OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect of institutional education campaigns on knowledge, attitudes and behavior in a Southern Spain student sample. METHODS: A total of 1750 students completed an anonymous written questionnaire. RESULTS: Age ranged from 14-27 (mean=16.17); 51.4% were female. Only 30% and 60% knew there is no cure nor vaccine, respectively; only 59% knew someone can be infected but not ill and 44% knew you cannot tell whether someone is infected. Ninety-nine % knew AIDS can be transmitted by sharing needles and 77.6% knew that heterosexual intercourse could result in infection. Very few knew you cannot get AIDS from giving blood (56%) or insects (31%). Regarding attitudes, 61% were worried about the possibility of getting AIDS; 60% said they would be in class with someone infected, and 66% did not agree with isolation. No one had ever used needles, and nearly 18% had had sexual intercourse, 65% of whom had used condoms during last year. CONCLUSION: Although this population is aware of some of the major modes of HIV transmission, they still carry many misconceptions. Only specific messages from the educational campaigns seem to have reached this population.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/ TRANSMISSION Adolescence Adult Contraceptive Devices, Male Female *Health Education Human Needles Questionnaires Sex Behavior Spain ABSTRACT

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