PATTERNS OF COMMUNICATION ABOUT AIDS AMONG HISPANIC AND ANGLO ADOLESCENTS

This study examined exposure to AIDS information from mass media and i nterpersonal communication among a nonprobability sample of Hispanic a nd Angle lower middle-class adolescents. Subjects were drawn predomina ntly from community health clinics, word of mouth recruiting, public s ervice announcements, churches, schools, and health fairs in San Diego County. Both Hispanic (n = 220) and Angle (n = 153) youths reported s ubstantial exposure to information about AIDS from both mass media and interpersonal communication. Hispanics watched more general televisio n than Angles, but had less exposure to newspapers and interpersonal c ommunication with friends. Communication among friends was most consis tently related to sociodemographic variables, with older, higher statu s persons and girls communicating to the greatest extent. Boys reporte d the greatest communication with family. Angle youths had greater exp osure to information about AIDS and condoms regardless of the medium o f communication, while Hispanic adolescents had greater exposure to in formation on risks of IV drug use. Of the three main types of mass med ia, print and radio provided the most exposure to AIDS information. It is important for preventive medicine practitioners to exploit these d ifferences in communication patterns when planning preventive interven tion strategies that target specific adolescent populations.