THE ACSF SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE - THE EFFECT OF AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC REPRESENTATION OF SEXUALITY

The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which epidemiolog ical and public health topics and issues have affected the constructio n of sexuality in the context of AIDS. The ACSF questionnaire was subm itted to a dual analysis. It was presented and discussed in relation t o its relevance for a scientific study of the problems raised, by the organization that commissioned it. But it was also analysed in terms o f its significance as a socially acceptable scenario for the discussio n of sexuality in the context of AIDS. The analysis is focused on the following : (1) the manner in which the questionnaire was presented to respondents ; (2) the characteristics assigned to those who answered the questions and those of the partners whom they reported and describ ed ; (3) sexual practices, and (4) the << sexuality-risks-AIDS >> syst em. It is shown that the whole questionnaire was shaped by the AIDS is sue, since the investigation of sexual activity in the population is c entered around the theme of AIDS.