Politics, AIDS epidemic, and educational planning: Discovering HIV/AIDS awareness among college students in Beijing, China

Educational programs utilizing peer education (i.e., UNICEF's Youth Ambassadors) is an effectual strategy for HIV/AIDS education and prevention. China's educated youth and young adults are essential to the nation's workforce and to the continued efforts in economic global development. As an educational security state, the Chinese government incorporates educational planning into national economic and military planning for modernization. A public health disaster such HIV/AIDS could surely dislocate China's steady economic rise. Beijing is a major municipality in northern China with a student population unaware of the threats of HIV/AIDS. Prior studies conducted in Beijing revealed that many college students were unaware that a condom could reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS and even fewer knew the transmission routes of the virus. Perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS among college students were examined within the framework of behavior-related theories, incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods. This study presents a theoretical analysis based on critical theory from authors in the field; the effects of policies and practices on China's education system in response to HIV/AIDS and the works of Michel Foucault; identifying the interrelationships between the state and "diseased bodies" in terms of power, discipline, governmentality, normalization and surveillance; highlighting the legitimization of such a gaze placed on China's citizens which inconceivably constructs susceptibility to HIV/AIDS. Data was collected in 2008 from 163 students from two colleges in Beijing, China to assess the overall level of HIV/AIDS awareness and exposure to health education programs on college campuses and to explore the regional and gender differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge, perception towards HIV testing, risk for HIV/AIDS and the practice of social and/or risky behaviors. Data was also collected from 14 Youth Ambassadors from the provinces of Yunnan, Heilongjiang, Beijing, Shanghai, and the Autonomous Regions of Guangxi Zhuang and Xinjiang to examine uptake of HIV/AIDS education programs, exposure and dissemination of HIV/AIDS at the university. The data indicated an inconsistent level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among students with a significant gender, education, and regional differences. More than one fourth of the students perceived themselves as having limited awareness of HIV/AIDS. While the students could identify transmission modes and possessed general knowledge, they were less knowledgeable of false transmission and even less aware of prevention. In addition, many of the students perceived themselves at risk for TB and not HIV. The data in the study also revealed HIV testing was higher when students heard of the Youth Ambassadors. Furthermore it was discovered more females engaged in risky/social behaviors than their male counterparts while in college. These risky behaviors included smoking, drinking, lived on the street and sexual activity. Data collected from the Youth Ambassadors revealed there was a lack of HIV/AIDS education in school. Few participants reported their school or college had HIV/AIDS education or prevention programs for youth. And the one major barrier affecting HIV/AIDS programs on college campuses was university acceptance. Overall the study revealed that AIDS knowledge varied among students by site, gender, HIV education, HIV chance and heard of Youth Ambassadors. The findings suggest the urgent need for education efforts targeting college students and youth on HIV/AIDS, and educational projects related to health promotion and prevention.