Differences in HIV-related knowledge and attitudes between Caucasian and 'Asian' men in Glasgow

There is little available information about the possible differences in HIV-related knowledge and attitudes between ethnic majority and minority groups. Questionnaires were completed by 490 Caucasian males and 243 males with origins in the Indian subcontinent ('Asian') living in Glasgow. There were small differences between the samples regarding knowledge of modes of transmission of HIV or perceived adequacy of personal knowledge. The 'Asian' men, however, were much more likely to indicate reluctance to use services also used by people with HIV and to feel that people with AIDS only had themselves to blame. They were also much less likely to feel at risk of becoming infected with HIV. The differences were not related to age. These marked differences, apparently unrelated to knowledge are important and require further exploration.