Health Locus of Control and HIV/AIDS Knowledge among Mexican American Young Adolescents

Abstract

The number of AIDS deaths within the United States disproportionally affects Hispanics, indicating the need for HIV/AIDS prevention strategies that specifically target minority populations. Intervention development should take into account Mexican American cultural beliefs about health maintenance and illness causation. The purpose of this study was to investigate, among young Mexican American adolescents, perceived control over health and health behaviors in relation to HIV/AIDS knowledge. Subjects were 2 72 Mexican American adolescents ranging in age from 12 to 14 years, and data were gathered through a self-report instrument consisting of an HIV/AIDS knowledge inventory, health locus of control scale, and selected demographic variables. Analysis indicated that while those who had received HIV/AIDS instruction in school had greater HIV/AIDS knowledge than those who did not, belief in powerful others controlling one's health emerged as the most dominant factor for both groups. Additionally, as knowledge increased, belief that one's health was the result of chance or fate decreased while internal control appeared to be unaffected by HIV/AIDS knowledge. Findings suggest that HIV/AIDS interventions emphasize family, role models, and community leaders as a means of fostering positive powerful other locus of control influence in the Mexican American learner.