AIDS Knowledge Among College Freshmen Students: Need for Education?

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Abstract
The present study investigated AIDS knowledge among 175 newly entering college freshmen students. On self-ratings, subjects believed they possessed moderate to high levels of AIDS knowledge, and reported obtaining the majority of their information about AIDS from the media. On a 40-item instrument which measures general AIDS knowledge and specific knowledge of AIDS transmission and prevention, subjects averaged over 90% correct responses. However, important knowledge gaps were identified at the item level. Approximately 12-20% of subjects did not understand the high-risk nature of certain sexual behavior such as anal intercourse and erroneously viewed all homosexual activity and even donating blood as high-risk behavior. Misconceptions about the risk of AIDS transmission from nonsexual exchange of bodily fluids were also identified among a minority of freshmen. It was concluded that there may be a need for more focused AIDS education targeting specific knowledge gaps in college students. Further research is needed to determine AIDS knowledge among college freshmen from other geographic regions and differing sized institutions as well as other racial and ethnic groups.