Document 0811
 DOCN  M9440811
 TI    Safe sex? Misconceptions, gender differences and barriers among
       injection drug users: a focus group approach.
 DT    9404
 AU    Weiss SH; Weston CB; Quirinale J; Department of Preventive Medicine and
       Community Health,; University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey-New
       Jersey; Medical School, Newark 07107.
 SO    AIDS Educ Prev. 1993 Winter;5(4):279-93. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94128502
 AB    Heterosexual transmission is one factor involved in the spread of the
       human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) within the injection drug use (IDU)
       population and between IDU and non-IDU individuals. Insufficient
       information is currently available to reduce this heterosexual
       transmission. As a basis for designing a questionnaire aimed at the IDU
       population, we conducted 5 focus groups to collect information on
       knowledge of and attitudes toward safe sex as held by male and female
       IDUs in methadone treatment. We identified misconceptions related to HIV
       infection, condoms, and sexual behavior. We also found gender-based
       differences in knowledge and learning style. Also, while individuals
       felt a responsibility to prevent HIV transmission, they lacked
       sufficient control to do so. The wide range of responses on questions
       concerning sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), condoms, reproductive
       decisions, and methods of promoting safe sex provides a basis for
       developing a questionnaire designed to identify and target specific
       subgroups for educational intervention.
 DE    Adult  Communication Barriers  Condoms  Female  *Gender Identity  Health
       Education  Human  HIV Infections/*PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  HIV Seronegativity  Internal-External
       Control  *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male  Methadone/THERAPEUTIC
       USE  Needle Sharing/ADVERSE EFFECTS/PSYCHOLOGY  *Sex Behavior  Sex
       Education  Sexually Transmitted Diseases/PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY/  TRANSMISSION  Social Responsibility  Substance
       Abuse Treatment Centers  Substance Abuse,
       Intravenous/*COMPLICATIONS/PSYCHOLOGY/  REHABILITATION  Support,
       Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).