African-Americans are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. Previous research has shown that many African-Americans endorsed HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs. However, no previous research has investigated the relationship of these beliefs to attitudes about condom use among African-American college students. This study was designed to determine if there was a relationship between conspiracy beliefs about HIV/AIDS to attitudes about condom use in African-American college students. A convenience sample of 93 African-American college students (aged 18 to 31; 68.8% female) from student based organizations at a Midwestern University participated in the study. A non-experimental, cross-sectional survey design was used. A written self-report, 20-item questionnaire was completed by the participants (Bogart & Thorburn, 2005). From the analysis of the data it was determined that there was no statistical significant correlation between HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs and attitudes toward condom use in this population. Findings suggest that African-American college students are less likely to endorse HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs, thus making HIV prevention programs likely to be more effective with this population. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Bowling Green State University, 2008. / Document formatted into pages; contains xvii, 197 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A. (Health Social Science))--Mahidol University, 2007. / LICL has E-Thesis 0024 ; please contact computer services.

Thesis (M.P.H.M. (Primary Health Care Management))--Mahidol University, 2008. / LICL has E-Thesis 0038 ; please contact computer services.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2006. / John Peterson, committee chair; Roger Bakeman, James Emshoff, committee members. Electronic text (79 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Aug. 9, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 70-79).

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The sexual behaviour of youths is believed to play a role in the spread of SexuallyTransmitted Infections (STIs) and Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs). This study examinesthe determinants of youth sexual behaviours and knowledge of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Malawi. It explores rural/urbandifferentials in sexual behaviours using indicators such as early sexual initiation, multiplesexual partnerships, and non-use of condoms, in order to establish policy recommendationstoward improving sexual behaviour among youths. The Malawi Demographic Health Survey2010 data was used. Out of a sample of 2987 males and 9559 females aged 15-24 years,5652 females and 1405 males (condom use), 675 females and 511 males (inconsistentcondom use), 6470 females and 2026 males (multiple sexual partnerships (MSP)), and 15217females and 1405 males (early sexual debut) were filtered in the study.Chi-square and logistic regression techniques were performed to test for association betweensexual behaviour indicators and socio-demographic variables. The prevalence of non-use ofcondom was higher among catholic females (OR=1.11), lower among Muslim males (OR=0.81) and higher among CCAP females (OR=1.19). Muslim females were (OR=1.42) more likely to initiate sexual activities early, while Muslim males were (OR= 0.57) less likelyto initiate sexually activities early. Females in the central region (OR=1.51) and catholicmales (OR=1.63) were more likely to have more sexual partners.Encouraging these young people to be faithful to one uninfected partner, abstinence fromsexual activities, use condoms consistently and delay sexual initiation will help curb the spread of STIs in Malawi.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-01-26T13:21:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-05-16Bitstream added on 2015-01-26T13:30:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000797719.pdf: 655208 bytes, checksum: 24e63afcdd6d1ab9e56162bae2415298 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Estudantes universitários representam um grupo vulnerável aos comportamentos sexuais de risco, na medida em que estão adentrando o mundo dos adultos, estão iniciando sua vida sexual, muitas vezes deixando a casa dos pais pela primeira vez, e estão especialmente expostos a substâncias que aumentam este risco como, por exemplo, o álcool. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a vulnerabilidade sexual entre universitários da área de saúde a partir dos comportamentos sexuais relatados por estes, em particular o uso de preservativos. Trata-se de estudo transversal, com amostra de 695 universitários de cursos da saúde, de ambos os sexos de uma cidade no interior do Estado de São Paulo. Os dados foram coletados a partir de questionários auto preenchidos aplicados nas salas de aula e de atividades. A média de idade foi de 22,1 anos, com predomínio de mulheres (67,3%), pessoas que se autodeclararam da cor branca (78,2%) e solteiros (96,4%). Dos entrevistados, 85,9% referiram já ter iniciado a vida sexual, sendo que 95,6% se declararam heterossexuais. O método anticoncepcional mais utilizado na última relação sexual foram as pílulas anticoncepcionais (57,6%), seguida do preservativo masculino (52,5%). O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas antecedendo as relações sexuais dos últimos dois meses foi relatado por 43,9% dos alunos. O uso do preservativo em todas as relações dos últimos dois meses foi relatada por 42,4%, a respeito do uso na última relação, isto foi 45,0%. No modelo final de regressão logística apenas idade, sexo, beber problemático e o uso de álcool precedendo as relações sexuais dos últimos dois meses permaneceram como fatores associados ao não uso consistente de preservativos. Esta pesquisa aponta a necessidade de implementar políticas públicas que abordem riscos diversos e interligados, como o beber problemático e o baixo uso de preservativos. Tais políticas são necessárias mesmo entre populações ... / College students are a vulnerable group in relation to risk sexual behavior, in that they are entering the adult world, starting their sex life, often leaving the parental home for the first time, and are specially exposed to substances that increase this risk, for example, alcohol. The aim of this study was to assess sexual vulnerability among health area students by their sexual behavior selfreported, in particular the use of condoms. A sample of 695 students have participated of this cross-sectional study carried out in a University in São Paulo state. Data were collected from self-administered questionnaire in classrooms and activities. Medium age of students was 22.1 years old. Majority of students was women (67.3%), white (78.2%) and single (96.4%). Of the respondents, 85.9% reported already having begun their sexual life, and 95.6% reported they were heterosexual. The most widely used contraceptive method at last intercourse was oral contraceptives (57.6%), followed by the male condom (52.5%). The consumption of alcoholic beverages preceding intercourse the last two months was reported by 43.9% of students. The use of condoms in all the relations of the past two months was reported by 42.4%, regards the most recent intercourse it was 45.0%. In the final logistic regression model only age, sex, problematic drinking and alcohol use preceding sex the past two months remained associated with inconsistent condom use factors. This research points to the need to implement public policies dealing with various risks and interlinked, as problematic drinking and low condom use. Such policies are necessary even among populations who should present high knowledge about the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and the use contraceptive methods, as college students of health area

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: In Namibia, studies showed that HIV/AIDS affects youth, especially the under 24 years age group. At the same time the pregnancy rate is also high by age 19. Interestingly, in Andara district several reports from staff working in the reproductive services have indicated that adolescent girls, who would seem to be taking responsibility in one sphere of their sexual lives by protecting themselves against unwanted pregnancy, were however not using condoms to protect themselves from HIV infection. Study Aim and Objectives: To describe the knowledge, attitude and behaviour related to HIV/AIDS amongst female adolescents who are accessing the primary health care (PHC) services for contraception. Specific objectives were to describe the knowledge of female adolescents who are accessing the PHC services for contraception about the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, to assess their attitude with regards to condom use, abstinence and being faithful to one uninfected partner, also to determine the significance of association between age and knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, between their education level and knowledge, attitudes and behaviour and the significance of association between knowledge of HIV prevention strategies and behaviour of female adolescents accessing PHC services for contraception in the district. Setting: The study was conducted in Andara district, North East of Namibia. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional KAB study. Sample: All female adolescents who are accessing PHC services for contraception selected from multistage simple random sampling in 5 facilities and systematic sampling at facility level in Andara. All married women within this age range were excluded in the study. Data collection tool: An interviewer-administered standardised questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data analysis and Interpretations: Epi Info software 2002 was used for data analysis. The results were presented using descriptive statistics including means, 95% confidence intervals and percentages and this information was shown in tables, bar and pie charts. Cross-tabulations of knowledge, attitude and behaviour scores against demographic variables were performed. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: 76.5% knew that unprotected sexual intercourse was the main way of getting HIV/AIDS, 77.3% knew that people could protect themselves by abstaining from sexual intercourse and 64.5% knew that people could protect themselves by having one uninfected faithful sexual partner. Out of 192 respondents who stated that unprotected sexual intercourse was the main way of HIV/AIDS transmission, 25.5% used condom every time they had sexual intercourse, 10.9% used condom almost every time they had sex, 41.1% used condom sometimes and 22.4% never used condom. Older girls and those who were in higher grades at school had more knowledge that could protect them from HIV infection. Later sexual debut is associated with increased condom usage at sexual debut. Conclusions: The general HIV knowledge of respondents and their knowledge of how to protect themselves from HIV infection were disappointing given that this study was conducted in health facilities. In this study we also see that knowledge does not always translate into the appropriate behaviour. The health services need to evaluate the targeting and effectiveness of their HIV educational messages and develop skills that will support behaviour change. / South Africa

Magister Public Health - MPH / The HIV prevalence rate in Zimbabwe has been estimated at 15% (15 years old and above), which is one of the highest in the world, and HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health problem. The focus of HIV prevention strategies has been on heterosexual transmission since this is the primary driver of the HIV epidemic in Zimbabwe. Heterosexual serodiscordant couples represent an important subpopulation for HIV prevention but are not well studied in Zimbabwe. In Harare almost all serodiscordant couples participating in the HPTN 052 study reported correct and consistent condom use. However, rates of STIs and pregnancies showed that couples in the study continued to have unprotected sex, in-spite of intensive couples’ counselling, quarterly follow up visits and provision of condoms. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore barriers to condom use by these serodiscordant couples in which one partner was on ART in Harare, Zimbabwe. It used a two stage qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews being the primary method of data collection. These interviews were conducted on a sample of five study staff, 15 serodiscordant couples and individuals enrolled in the HPTN 052 study in Harare, Zimbabwe after consent was obtained. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data collected.The study findings showed that partners were in a fairly large age range (30 to 50+ years) with males being slightly older than females. Seven males and five females were HIV positive. Couples had a wide variation in the length of their relationships, from one month to over 15 years as a couple. The study findings also showed that individuals in serodiscordant relationships understood serodiscordance. Problems unique to these couples were identified and broadly categorized as dealing with an HIV positive result, accepting serodiscordance, and difficulty of disclosing serodiscordance to family. Couples also showed understanding of the importance of condom use in a discordant relationship. The most common reason for using condoms was to prevent transmission of HIV to the uninfected partner. The main barriers to condom use were the strong desire to have children, male partner reluctance to use condoms and the influence of the negative partner in determining condom use. Based on these findings, a nuanced approach to prevention strategies, such as condom use and couples counselling and testing, is required. The aim should be to increase understanding of serodiscordance, risk and condom use at all sessions or contacts with couples.