The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that African Americans in the Central Valley of California had concerning the topic of HIV/AIDS. The primary questions of this study were: 1) What factors do African Americans believe contribute to the HIV/AIDS epidemic? and 2) How do African Americans feel about a culturally specific HIV/AIDS prevention and sex education program? This study used a quantitative design and collected data by way of an electronic survey via Qualtrics and hard copy form. The survey consisted of forty-two questions that were divided into 5 specific parts: medical history, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sex education, attitudes beliefs, and demographics. A total of fifty-nine participants, with an age range of 18 to 70+, completed the survey. In general, participants demonstrated knowledge on the topic of HIV/AIDS but had slightly conflicting attitudes and beliefs regarding testing and being aware of the HIV status of their partners. The results concluded that African Americans in the Central Valley believe that factors such as drugs, poverty, lack of sex education, stigma, limited access to health care, incarceration, racism and discrimination, are all daily issues that place African Americans at risk of becoming infected with HIV/AIDS. The results also show that a majority of participants have positive feelings towards the implementation of a cultural specific HIV/AIDS prevention and sex education program.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to shed light on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States-region college students possess about HIV/AIDS and their sources for health information. This qualitative study used two data-collection methods for the purposes of triangulation. These data collection methods included focus groups and in-depth interviews. A total of two gender-specific focus groups and seven in-depth interviews were completed. Research questions for this study probed the specific knowledge students possessed on the causes of HIV/AIDS, transmission routes, symptoms and prevention of infection. Questions also investigated student attitudes toward HIV/AIDS-infected individuals, beliefs about their own risk of infection and preferred sources for HIV/AIDS information in the media. Discussions with participants revealed that Russian and CIS college students possess general knowledge of the disease and prevention methods. However, their perceptions of personal risk are low. Many students still associate the disease with foreigners and marginalized groups such as drug addicts, prostitutes and homosexuals. Consequently, many describe themselves as distant from these groups and therefore protected from infection. Mass media was one source of information used by college students from Russia and CIS nations. However, concerns regarding the credibility of media led many to depend on multiple media channels for information. Other information sources included peers, family and health professionals.