Culture and AIDS education: Reaching high‐risk heterosexuals in Asian‐American communities

Abstract

The present study assesses the effects of culture on responses to AIDS educational messages among high‐risk heterosexuals in an Asian‐American community. The Department of Health Services at a large university located in the western region of the U.S. implemented an ongoing AIDS education program for its multicultural campus community. The program specifically targets heterosexual young‐adults, considered to be a high‐risk group for HIV infection. Research was conducted to assess the effects of AIDS educational messages on students’ AIDS‐related knowledge, concern, and interpersonal communication. Results indicated that respondents with an Asian‐Pacific cultural orientation were less concerned about AIDS and engaged in less AIDS‐related interpersonal communication than respondents with a North American cultural orientation. Implications of these findings for developing effective AIDS educational programs for Asian‐Americans are discussed.