Document 0876
 DOCN  M9480876
 TI    Floridians' perceptions of AIDS transmission.
 DT    9410
 AU    Ganguly R; Vincent A; Sinnott JT; Hoecherl S; University of South
       Florida.
 SO    Abstr Gen Meet Am Soc Microbiol. 1994;94:156 (abstract no. E-74). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ASM94/94313069
 AB    AIDS transmission is heavily influenced by behavior, attitudes and
       knowledge about the disease among those at risk. This study is based
       upon the 1991 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
       data which included a module of questions about AIDS transmission and
       several demographic variables. Through a random digit dialing method,
       2,246 residents > or = 18 years of age were interviewed. Data were
       weighted to age, sex, and race-specific population count of the state
       and for the individual respondent's probability of selection. Floridians
       (89.0%) responded that the HIV virus can be transmitted in utero. Over
       one quarter of those surveyed (26.0%) believed that condom use is very
       protective in preventing AIDS transmission. Three of four subjects (75%)
       thought that they could contract the disease from a doctor. When asked
       if it was possible to get AIDS from donating blood, nearly half of the
       respondents (49.1%) said Yes. In general, correct responses were
       statistically linked to higher income, younger age, higher education and
       white race (alpha = .05). Thus Floridians might be reluctant to donate
       blood, fear physician contact and overestimate the protective value of
       condoms. Health education measures will be necessary to correct these
       significant misconceptions among Floridians regarding transmission of
       AIDS.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*TRANSMISSION  Condoms
       Demography  Female  Florida  Human  HIV  Interviews  *Knowledge,
       Attitudes, Practice  Male  Random Allocation  Risk Factors  Sex Behavior
       MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).