AIDS: Sexual Behavior and Intravenous Drug Use.

Abstract

Since the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is partly a social phenomenon changes in the social behaviors that spread the disease are as necessary as the development of vaccines and other therapies. To help in the design implementation and evaluation of programs to curb the spread of AIDS there is a need for greater understanding of the human behaviors that transmit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection as well as the social contexts in which these behaviors occur. Toward this end the US Committee on AIDS Research and the Behavioral Social and Statistical Sciences was asked to: 1) describe what is known about the spread of HIV and AIDS in the US with special attention to the quality of information at hand and the kind of additional information that is needed; 2) identify critical populations and indicate objectives and tasks related to them; 3) describe existing research findings in the behavioral and social sciences that should be useful in planning and choosing among interventions designed to control the spread of HIV infection; 4) describe existing research on interventions intended to facilitate behavior changes and ways to evaluate their effectiveness; and 5) identify new research that should be undertaken in these areas. The 7 chapters of the resultant report are divided into 3 parts: Understanding the Spread of HIV Infection; Intervening to Limit the Spread of HIV Infection; and Impediments to Research and Intervention. Also included are 6 background papers. Among the recommendations of the Committee are: vigorous programs of basic social and behavioral research on human sexual behavior; availability of condoms and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases through local public health authorities; drug treatment upon request for intravenous drug users; trials of sterile needle programs; and anonymous HIV antibody testing with appropriate counseling on a voluntary basis.