Abstract
This study assessed knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS and sources of HIV/STI information among Chinese college students
living in the USA and explored specific factors associated with knowledge levels and types of sources of information. We surveyed
133 Chinese students enrolled in three US universities. About 41.4 % believed that HIV could be contracted through mosquito
bites, and 22.6 % were unaware that condoms could prevent HIV. Sources of HIV/STI information were the mass media. Males were
more likely to demonstrate a higher HIV/AIDS knowledge level than females. Graduate students were more likely to cite television
as a source of information, and less likely to mention school teachers, than were undergraduate students. These ethnic minority
immigrant students held misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention, and possibly utilized information of varying
quality. Accordingly this study identifies specific objectives for education, including basic biology and diversity issues
from evidence-based sources.
living in the USA and explored specific factors associated with knowledge levels and types of sources of information. We surveyed
133 Chinese students enrolled in three US universities. About 41.4 % believed that HIV could be contracted through mosquito
bites, and 22.6 % were unaware that condoms could prevent HIV. Sources of HIV/STI information were the mass media. Males were
more likely to demonstrate a higher HIV/AIDS knowledge level than females. Graduate students were more likely to cite television
as a source of information, and less likely to mention school teachers, than were undergraduate students. These ethnic minority
immigrant students held misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention, and possibly utilized information of varying
quality. Accordingly this study identifies specific objectives for education, including basic biology and diversity issues
from evidence-based sources.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9716-1
- Authors
- Wei-Chen Tung, Orvis School of Nursing, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA
- Minggen Lu, School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA
- Daniel M. Cook, School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912