The assessment of sexual practices relevant to the transmission of AIDS: A global perspective |
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Authors: | Paul R Abramson PhD Gilbert Herdt PhD |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology , UCLA , Los Angeles, CA, 90024–1563;2. University of Chicago , |
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Abstract: | Despite global similarities between the immunologic and pathogenic properties of HIV infection, there are substantial cultural and geographical variations in the transmission dynamics of HIV infection/AIDS. In the United States and Europe, for example, HIV infection/AIDS is predominantly evident among homosexual men and intravenous drug abusers. However, in Central Africa, the data indicate that HIV infections/AIDS is heterosexually acquired. Thus, the purpose of the present paper is to suggest some basic strategies and raise some critical issues for collecting data on sexual practices relevant to the transmission of HIV infection/AIDS throughout the world. Topics include assessment strategies, language and meta‐language, cross‐cultural and intra‐cultural comparability, general methodological issues, and constraints for the assessment of anal intercourse. |
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Keywords: | AIDS transmission of HIV cross‐cultural research sexual behavior sexual assessment |
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