Components of the health belief model and HIV testing decisions
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Lori J. Walker (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Katherine Bruce
Abstract: An individual infected with HIV may have no visible symptoms of the illness.
Therefore, it is important for individuals who are sexually active to practice selfprotective
behaviors (e.g. discussing HIV testing with potential sex partners). The current
descriptive study assessed the self-protective behavior of obtaining an HIV-antibody test
within the framework of The Health Belief Model (HBM). Perceptions regarding
susceptibility to HIV infection, severity of the disease, benefits or barriers to HIVantibody
testing, and personal self-efficacy for engaging in protective behaviors were
assessed in “Testers” (those who have been tested for HIV infection) and “Non-testers”
(those who have not been tested). Phase 1 of the current study validated the HIV Testing
Attitude Scale (HTAS) using introductory psychology students and clients from the
county health department (n=203). Six items not included on the original HTAS reached
significance with correlations ranging from 0.39 to 0.52 and were added to the scale. In
Phase 2, participants (n=362) recruited from three health facilities and introductory
psychology students were assessed using the HTAS, Self Efficacy Scale, Health Locus of
Control, AIDS Health Belief Scale, Social Desirability, and specific items measuring
attitudes and perceptions towards self-protective behaviors. Significant differences
between Testers and Non-testers were found in HTAS, SES, HLOC, AHBS, SD, age,
education level, drug or alcohol use associated with sexual activity, age of first coitus,
knowledge of self-protective behaviors, and perception of personal susceptibility.
Limitations of the HBM to differentiate between those who have and those who have not
been tested for HIV infection were discussed along with limitations of the current study
and suggestions for future research.
Components of the health belief model and HIV testing decisions
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- AIDS (Disease)--Prevention, AIDS (Disease)--United States, Health attitudes, Health education
- Subjects
- Health attitudes
- Health education
- AIDS (Disease) -- United States
- AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention