Bahamian Adolescents: A Survey of their Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs About AIDS

Authors

  • Antoinette Y. Rodgers Rutgers University
  • Carolyn C.M. Rolle The College of The Bahamas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15362/ijbs.v9i0.26

Abstract

This paper reports data from a survey conducted with 260 Bahamian adolescents assessing their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AIDS. The results revealed that these adolescents have a high level of knowledge about AIDS. In fact, these adolescents are as knowledgeable about AIDS as adolescents in their normed group, which consisted of low-income African American adolescents. Further, neither males nor females differed in their perceptions about their risk for getting AIDS and in their perceptions about the effectiveness of condoms in preventing the spread of AIDS. Implications for the development of AIDS prevention programmes for Bahamian adolescents are discussed.

Author Biographies

Antoinette Y. Rodgers, Rutgers University

Associate Professor in Social Work Rutgers University Brunswick, New Jersey

Carolyn C.M. Rolle, The College of The Bahamas

Coordinator, Social Work Programme Social Sciences Division The College of The Bahamas

References

Adame, D. D., Taylor-Nicholson, M.E., Wang, M., & Abbas, M.A. (1991). Southern college freshman students: A survey of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AIDS. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 17(3), 196-206. https://doi.org/10.1080/01614576.1991.11074021

Baldwin, J. D., & Baldwin, J. I. (1988). Factors affecting AIDS related sexual risk taking behaviors among college students. Journal of Sex Research, 25(2), 181-196. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224498809551454

Brooks-Gunn, J., Boyer, C. B., & Hein, K. (1988). Preventing HIV infection and AIDS in children and adolescents: Behavioral research and intervention strategies. American Psychologist, 43(11):958-964. https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066x.43.11.958

DiClemente, R. J. (1991). Predictors of HIV-Preventative sexual behavior in a high-risk adolescents population: The influence of perceived peer norms and sexual communication on incarcerated adolescents' consistent use of condoms. Journal of Adolescent Health, 12(5), 385-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-0070(91)90052-N

DiClemente, R. J., Boyer, C. B., & Morales, E. S. (1988). Minorities and AIDS: Knowledge, attitudes and misconceptions among black and Latino adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 78(1), 55-57. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.78.1.55

DiClemente, R. J., Zorn, J, & Temoshok, L. (1986). Adolescents and AIDS: A survey of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AIDS in San Francisco. American Journal of Public Health, 76(12), 1443-1445. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.76.12.1443

Goodman, E., & Cohall, A. T. (1989). Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and adolescents: Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in a New York City adolescent minority population. Pediatrics, 84(1), 36-42. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.84.1.36

Jemmott, J. B., Jemmott, L. S., & Fong, G. T. (1992). Reductions in HIV risk-associated sexual behaviors among Black male adolescents: Effects of an AIDS prevention intervention. American journal of Public Health, 82(3), 372-377. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.82.3.372

Kegeles, S. M., Adler, N. E., & Irwin, C. E. (1989). Adolescents and condoms: Associations of beliefs with intentions to use. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 143(8), 911-915. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150200063019

Lamport, L. L., & Andre, T. (1993). AIDS knowledge and sexual responsibility. Youth & Society, 25(1), 38-61. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X93025001003

Ministry of Health. (1992). Bahamian Public Health Department.

Polit-O'Hara, D., & Kahn, J. R. (1985). Communication and contraceptive practices in adolescent couples. Adolescence, 20(77), 33-42. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ318015

Romer, D., & Hornik, R. (1992). HIV education for youth: the importance of social consensus in behaviour change. AIDS care, 4(3), 285-303. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540129208253100

Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Koopman, C., Haignere, C., & Davies, M. (1991). Reducing HIV sexual risk behaviors among runaway adolescents. JAMA, 266(9), 1237-1241. https://doi.org/ 10.1001/jama.1991.03470090071034

Sonenstein, F. L., Pleck, J. H., & Ku, L. C. (1989). Sexual activity, condom use and AIDS awareness among adolescent males. Family planning perspectives, 21, 152-158. https://doi.org/10.2307/2135805

Trinidad-Tobago leads region in AIDS cases. (1993, September 23). Miami Herald, p. 6A.

Downloads

How to Cite

Rodgers, A. Y., & Rolle, C. C. (2008). Bahamian Adolescents: A Survey of their Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs About AIDS. International Journal of Bahamian Studies, 9, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.15362/ijbs.v9i0.26