HIV Research Domains

Excerpted from AIDSQuest: HIV/AIDS Survey Library, Horizons Program, 2008, Washington, DC: Population Council. (More on AIDSQuest)

This section provides methodological advice on how to measure key topics for HIV-related research. It highlights different ways that some key topics—such as “self-efficacy” or “condom use”—have been asked in a variety of surveys. The section is organized into topic areas to facilitate comparison and selection of the questions you may want to include in your survey. The topics range from psychosocial issues to community-based issues to structural and demographic issues. Some of the issues could be included in more than one topic area—to simplify the library, they have usually been included only once. Links to the survey instruments used as sources for the questions can be found in the Instruments section.

A. Attitudes

1. HIV risk, prevention, and treatment
2. Toward people living with HIV/AIDS

B. Behavior Change Communication

1. Exposure to media and typical use of media

C. Care and Support

1. Quality of and access to care
2. Quality of life
3. Orphans and vulnerable children
4. Social support

D. Gender and Sexual Relationships

1. Communication, negotiation, and power in relationships
2. Gender roles and norms

E. Knowledge and Misconceptions

1. HIV risk, prevention, and treatment

F. Policy Issues

1. Government
2. Business
3. Health care and services

G. Psychosocial Factors (selected)

1. Intentions
2. Risk perception
3. Self-efficacy
4. Stages of change  

H. Risk and Prevention Behaviors

1. Sexual risk and prevention practices
2. Drugs and alcohol
3. Mother-to-child transmission
4. Violence
5. Sex work and trafficking

I. Sexually Transmitted Infections

1. Symptoms and treatment

J. Social and Community Identity

1. Social norms
2. Connectedness and community identity
3. Collective efficacy and social capital 

K. Sociodemographics

1. Individual characteristics
2. Household characteristics

L. Stigma and Discrimination

1. Stigma and discrimination

M. Treatment

1. Adherence
2. Symptoms, medical treatment, and side effects

N. Voluntary Counseling and Testing

1. Services, attitudes, and disclosure