AIDS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, BELIEFS, AND PRACTICES (KABP) IN 2 CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES - A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS

The present paper presents the results of AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, B eliefs, and Practices (KABP) surveys conducted in two Caribbean countr ies: St. Vincent and St. Lucia. Despite religious, socioeconomic, and literacy differences between the two countries, their citizens are rem arkably similar with respect to AIDS knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, an d practices. The major differences between the two countries concern t he perception of AIDS risk and the relative position of AIDS as a seri ous problem facing the country. These differences, however, appear unr elated to AIDs knowledge, sexual practices, or the likelihood of engag ing in AIDS-protective behaviors. These findings question the role of perceived risk of AIDS as a determinant of AIDS-protective behaviors, and, more important, they question the utility of increasing perceived fisk as a strategy in AIDS prevention programs.