Perceptions of acquired immune deficiency syndrome by children and their parents

Mothers’ and adolescents’ perceptions of AIDS vulnerability

The authors examined perceived vulnerability to AIDS among mothers and adolescents. One hundred and eleven mother–adolescent dyads of Latino descent participated in the study, completing questionnaires about perceived AIDS vulnerability, exposure to people with AIDS, AIDS knowledge, and mother–adolescent communication about AIDS and sexuality. Mothers reported lower levels of AIDS vulnerability than did their adolescents, although mothers were more knowledgeable about AIDS than were their adolescents. The results of this study have implications for the role of perceived vulnerability in health behaviour models and for future interventions aimed at preventing HIV in adolescents.

The role of personal contact with HIV-infected people in explaining urban, African American preadolescents' attitudes toward peers with HIV/AIDS

This article presents the results of a study aimed at describing African American youths' attitudes toward peers with HIV/AIDS and identifying correlates of these attitudes based on the contact theory. Baseline data from a sample of African American, urban mothers and their youth (n = 197) participating in a family-based HIV prevention program were analyzed. In support of contact theory, preadolescents' close relationship to persons infected with HIV/AIDS was highly related to their attitudes. However, no relationship was found between maternal attitudes or communication variables and youth attitudes. The implications of youths' experience with persons with HIV/AIDS as part of prevention programming are discussed.

Study of perceived norms, beliefs and intended sexual behaviour among higher secondary school students in India

The objective of this paper is to understand the intended sexual and condom behaviour patterns among teenage higher secondary school students in India. To achieve this, variables including perceived norms, perceived peer group norms, risk behaviour patterns, perceived chances of getting AIDS and relevant sociodemographic variables were regressed on intended sexual behaviour. Regression of actual sexual behaviour was carried out with perceived norms, perceived peer group norms and intended sexual behaviour as the independent variables. In this paper a conceptual model has been framed based on the theory of reasoned action, health belief model and self-efficacy theory. Cumulative scores are computed for perceived norms, perceived peer group norms, risk behaviour patterns, opinion on handling condoms and perceived chances of getting AIDS. Along with these variables, possible confounding variables such as age, gender, type of family, mother's education and father's education were considered for their effect on intended sexual and condom behaviour. The results revealed that perceived norms and perceived peer group norms showed significant association with intended sexual behaviour and actual sexual behaviour and that children of more highly educated parents are less likely to engage in sexual activities in their adolescent years.

Mothers' and children's perceptions of medication for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

This study assessed the perceptions about medication held by mothers and children with ADHD. Thirty-one mother-child dyads completed questionnaires assessing their knowledge and perceptions of stimulant medication and their level of perceived side effects associated with taking medication for ADHD. Mothers tended to view their children's medication as more beneficial than did their children. Mothers also demonstrated significantly more knowledge about their children's medication. Implications are drawn for research and clinical education of children and parents about medication for ADHD.