An AIDS Hotline: Analysis of Callers,Presenting Problems,and Social Factors1

This research is an analysis of all calls received by an AIDS hotline over an 8-month period. Caller demographics and types of presenting problems of callers are reported. Overall, callers were most concerned about how the virus was transmitted and requested information about HIV testing for themselves, a partner, a friend, or a relative. Despite the fact that adolescents are at high risk for contracting HIV, few adolescents called the hotline, but those who did were more likely to request safer sex information than HIV testing information. In contrast, all other age groups requested HIV testing more than safer sex information, often by a 2:1 or 3:1 margin. Men called most frequently because of concerns about self, whereas women called most frequently with concerns about others. These results are discussed in the context of the AIDS epidemic and in terms of social factors.