AIDS KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES AMONG CANBERRA SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS Lawrence J Saha and Nicola Pilkinton This paper reports findings from a study of 1,014 Canberra secondary school students in 15 government and private schools. Open-ended responses concerning students' understanding of AIDS, and their views regarding prevention, are presented and discussed. Data on source of AIDS information are also investigated. In general, students understand AIDS as sex-linked, that it involves transmission through the blood, and that there is no cure for it. They espouse more research and education as the main preventive measures, although males also propose homophobic solutions. Teachers and television are the primary sources of AIDS information. Differences by sex of respondent and school type are reported and implications for school-based AIDS education policies are suggested. A growing body of research literature in Australia and overseas is beginning to make clear the complex relationships between HIV/ AIDS knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among late adolescents. For example, research has shown that much knowledge acquisition about AIDS, specifically about its origins, transmission and prevention, seems to occur during youth (Lansdell and Le Brun 1988; Rosenthal, Moore and Brumen 1990; Waters 1989; Youth Research Centre 1991). Research further suggests, however, that once unhealthy or risky behaviours have become established, change in them is often difficult to accomplish, even with intensive educational programs (Fineberg 1988; Loupe 1985; Rothman and Byrne 1981). . 158 1 Lawrence Saha is Reader in the Department of Sociology, The Faculties, at the Australian National University; and Nicola Pilkinton was Trainer Educator, ACT Drug Referral and Information Centre, Canberra and is currently Research Officer at the Canberra Women's Health Centre .