DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESSION IN CHILDRENS KNOWLEDGE OF AIDS - IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION AND ATTITUDINAL CHANGE

The effectiveness of curricula designed to enhance a child's understan ding of AIDS may hinge partially upon incorporating information adjust ed to the child's developmental status. Accordingly, we examined the d evelopmental progression of children's understanding of illness transm ission in general and AIDS in particular, as well as explored the rela tion between a child's knowledge of AIDS and his/her attitudes toward persons with AIDS. Knowledge of AIDS was manipulated through use of a brief educational intervention. Results support a developmental progre ssion in knowledge about AIDS that is consistent with progressions rel ated to illnesses in general. Knowledge enhancement was associated wit h positive changes in attitude.