AIDS--sources of information and public opinion in Norway 1986

The present paper deals with three issues related to public opinion in Norway: 1) the importance and credibility of HIV/AIDS information sources; 2) changes or intended changes of sexual behaviour because of fear of HIV/AIDS and, 3) attitudes towards homosexuals and the integrity of HIV-infected persons. The data stem from a national interview survey conducted in 1986, and the sample is considered to be representative of the total adult Norwegian population. By far the most important sources of information related to HIV/AIDS are television, newspapers, and radio. The subgroup pattern clearly reflects the general pattern of media consumption in Norway. Only 2% regarded friends as important information sources, indicating that HIV/AIDS is not included in the agenda of interpersonal communication, either because of lack of personal interest in the issue or because HIV/AIDS is a taboo subject. The judgement of the credibility of the information sources corresponds to the judgement of the importance of information sources at the aggregate level. Totally, 2% reported having changed sexual behaviour because of fear of HIV/AIDS. The youngest age group reported change (4%) and intended change (6%) more often than did the other age groups. As for the attitudes towards homosexuals, the present study indicates a slight increase in negative attitude towards homosexuals because of fear of HIV/AIDS.