The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59532

Sennen Hounton, MD, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma, College of Public Health, 801 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, 405-840-4296, sennen-hounton@ouhsc.edu

Background: HIV/AIDS is the most killing disease worldwide. West Africa accounts for 70% of all cases. In Benin HIV/AIDS prevalence varies from is 4.1 % in the general population to 50% among sex workers in 2001. Prevention programs tend to be more developed in urban areas. This study 1) Describe knowledge and beliefs about HIV/AIDS and, 2) Identify factors influencing condom use using health belief model in rural Benin. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey with a systematic random sampling based on on-site population. 251 people were interviewed. Analysis was carried out using SAS 8.1 and included frequency distribution, cross-tabulation, and logistic regression. Results: Overall condom use is very low. 39.1% of men declared to use condom compared to 27.5 of women. Men are more likely to declare many occasional sexual partners. Condom use decreases as men age increase from 15 to 44. Condom use was related to perceived condom efficacy [OR = 9.76 (3.71 – 30.0)] and to reported problem using condom [OR = 3.61 (1.31 – 9.91)]. 62.6 % of the interviewees think they can recognize an HIV-infected person. Sharing blade is considered a risk factor mostly if non-family members are involved. Conclusion: Knowledge is important but is not deterrent in condom use. Social marketing should take into account customer satisfaction and prevention programs should focus on women and target misconceptions about condom and about the disease. Key words: HIV/AIDS, Health Belief Model, Behavioral risk factors, Condom use, Beliefs, Knowledge.

Learning Objectives:

• 1- Describe the Health Belief Model and how it relate to traditional African illness behavior.
• 2- Recognize the importance of community perception and understanding of health messages for efficacy.
• 3- Identify risk factors for community intervention programs

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Condom Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: PSI (Populations Services International)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.