HIV/AIDS Misconceptions may be Associated with Condom Use among Black South Africans: an Exploratory Analysis
Afr. j. AIDS res. (Online)
; 10(2): 181-187, 2011.
Article
em En
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1256558
Biblioteca responsável:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
In South Africa; approximately 20of 15-49-year-olds are infected with HIV. Among black South Africans; high levels of HIV/AIDS misconceptions (e.g. HIV is manufactured by whites to reduce the black African population; AIDS is caused by supernatural forces or witchcraft) may be barriers to HIV prevention. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 150 young black adults (aged 18-26; 56males) visiting a public clinic for sexually transmitted infections; to investigate whether HIV/AIDS misconceptions were related to low condom use in main partner relationships. We assessed agreement with HIV/AIDS misconceptions relating to the supernatural (e.g. witchcraft as a cause of HIV) and to genocide (e.g. the withholding of a cure). In multivariate models; agreement that `Witchcraft plays a role in HIV transmission' was significantly related to less positive attitudes about condoms; less belief in condom effectiveness for HIV prevention; and lower intentions to use condoms among men. The belief that `Vitamins and fresh fruits and vegetables can cure AIDS' was associated with lower intentions among men to use condoms. Women who endorsed the belief linking HIV to witchcraft had a higher likelihood of unprotected sex with a main partner; whereas women who endorsed the belief that a cure for AIDS was being withheld had a lower likelihood of having had unprotected sex. Knowledge about distinct types of HIV/AIDS misconceptions and their correlates can help in the design of culturally appropriate HIV-prevention messages that address such beliefs
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Índice:
AIM
Assunto principal:
Atitude
/
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida
/
HIV
/
Preservativos
/
População Negra
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Afr. j. AIDS res. (Online)
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article