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This study examines how African American gender scripts influence condom use for disease and pregnancy prevention. One-hundred African American California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) students were selected to participate in this study. Fifty African American males and fifty African American females were surveyed for this study to be representative of the African American community on campus.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Currently, 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection, while one in eight are unaware of their infection status. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of the expanded ARRM to see if the model contributed something to the research of why people protect themselves from HIV. To add to the research regarding motivating factors of HIV protection, we decided to add two concepts to the ARRM; partner protection and relationship preservation. Findings of the study suggest HIV-positive partners are motivated to using condoms to protect their partners especially when they believe their partners are at risk for contracting HIV. Relationship preservation results illustrated that when people fear of losing their relationship they are willing to do whatever it takes to keep the relationship going, even at the cost of contracting HIV. By extending the ARRM, as well as incorporating HIV status, we now can begin understanding the many motivating factors towards why people are and are not using condoms to protect themselves or their partner.

This study applied the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and its extension, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to the design of a workplace HIV/AIDS health promotion programme. The purpose of the study was to determine if the variables of the TRA and TPB would predict intentions to change HIV/AIDS health behaviour, whether a theory-based intervention would result in health behaviour change over time and if there would be any significant health behaviour differences among participants who received a theory-based intervention and those who received an information-only intervention. In a longitudinal, quasi-experimental study, 170 government employees were divided into two groups. One group comprised 92 employees who participated in a HIV/AIDS health promotion workshop based on the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour. The other group comprised 78 employees who took part in an educational information session about HIV and AIDS. An elicitation study was conducted with a sample of 38 employees from the research population two months prior to the commencement of the study. The findings of the elicitation study informed the design of research questionnaires and an intervention workshop. Both groups of participants (theory-based workshop and information-only workshop) were measured on HIV/AIDS health behaviour intentions and HIV/AIDS health behaviour (condom use, seeking HIV testing and monogamy) across three measurement periods over a six month period. The results of the study showed that the combined theoretical variables predicted intentions to use condoms and to seek HIV testing, with attitudes having the main effect on intentions. There was, however, no significant health behaviour change across the three measurement periods. There were also no health behaviour differences between the two intervention conditions at one month and six months post-intervention. The study concludes that the intervention based on the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour did not produce health behaviour change. The study also identified barriers to AIDS health behaviour in the South African context that the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour cannot explain. Ways in which the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour can be adapted to HIV/AIDS education in collectivist cultures are proposed. / Psychology / Thesis (D. Phil. (Psychology))

This study’s purpose was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS and condom use, and sexual behaviours among senior secondary school learners in Kumba, Cameroon using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The ultimate goal was to determine how at risk learners were of contracting HIV/AIDS. A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive, explorative and correlational research design was adapted; using self-designed questionnaires for data collection. Respondents were sampled through proportionally stratified simple random sampling resulting in 480 (240 male and 240 female) grade 10 to grade 12 learners from two participating high schools. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using the SPSS version 12 software program. Most learners were knowledgeable about HIV transmission; the prevention of HIV/AIDS; and sexual risk behaviours pertaining to HIV transmission. Learners also manifested positive attitudes towards PLWHA. Most learners did not perceive themselves to be at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Up to 52,3% who were sexually active, only 30,0% used condoms consistently. The respondents knew about condoms, but had poor attitudes towards condom use. Most respondents received information on HIV/AIDS, condoms and sexuality from magazines/newspapers and teachers. The findings could assist policy makers, programme planners and educators in developing and implementing programmes to improve the health of adolescents. The perceived barriers to condom use and modifying factors should be addressed into consideration in designing any policy geared towards controlling risk exposure to HIV/AIDS among youths in Kumba, Cameroon.

descriptive correlational study aiming at describing the knowledge, attitude and risk behavior of adolescents in relation to HIV/AIDS in one “girls only” Catholic school of Manzini. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 260 respondents aged 12 to 19 years. Although only 22.31% respondents indicated been tested for HIV, (83.08%) would like to take an HIV test. Hospital and clinic are mostly known by respondents for providing HIV testing. Most respondents expressed lack of confidence in getting partners wear condoms. 16 (6.15%) have engaged in sex and 5 (6.10 %) were raped. No statistically significant difference was noted between condom use during sexual intercourse for both participants who were raped and those who consented to sex (P value = 0.6538). Future youth health programs should focus on building confidence of youth in accessing condom, discussing condom issues with their partners and make their partners wear condoms / Health Studies

BACKGROUND: Studies done in both developed and developing countries have reported the tendencies of adolescents to engage in risky behaviours. Such behaviours include indulging in early and unsafe sexual activities, having multiple sexual partners, alcohol and drug use and dropping out of school among others. PURPOSE: The main aim of the study was to develop intervention strategies for reducing sexual risk practices among adolescents in Ethiopia. METHODS: A mixed method approach using quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in order to investigate the risks of sexual practices among urban and rural adolescents in the selected area. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data quantitatively and focus group discussions were used for the qualitative part of data collection. A total of 449 students and 72 FGD participants were selected for quantitative and qualitative study respectively using systematic random sampling technique. Logistic regression was done to identify possible factors associated with knowledge on emergency contraceptive, condom utilisation, pre-marital sex practices and perception of risky sexual practices. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy (37.9%) respondents had experienced sexual intercourse at the time of the study. The higher proportion (42.6%) of those who had engaged in sexual relationships was from the rural school compared to 33.1% in the urban schools. The proportion of sexually active respondents was higher among males (44.8%) compared to (29%) females. Multiple partners were higher in rural adolescents (44.7%) compared to 31.8% among urban adolescents. Sexually Transmitted Diseases were reported by 28.6% of the sexually active adolescents and the prevalence was higher among males (73.5%) compared to 27% females. 87% of the sexually active adolescents rarely used a condom. CONCLUSION: The study identified a knowledge gap on ASRH which limited adolescents to access reproductive services. Social, cultural and economic factors contributed to adolescent engagement in risky sexual behaviours. Based on the major findings of this study, intervention strategies targeting behavioural, biomedical and structural interventions were proposed. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Les clients de TS sont considérés comme un groupe à risque de VIH et aussi agiraient comme un « pont de transmission » entre les TS et les femmes de la population générale. En dépit de leurs comportements sexuels à risque, les clients de TS ont été rarement étudiés. En conséquence, les objectifs spécifiques de cette thèse étaient : 1) estimer la prévalence du VIH, de la syphilis, du VHS-2 (virus de l’herpès simplex et 2) des facteurs de risque associés chez les clients de TS en Haïti, 2) examiner les déterminants de l’intention d’utilisation du condom, et 3) estimer la prévalence des comportements de violence et ses conséquences. Pour ce faire, une enquête transversale a été effectuée en 2006 auprès de 378 clients fréquentant les milieux de prostitution de St-Marc et de Gonaïves, en Haïti. Un questionnaire structuré ainsi que des échantillons de sang séché sur papier filtre ont été utilisés pour la collecte de données comportementales et biologiques. Notre premier article a montré une prévalence élevée du VIH et des ITS chez les clients. Ces hommes avaient plusieurs partenaires sexuelles avec lesquelles l’utilisation du condom variait. Les clients qui avaient déjà consommé de la marijuana, pratiquaient le vaudou, avaient des antécédents d’ITS ou étaient infectés par le VHS-2, avaient plus de chances d’être positifs au VIH. Le fait d’habiter Gonaïves, de ne pas être protestant, d’être employé et d’avoir déjà essayé la marijuana était associé à l’infection à la syphilis. Tandis que les clients plus vieux, ceux résidants à Gonaïves ainsi que ceux pratiquant le vaudou étaient plus souvent infectés par le VHS-2. Dans notre second article, nous avons démontré que les normes subjectives, le contrôle comportemental perçu et les attitudes étaient des déterminants importants de l’intention d’utilisation du condom. Les clients qui avaient des antécédents d’ITS ou avaient utilisé le condom lors de la dernière relation sexuelle avec la TS étaient aussi plus susceptibles d’avoir l’intention d’en faire usage dans le futur. Les résultats du dernier article ont montré que la prévalence des comportements de violence envers les partenaires intimes était élevée. De plus, la violence émotionnelle et physique était associée à l’utilisation inconstante du condom avec les différentes partenaires sexuelles. En conclusion, cette étude suggère que les clients de TS agiraient comme un pont de transmission facilitant la propagation du VIH/ITS dans la population générale en Haïti et que la violence semblerait également jouer un rôle dans la transmission de ces infections. Nos résultats soulignent le besoin d’interventions en prévention du VIH et des ITS ciblant cette population vulnérable, incluant la problématique de la violence. / Male clients of FSWs are a high risk group for HIV and are considered a “bridge” of transmission between FSWs and women in the general population, through unprotected sex. In spite of their high risk behaviours, clients of FSWs have rarely been studied and they have been the target of few interventions. Therefore, the specific objectives of this thesis were to examine 1) estimate the prevalence of HIV, syphilis and HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus 2) infections and their associated risk factors among clients of FSWs in Haiti, to 2) examine the determinants of intention to condom use, and 3) estimate the prevalence of violence towards their intimate partners and its association with sexual risky behaviours. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 378 clients visiting commercial sex sites in St-Marc and Gonaives, in Haiti. A structured questionnaire and dried blood spot samples were used to collect the behavioural and biological data. Our first research paper found that HIV/STI prevalence was remarkably high among clients of FSWs. These men had many sex partners and condom use differed, depending on the category of partner. Multivariate analysis indicated that clients who had tried marijuana, were practicing Voodoo, had a history of STI or were infected with HSV-2 were more often HIV-positive. Living in Gonaives, not being Protestant, being employed, and having tried marijuana were associated with syphilis infection. Older clients, residents of Gonaives and Voodoo practitioners were more likely to be infected with HSV-2. The second article revealed that subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and attitudes were predictors of intention to use condoms within this population. Clients having had a previous STI and who used condoms the last time they had sexual intercourse with a FSW were more likely to have the intention to use them in the future. The last article showed that prevalence of lifetime IPV was high among clients of FSWs. Moreover, history of emotional and physical IPV were strong predictors of inconsistent condom use with the different sexual partners. The fact that these abusive men are also more likely to be infected with an STI puts their sexual partners at high risk of infection. In summary, this study suggested that clients of FSWs likely act as a bridge population facilitating the spread of HIV/STI throughout the general population in Haiti and that violence seemed to play a role in the transmission. Our findings highlight the importance of STI/HIV prevention interventions addressing this vulnerable population, including gender-based violence.

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