Original Research: AIDS Educational Videos for Gay and Bisexual Men: A Content Analysis

Authors: Herek G.M.¹; Gonzalez-Rivera M.²; Fead F.¹; Welton D.¹

Source: Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, Volume 5, Number 4, December 2001 , pp. 143-153(11)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Objective: To systematically describe the content of AIDS educational videos targeting gay and bisexual men, and to compare it to the content of videos for heterosexual African American and Latino audiences. Design: AIDS videos targeting gay/bisexual men (n = 35), heterosexual African Americans (n = 14), and heterosexual Latinos (n = 25) were coded for the presence or absence of messages identified by various theoretical models as relevant to HIV education and risk reduction. Results and Conclusions: Videos targeting gay and bisexual men typically emphasized sexual risk reduction techniques, whereas videos for heterosexual minority viewers were more likely to provide information about HIV transmission and audience members' vulnerability to AIDS. Despite their focus on reducing personal risk, most gay/bisexual videos did not depict partner negotiation for safer sex, reinforce the perception that social norms favor sexual risk reduction, or eroticize safer sex practices. Suggestions are offered for future research and for production of AIDS educational videos.

Keywords: Gay/bisexual men; AIDS education; video; African Americans; Latinos; Hispanic Americans

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 2: University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Publication date: 2001-12-01