Attitudes of parents of high school students about AIDS, drug, and sex education in schools--Rome, Italy, 1991.

As of December 31, 1991, the number of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases in Italy exceeded 11,500; two thirds occurred among injecting-drug users (IDUs), and 7% occurred through heterosexual contact with persons who were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-antibody-positive. In Italy, because the average age at diagnosis among IDUs and heterosexual persons with AIDS has been 28 and 32 years, respectively, many may have contracted HIV infection as adolescents or young adults. To determine parents' attitudes about AIDS, drug, and sex education and parents' role in educating their children about AIDS, Italy's National Institute of Health conducted a survey of parents of high school students in Rome. This report summarizes survey findings and recommendations for the introduction of AIDS, drug, and sex education in Italian schools.