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Health Education Research, Vol. 4, No. 3, 285-295, 1989
© 1989 Oxford University Press

research-article

A survey of knowledge, attitudes and risk estimates concerning HIV and AIDS in a Zimbabwean student sample

M.K. Pitts, D. Wilson, K.C. Phillips1, D.G. White1 and Y. Shorrocks1

Department of Psychology, University of Zimbabwe Harare, Zimbabwe
1Department of Psychology, Polytechnic of East London Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

A questionnaire based upon DiClemente's AIDS Information Survey was used to assess knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AIDS and estimates of personal risk. It was completed by 238 students at the University of Zimbabwe in Spring 1988. The results showed encouragingly high levels of knowledge concerning AIDS, but these were not consistent across subscales. Generally, knowledge of transmission and characteristics was high, but knowledge of causes and prevention was more variable. Analysis of personal risk showed that AIDS was perceived as a serious threat and the majority of respondents expressed concern about contracting AIDS. A significant correlation was found between knowledge and personal risk though this only accounts for 9% of the variance, indicating that knowledge by itself has limited impact upon risk estimates. Comparisons of gender, marital status differences, and differences in the amount of education received about AIDS, yielded few significant differences in total knowledge scores, although there was encouraging evidence of greater pick up of specific messages, e. g. the use of condoms as a means of reducing risk, amongst those receiving more education. The results are compared with findings from USA and Western Europe and suggestions are made for the focus of future health education programmes in Zimbabwe.


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