Perceived personal immunity: Beliefs about susceptibility to AIDS

Subjects aged 18–25 were surveyed regarding their beliefs about susceptibility to getting AIDS. Males generally viewed their probability of contracting AIDS under conditions of risky sexual behavior to be significantly lower than did females. Subjects’ risk status was classified based on their recent self‐reported condom use and the number of different partners with whom they had sexual intercourse during the past year. High‐risk males perceived themselves to be at significantly lower risk than others who engaged in the same practices. High‐risk females perceived themselves to be at equal risk to others who engaged in unprotected sex with numerous partners. Condom use was significantly related to subjects’ socioeconomic status. These findings indicate that information about factors that augment risk for contracting HIV may, in and of itself, be insufficient to foster adequate preventive behaviors among many sexually active individuals.     

HIV-Negative Seroconcordant Gay Male Couples' Attitudes,Intentions, and Perceived Behavioral Control for Planned Condom Use Within and Outside of Their Relationships

ABSTRACT

Despite high HIV rates among gay male couples, limited research exists about their attitudes, intentions, social norms, and perceived behavioral control for planned condom use within and outside of their relationships. Our cross-sectional study used multilevel modeling with dyadic data from 142 HIV-negative gay male couples to examine and identify which factors were statistically associated with planned condom use within and outside the relationship. Several differences for planned condom use were also noted based on the sample's prior history of unprotected anal intercourse and relationship type. Findings suggest additional prevention tools are needed for some HIV-negative gay male couples who are at risk for HIV.     

Investigating the role of individual characteristics,interpersonal sexual communication,media exposure,and gender differences on condom use among chinese college students in hunan

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate factors of condom use among a sample of 490 sexually active Chinese college students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey by systematic sampling was conducted on students' interpersonal sexual communication, media exposure, and condom use. Multiple regression was employed for analysis. Results: Self-efficacy, peer and partner sexual communication, parent norms about condom usage, HIV/AIDS information from brochures, and exposure to sexual content in books were associated with variables related to condom use. Conclusions: The current study underscores the importance of self-efficacy and peer and partner sexual communication in HIV preventive intervention programs that promote condom use among young Chinese.     

Investigating the Timing of First Sexual Intercourse Among Youth in EDO State,Nigeria in the Context of the Aids Epidemic

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study examined the timing of sexual debut among youth in Edo state, Nigeria given the role that sexual abstinence plays in HIV prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Survey data were collected from rural youth aged 11 to 17 years old enrolled in Junior Secondary Schools in Edo State, Nigeria. Discrete-time hazard techniques were used to examine the effects of theoretically relevant covariates on the timing of sexual debut among youth in Edo State. Results: Results indicate strong, significant relationships between psychosocial predictors and age at first sex for boys and girls. Youth with higher levels of knowledge about HIV as well as those who rejected common myths about HIV transmission delayed first sexual intercourse. Early sexual intercourse was strongly associated with experiencing pressure to engage in sex, while delay was associated with greater confidence that one could decline to participate in sex. On the other hand, youth with higher condom use self-efficacy engaged in first sexual intercourse at an earlier age. Conclusions: These results support the relevance of programs such as Nigeria's Family Life and HIV Education to contribute to delaying sexual intercourse focusing precisely on the forms of knowledge, myth rejection, motivation, and behavioral self-efficacy measured here. They provide policymakers with concrete evidence to increase support for such programming as a means to combat the spread of HIV among youth.     

Adaptive training for existing male transsexual gender role: A case history

The development of AIDS interventions for adolescents is hindered by the lack of data on the conditions that influence high‐risk sexual behavior. We examined psychosocial correlates of condom use and multiple partner sex for a sample of sexually‐active heterosexual adolescent women. Respondents reported higher levels of vaginal intercourse than the “average” adolescent. A minority were engaging in anal intercourse. Condom use was associated with perceived enjoyment of condoms and communication skills. Number of sexual partners was associated with susceptibility beliefs, social norms, and sexual communication skills. The findings support the general observation that AIDS interventions with adolescents should build sexual communication skills, address motivational issues, and teach people how to enjoy safe‐sex activities.     

Predictors of Safer Sex on the College Campus: A Social Cognitive Theory Analysis

Abstract

In April and May 1989, the authors surveyed a sample of students enrolled on four college campuses in New Jersey (N ? 923) concerning their HIV transmission-related behavior, knowledge, and a variety of conceptual variables taken primarily from social cognitive theory that were thought to be potentially predictive of safer sexual behavior. Analyses of sexually active, unmarried students' responses indicated that men expected more negative outcomes of condom use and were more likely to have sexual intercourse while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, whereas women reported higher perceived self-efficacy to practice safer sex. Regression analyses indicated that, among the factors assessed, stronger perceptions of self-efficacy to engage in safer behavior, expecting fewer negative outcomes of condom use, and less frequency of sex in conjuction with alcohol or other drug use significantly predicted safer sexual behavior. Enhanced self-efficacy to discuss personal history with a new partner was associated with a greater number of risky encounters. Implications of these findings for intervention efforts with students are discussed.     

Factors Associated with HIV Sexual Risk Behavior in Male Couples of Mixed HIV Status

Abstract

There are concerns that rates of unprotected anal intercourse and new HIV infections among some gay men have remained at or returned to dangerous levels, similar to those seen in the first decade of the epidemic. Most research on sexual risk behavior of gay men has focused on individuals even though several studies have indicated that unprotected anal intercourse (the most risky of sexual behaviors) is most likely to occur between two men who are regular partners.

This study was conducted with 75 HIV serodiscordant (“mixed HIV status”) male couples. The goals were to assess the types and prevalence of sexual risk behaviors within these dyads, to identify reasons given for engaging in risk behavior with their partner of opposite HIV status, and to examine the association, if any, between risk behaviors and potential individual and partner related factors and context. Both members of the couple were included in all assessments.

There was a tendency for unprotected anal sex to occur more often among younger men, newer couples, Latino men, and men with less education. Lower risk perception and self-efficacy for condom use, desire for sexual spontaneity, intimacy, and personal and partner satisfaction were all related to sexual risk behavior. The men in these relationships also used specific “harm reduction” strategies, based on their own understanding of transmission risk. Therefore it is important to integrate biological and behavioral knowledge to develop effective prevention campaigns. And prevention programs need to consider the ongoing emotional needs of both the HIV seronegative (HIV-) and HIV sero-positive (HIV+) partner.     

The Influence of Trauma History and Relationship Power on Latinas’ Sexual Risk for HIV/STIs

ABSTRACT

A community sample of Latinas completed surveys that included measures of sexual abuse and intimate partner violence history, relationship power, negotiating power regarding condom use, perceived HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk for sexual partner, and sexual behavior. More than half of the women reported a history of intimate partner violence in the past year and/or sexual abuse in their lifetime. Intimate partner violence was correlated with lower overall sexual relationship power scores, while sexual abuse was correlated with lower condom-use negotiating power. More extensive intimate partner violence had the strongest association with higher HIV/STI risk, while controlling for relationship status, sexual abuse, and relationship power.     

Sexual Behavior Among College Students in the AIDS Era

The sexual behavior of a 1988 midwestern college sample was compared to a highly similar 1982 sample to determine the impact of the AlDS epidemic. Contrary to expectations, sexual activity increased over the six-year period. More 1988 students had engaged in intercourse, and females had engaged in it more times with more partners. Age of first intercourse remained unchanged. Attitudes for both sexes became more permissive, and males also perceived their parents to have become more permissive. A continuing double-standard was suggested. For males there were increases in contraceptive frequency, contraception at last intercourse, and condom use. Increased condom use was probably not AIDS-induced, as there was no increase in use from first to last intercourse. Students' sexual, contraceptive, and verbal behavior suggested little concern about AIDS.     

Effects of a peer-led AIDS intervention with university students

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has become a major health threat to university students. This study evaluated a peer-led AIDS intervention program with university students (1) increase knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and infection; (2) change attitudes to reflect scientific information on AIDS-related facts; and (3) change behavioral intentions to correspond with safer sexual practices. Subjects were students (N = 142) from four undergraduate classes and were predominantly female (65%), white (82%), and sexually active (86%). A non-equivalent control group design was used, with two classes receiving the intervention and two classes receiving no information. For the intervention, peer educators presented AIDS-related information, modeled ways to use condoms safely and ways to discuss condom use with sexual partners, and led discussions on HIV infection and use with sexual partners, and led discussions on HIV infection and AIDS, relationships, sexuality, and condom use. A questionnaire was administered to assess differential changes in AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions between the intervention and control groups. The results showed significant improvements among intervention subjects on the knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions scales compared with the control group.     

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Seropositive Homeless Men: Behavioral and Social Characteristics

Homeless persons living in US. innercities are at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HW) infection, but few studies have examined the continued risk behaviors of HIV infected homeless men. We investigated the sexual behavior of 32 homeless men who had tested HIV seropositive. Twenty-five percent of HW positive men reported a history of injection drug use, 34% had sex with men, over 40% had participated in commercial sex, and 59% had been treated for a non-HIV sexually transmitted disease. HIV seropositive men also reported recent sexual behavior, with 62% having sex in the previous month and 50% currently sexually active. Condom use was inconsistent among seropositive men; 44% of vaginal and 50% of anal intercourse occasions in the preceding three months did not involve condoms, and 28% of HW seropositive men did not use a condom during their most recent sexual encounter. Substance use was frequently associated with unprotected sexual behavior among HW seropositive men. Finally, measures of life satisfaction showed that HIV seropositive men were most satisfied with their relationships, mental health, and spiritual well being. These data suggest a need for intensive behavioral.interventions tailored for homeless HW infected men and we recommend that existing substance use treatment and holistic care be incorporated into behavioral interventions for HW infected men.     

Predicting Condom Use Outcomes via the Information Motivation Behavioral Skills Model: An Analysis of Young Black Men

Objectives: This study examines the relationships between information motivation behavioral skills model constructs and their associations with consistent condom use and condom use problems among young Black men. Methods: The authors use baseline data collected from 702 participants in a randomized controlled trial. Analyses involved path modeling and bootstrapped standard errors to estimate associations. Results: Motivation had the largest association with consistent condom use, whereas condom application skills had the largest association with condom use problems. Conclusion: Motivation is the most important predictor of consistent condom use, whereas condom application skills are the most important predictor of condom use problems.     

Prevalence and risk and protective factors associated with HIV-related behavior among transgender people in Hong Kong

Abstract

This paper presents findings from the first large-scale quantitative study into HIV-related behavior among transgender people in Hong Kong. A survey of 195 transgender people found that only one-third of those who had engaged in sexual behavior in the past 3?months reported consistent condom use. Stable relationships, beliefs in low HIV transmission risk, and condom inaccessibility were cited as reasons for inconsistent condom use. The HIV testing figures were also strikingly low. This study demonstrates an urgent need for addressing HIV issues among transgender people in Hong Kong as there are currently no such specific services.     

Sexual Behavior Among College Students in the AIDS Era

The sexual behavior of a 1988 midwestern college sample was compared to a highly similar 1982 sample to determine the impact of the AIDS epidemic. Contrary to expectations, sexual activity increased over the six-year period. More students in the 1988 sample had engaged in intercourse. They had also had more partners for intercourse and more lifetime intercourse experience. Age of first intercourse remained unchanged, however. Attitudes for both sexes became more permissive and males also perceived their parents to have become more permissive. A continuing double-standard was suggested. There were increases in contraceptive frequency, in contraception at last intercourse, and use of more sophisticated contraceptive methods. Increased condom use did not appear to be AIDS-induced, as there was no increase in use from first to last intercourse. Students sexual, contraceptive, and verbal behavior suggested no obvious concern about AIDS.     

Health belief factors and dispositional optimism as predictors of STD and HIV preventive behavior

Identifying factors predictive of youth's engaging in preventive behaviors related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV remains a prominent public health concern. The utility of the Health Belief Model (HBM) continues to be suggested in identifying preventive behaviors. This study sought to examine the full HBM, including self-efficacy, with regard to STD and HIV preventive behavioral intentions in college students. Self-efficacy was identified as the primary predictor for each of the behavioral intentions (condom use, STD testing, and HIV testing), whereas response efficacy was only predictive of testing intentions. Inconsistent with HBM assumptions, perceived HIV severity was negatively related to HIV testing intentions. Students who perceived HIV as high in severity were less likely to intend to obtain HIV testing. Overall, the utility of the HBM in predicting college students' sexual preventive behavior was unsupported. An argument for a change in the direction of research, away from the continued emphasis on the study of cognitive variables, is made.     

A Novel,Self-guided,Home-Based Intervention to Improve Condom Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract

Objective: This pilot study tested the efficacy of a brief, novel, theory-driven, self-guided, home-based intervention designed to promote condom use among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Participants: Thirty YMSM were recruited from a large public US midwestern university during spring of 2012. Methods: The intervention was tested using a repeated measures design with the primary follow-up assessment occurring 6 weeks after enrollment. Results: Forty-five percent of men reported a reduced frequency of unprotected insertive penile–anal intercourse in the past 30 days compared with baseline (p = .01). Consistency of condom use improved (p = .013), as did motivation to use condoms correctly, condom use self-efficacy, and condom attitudes. All participants indicated that they were glad they participated, would recommend the program, and that overall, they had liked the program. Conclusions: This pilot study supports an expanded trial of this intervention with MSM at high-risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infections (HIV/STIs).     

An Approach to Community Outreach Practice in the 21st Century

ABSTRACT

This article presents the findings of a study about knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AIDS held by older Hispanic adults. Members of the convenience sample provided responses that identify concerns about effective practice in outeach and information provision to older adults with regard to risky sexual practices. Intervention to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among older adults needs to be culturally competent and to be attuned to social practices, traditions, community concerns, and generational perspectives with regard to serious health problems related to sexual behavior. The sample composition was primarily Hispanic (97.4%); Catholic, (92.1%) and female (84.2%) with a mean age of 73.7 years. Approximately 28.2% of those surveyed stated that they felt that AIDS was an important problem for older adults. The majority, (76.3%) were aware of locations where health information and services were available if AIDS were a problem. Even though the majority indicated knowledge that AIDS is spread through sexual intercourse, more than one third, (36.8%) thought that sexually active adults 55 and over never use condoms. A discussion of the implications for disease prevention programs and community practice is presented emphasizing the importance of empowerment strategies in health promotion programs and the strengthening of multidisciplinary collaborative efforts to effect positive community health changes.     

Young and Sexual in Norway and Croatia: Revisiting the Scandinavian Versus Mediterranean Gendered Pattern of Sexual Initiation

ABSTRACT

This article describes and analyzes patterns of first sexual intercourse and contraception use from a bicultural perspective. Study results are based on a 2009–2010 large-scale national probability survey of young adults aged 18 to 24 years in Croatia (n = 1,005) and Norway (n = 871). The findings corroborated the persistence of the dual model of sexual initiation in Europe (Scandinavian vs. Mediterranean), in which Norwegian women and Croatian men reported coital debut at an earlier age than their gender counterparts. Age difference between partners and the prevalence of condom use at first coitus were similar in both countries, with differences in contraceptive choices emerging with time. Young Norwegian men and women switched from using condoms to hormonal contraception when having been coitally active for some time. Interestingly, “the pill” remains rather unpopular among young Croatian women. Controlling for selected variables, using a condom at most recent sexual intercourse was significantly associated with condom use at first intercourse in all groups except Norwegian men, as well as with years of coital activity (except among Croatian men). Additionally, the odds of a condom being used at most recent intercourse were significantly correlated with same-sex sexual experience (only among Norwegian men) and with reporting the most recent intercourse with a casual partner (only among Norwegian participants). Country-specific patterns of contraceptive use are discussed in the context of public health and prevention.     

HIV Voluntary Testing among Portuguese Women Attending Family Planning Clinics: Implications for HIV Prevention Education and Testing

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this article is to analyze the factors associated with HIV testing among 767 sexually active women. Methods: Participants were administered several self-report questionnaires that assessed behavioral and psychosocial measures. Results: Overall, 59.8% of the participants reported ever having tested for HIV. Results show that higher levels of education, being pregnant or having been pregnant, concern about AIDS, AIDS knowledge, self-efficacy in condom negotiation and perception of no risk in partner significantly predicted the likelihood of testing among women. Attending the mass was negatively associated with HIV testing. Conclusions: These findings provide information that can be used in the development of a focused gender sensitive HIV prevention program to increase HIV testing.