Knowledge of AIDS, perceived risk of AIDS, and at-risk behaviors among older adults

By using a questionnaire derived from the Health Belief Model, this study examined older adults' knowledge of AIDS, perceptions of risk to AIDS, and at-risk behaviors. A total of 166 questionnaires were received from the EXCELL and Senior Adult Theater Group members actively enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The results indicated the respondents were knowledgeable about the transmission and seriousness of AIDS but were less knowledgeable about AIDS transmission through casual contact and the medical aspects of AIDS. Although they recognized the seriousness of AIDS, they generally do not believe that they are susceptible to this disease. Most did not think protecting themselves from AIDS would be particularly burdensome and they perceived safe sexual practices to be effective in preventing HIV transmission. Overall, this sample does not exhibit activities that would increase their chances in acquiring the AIDS virus and their use of condoms was low.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

1999

Author dc:creator

• Maes, Cheryl Ann

Contributors dc:contributor

• Margaret Louis

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/1081

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-2080