The effects of psychological inoculation on cognitive barriers against condom use in women with HIV: A controlled pilot study (original) (raw)

Effects of a computerized psychological inoculation intervention on condom use tendencies in sub Saharan and Caucasian students: two feasibility trials

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 2019

Objective: An effective method for preventing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is condom use. Yet, research shows limited effects of education on increasing condom use. This research examined the effects of psychological inoculation (PI) versus education on condom use-barriers and-tendencies, using a fully automatized online system. Design: Two randomized controlled trials. In Study 1, 59 Sub-Saharan students were included while Study 2 20 European students were included. In both studies, participants were randomly assigned to PI or control conditions. In Study 2, we additionally matched pairs on gender and condom barriers. In the PI, participants received challenging sentences they had to refute. Main outcome measures: An indirect condom use test (I-CUTE) and a condom use barriers questionnaire, assessed at baseline and a month later. Results: In Study 1, a significant increase in I-CUTE scores and no change in barriers was found in the PI condition. Controls did not change on either outcome. In Study 2, two sub-scales of condom barriers (concerning partner and satisfaction) were significantly decreased in the PI group, while in controls, barriers significantly increased over time. In both groups, I-CUTE scores tended to increase. Conclusions: These results replicate previous studies and extend them to a fully automatized system without counselors.

Understanding The Combined Effects Of The Knowledge Of HIV/AIDS Prevention Methods On Condom Use: A Case Of Njombe And Tanga Regions Of Mainland Tanzania

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, 2019

This study assesses how the combined effects of knowledge of the HIV/AIDS prevention methods (ie, abstinence (A), being faithful (B), condom use (C), and diagnosis or testing (D)) influence behavioral change in terms of condom use. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using a household survey conducted in 2017 in the Tanga and Njombe Regions of Tanzania through a structured questionnaire. The dependent variable was condom use during the last sexual intercourse. The main independent variable was knowledge of HIV prevention methods, referred to in this study as "knowledge of ABCD of HIV/AIDS prevention". A respondent with knowledge of three or more of the ABCD was classified as having good knowledge of HIV prevention. Those with knowledge of two, one, or none of the ABCD were classified as having average, fair, and poor knowledge of HIV prevention methods, respectively. Data analysis included univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The study included 660 respondents aged 15-64 years. Results: The study indicates that the majority (52.2%) of the respondents had average knowledge of the HIV prevention methods. That is, they were knowledgeable of any two of the A, B, C, and D of HIV prevention methods. Condom use during the last sexual intercourse was reported by 46.5% of respondents. Multivariate analysis showed that condom use was 1.48-times more likely among respondents with good knowledge of ABCD of HIV/AIDS prevention than those with poor knowledge. Conclusion: The predictive effect of knowledge of the HIV prevention methods on condom use was more visible when assessed in combination than when treated at A, B, C, and D in isolation. This suggests that successful behavioral change towards HIV/AIDS aversion requires dedicated efforts that promote comprehensive knowledge of all the methods through which the epidemic can be transmitted.

Sub-Saharan African University Students’ Beliefs about Condoms, Condom-use Intention, and Subsequent Condom Use: A Prospective Study

Aids and Behavior, 2009

Whether certain behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs predict the intention to use condoms and subsequent condom use was examined among 320 undergraduates at a university in South Africa who completed confidential questionnaires on two occasions separated by 3 months. Participants’ mean age was 23.4 years, 47.8% were women, 48.9% were South Africans, and 51.1% were from other sub-Saharan African countries. Multiple regression revealed that condom-use intention was predicted by hedonistic behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs regarding sexual partners and peers, and control beliefs regarding condom-use technical skill and impulse control. Logistic regression revealed that baseline condom-use intention predicted consistent condom use and condom use during most recent intercourse at 3-month follow-up. HIV/STI risk-reduction interventions for undergraduates in South Africa should target their condom-use hedonistic beliefs, normative beliefs regarding partners and peers, and control beliefs regarding technical skill and impulse control.

Cognitive and behavioural determinants of multiple sexual partnerships and condom use in South Africa: Results of a national survey

Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risky behaviours including multiple sexual partnership (MSP) and non-condom use (nCU) are known to be drivers of the spread of HIV; cognitive factors including perceived susceptibility of HIV, self-efficacy and attitudes play a significant role in influencing risky sexual behaviours. Objectives: We sought to investigate personal beliefs, perceptions, thoughts and actions that are associated with MSP and nCU in South Africa. Methods: We analysed nationally representative data from the 2012 National HIV Communication Survey (NCS) that included about 10 000 participants aged 16-55 years. Five constructs were created to measure psychosocial and cognitive determinants. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency reliability was calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with MSP and nCU. Results: Of the 6061 sexually active respondents, 13% (95% CI: 11.47-13.12) reported MSP and 52.7% (n = 3158 of 6039) (95% CI: 51.0-53.55) nCU at last sex. Factors associated with MSP included perceived benefits, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.16 (95% CI: 1.80-2.58), perceived susceptibility to HIV, aOR = 2.22 (95% CI: 1.83-2.69) and engaging in intergenerational sex, aOR = 2.14 (95% CI: 1.78-2.56). Predictors of nCU were perceived benefits, aOR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.09-1.43); perceived susceptibility to HIV, aOR = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.39-1.83); and personal beliefs, aOR = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.13-1.62). Conclusion: Cognitive and behavioural factors were found to be predictors of risky sexual behaviours for HIV. This highlights the importance of considering personal perception and reasoning when attempting to understand and influence an individual's sexual behaviour. This could be done through enhancing awareness of HIV risk in the general population and by influencing cognitive behaviour change through community mobilisation, advocacy and creating activities to improve self-esteem.

Behavioral interventions to promote condom use among women living with HIV

Reviews, 1996

Behavioral intervention to promote condom use compared to standard care for women living with HIV Patient or population: for women living with HIV Settings: Health clinic Intervention: Intervention to promote condom use Comparison: compared to standard care Outcomes Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI) Relative effect (95% CI) No of Participants (studies) Quality of the evidence (GRADE) Comments Assumed risk Corresponding risk compared to standard care Intervention to promote condom use Consistent condom use Follow-up: 12 months Study population OR 0.83 (0.59 to 1.17) 725 (5 studies) ⊕⊕⊕⊕ high 663 per 1000 620 per 1000 (537 to 697)

Persuasive communications to change actions: An analysis of behavioral and cognitive impact in HIV prevention

Health Psychology, 2003

This meta-analysis examined the validity of various theoretical assumptions about cognitive and behavioral change following a communication recommending condom use. The synthesis comprised 82 treatment and 29 control groups included in 46 longitudinal reports with measures of perceived severity and susceptibility, attitudes and expectancies, norms, perceptions of control, intentions, knowledge, behavioral skills, or condom use. Results indicated that across the sample of studies, communications taught recipients about facts related to HIV and also induced favorable attitudes and expectancies, greater control perceptions, and stronger intentions to use condoms in the future. Moreover, messages that presented attitudinal information and modeled behavioral skills led to increased condom use. Results are discussed in the context of theories of human behavior and change and in reference to HIV-prevention interventions.

Promoting Female Condom Use Among Female University Students in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Results of a Randomized Behavioral Trial

AIDS and behavior, 2014

Relatively few interventions have tested the efficacy of female condom promotion either alone or in combination with other barrier methods. We evaluated the efficacy of a two-session (enhanced) cognitive-behavioral intervention (EI) (n = 147) against a one-session control (minimal) educational intervention (MI) (n = 149) to promote female condom (FC) use among female students aged 18-28 at a South African university. We assessed change from baseline to 2.5 and 5 months in number of vaginal intercourse occasions unprotected by male or female condoms in EI versus MI using generalized linear models with a log link function and GEE. Both groups reported significant reductions in number of unprotected vaginal intercourse occasions from baseline to each follow-up, with no significant difference between the two-session and single-session intervention. Introduction of a brief group-based MI FC promotion intervention with FC access holds promise for delivery in clinics and other community ve...