The AIDS epidemic in Sweden: changes in awareness, attitudes and behavior

Questionnaire surveys concerning awareness, attitudes and beliefs about HIV virus and AIDS in Sweden were conducted in March/April of 1986, February/March of 1987, and May 1987. The number of individuals compared in the three surveys were 2,622, 1,805 and 707 respectively. The surveys indicate that the general public views the AIDS epidemic with growing concern. They feel that researchers and public officials cannot effectively combat the problem. To a growing extent they feel that it is up to individuals to appropriately adapt their behavior if we are to slow the spread of the disease, and to a certain extent changes in sexual practices also seem to have happened. Changes in awareness, attitudes and beliefs have accelerated since the start in March, 1987 of the Swedish AIDS information campaign.