A national sample of 1082 Israeli adolescents, aged 14-18, was questioned o
n the following topics: Respondents' sexual habits and HIV/AIDS prevention
behaviours, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes, and six kinds of HIV/
AIDS-related denial. The main results showed that infrequent condom use was
associated with a high level of denial, denial of personal relevance and o
f responsibility being the most salient. These results suggest that denial
may constitute a major factor in HIV/AIDS-related risk behaviours, with imp
lications for intervention programmes aimed at adolescents. (C) 2000 The As
sociation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.