Continuum of Enquiry

Patterns in the ways that people ask questions about HIV and AIDS and relationships appear to change as their perceived distance from HIV decreases. This document explains the "Continuum of Enquiry", via which people who perceive themselves at no risk of HIV ask very different questions from those who are living with AIDS. It is supported by real-life case history from Kenya.

The continuum passes through two phases. The first phase includes when people may suspect they may be HIV positive, but haven't confirm it. They range from "I am not at risk", pass through "I'm into multi-partner sex" and "I tested STI positive" to "I'm a caregiver of someone with AIDS". This phase typically lead to questions about the transmission and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, condoms and HIV testing.

The second phase occurs when people realise they are HIV positive and questions reflect this dramatic shift in self-perception. They range from " I am HIV positive", through "I am living with AIDS", to "I have AIDS". People typically want to know about survival, life extension, retransmission of HIV, opportunistic infections, nutrition, stigma and care. The content of questions change, as do the ways in which people ask them. As awareness about their HIV status increases, questions become more technical and urgent, with a greater need for confidentiality. The language used to ask questions becomes more emotional and personal and people use the first person ("I") increasingly (.e.g. "Can I get HIV when a mosquito bites me?" instead of " Can a mosquito transmit HIV?").

The "Continuum of Enquiry" can be used to anticipate what kinds of questions people are likely to ask when seeking advice. The report states: "The Continuum of Enquiry is yet to be validated through field-level research, but has demonstrated great practical applicability within dialogue-based interventions that promote critical thinking, reflection, and informed choices. It has added a formal process of Harvesting Questions within peer education sessions in the IMPACT program in Kenya. In addition, it has created renewed interest in tracking individual progress towards new behaviour using questions asked as indicators of movement along the Continuum of Enquiry."

To request the full document please e-mail C.Y. Gobinath cygopi@path-kenya.or.ke.

For more information, contact:
CY Gopinath
Creative Director
Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)
ACS Plaza, 4th floor
Lenana Road
P O Box 76634
Nairobi, 00508
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 577177/80/89
Fax: +254 20 577172
cygopi@path-kenya.or.ke
Path website