AIDS beliefs in young women: are they related to AIDS risk-reduction behavior?

Knowledge of AIDS, perceived risk of AIDS, and at-risk sexual behaviors among older adults

PURPOSE

To identify older adults' knowledge of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), perceptions of their risk of AIDS, and at-risk behaviors by using a questionnaire derived from the health belief model.

DATA SOURCES

A descriptive correlation design was used to survey persons 50 years of age and older who participate in university-based senior programs. The sample of 166 persons (55% return rate) had a mean age of 71 years and included 33% males. The sample is representative of the participants in these programs.

CONCLUSIONS

Five hypotheses based on the health belief model were tested. Statistical analyses showed significant predictors of the likelihood of using recommended safe sexual practices were gender, knowledge of AIDS, perceived susceptibility to AIDS, and perceived threat of AIDS. The results indicated the respondents were knowledgeable about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission through casual contact and medical aspects of AIDS. Although the respondents recognized the seriousness of AIDS, they generally did not believe that they were susceptible to this disease, even though about 10% indicated sexual activity outside of a long-term relationship.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The study findings support the need for nurse practitioners to assess sexual behaviors in and provide information about safe sex practices to older clients because of the documented rising incidence of AIDS in persons over 50 years of age.

Communication types and sexual protective practices of college women

Sexually transmitted disease, such as the fatal HIV disease, continues to threaten the health of young women. Adolescents have typically been inconsistent users of effective strategies that prevent the spread of disease during sexual activity. Communication practices related to disease-related sexual protection have received little attention as a variable separate from sexual protection. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship among different types of interpersonal communication of young women and their new sexual partners and their implementation of disease-related sexual protection. A sample of 163 young women who had experienced sexual intercourse completed the Safe Sex Behavior Questionnaire. Interpersonal communication was explored using the general-information-seeking (getting to know a partner), sexual self-disclosure, and specific-disease risk-information-seeking scales. These scales were combined; factor analysis revealed three subscales closely related to the original scales. Findings suggest that young women who seek specific information about their new sexual partner's disease risk status are more likely to implement sexual protective practices. These findings provide guidance to nurses who work with adolescent women in advising on aspects of interpersonal relationships that need to be enhanced to protect one's health status.

Sixth and eighth graders and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: the results of focus group analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine young adolescents' range of factual knowledge and beliefs about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among those who have received AIDS education.

DESIGN

Focus group analysis.

SETTING

Urban middle school.

PARTICIPANTS

Two male and two female groups consisting of 4-7 students each, ages 11-15 years.

RESULTS

The predominant responses in all four groups relating to factual knowledge of HIV transmission and mechanisms of prevention were correct. However, responses indicated that factual information had not been integrated into students' plans for situations involving relationships and sexual activity. All four groups shared the image of AIDS as a disease of adults. The girls frequently gave responses which included discussion and use of condoms, whereas only a few boys could realistically visualize using condoms. Many students, predominantly boys, identified with media figures such as Magic Johnson and saw themselves to be at risk for HIV, but the girls almost exclusively saw Magic Johnson as a rich, famous person and did not identify with him. Students gave suggestions about ways to improve AIDS education and recommended that AIDS education begin in the early grades.

CONCLUSION

Standard AIDS education may be effective in teaching factual information about AIDS, but it may have little effect on students' future behavior. The format of AIDS education may need to be modified to better address adolescents' beliefs and behaviors regarding HIV and AIDS.

Effect of an AIDS education program for older adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an age-specific AIDS education program on HIV/AIDS knowledge, perceived susceptibility to AIDS, and perceived severity of AIDS in older adults. The health belief model served as a framework. The age-specific AIDS education program was developed based on a knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors survey of 458 older adults at senior citizen centers. The program included case study presentations of actual older people with AIDS along with an emphasis on myths identified in the initial survey. There was a significant increase in total knowledge about AIDS (p < .001), perceived susceptibility (p < .01), and perceived severity (p < .001) after the educational program. Based on the results of this study, nurses are in an excellent position to provide primary and secondary AIDS prevention strategies for all age groups, including the older adult population.

Measurement of condom use in 72 studies of HIV-preventive behaviour: a critical review

Ninety-four distinct measures of condom use were identified in a review of 72 psychosocial studies of HIV-prevention. A coding scheme was developed which characterised each measure in terms of: (1) type of measure (e.g. frequency of use, use at last intercourse), (2) response alternatives (e.g. Likert scale), (3) recall period (e.g. lifetime, last month), (4) partner specification (e.g. 'new' partner), and (5) activity specification (e.g. vaginal or anal intercourse). Results show a great deal of inconsistency in measurements of condom use across studies. Single-item frequency or consistency measures were most common. Several difficulties with measures employed to date were identified. These included indeterminate reliability and validity of measures, lack of attention to the epidemiological significance of different types of use and terminological and self-presentational problems with items assessing use. Implications of extant measurement approaches for the accumulated knowledge base on predictors of 'safer' sex and suggestions for future research in this area are outlined.

Modelling and modifying young heterosexuals' HIV-preventive behaviour; a review of theories, findings and educational implications

Studies applying social cognitive frameworks such as the health belief model and the theory of reasoned action to HIV-prevention are reviewed. These models suggest that appropriate beliefs, attitudes, social norms, intentions and perceived self-efficacy are sufficient psychological conditions for safer sexual behaviour. Limitations inherent in these accounts are identified and additional factors which need to be incorporated in psychological models and health education programmes are highlighted. These include, the motivational complexity of sexual behaviour, the emotional and arousal states in which it is enacted, the difficulties of planning what is regarded as spontaneous interaction and contextual factors which can undermine HIV-preventive intentions. Health education interventions aimed at individual, group and community levels are examined in light of this theoretical review and action-focused, empowering interventions grounded in youth culture are recommended.