AIDS-related attitudes and knowledge among attenders at a Scottish family planning clinic

AIDS-related attitudes and knowledge of 1,970 family planning clinic attenders were examined using a self-completion questionnaire. Attitudes towards testing varied depending on the sex, age and marital status of respondents. Knowledge of HIV transmission routes was generally good, although the fact that those most likely to be at risk of infection--the younger respondents and those not currently in steady relationships--were the least well-informed gives some cause for concern. Since family planning consultations are frequently the only contact these young sexually active individuals have with the health service the opportunities for health education on HIV/AIDS afforded by regular attendance at these clinics should be capitalized upon.