Accuracy of HIV risk perception in east Zimbabwe 2003-2013
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Risk perception for HIV infection is an important determinant for engaging in HIV prevention behaviour. We investigate the degree to which HIV risk perception is accurate, i.e. corresponds to actual HIV infection risks, in a general-population open-cohort study in Zimbabwe (2003–2013) including 7201 individuals over 31,326 person-years. Risk perception for future infection (no/yes) at the beginning of periods between two surveys was associated with increased risk of HIV infection (Cox regression hazard ratio = 1.38 [1.07–1.79], adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, and partner behaviour). The association was stronger among older people (25+ years). This suggests that HIV risk perception can be accurate but the higher HIV incidence (1.27 per 100 person-years) illustrates that individuals may face barriers to HIV prevention behaviour even when they perceive their risks. Gaps in risk perception are underlined by the high incidence among those not perceiving a risk (0.96%), low risk perception even among those reporting potentially risky sexual behaviour, and, particularly, lack of accuracy of risk perception among young people. Innovative interventions are needed to improve accuracy of risk perception but barriers to HIV prevention behaviours need to be addressed too, which may relate to the partner, community, or structural factors.
Date Issued
2019-08-01
Date Acceptance
2018-12-11
Citation
AIDS and Behavior, 2019, 23 (8), pp.2199-2209
ISSN
1090-7165
Publisher
Springer (part of Springer Nature)
Start Page
2199
End Page
2209
Journal / Book Title
AIDS and Behavior
Volume
23
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
© 2018 The Author(s). Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
License URL
Sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Wellcome Trust
Grant Number
1R01MH114562-01
MR/R015600/1
109313/Z/15/Z
Subjects
Science & Technology
Social Sciences
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Social Sciences, Biomedical
Biomedical Social Sciences
HIV prevention
Risk perception
HIV incidence
Accuracy of perceptions
Sexual risk
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
YOUNG-WOMEN
CONDOM USE
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
MALE CIRCUMCISION
ADOLESCENT GIRLS
BEHAVIOR-CHANGE
PERCEIVED RISK
PREVENTION
HIV/AIDS
Accuracy of perceptions
HIV incidence
HIV prevention
Risk perception
Sexual risk
1117 Public Health and Health Services
Public Health
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-12-19