Worksite AIDS education: a case study of the New York City police

The New York City Police Department (NYCPD) offers AIDS education on a continuing basis to all uniformed police personnel. The program consists of a videotape, published materials, lecture with medical experts, and individual counseling available on request. This study focuses on police officers' sources of information about AIDS, comparing the workplace program to other sources, as well as their knowledge about HIV transmission and their attitudes towards co-workers with AIDS. Two precincts were surveyed, one in an area of higher prevalence of AIDS cases and the other in an area of lower prevalence. All employees valued the workplace program as more informative than personal and professional sources, but somewhat less informative than the media and the Surgeon General's pamphlet. While officers in both precincts were knowledgeable about the spread of HIV, those more knowledgeable had more positive attitudes towards infected co-workers. Precinct differences suggest that future programs might take into account site-specific characteristics.