AIDS prevention as a social systems intervention: risk taking in the context of different types of heterosexual partnerships

Introduction The social epidemiology of AIDS in Germany shows particular sexual practices, such as unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse, to be among the most important means of HIV transmission (Koch, 1987; Marcus, Chapter 3). One effective form of preventing HIV infections is using condoms. Attempts have been made to increase their use by imparting cognitive knowledge about HIV and safer sex and by motivating individuals to adopt preventive behaviour.