A Comparison of HIV Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sources of STI Information Between Female and Male College Students in Taiwan

Health Care Women Int. 2015;36(8):870-82. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2014.962136. Epub 2014 Dec 12.

Abstract

Taiwan withdrew from the United Nations in 1971, which led to missed opportunities for participating in global HIV/AIDS programs and made Taiwan more vulnerable to HIV. Employing a questionnaire of 996 college students in Taiwan, the authors assessed and compared female and male HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and sources of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STI) information. Students reported moderate knowledge and attitudes. Females had more positive attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS than males. Most participants reported learning about HIV and STIs from traditional media, school teachers, and the Internet. We suggest evidence-based educational interventions for students should include targeted electronic and cultural awareness strategies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asian People / psychology
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sex Distribution
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Sexual Partners
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / psychology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / transmission
  • Students / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Taiwan
  • Universities