Correlates of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and preventive behavior of men in Africa.
Using the 1998/99 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey dataset, this article examines the behavior of men who think they are at risk for HIV/AIDS and those who indicate they have no AIDS risks. Using a theoretical framework that borrows from rationale choice theory and individual-level characteristics, the article explores the links between AIDS risks status and changes in preventive behavior. The results show high levels of AIDS-related knowledge among men in Ghana. In addition, the majority of the men indicated that they had changed their behavior in response to AIDS although they were more likely to cite the avoidance of multiple partners rather than the use of condoms in their sexual encounters. In the logistic regression models, education, marital status, and religion emerged as important predictors of changes in behavior. The fact that few men used condoms as an HIV/AIDS preventive method raises a number of policy issues, the implications of which are discussed in this article.
Takyi
B K
BK
University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, USA.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003710:Demography; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*