BETA Reader Survey
Summary and Pricing Announcement
Since 1988, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation has published and distributed
the Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS (BETA),
a quarterly magazine that focuses on scientific and medical developments
in the HIV/AIDS arena, including experimental and approved treatments
for HIV infection and AIDS-related illnesses. Each issue of BETA
is 64 pages in length; 20,000 copies of BETA are printed quarterly
and distributed locally, nationally, and internationally. A shortened
version of BETA is also published quarterly in Spanish.
BETA has been provided as an educational resource since its
inception. Each issue of BETA is carefully compiled by conducting
secondary research of peer-reviewed medical journals and other reputable
sources of information. The San Francisco AIDS Foundation's Scientific
Advisory Committee is an integral part of quality assurance; each quarter,
members review and meet to discuss the scientific accuracy of prepublication
draft materials. BETA strives for balance and objectivity,
offering readers a full range of information and perspectives to assist
them in making informed choices about their health care. The statements
and opinions in BETA, however, should not be considered recommendations
or endorsements by either the BETA staff or the San Francisco
AIDS Foundation. Readers of BETA should always consult their
primary care providers before making treatment decisions.
Over the past 12 years, most readers received their copies free of
charge through the BETA National Scholarship Program. With this,
the Spring 2000 issue of BETA, we are pleased to announce some
exciting news: beginning now, BETA will be available to everyone
free of charge. (You can also subscribe
online.)
Over the years, BETA subscribers have helped ensure that people
who cannot afford a subscription continue to receive this cutting-edge,
up-to-date treatment publication every quarter. Although we no longer
have the time or staff to continue to manage the complex subscription
renewal process, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation will continue to
produce and distribute BETA to people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide,
free of charge. (Your voluntary support of BETA and related programs
will continue to be valued and appreciated, as well; visit the How
to Make a Donation page.) Each quarter, 79% of all copies distributed
are mailed in bulk to other HIV/AIDS and health services organizations
and to community groups and prisons.
About 500 readers responded to the reader survey inserted into the
April 1999 issue of BETA. Here we provide a summary of responses
with selected comments from readers.
Respondent Profile
Approximately 80% of respondents were male; 20% were female. Seventy
percent were White; 30% belonged to a minority group. Over 60% were
Gay/Lesbian-identified, and 80% were HIV positive. More than three-quarters
of respondents were not service or health-care providers. Almost 60%
had a college or postgraduate degree.
Readership by Section of BETA
News Briefs and Drug Watch were regularly read by the highest number
of respondents (91% each). Features and Conference Coverage were next
most commonly read (81% and 77%, respectively). Seventy percent of respondents
reported reading the Advocacy Column; 66% read Open Clinical Trials.
The Glossary and Women and HIV were less frequently read (41% and 38%,
respectively). Given that 20% of respondents were women, however, 38%
readership of the Women and HIV section is encouraging.
Other Sources of Treatment
Information Used by Readers
Two-thirds of total respondents indicated they read other HIV/AIDS-related
publications as well as BETA. Surprisingly, only a quarter of
respondents indicated they also receive treatment information via the
Internet. A caveat in interpreting this data: at least one-tenth of
respondents were incarcerated, and most prisoners have limited or no
access to the Internet. Increased access to the Internet would undoubtedly
increase the number of Internet users.
Write-In Comments
Approximately one-third of respondents answered the question "How can
we make BETA better for you?" Of these, almost 90% wrote to say
"thank you for the publication."
We received a relatively small number of comments on reading level.
Fifteen percent of those were requests for simpler, shorter articles
and less technical language. A single writer commented that BETA
was too light and nontechnical. Selected comments follow.
"Have a good, short summary at the beginning of each feature."
"You are already my top pick in AIDS news information. I really feel
comfortable believing your articles due to no drug or viatical insurance
advertising on every page."
"It could be a bit easier to understand. The large amount of scientific
journal-type writing requires two to three readings for complete comprehension.
Otherwise, it's fantastic."
"We operate a small, all-volunteer primary HIV care clinic in rural
Arizona. Your donation of BETA is a blessing to providers and clients."
"Feature people living with AIDS and taking combo therapies."
"This is the best info line available today. We photocopy articles
to take to doctor's appointments and send BETA to friends or pass it
on to others. Those who receive our copy must promise to pass it on
when they've finished reading it. Thanks for a great job!"
Respondents' Report on Utility
and Integrity of Contents
Seventy-nine to 94% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the
following statements:
- I rely strongly on the HIV information presented in BETA. (81%)
- BETA is easy to understand. (79%)
- BETA is up-to-date on the topics it reports. (94%)
- I rely on BETA for its comprehensive coverage of the topics
presented in each issue. (86%)
- BETA is objective in its reporting. (89%)
Interest in Topics for Future
Issues
Ranked by response from highest to lowest, respondents indicated moderate
to high interest in the following topics:
- Current and developing treatment strategies (97%)
- Reports on new drugs (96%)
- Complementary and alternative therapies (88%)
- Psychosocial issues associated with HIV/AIDS (74%)
- Activities of government agencies concerned with HIV/AIDS (70%)
- Editorials on treatment policy issues (66%)
- In-depth coverage of issues for specific communities affected by
HIV (64%)
- Women and HIV/AIDS (46%)
The high percentage of readers expressing interest in coverage of psychosocial
issues was unanticipated.
Our thanks to all who completed the survey.
Your feedback is vital to our efforts.
BETA Staff
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last updated 2 June 2000
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