Effects of counselling on knowledge about HIV-1 among transfusion recipients and their partners. Transfusion Safety Study Group.

The present study determined how much HIV-1-positive persons knew about AIDS, and HIV-1 transmission and prevention, in comparison with HIV-1-negative controls in a predominantly heterosexual cohort. The subjects were blood donors, blood recipients, hemophiliacs, and their sexual partners. A 16-item questionnaire about AIDS, HIV-1 transmission, and knowledge of safe sexual practices was administered to 228 subjects to determine background information. The HIV-1-positive cohort answered more questions correctly (mean = 8.5) than did the HIV-1-negative cohort (mean = 6.5), largely as a result of general information about AIDS among those with steady sexual partners. All persons, however, were poorly informed about HIV-1 transmission and safe sexual practices. Thus, there is a great need for effective counselling.