Abstract
This study determined public opinion about the availability promotion, use, and effectiveness of condoms for the prevention of HIV transmission. Data were collected in 1998 and compared to similar data collected in 1993, utilizing the same Likert-type, 8-item questionnaire for both data collections (2 additional questions were added in 1998). Samples of 688 and 521 Indiana adult residents were randomly telephoned in the spring of 1993 and 1998, respectively, by the Indiana University Center for Survey Research. Major findings include a relative stability of public opinion from 1993 to 1998. Opinion on whether condoms should be made available to teenagers in Indiana public schools with parental permission was mixed in both samples. Overall, the respondents in both samples supported condom use promotion in schools, by the federal government, and by the 3 major television networks. The vast majority in both surveys believed that condoms are either very or somewhat effective in preventing HIV transmission. Most of the 1998 subjects believed that AIDS is a greater health problem and that people are practicing more risky behavior than in 1993. Younger and unmarried subjects and condom users were more positive about condom use and promotion.