AIDS
Adults (over the age of 18) from the company and other people who I know were
randomly assigned to receive the survey. The group includes married males and
females as well as single male and females. There are 19 female and 31 male
subjects. A survey consisting of twenty statements concerning sexually
transmitted disease and HIV infection. The survey was designed by myself . The
purpose of the survey is to measure participants awareness of AIDS and sexually
transmitted diseases. I am trying to show that people are not well informed
about subjects such as condom use, condom use and alcohol, transmission of
sexual diseases, and the magnitude of the AIDS problem. Subjects are asked to
choose the level with which they agree or disagree with each statement. There
are two levels of agreement and two levels of disagreement. See appendix A. A
consent form was signed by all participants. See appendix B. Results t-test*: t
(48) = -2.2185, p * .0313 | | | df cv pv Variable N Mean Std Dev. Minimum
Maximum Q1 50 1.420 0 .810 1.00 4.00 Q10 49 1.408 0.810 1.00 4.00 Q15 50 1.320 0
.621 1.00 4.00 Q3 48 3.396 0.869 1.00 4.00 Q9 50 3.240 0.822 1.00 4.00 Q6 50
3.220 0.834 1.00 4.00 Q16 50 3.100 0.621 1.00 4.00 Methods Subjects Adults (over
the age of 18) from the company and other people who I know were randomly
assigned to receive the survey. The group includes married males and females as
well as single male and females. There are 19 female and 21 male subjects. Ages
ranged from late teens to early fifties, with the majority being in their
twenties. Independent variable Questions 6, 9, 13, and 16 on the survey. I would
be comfortable eating lunch with someone with HIV or AIDS. I would be
comfortable shaking hands with someone who has AIDS. I am very well informed
about HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. I would not have
unprotected sex with someone unless they got tested first. Dependent Variable.
Awareness and education of AIDS and sexually transmitted disease. Operational
Definition Awareness and education of AIDS and sexually transmitted disease
equals a total score of 12 or higher on questions 6, 9, 13, and 16 of the
survey. Procedures A survey consisting of twenty statements concerning sexually
transmitted disease and AIDS was given to fifty subjects. A t test was performed
on the results as well as a comparison of male vs. Female scores on the
Awareness and Education variable. Discussion Results of the survey have shown a
need for additional education of males concerning AIDS awareness and education.
Females, (89%) did very well on the variable which was measured for satisfactory
knowledge and awareness of AIDS and sexually transmitted disease. Males, (65%)
did also score well on this variable. This leaves us with 35% of the males
needing more education and 11% of the females needing to increase there
awareness and education. The rather large number of males needing further
education tend to support my hypotheses that yes more education is necessary. I
was pleased to see that on the whole, people are better informed than I had
originally hypothesized as demonstrated by the scores reported for specific
question. The lowest score or strongest disagreement was on the statement that
AIDS was no longer a big issue. People also realize that just having one sex
partner at a time is not enough to protect you from AIDS as demonstrated by
their response to number 10. The strongest agreement with statements on the
survey concerned worrying about children’s future. This being the case, why is
it that behavior as is described in my research does not reflect this knowledge?
People know what they need to do to reduce their chances of exposure to AIDS and
sexually transmitted disease but they fail to do it. The research concentrated
on students who are exposed to much more information about AIDS than adults who
are out of the educational system. Further education about the dangers of
unprotected sex is needed as the study suggest, but we also need to understand
why education is not enough. We desperately need to develop behaviors which will
protect us from sexually transmitted disease and AIDS. Education Needed for
AIDS, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually transmitted diseases are a
major health concern for our country. With the spread of AIDS among so many
people, both gay and heterosexual, it is important that we understand how these
diseases spread and what we can do to prevent them. Continuing efforts to
educate college students about the dangers of unprotected sex have resulted in
little evidence of positive change in sexual behavior (Saywer ; Moss, 93).
During the 1980s, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the cause of
AIDS, emerged as a leading cause of death in the United.States). In 1993, HIV
infection became the most common cause of death among persons aged 25-44
years.(Center for Disease Control) Because of the long latency period for HIV a
large number of these people may have become infected during the ages of 18 to
24 the ages of most college students. One of the national health objectives for
the year 2000 for the college age population is a reduction in unintended
pregnancy and transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, including and HIV
/AIDS.. Studies have shown a need for educational interventions and future
in-depth studies of college students. An example is a study which showed that a
group of college males who had a history of sexually transmitted diseases, high
numbers of sexual partners and inconsistent condom use still perceived their
risk of HIV/AIDS infection as very low.(Sawyer and Moss, 93). College students
are thought to be at high risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases because of
their high level of sexual activity and their potential for multiple sex
partners Studies have shown that even students who consider themselves in long
term relationships often experience casual sex with another partner ( Sawyer and
Moss,93 ). Multiple partners seem to be the norm rather than the exception.
Sawyer and Moss (1993), reported that 21% of the men sampled have had 2 to 3
sexual partners,33% 4 to 6 partners and 39% 7 or more sexual partners. Another
study reported an average of 6 different lifetime partners among female college
students. ( Kusseling, Wenger and Shapiro 95 ) It becomes very obvious that with
this type of activity occurring, the need for protection from STD is very
important. The most obvious and easiest course of action would be for college
students to abstain from sex, have a monogamous relationship with someone who is
not infected, or reduce the risk of infection by using condoms, but this is not
happening as the following studies have shown. Nicholas D. Ritchie, PhD, and
Adelaide Getty, RN, BHS, CHES (1994). Francoise S. Kusseling, MOB; Neil S.
Wenger, MD, MPH; and Martin F. Shapiro, MD, PhD. (1995). Barbara A De Buono,M.D.,
M.P.H., Stephen H Zinner, M.D., Maxim Daamen, M.D., and William M. McCormack,
M.D. (1989). Anita Raj, M.S., and Robert H Pollack, PhD., (1995). Tina M.
Brien,MSEd; Dennis L. Thombs, PhD; Colleen A. Mahoney,PhD; and Larry Wallnau,
PhD. (1993) Robin G Sawyer,Phd, and Donald J. Moss, MD. (1993) Condom use by
female college students was reported to be 23% initially and 27% after a six
month follow up, in a study of women attending a health clinic ( Kusseling,
Wenger and Shapiro 95 ) Another study designed to compare college women’s sexual
activity before and after the start of the current HIV and genital herpes virus
epidemic, concluded that there had been little change is sexual practices with
the exception of increased use of condoms which still had not reached the 50%
point (DeBuno, Zinner, Daamen, McCormack 90). Another study of college females
done in 95 showed that 64% did not regularly use condoms ( Raj and Pollack ,95
). In one study done by Sawyer and Moss,(1993 ) of college men reporting to a
clinic for treatment of an Sexually Transmitted Diseases 75% of the subjects
reported never or only occasionally using condoms. One of the reasons that
students do not use condoms is because they consume alcohol before they engage
in sex. The alcohol acts as a disinhibitor effecting the students judgment to
have sex and whether or not to use condoms for protection. In one study of 243
college students 81% of students over 21 said that they had at least once had
sex because of intoxication. ( Butcher,Manning,O’Neal, 91have sex due to
intoxication. Over 18% of students in another study said that they had abandoned
safe sex techniques due to alcohol (Meilmand, (1993). The dangerous interaction
between alcohol use and high risk sexual activities suggested that college HIV
prevention efforts should make the connection between the two risk factors
explicit. ( Butcher,Manning,O’Neal, 91). Other reasons for the lack of condom
use among college students are their lack of confidence in discussing and using
condoms. Some of the lack of confidence in discussing condom use is that many
students are afraid that their partner will think that either they have a
disease or that they are afraid of catching one from them . Either way they feel
there is a very high chance of rejection if the topic of condoms were brought
up. Communication self- efficacy was the best discriminator between those who
initiate discussion about condom use and those who don’t. They felt confident in
their ability to insist on condom use and to handle any arguments that might
come up.(Brien, Thombs, Mahoney, and Wallnau. 1993). It is important that we
recognize the need for education about AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
This study will investigate peoples understanding of AIDS, HIV and sexually
transmitted diseases. It will show that more education is necessary to help
control the spread of these diseases . Students have been given the most
education about AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases yet they do not have an
accurate understanding of their chances of getting AIDS. The general population
doesn’t have exposure to all of the AIDS awareness training that the students do
so I feel that they will know even less. The hypothesis for this research is the
following. People do not have an accurate understanding of AIDS, HIV and
sexually transmitted diseases. More education is needed for the general
population. Education Needed for AIDS, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
_____________________ Sexually transmitted diseases are a major health concern
for our country. With the spread of AIDS among so many people, both gay and
heterosexual, it is important that we understand how these diseases spread and
what we can do to prevent them. During the 1980s, human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) infection, the cause of AIDS, emerged as a leading cause of death in the
United.States). In 1993, HIV infection became the most common cause of death
among persons aged 25-44 years.(Center for Disease Control) Studies have shown a
need for educational interventions and future in-depth studies of college
students. An example is a study which showed that a group of college males who
had a history of sexually transmitted diseases, high numbers of sexual partners
and inconsistent condom use still perceived their risk of HIV/AIDS infection as
very low.(Sawyer and Moss, 93). This study will investigate peoples
understanding of AIDS, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. It will show that
more education is necessary to help control the spread of these diseases .The
hypothesis for this research is the following. People do not have an accurate
understanding of AIDS, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. More education is
needed for the general population. Sexually transmitted diseases are a major
health concern for our country. With the spread of AIDS among so many people,
both gay and heterosexual, it is important that we understand how these diseases
spread and what we can do to prevent them. During the 1980s, human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the cause of AIDS, emerged as a leading
cause of death in the United.States). In 1993, HIV infection became the most
common cause of death among persons aged 25-44 years.(Center for Disease
Control) Studies have shown a need for educational interventions and future
in-depth studies of college students. An example is a study which showed that a
group of college males who had a history of sexually transmitted diseases, high
numbers of sexual partners and inconsistent condom use still perceived their
risk of HIV/AIDS infection as very low.(Sawyer and Moss, 93). College students
are probably the best informed about AIDS and yet they still need more education
as their sexual behavior indicates. If this group of well educated individuals
needs more education, what does the general public need in the area of AIDS and
sexually transmitted disease education. The way most people learn is through the
news, magazines and the newspaper. I do not think that this is enough.This study
will investigate peoples understanding of AIDS, HIV and sexually transmitted
diseases. It will show that more education is necessary to help control the
spread of these diseases .The hypothesis for this research is the following.
People do not have an accurate understanding of AIDS, HIV and sexually
transmitted diseases. More education is needed for the general population.
SURVEY Survey instructions The following questions are a survey being done for a
Psychology 221 research course. There are 20 questions about your ideas, beliefs
and sexual behavior related to HIV and Sexually transmitted diseases. The time
to complete this survey should be 15 to 20 minutes, so please take your time and
consider each question carefully and try to answer as truthfully as possible.
The survey is completely confidential as I will not ask for your name or student
ID. Number. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the need for HIV
and Sexually Transmitted Diseases education. If at any time you do not feel
comfortable responding to a statement you may skip it or decide to stop taking
the survey. If you decide to stop taking the survey and leave please take the
unfinished survey with you to discard to assure your privacy. Each statement is
responded to by circling the most correct number under each statement. Your
answers are numbered from 1 through 4. Below is a chart explaining the rating
for each answer. 1. Totally disagree or None of the time 2. Disagree somewhat or
Sometimes 3. Agree somewhat or Usually 4. Totally agree or All the time Consent
Form Date____________ I, _________________________, state that I am over 18
years of age and that I voluntarily agree to participate in a research project
conducted by ______________ psychology student at ______. The research is being
conducted in order to better understand the need for HIV and Sexually
Transmitted Disease education. The specific task I will perform requires me to
fill out a survey about my beliefs about HIV and sexually transmitted diseases,
my chances of getting the HIV virus and my beliefs concerning condom use and
safe sex practices.. I will not be asked to identify myself in relation to the
survey which I fill out. I acknowledge that ______________ has explained the
task to me fully; has informed me that I may withdraw from participation at any
time without prejudice or penalty; has offered to answer any questions I might
have concerning the research procedure; has assured me that any information that
I give will be used for research purposes only and will be kept confidential. I
also acknowledge that the benefits derived from, or rewards given for, my
participation have been fully explained to me-as well as alternative methods if
available, for earning these rewards-and that I have been promised, upon
completion of the research task, a brief description of the role my specific
performance plays in this project. There will be no reimbursement for your
participation from me (_____________) or the school. __________________________
___________________________ SIGNATURE OF RESEARCHER SIGNATURE OF PARTICIPANT
__________________ Education Needed for AIDS, HIV and Sexually Transmitted
Diseases Abstract Results of the survey have shown a need for additional
education of males concerning AIDS awareness and education. Females, (89%) did
very well on the variable which was measured for satisfactory knowledge and
awareness of AIDS and sexually transmitted disease. Males, (65%) did also score
well on this variable. This leaves us with 35% of the males needing more
education and 11% of the females needing to increase there awareness and
education. The rather large number of males needing further education tend to
support my hypotheses that yes more education is necessary. On the whole, people
are better informed than had originally been hypothesized. Measures Survey My
age is___________ My sex is___________ My education level is______________ Check
one, I am single _________, married __________, divorced __________ I have
children and their ages are 1-10 _____, 11-15______, 16-20_____, 21+ _____ 1.
Aids is a lower income and gay problem, I don’t need to worry. 2. I would never
go out with someone who was HIV positive, or who had AIDS. 3. I worry about my
children’s future and them getting AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.
4. People now have fewer sex partners due to AIDS. 5. People use condoms more
frequently because of AIDS. 6. I would be comfortable eating lunch with someone
with HIV or AIDS. 7. People do not use condoms as much after they have been
drinking. 8. People know enough about AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. 9.
I would be comfortable shaking hands with someone who has AIDS. 10. As long as
you only have one sex partner you are safe. 11. I don’t worry about sexually
transmitted diseases. 12. I believe that our educational system has been
effective in presenting AIDS related information to students. 13. I am very well
informed about HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. 14. We spend
too much money on AIDS related research. It would be better spent on cancer
research which is more important. 15. I do not think HIV and AIDS is such a big
problem anymore. 16. I would not have unprotected sex with someone unless they
got tested first. 17. People are more likely to become sexually involved if they
have been drinking. 18. I would feel comfortable discussing condom use with a
potential sexual partner before ever having any sexual contact. 19. Most single
people usually have had a few drinks before they have sex. 20. People who get
HIV and AIDS kind of deserve it for being stupid
1———-2—————-3——————4 Circle 1 for totally disagree 2
for somewhat disagree 3 for somewhat agree 4 totally agree
Bibliography
Nicholas D. Ritchie, PhD, and Adelaide Getty, RN, BHS, CHES (1994). Did an
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