RESUMO
This study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and awareness of AIDS amongst children aged 15-19 years attending High School in Grand Turk. A questionnaire with 15 statements about AIDS was administered to 151 pupils who were asked to choose 1 of 3 answers: "yes", "no" and "unsure". One hundred and forty-five (145) pupils completed the questionnaire satisfactorily, and scores for Perceived, Accurate and Correct knowledge were assessed. The results showed that although knowledge concerning the transmission and prevention of AIDS was good (mean Correct response = 77 per cent, range 17-97 per cent), awareness of the serious nature of the disease and its significance as a major health problem in the Islands was poor (mean Correct response = 29 per cent, range 17-44 per cent). It is suggested that possession of the basic facts about AIDS is not enough, and a more direct approach should be made to individuals with particular emphasis on the significance of HIV status (AU)