NCJ Number
128134
Journal
Sociology and Social Research Volume: 75 Issue: 1 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 8-16
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article presents the results of a survey of 109 female inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility in NY regarding their knowledge about AIDS and participation in AIDS-related high-risk behavior. It also examines differences between intravenous (IV) and non-IV drug users.
Abstract
All participants in the study were asked two sets of questions. The first consisted of 20 items relating to factual information about the HIV virus, AIDS transmission, HIV-positive status, and personal experience with AIDS. The second set included questions about behaviors such as use of drugs, IV-needle sharing, condom use, as well as a subjective rating of concern for physical health and an assessment of risk status for AIDS. The results show a high level of knowledge about AIDS in both groups, but no significant relationship between knowledge and behavior in either group. However a significantly greater number of high risk behavior is indicated in the IV-drug group. These findings suggest that high risk women are still engaging in high risk behaviors regardless of risk status and level of knowledge and indicate that traditional AIDS education programs may not be effective in behavior modification for this high risk group. A sample of the survey is appended. 1 note and 16 references (Author abstract modified)