HIV/AIDS Knowledge Scale in Relation to HIV Risks among African-American Women

Abstract

This study assessed psychometrics of an HIV/AIDS knowledge scale and the relation of scores to HIV risk behaviors among African-American women 17 to 44 years of age (N = 405). Data were collected from five communities located in Atlanta, Georgia. The HIV/AIDS risk-behavior knowledge scale and the HIV risk-behavior factors were collected. Analysis indicated reliability coefficients of the HIV/AIDS knowledge scale were virtually identical for high- and low-risk groups. The high-risk group scored statistically significantly better (76% correct answers) than the low-risk group (67% correct answers) The KR-20 coefficients were identical for both risk groups (.73), suggesting that the AIDS knowledge scale has suitable reliability.

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