Barriers to the Modification of Sexual Behavior Among Heterosexuals at Risk for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract

A reliable estimate of the prevalence of HIV infection in the heterosexual population does not yet exist, and public health professionals assume it to still be low. Nevertheless, this does not mean that health educators should not reach this community. If this group learns what risk behaviors transmit HIV and subsequently changes its sexual behavior, the spread of HIV may be significantly reduced. There are many barriers, which are perceptual and attitudinal, to persuading at-risk heterosexuals to modify their behavior, however. For example, many believe that since they do not engage in anal intercourse (promoted as a principal mode of transmission), they will not acquire HIV. Health education on AIDS no longer should just inform the public about transmission and risk factors, but should work on altering perceptions and modifying attitudes. Before health educators can do this, however, fundamental data on high risk sexual practices, beliefs, and perceptions on AIDS are needed. The federal government must assign research gathering such data as a high priority, and then use the data to mount an effective national public health campaign concerning AIDS.