Relationship of Conspiracy Beliefs about HIV/AIDS to Attitudes about Condom Use in African-American College Students
Tikisa Walker, Jeffrey Clark, James McKenzie and Dale Hahn, Ball State University, Muncie, IN

African-Americans are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. Previous research has shown that many African-Americans endorsed HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs. However, no previous research has investigated the relationship of these beliefs to attitudes about condom use among African-American college students. This study was designed to determine if there was a relationship between conspiracy beliefs about HIV/AIDS to attitudes about condom use in African-American college students. A convenience sample of 93 African-American college students (aged 18 to 31; 68.8% female) from student based organizations at a Midwestern University participated in the study. A non-experimental, cross-sectional survey design was used. A written self-report, 20-item questionnaire was completed by the participants (Bogart & Thorburn, 2005). The original questionnaire was modified (with permission) for this study. From the analysis of the data it was determined that there was no statistical significant correlation between HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs and attitudes toward condom use in this population. Findings suggest that African-American college students are less likely to endorse HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs, thus making HIV prevention programs likely to be more effective with this population.

Research Coordinating Board Poster Session II

The Preliminary Program for 2007 AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition (March 13 -- 17, 2007)