Measuring Locus of Control in AIDS Patients

A sample of 60 clients with HIV disease were surveyed. The survey examined three areas of interest: locus of control (LOC), perceptions about professional health care (PHC), and general knowledge (KNOW) about HIV disease. Internally controlled clients were compared with clients who were externally controlled on variables of their perception of professional health care and their personal knowledge of this disease. Clients who demonstrated more internal control had a more positive perception of their health care. No difference was found on knowledge; both groups had a high degree of knowledge of AIDS.