College students' knowledge and perceptions of genital herpes

Given the rising prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and the lack of accurate information about STDs in general, it is important to unde rstand specific aspects of knowledge and attitudes regarding genital herpes acquisition among college students. This study examined the knowledge and attitudes regarding HSV-2 among college students by, recruiting subjects (n =518) from an undergraduate psychology class to complete a questionnaire. T he percentage of students answering individual knowledge items correctly ra nged from 67% to 99%. The media was a common source of information, acid al most one-third of the students anticipated that their care provider would t hink negatively of them should they acquire the disease. There were gender differences in care-seeking behaviour, knowledge, and attitudes, with femal es having a more negative view of themselves if they acquired the disease. This study painted to the challenges in ensuring accurate knowledge about g enital herpes that will encourage preventive behaviours without causing und ue alarm or shame.