FINDING HEALTH AND AIDS INFORMATION IN THE MASS-MEDIA - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY AMONG CHINESE COLLEGE-STUDENTS

Western health officials believe the incidence of HIV infection in the People's Republic of China is much higher than has been reported, but knowledge about the disease remains low. This paper describes a preli minary study of Chinese college students' AIDS knowledge and beliefs a nd of the acceptability of mass media for AIDS education. Focus group interviews of 73 Xiamen University students showed that the students u sed radio more consistently than any other media and viewed magazines as the best media source of health information, However, they expresse d a general distrust of the health information media offer. They posse ssed quite a bit of accurate information about AIDS but also harbored many inaccurate beliefs. Most felt that their personal risk from AIDS was very low because they felt distanced-either geographically or mora lly-from those at risk. Disturbing numbers felt that fate, not individ ual behavior, determines whether or not a person contracts HIV. The pa per discusses the study's implications for future research.