AIDS and the perception of risk in college women: An inquiry into the effectiveness of AIDS education

摘要: Current AIDS information surveys are designed to evaluate an individual's degree of AIDS-related knowledge. These conducted in a forced-choice Likert format. Because rates sexually transmitted diseases increasing, (and by inference, therefore, so is AIDS), the author contends that testing "knowledge" inaccurate method assessing sexual behavior. This study, which involves two-hour long, open-ended interviews with twenty-five college women, displays their level knowledge has little bearing on activity. Rather, peer group norms and values exchange influenced decision-making process. The women utilized several "voices" when discussing feelings sexuality negotiate coexisting dominant cultural ideals. study explores student's sense personal vulnerability, blame, responsibility perceived necessity adopt safer practices. We are, most us, largely unaware fact body exists world full common infectious agents, without adequate immune protection, would attack our fragile vital organs kill us short order. individual soul...is similarly exposed linguistic, moral, social predicates bear down it incessantly, bending shaping fit received categories being. (Clatts Mutchler, 1990:20)