Knowledge and attitudes about AIDS: a comparative study of Thais involved in sexual occupations, university students and immigrants living in the United States
Tori, C.D.; Amawattana, T.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 76(1): 46-52
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 8228694 Document Number: 333873
The authors contrast the level and accuracy of knowledge about AIDS possessed by those who work as prostitutes on a regular basis, previously unstudied university students, and Thais living in the US who have been exposed to assertive and sophisticated mass media AIDS information campaigns. 37 male and 52 female prostitutes of average age 22.05 years; 465 university students from Thammasat University, 67.5% female and of mean age 19.35 years; and 220 Thai families living in the US, 63.2% women and of mean age 40.10 years with average family size 3.52 persons were surveyed. All participants possessed substantial factual knowledge about AIDS, although those involved in prostitution has the lowest level of accurate information (92%). AIDS knowledge was identical at 95% for the other two groups. Findings indicate that Thailand's AIDS educational efforts have been quite successful. Television, newspapers, and radio provided information for most participants while a few learned about AIDS from their physician or in educational institutions. A majority expressed an interest in learning more about AIDS. Techniques to better inform prostitutes about AIDS are discussed and a common outcome instrument to measure AIDS knowledge and attitudes is recommended.