Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess general population' AIDS knowledge and attitudes
towards AIDS. Methods: Using a multistage area sampling and random digit dialing method, a random
sample of individuals aged 19-59 years, living in 16 different area in Korea during September 2007 were
interviewed by telephone.
Results: In all, 1,087 respondents completed the survey. In most items, respondents displayed a fairly
good degree of knowledge about AIDS. However it was lower than that in developed countries.
Respondents' attitudes towards AIDS were found to be negative. The knowledge and attitudes towards
AIDS were more positive for respondents who were young, educated, office worker or students, higher in
income. The higher level of knowledge, the more positive attitudes towards AIDS.
Conclusions: In general AIDS related knowledge was relatively low and people showed negative
attitudes towards AIDS. Incorrect knowledge and lack of information on AIDS would lead to unnecessary
negative attitudes and there need to be addressed by health education programs and campaigns using mass
media.