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

Abstract #73364

Sennen Hounton, MD¹, Helene Carabin, PhD¹, and J. Neil Henderson, PhD². (1) 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, (2) Health Promotion Sciences, University of Oklahoma, 801 NE13th St. PO Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190

HIV/AIDS is the most killing disease worldwide. West Africa accounts for 70% of all cases. In Benin, HIV/AIDS prevalence varied from 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) describes knowledge and beliefs about HIV/AIDS and 2) identifies factors influencing condom use based on the health belief model. The study was a cross-sectional survey with a stratified random sampling in Toffo county (Benin). 251 people were interviewed. Analysis was carried out using SAS 8.1 and included frequency distribution, cross-tabulation, and logistic regression. Nearly all interviewees had heard about HIV/AIDS. 87% of females compared to 49% of males knew at least 2 modes of HIV transmission. 39.1% of males declared using the condom compared to 27.5% of females. Males were more likely to declare many occasional sexual partners. Condom use decreased as males’ age increased from 15 to 44. Failure to use condom 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 thought they could visually identify an HIV-infected person. Skin-cut with the same blade was considered a risk factor mostly when non-family members were infected. Overall, having a good knowledge about HIV/AIDS is not sufficient to induce condom use. Social marketing should take into account customer satisfaction. Prevention programs should also focus more on females and particularly target misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and condom.

Learning Objectives:

• - Assess the knowledge, social representation, common beliefs and behavioral risk factors on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention
• - Study the behavioral risk factors influencing condom use based on the health belief model framework
• - Provide some recommendations to improve condom use in rural Benin

Keywords: Condom Use,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.