The main objective of this investigation was to identify and compare preventive knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding AIDS between adolescents at the secondary school in urban and non-urban areas in Portugal. This is a descriptive study with a sample of 826 individuals (455 adolescents from urban environment and 371 from a non-urban environment). The instrument for data collection adopted was based on the Health Belief Model conceptual model. It was recognized that there is a relation between the environment insertion of the adolescents and the recognition of AIDS as a serious threat, and the knowledge about the risks of infection with AIDS and the attitudes towards AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adolescent; Knowledge; Attitude; Behavior
