Understanding AIDS: A comparison of children in the United States and Thailand

Replicating a prior U.S. study, data were gathered from preschool and schoo l-age children in Thailand (n = 80). Taking a developmental perspective, Th ai children's knowledge and understanding of AIDS was assessed, and results were compared with those of the U.S. sample. The findings show that Thai c hildren in each of four designated age groups have higher levels of accurat e knowledge of AIDS compared with their U.S. counterparts. The findings of these early studies are discussed in terms of current AIDS infection rates and educational prevention efforts in both cultures.