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Psychosocial Aspects of AIDS Prevention among Heterosexuals

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Social Influence Processes and Prevention

Part of the book series: Social Psychological Applications to Social Issues ((SPAS,volume 1))

Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a frightening disease that has captured the attention of the world during the current decade. It is controversial, partly because of the groups within which it initially was spread, and it is deadly. Moreover, there is no cure for AIDS once someone has it and no vaccine to prevent people from being infected by the AIDS virus. Consequently, other methods must be used to curb its spread and prevent healthy people from infection. We know that the disease is spread primarily from sexual contact or exposure to contaminated blood; casual contact does not appear to spread the disease, but sexual intercourse with individuals who have been infected or exchange of bodily fluids are the major routes of transmission. Behavior change directed at minimizing these risks hold the greatest promise of preventing the spread of AIDS and controlling the epidemic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Union College, Schenectady, New York, 12308, USA

    Carol Silvia Weisse

  2. School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814, USA

    Sarah E. A. Nesselhof-Kendall, Cynthia Fleck-Kandath & Andrew Baum

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  1. Carol Silvia Weisse
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  1. Department of Psychology, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60626, USA

    John Edwards , R. Scott Tindale , Linda Heath  & Emil J. Posavac , ,  & 

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Weisse, C.S., Nesselhof-Kendall, S.E.A., Fleck-Kandath, C., Baum, A. (1990). Psychosocial Aspects of AIDS Prevention among Heterosexuals. In: Edwards, J., Tindale, R.S., Heath, L., Posavac, E.J. (eds) Social Influence Processes and Prevention. Social Psychological Applications to Social Issues, vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2094-2_2

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