Toward a new communications framework for HIV/AIDS.
In response to the overwhelming burden of new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), in 1997, initiated a project to examine the application of existing communication theories/models to HIV/acquired immune deficiency virus (AIDS) prevention and care in these regions. In the past 2 years, 103 leading researchers and practitioners from different parts of the world were invited by the UNAIDS to participate in one of five consultative workshops designed to review these theories/models and rethink their adequacy for Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. A new communications framework for HIV/AIDS was developed to move from a focus on the individual to a focus on five domains of "contexts" that influence behaviors: government policy, socioeconomic status (SES), culture, gender relations, and spirituality.
Airhihenbuwa
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Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA. aou@psu.edu
Makinwa
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Obregon
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D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006291:Health Policy; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009313:National Health Programs; D014480:United Nations