This document reports on a study that assessed levels of knowledge, types of attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs (KAPB) of the general South African public regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Interviews were conducted with 5,360 participants; survey data are summarized in 49 tables. After describing the theoretical background and methodology used in the study, findings are grouped according to differences by gender, age group, language, geographic area, educational level, population group, occupation, and differential access to sources of information about AIDS. Study results indicated: knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) was not very high, especially regarding prevention; and many believed that contraceptives also provided protection against STDs and HIV. Overall, awareness of AIDS seemed to be high, but with a mixture of appropriate and inappropriate knowledge about HIV/AIDS in terms of transmission, nature of the disease, seriousness, prevention, and cure. Conclusions and recommendations are grouped by knowledge about HIV/AIDS, perceptions of seriousness, condom use, support for behavioral change, self-efficacy in health, perceptions of social distance, the role of communication media, and further research needs. Appendices include the AIDS KAPB Study questionnaire, and schematic presentations of the data. (Contains 9 figures, 49 data tables, and 33 references.) (ND)