A SURVEY was carried out to determine students' knowledge, attitudes, and personal behaviour with respect to HIV infection; the aim was to obtain information which would lead to an improved educational programme. A questionnaire was sent to every tenth full-time student on Exeter University's alphabetical list. It was found that the students were wellinformed about Aids and HIV infection, but that this was not reflected in their behaviour. Ninety per cent accuracy or better was achieved in answer to most of the knowledge questions, whereas 47 per cent had made some positive change in their behaviour or awareness. The main thrust of the education effort will now have to be towards encouraging individuals to apply their knowledge to themselves, and to change their behaviour accordingly.A SURVEY of full-time students of Exeter University was undertaken to ascertain opinions and attitudes towards Aids, HIV mfection, and related issues, to test basic levels of knowledge, and to determme whether the sample population was changing its behaviour A secondary aim of the questionnaire was to increase knowledge and awareness.The cluestionnaire was mtroduced to the students as follows: &dquo;Aids is a new and fatal disease, caused by a virus which is concentrated in blood and semen A person who is infected with the VIruS is called HIV positive &dquo;This questionnaire is to enable us to provide a more effective education programme to reduce the spread of the virus.&dquo; Methods A sample was obtained by taking every tenth name on the student register 498 questionnaires were distributed in sealed envelopes to the students on 15 November 1987. Each student was requested to complete the questionnaire or indicate that they did not wish to do so In either case they were asked to return it via the University mail by 7 December 1987 Two hundred and twenty five questionnaires were returned by students, four mdicatmg a preference not to answer the questions. Three cltiestionnaires were excluded because of obvious jocularity Four questionnaires were returned after the closmg date and were also excluded. An additional five envelopes were returned unopened having failed to reach the addressee Data were therefore obtained on 214 individuals, 53 per cent female. 47 per cent male The questionnaire was piloted in a college of further education The questions asked were grouped into three categories One dealt with knowledge about Aids and HIV infection where the student was given two or three answers from which to choose Attitudes and opinions concerning some of the issues raised were sought by inviting the students to agree or disagree with a series of statements Thirdly, questions were asked about personal details and behaviour, mamly with space given for a written answer In order to mmmise the influence the effect that these questions about fact might have on the respondents' attitudes, the questions were grouped on three separate pages starting with the questions about attitudes, with instructions not to turn the page until the previous qu...
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