"What We Want to Know About HIV/AIDS: An Analysis of Questions Asked by Substance Abuse Clients Attending AIDS Education Classes in Puerto Rico

AIDS education is the cornerstone of comprehensive strategies to reduce or eliminate risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission among injecting drug users. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among drug injectors has been examined in numerous quantitative studies which emphasize statistical analysis of subjects' responses to questions prepared by researchers. The present work uses an alternative methodology based on questions drug users themselves ask about HIV/AIDS. Between June and October 1992, a total of 230 male clients in a public detoxification clinic in Puerto Rico raised 372 inquiries during AIDS education classes. Clients' questions provide useful information regarding range of knowledge about AIDS, beliefs about the disease, and concern with risk. These questions also provoke thinking about AIDS prevention programs for addicted individuals.