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.

Master of Science / Department of Journalism and Mass Communications / Soontae An / African American women account for almost two thirds of all women living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. These epidemiological data highlight a critical need to develop intervention campaigns that communicate risk reduction strategies to this population. Using the framework of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills (IMB) model, the current study recruited African American women to view one of four brochures in which two experimental treatments were crossed: African American/individual prevention; Caucasian/individual prevention; African American/community prevention and Caucasian/community prevention. Attitude toward the message, risk perception, self-efficacy and community responsibility were measured through a survey questionnaire. Results showed that participants who viewed brochures featuring African American women displayed more favorable attitudes, increased self-efficacy, increased community responsibility and increased perceived risk for other African American women. The limitations of this study and implications for future research and development of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies are discussed.

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Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / HIV poses considerable social and health challenges in South Africa, particularly among young people aged 15-24. Research indicates a strong link between risky sexual behaviour and alcohol and illicit drugs. In the Western Cape drug-related behaviours is a growing concern among young people because of relatively high prevalence rates of drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine. Previous South African studies have tended to focused on the link between substance use and risky sexual behaviour among commercial sex workers. The theoretical approach of this study is the information motivation behavioural skills model. Participants were selected using non-probability sampling of 279 first year students registered for Psychology I at the University of the Western Cape. This study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey design. Results: Forty-six percent of students do not believe that the use of illicit drugs has an impact on a person's sexual behavior. However, the findings also showed that only 45% of students believed that there was a difference between illicit drug users correctly using condoms when compared to non-users. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Conclusion: Prevention is our best and most effective means of decreasing risk-taking behaviours associated with HIV infection. Information is the first line of intervention that is necessary to reduce risk-taking behaviours; however prevention strategies and interventions of risk-taking behaviours should aim to increase motivation and help young people integrate information in a way that it is personally relatable. This is vital to address the inconsistencies between perceptions of risk and the realities of risk-taking behaviour. / South Africa

The study investigated three aspects related to smoking, namely, smoking behaviour, risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation. The theoretical framework of the study was the Information-Motivation-Behavioural (IMB) skills model. The study was a quantitative one, making use of a cross-sectional survey design to obtain data about the three variables of interest. Responses to statements about risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in the questionnaire were arranged on a three-point Likert scale. The inferential statistics used were one-sample ttests and Chi-square analyses. The results showed an overall smoking prevalence of 16%, with twice as many females than males being smokers in the sample. ‘Coloured’ students in both genders had the highest smoking rate compared to all other race groups. The knowledge of the health risks of smoking were very high, however smokers had a lower perception of risk compared to non-smokers. Moreover, while there was a fair amount of support for anti-smoking legislation among smokers, smokers tended to show less support for legislation than non-smokers, especially to those parts of the legislation that affect them more directly. The results of the study indicate a clear connection between smoking behaviour and the effect it has on both risk perception as well as attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in individuals.

<p>HIV poses considerable social and health challenges in South Africa, particularly among young people aged 15-24. Research indicates a strong link between risky sexual behaviour and alcohol and illicit drugs. In the Western Cape drug-related behaviours is a growing concern among young people because of relatively high prevalence rates of drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine. Previous South African studies have tended to focused on the link between substance use and risky sexual behaviour among commercial sex workers. The theoretical approach of this study is the information motivation behavioural skills model. Participants were selected using non-probability sampling of 279 first year students registered for Psychology I at the University of the Western Cape. This study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey design. Results: Forty-six percent of students do not believe that the use of illicit drugs has an impact on a person&rsquo / s sexual behavior. However, the findings also showed that only 45% of students believed that there was a difference between illicit drug users correctly using condoms when compared to non-users. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Conclusion: Prevention is our best and most effective means of decreasing risk-taking behaviours associated with HIV infection. Information is the first line of intervention that is necessary to reduce risk-taking behaviours / however prevention strategies and interventions of risk-taking behaviours should aim to increase motivation and help young people integrate information in a way that it is personally relatable. This is vital to address the inconsistencies between perceptions of risk and the realities of risk-taking behaviour.</p>

The study investigated three aspects related to smoking, namely, smoking behaviour, risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation. The theoretical framework of the study was the Information-Motivation-Behavioural (IMB) skills model. The study was a quantitative one, making use of a cross-sectional survey design to obtain data about the three variables of interest. Responses to statements about risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in the questionnaire were arranged on a three-point Likert scale. The inferential statistics used were one-sample ttests and Chi-square analyses. The results showed an overall smoking prevalence of 16%, with twice as many females than males being smokers in the sample. ‘Coloured’ students in both genders had the highest smoking rate compared to all other race groups. The knowledge of the health risks of smoking were very high, however smokers had a lower perception of risk compared to non-smokers. Moreover, while there was a fair amount of support for anti-smoking legislation among smokers, smokers tended to show less support for legislation than non-smokers, especially to those parts of the legislation that affect them more directly. The results of the study indicate a clear connection between smoking behaviour and the effect it has on both risk perception as well as attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in individuals.

<p>HIV poses considerable social and health challenges in South Africa, particularly among young people aged 15-24. Research indicates a strong link between risky sexual behaviour and alcohol and illicit drugs. In the Western Cape drug-related behaviours is a growing concern among young people because of relatively high prevalence rates of drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine. Previous South African studies have tended to focused on the link between substance use and risky sexual behaviour among commercial sex workers. The theoretical approach of this study is the information motivation behavioural skills model. Participants were selected using non-probability sampling of 279 first year students registered for Psychology I at the University of the Western Cape. This study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey design. Results: Forty-six percent of students do not believe that the use of illicit drugs has an impact on a person&rsquo / s sexual behavior. However, the findings also showed that only 45% of students believed that there was a difference between illicit drug users correctly using condoms when compared to non-users. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Conclusion: Prevention is our best and most effective means of decreasing risk-taking behaviours associated with HIV infection. Information is the first line of intervention that is necessary to reduce risk-taking behaviours / however prevention strategies and interventions of risk-taking behaviours should aim to increase motivation and help young people integrate information in a way that it is personally relatable. This is vital to address the inconsistencies between perceptions of risk and the realities of risk-taking behaviour.</p>

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / The study investigated three aspects related to smoking, namely, smoking behaviour, risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation. The theoretical framework of the study was the Information-Motivation-Behavioural (IMB) skills model. The study was a quantitative one, making use of a cross-sectional survey design to obtain data about the three variables of interest. Responses to statements about risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in the questionnaire were arranged on a three-point Likert scale. The inferential statistics used were one-sample t-tests and Chi-square analyses. The results showed an overall smoking prevalence of 16%, with twice as many females than males being smokers in the sample. 'Coloured' students in both genders had the highest smoking rate compared to all other race groups. The knowledge of the health risks of smoking were very high, however smokers had a lower perception of risk compared to non-smokers. Moreover, while there was a fair amount of support for anti-smoking legislation among smokers, smokers tended to show less support for legislation than non-smokers, especially to those parts of the legislation that affect them more directly. The results of the study indicate a clear connection between smoking behaviour and the effect it has on both risk perception as well as attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in individuals. / South Africa

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Alcohol remains the most commonly abused substance in South Africa and several studies have shown associations between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviours, which pose a risk of HIV infection. Research indicates that the age group of 15-24 years is a high risk group for HIV infection. This study aimed at examining the perceptions of alcohol as a risk factor to HIV infection amoungst a sample of university students.Specifically, this study tested the hypotheses that most students perceive that those who consume alcohol were more likely to engage in unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, casual sex and transactional sex. The Information Motivation Behavioural(IMB) skills model provided the theoretical framework for the study. Using a quantitative research design, a survey questionnaire was used to collect the data. The sample consisted of 240 first year psychology students (192 females, 48 males). Data analyses indicated support for the hypotheses that alcohol consumption was perceived as high risk for unprotected sex, casual sex and sex with multiple partners. However, the data showed no support for the hypothesis of alcohol increasing the risk of transactional sex. The data also indicated that non-drinkers were more likely to perceive alcohol as a risk factor than drinkers. The recognition by students of alcohol as a risk factor for HIV infection provides an opportunity for raising awareness about safer sex practices at institutions of higher learning in South Africa.