Influence of personal perspective and value on HIV/AIDS-related prejudice: Compare between different school level students

Background: HIV/AIDS prejudice and discrimination (HIV/AIDS PD) was a major barrier to HIV/AIDS prevention and control, and it is shaped and changed with individuals' development and growth. This study aims to examine this psychological characteristic held by younger people across a broad rage of age group. Methods: Using a self-administered questionnaire, we collect data from elementary, junior high, senior high school and university students. Participants were chosen by convenience and quota sampling in an attempt to maximize the variations of study sample. Results: A total of 2,136 valid questionnaires were collected from September to December 2009. Major findings include: (1) Personal HIV/AIDS PD slightly lessened from elementary to junior high school but went up again among university students. (2) With regard to the factors related to prejudice and discrimination, HIV/AIDS knowledge scored better, HIV/AIDS related experiences/exposure was greater, and perceived societal negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS persons raised with the increase of age, (3) Negative reactions of children and university students were mainly affected by knowledge, however, were associated with perceptions of societal responses among junior and senior high school students, and (4) Regardless of their age, all participants' cognitive responses to different types of contact to HIV/AIDS persons were alike. Conclusions: Developmental characteristics of HIV/AIDS PD were found across different age stage students, however, the influential factors varied. It suggested that education and campaign against HIV/AIDS stigma which targets on younger populations should be tailor the cognitive characteristics of different age groups.