Factors Associated with HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Risk Perception in Rural Malawi

Abstract

Measures of HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk perception are important because they are often linked to behavioral change both in theory and in practice. This study examines knowledge and risk perception by assessing their relationship with demographic characteristics, first source of HIV/AIDS information, and behavioral and cognitive risk exposures among men and women in a rural district of Malawi. The data come from a panel study of 940 women aged 15-34 years and 661 men aged 20-44 years. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models are used for the analysis. The results indicate that knowledge of HIV/AIDS does not necessarily translate into perceived risk. In addition, there appears to be a gender difference in the influence of cognitive and behavioral factors on perceived risk.

Perceptions of Sexual Partner Safety

“…There is evidence that STI/HIV prevention campaigns have been successful in increasing public awareness about the epidemiologic predictors of STI/HIV (i.e., number of partners, previous STIs, condom use), but this has generally not translated into behavior change. [32][33][34] Moreover, few researchers have considered whether individuals use these predictors when evaluating their own STI/HIV risk. An exception is a study of adolescent women that found participants were aware of what defines high risk sexual behavior, but those engaging in the behaviors rated their chances of contracting an STI/HIV as low because they did not consider their partner a risk.…”

Application of the information, motivation and behavioural skills model for targeting HIV risk behaviour amongst adolescent learners in South Africa

“…Many adolescents are unaware of what constitutes risky sexual behaviour (Barden-O'Fallon, deGraft-Johnson, Bisika, Sulzbach, Benson & Tsui 2004;Macintyre, Rutenberg & Brown 2004;Pettifor, Rees, Steffenson, Hlongwa-Madikizela, MacPhail, Vermaak, et al 2004;Sarker, Milkowski, Slanger, Gondos, Sanou, Kouyate, et al 2005). Furthermore, most of the adolescents living with HIV do not know they are infected (UNAIDS 2004).…”

Understanding HIV/AIDS and STIs as Related to Sexually Risky Behaviour by Higher Education Institutions Students: A Literature Review

“…Despite high HIV prevalence and high rates of sexual risk behaviors in South Africa and other Sub-Saharan African countries, young people in these countries often perceive themselves as being at low risk of HIV infection (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980;Barden, 2004). One explanation for this is that youth may underestimate risks in general because of a feeling of invulnerability (Macintyre, 2004;Moore and Rosenthal, 1991).…”