Young population and AIDS: a study on knowledge and beliefs of 690 university students,Popolazione giovanile ed AIDS: indagine sulle conoscenze e sulle convinzioni di 690 studenti universitari

An investigation aiming at the evaluation or knowledges about AIDS and other sexual diseases among young people, for making it possible to plan effective campaigns of health and sexual education, has been cařried in 4 italian towns (Roma, Milano, L'Aquila, Lecco) among students of different ages, from senior high school 1o University. The present paper refers to 690 University students of Rome (273) and L'Aquila (417). Al the University students of Rome attend the School of Medicine, while the ones of L'Aquila are distribut- ed among the School f Bioloy (92), Engineeering (84), Pedagogy (141), Mathematics (20), Medicine (41), Physics (36). The whole population of students has been divided in two groups on the basis of the attending the School of Medicine (314 units or 45,5%) or not (376 units or $4,5%). In the investigation the instrument used has been an anonimous and selfcompiled questionnaire. The outcomes show a good global knowledge f ADS. In fact, although the informations about the actual diffusion of AIDS are poor, the sexual and bloody transmission and the ways ef prevention of this disease are welI known. The knowłedge of AIDS is significanily (p< 0,01) higher for group af students of Medicine. The other sexual diseases are not as well known as AIDS, except syphilis. Since AIDS can be kept under control only by means of prevention, campaigns ef healt education must be stared in school, both in junior and senior high schools.