The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58378

Jiajian Chen, PhD, Research Program, Population and Health Studies, East-West Center, 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848-1601, Shengli Chen, MD, Information, Education & Communication Department, The State Family Planning Commission, 14 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100088, China, and Minja K. Choe, PhD, Population and Health Studies, East-West Center, 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848, 808-944-7475, mchoe@hawaii.edu.

This study examines the determinants of AIDS knowledge differentials in China in 2000. Data used in this study are based on a cross-sectional Baseline Survey for HIV/AIDS Prevention conducted by the State Family Planning Commission in 2000. The survey is a stratified random sample with a sample size of 7053 respondents aged 15-49. Descriptive analysis reports unadjusted prevalence of accurate knowledge about AIDS agent, routes of transmission and ways of prevention by selected socio-demographic characteristics. Multivariate logistics regression was used to determine which factors play independent roles in having accurate knowledge about HIV/AIDS. In general, the levels of knowledge about AIDS virus, transmission and of prevention were low for the total sample. There were, however, significant gaps in knowledge by rural/urban residence, sex, age, marital status, education, occupation, media exposure, and presence of neighborhood risks. After controlling for selected socio-demographic factors, levels of education and media exposure had persistent and positive effects on accurate knowledge. Also, marital status and age were associated with knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission through sexual intercourse and AIDS prevention by condom use. Given the wide disparities in knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention within China, especially by education and media exposure, it is important to have strategic approaches to tailor health education programs specifically targeting those with low level of education and less access to media in rural areas. There is also a need to expand efforts to inform not-married and young adults about safe sex with use of condoms for HIV/AIDS prevention in China.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to list major factors which were independently associated with specific knowledge of AIDS agent, routes of transmission and ways of prevention.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: State Family Planning Commission
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.