title: Correlates of HIV risk reduction self-efficacy among youth in South Africa.
abstract: Even though a decline in HIV prevalence has been reported among South African youth 15-24 from 10.3% in 2005 to 8.6% in 2008, the prevalence remains disproportionately high for females overall in comparison to males. This study examines factors associated by HIV risk reduction self-efficacy of South African youth as part of an evaluation of the impact of loveLife, a youth focused HIV prevention programme. A cross-sectional population-based household survey was conducted with persons of ages 18 to 24 years in four selected provinces in South Africa. Among female respondents (n = 1007), factors associated with high self-efficacy in the adjusted model were having a low HIV risk perception, HIV/AIDS stigma, ever using drugs, and having life goals. Male respondents (n = 1127) with high self-efficacy were more likely to have been tested for HIV, have concurrent sexual partners, have had a transactional sex partner in lifetime, a low HIV risk perception, difficulty in having condoms, agreed with coercive sex, high relationship control, and had loveLife face-to-face programme participation. The factors identified with high self-efficacy and HIV-sexual risk behaviour may be considered to strengthen youth HIV prevention programmes in South Africa.
authors.affiliation: HIV/STI and TB-HAST Research Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Louw
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peltzer
authors.forename: Witness
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chirinda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017280:Condoms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult