Document 0661
 DOCN  M94A0661
 TI    Knowing about AIDS: from information to understanding.
 DT    9412
 AU    Rosenthal D; Centre for the Study of STD, La Trobe University, Carlton
       South.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1993 Oct 28-30;5:52 (abstract no. FP4).
       Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM5/94348994
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To document developmental changes in adolescents' knowledge
       about AIDS. METHOD: Pre-adolescents and adolescents (aged 10 to 18
       years) were tested on their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Knowledge was
       assessed using a self-report questionnaire (examining levels of factual
       knowledge) and a semistructured interview (examining cognitive
       developmental levels of understanding). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:
       Questionnaire responses suggested higher levels of knowledge than did
       interviews, with scores on the questionnaire unrelated to scores on the
       interview until late adolescence. Thus, factual information acquired
       about HIV/AIDS was not automatically accompanied by understanding. In
       light of these findings the past conclusion that adolescents have high
       levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS is questioned. Examination of the
       developmental shifts in understanding of HIV/AIDS revealed an increase
       in conceptual complexity on causal and prevention dimensions. The main
       conceptual changes included a shift from single-cause to multiple-cause
       solutions and a shift from identifying surface or immediate features to
       implicating less salient features. Additionally, with age, concepts
       about HIV/AIDS were increasingly organised around internal,
       physiological principles.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PREVENTION & CONTROL/
       *PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Adolescence  Child  Female  *Health Behavior
       *Health Education  Human  HIV Infections/PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/*PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Internal-External Control  Knowledge,
       Attitudes, Practice  Male  Personality Assessment  MEETING ABSTRACT

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