to explore the factors associated with knowledge and attitudes of HIV and AIDS among female college students in Taiwan. We employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. Using a mail survey, the investigators collected data from a convenience sample of 99 female undergraduate students at a 4-year university in Taiwan. The self-administrated questionnaire included a demographic questionnaire and the International AIDS Questionnaire—Chinese Version. Our study revealed that the majority of respondents (68%) were sexually active in the last year. Findings revealed that the sexually active women had more overall HIV and AIDS knowledge and attitudes compared to those who were not sexually active. Overall, findings revealed a significant number of participants were not aware of HIV and AIDS facts and held many myths about the transmission of HIV and AIDS. Accurate HIV and AIDS information is the first step in preventing the spread of this epidemic. Ideally, the fight against AIDS should involve the family, education system, mass media, and society at large; however, the lack of necessary knowledge, values, and skills often results in ineffective and inconsistent HIV and AIDS prevention programs.