College students' knowledge about AIDS and attitudes toward condom use

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sexual Health Education
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• College students' knowledge of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and attitudes toward condom use are critical for public health.
• Understanding factors influencing condom use is essential for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess college students' knowledge of AIDS.
• To evaluate college students' attitudes and beliefs regarding condom use.
• To identify factors influencing condom use decisions among college students.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to college students assessing AIDS knowledge using a 28-item true-false questionnaire.
• Respondents reported on their sexual activity, condom usage, and intentions for sexual intercourse.
• Open-ended questions explored beliefs about condom use, with the 10 most frequent identified.

Main Results:

• Students scored high on AIDS knowledge (mean=22.5/28).
• Among sexually active students, only 40% reported condom use, despite intentions for vaginal (87%) and rectal (18%) intercourse.
• Key beliefs included protection against STDs/pregnancy (majority), AIDS prevention (47%), but also concerns about pleasure, convenience, and reduced sensation.

Conclusions:

• Despite high AIDS knowledge, condom use among college students is suboptimal.
• Beliefs about condom efficacy, pleasure, and convenience significantly influence usage.
• Interventions should target attitudes and normative beliefs, considering differing influences (mothers vs. partners) by age group, to improve condom use behavior.