Analysis of AIDS-Related Knowledge and Attitudes of Korean Adolescents

우리나라 일부 청소년의 AIDS관련 지식, 태도에 관한 문헌고찰

The purpose of this study was to assess the adolescents' perceptions of AIDS by reviewing the research findings on adolescents' knowledge and attitudes about AIDS, and to provide basic data for the development of AIDS prevention education program. Literature for the analysis was searched by using the terms 'AIDS', 'HIV', 'Adolescent', 'Student'. Finally, 17 articles from Korea and 3 from abroad were analysed. Major conclusions were as follows: 1. For the knowledge level of AIDS, most of the adolescents knew the definition, high risk group, and infection rout of AIDS. On the contrary, the knowledge level of the treatment of AIDS was low. 2. For the attitudes toward AIDS, the level of perceived severity was high. But the level of perceived susceptibility found to be low. Middle and high school students showed more positive attitudes toward AIDS patients than college students. Attitudes toward AIDS prevention education program were positive, but taking the blood test for the detection of AIDS was negative. 3. The experience rates of AIDS Education were ranged from 13.6% to 60%. Major channel for getting AIDS information were TV, newspaper and radio. The experience rates of sexual intercourse were ranged from 4% to 48.3%. The intention of using condom was 66.7%, but the rate of condom use was 38.4%. AIDS infection rates have been increasing rapidly among teens in recent years. Therefore, It is urgent to identify the determinants affecting AIDS related perception and preventive behavior, and to develop the prevention program for AIDS.