The study investigates how the church in Zambia can effectively facilitate change toward reducing HIV-risky behaviour. The researcher posits that an intricate connection exists between HIV-risky behaviour and the socio-cultural context of majority people groups in Zambia. He further argues that much risky behaviour is imbedded in pervasive socio-cultural norms and traditions propelled by a worldview which essentially resists transformation. From an insider’s perspective the researcher will design a praxis model for transforming Zambian worldview facets with regard to HIV/AIDS predisposing behaviours in order to achieve enduring HIV risk reduction. The study reviews current literature on HIV behavioural change theories and models to understand where the theories have taken all the stakeholders, including theological praxis. The study will demonstrate the link between Zambian cultural worldviews and trends in sexual behaviour which, arguably, facilitates the proliferation of HIV risky behaviour. The study culminates in designing an evangelical theological praxis/model for transforming relevant cultural worldviews toward changing HIV risky behaviour in Zambia. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

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African American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) are at a greater risk of contracting HIV than any other ethnic group, subpopulation, or race. Personal, environmental, and social variables can affect risk behavior. Driven by Beck's cognitive theory of depression, this quantitative study examined the relationship between depression and HIV risk behaviors in a sample of AAMSM (n = 108). Data was gathered via the Beck Depression Inventory and the HIV Risk Behavior Questionnaire. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to analyze the data to determine the correlation between HIV risk behavior and depression. According to study findings, there was no significant relationship found between depression and HIV risk behavior in this sample of AAMSM after accounting for the variance associated with the covariates: age, alcohol and substance use, condom attitudes, HIV knowledge, and income. While the study findings do not indicate depressive symptoms were associated with HIV sexual risk behavior, age, alcohol or drug use, and condom attitudes were significantly and positively related to HIV sexual risk behavior. Future research is recommended to identify factors specific to AAMSM for use in devising African American MSM-centric interventions. The results could inform the development of interventions targeting older AAMSM to alter behaviors associated with alcohol and drug use to impact sexual risk behaviors and reduce HIV transmission in AAMSM, thus resulting in positive social change in their lives and the lives of their families and communities.

Introduction HIV remains a severe global health problem. The Republic of Chad is moderately affected (1.3%), compared to Cameroon who suffers more of the burden of the HIV/AIDS (4.5%). We described the HIV risk factors in two neighboring Central African Republics, and compared the gaps in both countries. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study; data was obtained from the Demographic and Health Survey. A stratified multi-stage cluster sample design was conducted. The sample size was 5248 in Chad and 7191 in Cameroon. We used SAS to fit a multilevel logistic model, and conducted a multivariate analysis. Results The median age of respondents was 30 (IQR, 20-40) years in Chad, and 28 (IQR, 20-40) in Cameroon. Only 12.45% reported had ever been tested for HIV in Chad, (41.77% in Cameroon). In Chad, 46.40% of participants did not know a place to get HIV test, (11.15% in Cameroon). The median number of lifetime sexual partners was 2 (IQR, 1-4) in Chad, and 6 (IQR, 3-15) in Cameroon. Among Chadian participants 31.63% had only one lifetime sexual partner, (10.76% in Cameroon). In Chad 86.95% of participants reported having no sex partner other than their spouse in the last 12 months; (57.3% in Cameroon). Conclusion Condom use and HIV testing rates were very low among Chadian men comparing to Cameroonian men; however, Cameroonian men were more likely to engage in multiple sexual partners and extra-marital relationship than Chadian men.

The main aim of this study was to apply the Information, Motivation and Behavioural Skills (IMB) model in a school-based programme for the reduction of HIV-risk behaviour among adolescents in South Africa. The study also aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the model in improving levels of information, motivation to act upon the information, and imparting behavioural skills aimed at reducing HIV-risk behaviour in high school adolescent learners. Prior to the main study, a preliminary study was conducted to identify existing and prior intervention initiatives targeting HIV-risk behaviour within the schools in Alexandra township, Johannesburg. This was a qualitative study in which participating learners from two secondary schools reported on the HIV and AIDS education they were exposed to prior to the main study and intervention. The study sample consisted of 259 Grade 11 learners of which 123 were from School 1 (ES) and 136 from School 2 (CS). The findings from the preliminary study indicate that, while much HIV/AIDS education was done through the LoveLife campaigns, important gaps still existed in the levels of HIV/AIDS information, motivation and behavioural skills among the learners in the participating schools. The main study was quantitative in nature, and involved the same sample as the preliminary study. Data was collected with the use of a questionnaire adapted from the Teen Health Survey instrument. School 1 (ES) was the Experimental group, while School 2 (CS) was the Control group. A baseline assessment (Time 1) was conducted at both schools. This assessment was followed by a 3-week HIV/AIDS intervention programme at School 1 (ES) which focused on HIV/AIDS information, motivation and behavioural skills. A post-test (Time 2) was carried out at both schools. The intervention at School 1 (ES) was then repeated at School 2 (CS). This was followed by another post-test (Time 3) at both schools. A final test (Time 4) was done at both schools. This was followed by another post-test (Time 3) at both schools. A final test (Time 4) was done at both schools. Data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA including univariate ANOVA and paired t-tests. The results show significant increases in information across time for both schools. However, while there was clear change, it was not directly linked to the intervention. Overall estimates for all three variables, for instance, indicate that the mean scores at School 2 (CS) rose at Time 2, despite the absence of the intervention between Times 1 and 2 at that school. The fluctuating pattern of mean scores further attests to the deviation of the mean scores from the hypothesized pattern. In some of these fluctuations, the results showed the same trend for both groups, irrespective of the difference in the timing of the intervention. It is recommended, among other things, that when applied in the South African context, the IMB model should be used along with other HIV/AIDS prevention strategies to incorporate the social, cultural, economic and other structural challenges faced by learners.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare health beliefs among employees. The study looked at the African Traditional Model and the Medical Model in relation to HIV risk among employees in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study sample was made up of 96 participants, all African, and predominately female. The study established employees` health beliefs by asking them to indicate their health beliefs on the Biographical Questionnaire provided in the study. HIV risk among employees was assessed through the use of HIV Risk-Taking Behaviour Scale (HRBS), Attitude to Condom Use, a sub-scale of the Sexual Risks Scale (SRSA) and Sexual Risk Cognitions Questionnaire (SRCQ). A comparison of HIV risk between the two groups of employees was achieved by performing ANOVA. In addition, the study conducted secondary analyses using correlations to establish relationships between variables. The results obtained in this study showed a statistically significant difference in HIV risk between employees who believed in the African Traditional Model and those who believed in the Medical Model in HIV prevention. Secondary correlational analyses between variables showed a significant, negative relationship between participants` attitude toward condom use and their sexual risk cognitions. The results indicated that employees who had a positive attitude towards condom use reported low sexual risk cognitions towards unsafe behaviour. In contrast, employees who had a negative attitude towards condom use showed high sexual cognitions towards unsafe sexual behaviours. Directions for future studies could focus on education and training strategies to reduce negative health beliefs among employees in the fight against HIV and AIDS in South Africa.

<p>Since the early 1980&rsquo / s when the first case of HIV was diagnosed, AIDS remains a serious and threatening health crisis in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic having 67 % of the 33 million people infected with HIV globally in 2007. Young people aged 15-24&nbsp / account for an estimated 45% of all new HIV infections worldwide. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes on HIV/AIDS and sexual&nbsp / behavior among 15-19 year olds in Kenya. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 96 students randomly selected from five public&nbsp / schools in Ngong sub-district. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was conducted using Epi Info 3.3 and SPSS. The main findings indicate that a third&nbsp / (31/96) of respondents were sexually experienced. Knowledge level was however found to be inadequate (below 60 %) indicating a poorly informed sample on knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention. The study showed poor attitudes towards the risk to HIV as only 40 % of both males and females supported the use of condoms even when the sexual partners know each other well. Inaddition, risky sexual behaviors were reported by sexually&nbsp / &nbsp / experienced respondents where condom use in last sexual intercourse was (57 %) among males and (20 %) among females.</p>

Background. The study explored associations between factors derived from the application of the Theory of Gender and Power (TGP) as they relate to HIV-risk behaviour among Middle Eastern/Arab-Canadians. This area deserves increased attention, as the proportion of HIV incident cases among Canadian women—due to heterosexual transmission—is increasing. Methods. A web-based survey was administered to Middle Eastern/Arab-Canadians who were aged 18-35 years, of Middle Eastern and/or Arab descent, living in Canada, heterosexual, and in a relationship. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with condom-use risk and lifetime number of sexual partners. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results. The study sample consisted of 157 participants, with more female participants (65.38%), and a mean age of 22.71 years. Females were more likely to have an older partner and more likely to be virgins, compared to males. Only a third (27.45%) of sexually active participants in this sample reported using condoms every time they have sex and participants reported a mean of 4.31 lifetime sexual partners. Factors associated with both condom-use risk and lifetime number of sexual partners varied greatly between genders. Among females, having low self efficacy towards practicing safer sex was predictive of condom-use risk. Among males, not being worried about getting HIV was predictive of condom-use risk. Thinking they knew how to use condoms was predictive of having more sexual partners among females, while being low acculturated from Middle Eastern culture was predictive of more partners among males. Conclusions. Factors associated with HIV risk varied greatly between genders among this sample and may contribute to power imbalances within relationships. The application of the TGP to this sample was moderately successful in predicting number of sexual partners among females and condom-use risk among males. However, it was not as successful in predicting condom-use risk among females and number of sexual partners among males. Many factors associated with HIV risk have been identified in this study, and should be used to create interventions designed to increase equality within Middle Eastern/Arab-Canadian relationships. However, many issues are discussed that still need to be addressed in future research.

Studies from developing countries disagree on whether mobility is a risk factor or a protective factor for HIV risk. The difference is often determined by gender. Few studies exist, however, examining the relationship among high risk populations in developed nations. This study seeks to examine that relationship in 10 high risk ZIP codes of Atlanta, Georgia using data gathered from the Geography Project by Rothenberg and colleagues. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between HIV risk and five independent variables of mobility. Results were stratified by gender. After controlling for demographic and behavioral variables, use of public transportation by men was significantly protective of HIV risk. Significant associations were also observed with ever injection drug use and recent condom use, indicating that high risk behaviors may be the real driver of the epidemic in these neighborhoods.

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the United States is still high despite advances in prevention and therapies. Among all races and ethnic groups, African Americans are the most severely affected and face a disproportionate burden. African Americans account for a higher proportion of HIV infections and deaths than other races and ethnicities. In addition, one of the fastest growing segments of AIDS cases is patients more than 50 years of age. This segment receives little attention concerning HIV infection and as the U.S. population continues to age, it is important to be aware of specific HIV-related risks faced by these older African Americans and to ensure that they get information and services to help protect them from infection. This study aims to understand and compare the social network characteristics, perceived risk of getting HIV infection and HIV risk behaviors between younger (18 to 49 years of age) and older (50 plus years of age) African Americans living in high HIV prevalence zip codes of Atlanta, Georgia. The study population included 897 African Americans. Controlling for socio-demographic variables, multivariate analyses revealed that older African Americans have significant higher proportion of injection drug use, are less likely to get tested for HIV and more likely to have a risky sex partner (i.e., exchange sex for money or drugs); however, older African Americans were less likely to engage in sexual risk behaviors. Groups did not differ in terms of their perceived risk for HIV and social network characteristics. More research is necessary to understand their HIV-related risk behaviors, both sexual and drug use, and the specific needs for primary prevention effort of HIV/AIDS transmission among older African Americans.