Distrust of Whites, Acculturation, and AIDS Knowledge Among African Americans

The relationship among acculturation, distrust of Whites, and AIDS knowledge forAfricanAmericans was explored with a sample of 171 adults using theAfrican American Acculturation Scale-Short Form (AAAS-33) and the AIDSRisk Behavior Knowledge Test. Results revealed that African Americans who had high knowledge of the behaviors that spreadAIDS were more acculturated than those with low knowledge. In addition, those with highAIDS knowledge scored significantly lower on the Cultural Mistrust subscale of the AAAS-33. The latterfinding suggests that AfricanAmerican knowledge of AIDS transmission may be affected by distrust of Whites, with those who know the least about AIDS being the most distrustful. AIDS education and prevention efforts with African Americans may need to be conducted by African Americans.