EXPLICACIONES Y CONCEPCIONES ALTERNATIVAS DEL VIRUS DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA HUMANA (VIH) Y DEL SÍNDROME DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA (SIDA).

This paper comprises results referred to forms of explanation and alternative conceptions identified regarding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Inmunedeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). These results are part of a bigger investigation in 114 biology teachers of secondary education in Mexico City. Most of the identified explanations are descriptive, though teleonomic and anthropomorphic explanations were also found, but in smaller numbers. Some of the main results regarding HIV are: 34 % of the teachers have acceptable conceptions about HIV transmission, however, 56 % of the teachers have alternative conceptions. Finally, 9.6 % of the teachers prefer not to work with this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]