ABSTRACT
The relationship among knowledge about AIDS, sex guilt, components of the Health Belief Model (perceived barriers, benefits, severity, and susceptibility), and self-reported safer sex practices was examined in 18- and 19-year-old college students. Knowledge about AIDS was not related to self-reported safer sex practices, but self-reported safer sex practices were positively related to sex guilt. In addition, safer sex practices were inversely related to perceived barriers to practicing safe sex. Results further indicated that although the overall level of AIDS-related knowledge was adequate, some participants displayed misconceptions about the efficacy of preventive measures. Females reported more behavior change in the direction of safer sex than did males. Implications of these findings for future research and preventive programs are also discussed.
