Two samples of homosexual men, 64 physicians and 58 university students,
reported profound decreases in several sexual practices linked to
transmission of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The physicians
showed the greater reduction. When sociodemographic variables, health
beliefs, feeling of control over outcome, mood, sexual interest before the
AIDS epidemic, and medical care utilization were correlated with decrease
and/or increase in AIDS risk behaviors, the clusters of variables most
strongly correlated with change in risk behaviors differed between the
physicians and students. Interventions designed to change behaviors in AIDS
high-risk groups should be tailored for specific subgroups.
Abstract Teaser