TY - JOUR
T1 - Attitudes towards HIV infection and sexual risk behaviour
T2 - A survey among Danish men 16-55 years of age
AU - Schmidt, K.
AU - Krasnik, A.
AU - Brendstrup, E.
AU - Zoffmann, H.
AU - Larsen, S. O.
PY - 1989/1/1
Y1 - 1989/1/1
N2 - To describe attitudes towards HIV infection in relation to sexual risk behaviour and sociodemographic factors in a representative sample of Danish men 16-55 years of age, a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed in connection with a personal health interview and returned by prepaid mail. The response rate was 55%, corresponding to 1,155 participants. In contrast to the official AIDS prevention strategy, 28% of the participants stated that HIV infected persons should be forbidden to have sexual relationships, and 44% that they should be registered by the authorities. 33% of the participants had had sexual behaviour which may be associated with increased risk of HIV infection: More than one female partner during the previous 12 months, sexual contact with prostitutes or sex with other men. Despite good basic knowledge of AIDS, only 41-59% of these men perceived themselves at risk, and only 47-54% of men perceiving themselves at risk had adopted risk-reducing sexual behaviour. The results indicate a need for innovative health education of the general public about AIDS prevention at community and individual level. In the absence of effective treatment and without prospect of a vaccine in the near future the prevention of AIDS must focus on modifying behaviour associated with increased risk of HIV infection, in particular sexual behaviour.
AB - To describe attitudes towards HIV infection in relation to sexual risk behaviour and sociodemographic factors in a representative sample of Danish men 16-55 years of age, a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed in connection with a personal health interview and returned by prepaid mail. The response rate was 55%, corresponding to 1,155 participants. In contrast to the official AIDS prevention strategy, 28% of the participants stated that HIV infected persons should be forbidden to have sexual relationships, and 44% that they should be registered by the authorities. 33% of the participants had had sexual behaviour which may be associated with increased risk of HIV infection: More than one female partner during the previous 12 months, sexual contact with prostitutes or sex with other men. Despite good basic knowledge of AIDS, only 41-59% of these men perceived themselves at risk, and only 47-54% of men perceiving themselves at risk had adopted risk-reducing sexual behaviour. The results indicate a need for innovative health education of the general public about AIDS prevention at community and individual level. In the absence of effective treatment and without prospect of a vaccine in the near future the prevention of AIDS must focus on modifying behaviour associated with increased risk of HIV infection, in particular sexual behaviour.
KW - attitudes
KW - general public
KW - HIV infection
KW - knowledge
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84965695857&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/140349488901700405
DO - 10.1177/140349488901700405
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 2602920
AN - SCOPUS:84965695857
SN - 1403-4956
VL - 17
SP - 281
EP - 286
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Supplement
JF - Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Supplement
IS - 4
ER -
