Although there has been increasing number of prevention programs in the city of Cartagena, the incidence of hiv has grown dramatically. Within this social context the purpose of this study is focused on the understanding of how a sociocultural context influences the notion of risk of hiv contagion. Also, taking into account the promotion of condoms as the most effective measure to prevent the infection, we discuss the sociocultural relevance of official public health policies such as safe sex, risk factors and behavioral change.