The changing pattern of calls to an AIDS advice line

An analysis of the number of and type of calls received by an AIDS advice line over a seven month period is presented. Variations in the number of calls received and differences in the types of questions asked by different sections of the population are examined. The results indicate that the number of calls received is strongly related to television publicity, and that different age and sex groups ask different questions about AIDS. There are also differences in the types of questions asked by homosexual and heterosexual callers. The results of the analysis have important implications for health education about AIDS.