A knowledge of the social context in which HIV transmission occurs is useful when trying to understand the AIDS epidemic. This broad-ranging book offers an overview of our current understanding of the social conditions and contexts of the spread of HIV infection. The author examines the social epidemiology of HIV transmission in its different manifestations in the developing world and in the west, looking at heterosexual and homosexual transmission, sex tourism and prostitution, injecting drug users, haemophiliacs and transfusion recipients. He goes on to look at reports of sociological studies of risk behaviour among men who have sex with men, among heterosexual and bisexual men and women, and among those who share syringes. Drawing on his own research, Michael Bloor presents a critical examination of the different theoretical models of risk behaviour and considers their implications for disease prevention. "The Sociology of HIV Transmission" should be useful reading for academics, researchers and students in medical sociology and in health, sexuality and youth studies, as well as for health and social work practitioners working in areas related to AIDS, health promotion and education, and sex education.