Emerging Risk Factors for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Risk Reduction Education

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Abstract
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) impairs the functioning of the immune system. A person with AIDS is vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers that normally do not affect healthy people. T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-III) has been identified as the probable cause of AIDS. A test has been developed to detect an antibody to the HTLV-III virus. The rate of exposure to the virus, as measured by this test, has risen from 0–1% in 1978 to as high as 87% in recent studies of all the high risk groups. Four to nineteen percent of persons that have the antibody to the HTLV-III virus have developed AIDS during follow-up periods of one to five years. There is no cure. The Centers for Disease Control predicts that over 8,000 new cases will be reported in 1985. AIDS is no longer confined to major metropolitan areas. Efforts to control the spread must focus on preventing the transmission of the virus. Transmission through sexual contact is a primary method. Gay and bisexual men are at greatest risk, although the disease has been transmitted through heterosexual contact. Specific recommendations for modifying sexual behavior are available to reduce the risk. There are barriers to adopting “safer sex” practices which will decrease the effectiveness of health education efforts. Knowledge of specific strategies that are being attempted in sexual behavior intervention programs will help the educator increase the effectiveness of risk-reduction education.