Knowledge of HIV/AIDS. An intergenerational perspective

Abstract

Summary Generations of young people, adults and the elderly have or have had different ways of acquiring knowledge about HIV / AIDS. The accessibility of information, the evolution of information technology, or the sexualized connotation, can influence knowledge in the various generations.

Objective: describe the knowledge about HIV / AIDS among college students and family predecessors.

Method: quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Convenience sample of 147 participants recruited from students and their families. A knowledge scale of eighteen items was applied. Ethical principles cautioned, project with registration nº13009 in the Ethics Committee of the University of Évora.

Results: Through analysis of multiple responses it was observed that the most important source of information is television. Most participants reveal knowledge about HIV / AIDS. Women have more knowledge. There are significant inter-generational differences, exhibiting the youngsters the highest level of knowledge.