When sexual risk reduction messages are put out for the public, does the audience understand? A new study from the University of California at San Francisco suggests that more often than we would have expected, they do not understand even basic sex terminology when “politely” worded. In a very large national survey, one in 20 had difficulty understanding the terms “vaginal intercourse” and “anal intercourse” when used in sexual behavior questions, even though the terms were defined for them at the beginning of the interview.
Statistically, predictors of poor understanding were: male gender, black or Hispanic, not currently married, younger age, and less than high school education. Not surprisingly, these are largely the same likelihood factors that we see for increased risk taking (with both sex and drugs) and sexually transmitted diseases.
The challenge is two-fold: proper assessment of what people’s risk behaviors actually are; and devising effective messages. Messages using the target audience’s own typical phrasing work best, even if they are sometimes crude. Too often, however, the establishment is more concerned with potentially offending some “nice” person’s sensibilities than they are with effectively reaching people with information that will help them choose safer behaviors to avoid AIDS.
— Sandy Bartlett, Community Information/Education Coordinator
AIDS Services of Austin
This article appears in September 18 • 1998 and September 18 • 1998 (Cover).