Correlates of HIV Knowledge and Testing: Results of a 2003 South African Survey
Barbara J. Haile*,
John W. Chambers,
Jeanetta L. Garrison
Florida A&M University
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: barbara.haile{at}FAMU.edu.
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Abstract |
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This research explored the correlates of HIV knowledge and testing. The study predicted that there would be significant relationships between knowledge of HIV transmission, and testing for HIV, educational level, and gender. Testing behavior was also predicted to be associated with gender and knowing someone who has HIV/AIDS or someone who has died of the disease. A convenience sample of 429 respondents in the Republic of South Africa participated in the study. Volunteers completed the Carey and Schroder Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire and other items pertaining to the study variables. Results from the ANOVA showed that as education level increased, so did knowledge of HIV. Females had more knowledge of HIV than males. An independent samples t test showed that those who had been tested for HIV had more knowledge than those who had not. Chi-Square analyses indicated that as education level increased, so did the frequency of testing; and that knowing someone who has HIV/AIDS or someone who has died of the disease tends to increase testing behavior.
