| Summary |
The purpose of this study was to assess the adolescent's knowledge of AIDS and identify the adolescent's self-efficacy or self-perceived ability to participate in preventive behaviors and avoid high risk behaviors surrounding the contraction of AIDS. The sample included 28 males and 23 females who were attending classes in an adult high school program in a community college in rural eastern North Carolina. Slightly under half (49%) were 18 years of age and the remaining were 19 years of age (51%). Thirty-five of the subjects were white (68.6%) and the remaining 16 were black (31.4%). Subjects completed two questionnaires, the AIDS Information Survey and the Self-efficacy Scale for AIDS. Knowledge levels of the adolescents were similar to the national average, suggesting that rural adolescents have knowledge levels similar to urban adolescents, knowledge deficits were identified including the fact that Some only 17.6% knew that one could be exposed to AIDS through French kissing. The present study identified specific areas of vulnerability These involved asking their partners about previous sexual experiences, telling their partners about for adolescents. their past experiences, and limiting the number of sexual partners. Females were found to have significantly more self-efficacy to participate in AIDS prevention behaviors than males. In addition, black females and white females had significantly more self-efficacy to participate in AIDS prevention behaviors than black males and white males. Mean knowledge scores were not found to significantly influence mean self-efficacy scores. Therefore, research aimed at increasing the adolescent's self-efficacy to participate in AIDS prevention behaviors is necessary. |
