SAFE SEX QUESTIONABLE MISCONCEPTIONS, GENDER DIFFERENCES AND BARRIERSAMONG INJECTION-DRUG USERS - A FOCUS GROUP-APPROACH

Heterosexual transmission is one factor involved in the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) within the injection drug use (IDU) population and between IDU and non-IDU individuals. Insufficient info rmation is currently available to reduce this heterosexual transmissio n. As a basis for designing a questionnaire aimed at the IDU populatio n, we conducted 5 focus groups to collect information on knowledge of and attitudes toward safe sex as held by male and female IDUs in metha done treatment. We identified misconceptions related to HIV infection, condoms, and sexual behavior. We also found gender-based differences in knowledge and learning style. Also, while individuals felt a respon sibility to prevent HIV transmission, they lacked sufficient control t o do so. The wide range of responses on questions concerning sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), condoms, reproductive decisions, and meth ods of promoting safe sex provides a basis for developing a questionna ire designed to identify and target specific subgroups for educational intervention.