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AIDS and behavioral change to reduce risk: a review
1Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2029.
American Journal of Public Health
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Behavioral changes in response to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) threat are evident but incomplete, particularly among high-risk groups. Risk reduction often involves modification rather than elimination of behaviors, with individual changes showing instability.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has prompted significant behavioral shifts.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review published reports on behavioral changes in response to the threat of AIDS.
- To analyze the patterns, effectiveness, and limitations of these behavioral alterations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published literature on AIDS-related behavioral changes.
- Analysis of aggregate and longitudinal data on risk behaviors.
Main Results:
- Rapid, profound, yet incomplete behavioral alterations observed in homosexual/bisexual males and intravenous drug users.
- Risk reduction primarily through behavior modification, not elimination; individual behavior shows instability.
- Limited behavioral change and risk reduction among heterosexual adolescents, young adults, and urban minorities.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral changes in response to AIDS are widespread but imperfect, with varying effectiveness across populations.
- Further research is needed to understand the determinants and magnitude of behavioral changes for effective AIDS prevention.