HEALTH BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES TOWARD PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AIDS

The present study was concerned with the relationship between health b eliefs and attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Measures of a ttitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS, beliefs about the transmission o f HIV, and health locus of control beliefs were completed by 128 under graduate students. In general, subjects who believed that HIV was tran smitted through normal social contact wanted to avoid contact with peo ple with HIV/AIDS, and showed other negative attitudes, such as lack o f sympathy and blame. They also believed that their health was influen ced by powerful others and chance. The findings are discussed in terms of fear of contracting HN and the tendency to blame the victim.