The Impact of the Surgeon General's Understanding AIDS Pamphlet in Connecticut

The booklet lessened self-perceptions of risk among those at less risk, in part by clearing up misconceptions, and for those at more risk, their perceptions of risk increased if they read the booklet.

Abstract

In May 1988, a pamphlet on AIDS was sent to all homes in the United States. This study evaluates the effectiveness of that pamphlet during the month following pamphlet distribution. Less than half the sample remembered receiving the booklet, and more older people and women said they read it. The pamphlet became a focus of AIDS discussions at home, especially among women. People who either read the booklet or saw AIDS messages on television thought they knew more about AIDS but, objectively, did not know more. A knowledge gap between Whites and minorities was less for those who read the pamphlet, yet Whites who did not read the booklet scored the highest, and knowledge was inversely related to education for pamphlet readers. The booklet lessened self-perceptions of risk among those at less risk, in part by clearing up misconceptions. For those at more risk, their perceptions of risk increased if they read the booklet. Reading the booklet was not associated with behavior change.