[Evaluation of adolescents' attitude to the problem of AIDS]

By means of anonymous questionnaire survey an assessment has been made of Moscow teenagers' attitude to HIV-infected persons, of their views on measures taken in the USSR in relation to AIDS patients and HIV-infected persons, and also assessment of the educational effect of lectures. From 49% to 57% of the interviewed feel compassion for HIV-infected persons, and 19%-21% have negative attitude towards them. From 9% to 15% of the interviewed would break all kind of contacts with their friends if they become HIV-infected, from 39% to 45% would limit their contacts and 40% of teenagers would not change their attitude. About 50% of the interviewed consider it necessary to keep the diagnosis of AIDS secret, from 61% to 63% of the interviewed speak in support of isolating HIV-infected persons. Among those who listened to the lecture, a more humane attitude to HIV-infected persons has been registered. The lecture had a larger effect of girls than on boys.