This analysis examines knowledge of HIV and AIDS among 71,370 persons
interviewed in a national sample of the U.S. population. Factor analys
is of 26 questions about HIV infection and AIDS identified four distin
ct dimensions of AIDS knowledge: 1) transmission mechanisms; 2) common
ly known nontechnical information; 3) definitions of AIDS; and 4) tech
nical information. Significant differences across racial, ethnic, soci
oeconomic, and demographic groups exist for each dimension of AIDS kno
wledge, In general, racial minorities and those with lower socioeconom
ic status are shown to have lower knowledge levels. Exposure to mass m
edia about AIDS, and knowing a person with HIV or AIDS, are also stron
g predictors of increased knowledge. Multivariate analysis demonstrate
s 1) that socioeconomic status is a better predictor of knowledge of A
IDS than race or ethnicity; and 2) exposure to AIDS mass media has the
strongest effect on all dimensions of AIDS knowledge except for knowl
edge of technical issues about AIDS. Policy implications of these resu
lts are discussed.