Differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites in reactions to talking to a relative at risk for HIV infection were explored. Interviews were conducted with 218 Hispanic and 201 non-Hispanic white adults in San Francisco. Hispanic respondents were more willing than non-Hispanic whites to talk to a hypothetical intravenous drugusing relative about various methods of preventing HIV transmission, more strongly believed the drug-using relative would follow the advice given, believed they would be less embarrassed to talk about these methods, and were more convinced that the methods suggested would protect the hypothetical drug user's wife from HIV-infection. Hispanics also indicated that the most appropriate person to talk to the relative at risk for AIDS would be someone older and afamily member more frequently than non-Hispanic whites. These results should be considered in the development of AIDS prevention campaigns for the Hispanic community.

This exploratory study, undertaken to inform new prevention strategies, assessed the willingness of community members and drug users to advise drug‐using relatives about various HIV prevention strategies. Participants were 421 adult community members and 67 adults in treatment for drug abuse in San Francisco, with approximately equal numbers of Hispanics and non‐Hispanic Whites in each group. Participants answered questions about whether they would advise an imagined relative who injects drugs about various strategies to prevent transmission of HIV, such as cleaning needles with bleach and condom use. Multivariate analyses revealed generally high willingness to provide AIDS prevention advice, with few differences between community members and those in drug treatment. The families of drug users are underutilized potential resources in AIDS education and prevention efforts.

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