AIDS AND CONDOMS IN BRASILIA - A TELEPHONE SURVEY

A telephone survey was conducted to measure AIDS knowledge, media usag e and condom attitudes and behaviors among 500 adults aged 18 to 43 in Brasilia, as well as to evaluate the feasibility of the telephone sur vey method in a developing country, The response rate was 91.6%. Respo ndents had good knowledge about correct modes of HIV transmission and prevention but also believed HIV was transmitted through blood donatio n, public toilets, swimming pools, and mosquito bites, TV and newspape rs were the most important sources of information on health matters an d AIDS, though health workers were considered the most credible source s of such information, Only 19% of sexual encounters in the 4 weeks pr ior to the survey included condoms, Single and younger respondents and those with more positive attitudes used condoms more frequently, More work is needed to identify appropriate messages to motivate people to use condoms, Telephone surveys regarding AIDS and sexual attitudes an d behaviors are feasible in Brasilia, a planned community with univers al telephone coverage.