Do Videotapes Improve Knowledge and Attitudes about AIDS?

Abstract

Three popular videotapes were assessed for their effectiveness in improving knowledge and attitudes about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). One hundred forty-four university students completed knowledge and attitude questionnaires and then watched either an AIDS or a control tape. Half the students completed posttest questionnaires immediately after seeing the tape, and half were tested 1 month later. Students who viewed an AIDS tape showed increased knowledge at immediate and 1-month posttesting (p < .01); the amount of increase declined over the month, however (p ? .012). Students who saw two of the AIDS tapes showed an increase in compassion toward people with AIDS when tested immediately after the tape (p < .01); but 1 month later, only those students who had viewed a third AIDS tape showed an increase in compassion (p < .01). The AIDS tapes failed to bring about improvements in attitudes toward preventive behavior. The authors concluded that tapes about AIDS can lead to modest changes in knowledge and perhaps in attitudes; more significant changes, however, probably depend on multimedia interventions that include guided discussions as well as audiovisual and other components.

Index Terms:

• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• knowledge and attitudes
• videotapes
• college students