THE CHANGE OF PUBLIC ATTITUDE FROM 1991 TO 1994 IN HONG KONG

Dr. Joseph T.F. Lau, CCTER, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

In 1991, the first KABP survey was carried out in Hong Kong (n = 1225 by household interview). During the past three years, intensive educational campaigns have been launched. A series of ongoing surveys is being launched annually to monitor the changes of the public awareness and attitudes in Hong Kong, which can serve as indirect evaluations of the AIDS campaign. The first of these surveys was carried out by telephone interview (random sampling from telephone directories) during June to August 94 (n = 1519). Some of the results are compared to the 1991 survey for questions of comparable wordings.

(1) In 1994, 75% of the respondents believed that AIDS would have very serious consequences in future as compared to 48% in 1991. (2) Furthermore, the percentage claiming high self-perceived risk increased from 2.2% to 8.6% for males and from 1.2% to 5.5% for females. Therefore, the awareness of the problem seems to have increased. (3) 86% and 84% of the 1991 and 1994 samples knew about the asymptomatic transmission property of AIDS. The knowledge about the long latency period increased from 46% to 66% among the respondents. (4) The level of misconception about HIV transmission via casual contacts decreased (HIV transmission via dinner : 30% in 1991 and 15% in 1994; transmission via brief body contacts : 17% in 1991 and 7% in 1994; coughing : 41% in 1991 vs. 34% in 1994). (5) Transmission involving body fluid, such as kissing, however is still often seen as a possible mode of transmission (70% in 1991 and 72% in 1994). (6) The risk for infection via unprotected sex is seen to be higher in 1994 (84% in 1994 vs. 74% in 1991). (7) The community may also be showing less rejection towards HIV-infected persons, 70% of the respondents stated that they would avoid contacts with a HIV-infected friend in 1991, only 38% stated the same in 1994.

In sum, the education campaign over the past three years has been successful in increasing the general concern and awareness about AIDS; removes some of the misconception about transmission via daily casual contacts and foster higher degree of acceptance for those infected by AIDS.