AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices (KABP) in Two Caribbean Countries: A Comparative Analysis¹

The present paper presents the results of AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices (KABP) surveys conducted in two Caribbean countries: St. Vincent and St. Lucia. Despite religious, socioeconomic, and literacy differences between the two countries, their citizens are remarkably similar with respect to AIDS knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices. The major differences between the two countries concern the perception of AIDS risk and the relative position of AIDS as a serious problem facing the country. These differences, however, appear unrelated to AIDS knowledge, sexual practices, or the likelihood of engaging in AIDS‐protective behaviors. These findings question the role of perceived risk of AIDS as a determinant of AIDS‐protective behaviors, and, more important, they question the utility of increasing perceived risk as a strategy in AIDS prevention programs.