AIDS-related information exposure in the mass media and discussion within social networks among married women in Bombay, India

Married women are at high risk of acquiring HIV infection in India and heal th education remains the most feasible preventive tool in their context. In a survey conducted among 350 married women in Bombay, it was found that a majority had acquired information about AIDS from the mass media, especiall y television. Although 87% of women who knew of AIDS had been exposed to AI DS-related information in the mass media in the past four weeks, only 57% h ad discussed it within their social networks. Those with more exposure to A IDS information in the mass media were significantly more likely to discuss AIDS within social networks. The women were most likely to discuss AIDS wi th their husbands as a general social issue, followed by friends and family members and least likely to talk to husbands about AIDS as a personal issu e relating to their sexual relationship. Increased frequency and duration o f AIDS messages on television will have a positive influence on AIDS knowle dge in this group.