Knowledge and attitudes toward AIDS among female college students in Nagasaki, Japan

This study assesses knowledge and attitudes concerning HIV infection and in dividuals with AIDS among 383 female students attending colleges in Nagasak i, Japan. A structured questionnaire containing questions concerning knowle dge about AIDS, sources of information, beliefs and attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS was administered during sessions set up for that purpose. Th e mean age of participants was 18.8 +/- 0.8 years (+/- SD). The main source of information for AIDS awareness as reported by the students was the mass media. Good knowledge about AIDS was positively associated with ease of ac ceptance of living in the same house with a person diagnosed with AIDS [odd s ratio (OR): 1.90; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-3.38]. However, resi ding at home (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42-0.98) and involvement in nurse educati on programmes (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.37-0.95) showed a negative association. Students demonstrated a high level of knowledge concerning AIDS and HIV, bu t had considerable misconceptions and prejudices about people having HIV/AI DS. Our results suggest that a more appropriate education programme in coll eges in Japan may be necessary to reduce the discrepancy between general kn owledge and desirable attitude regarding HIV/AIDS.