Journal of
AIDS and HIV Research

  • Abbreviation: J. AIDS HIV Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2359
  • DOI: 10.5897/JAHR
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 297

Full Length Research Paper

Psychosocial factors as predictors of HIV/AIDS risky behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS

Gemechu B. Gerbi
  • Gemechu B. Gerbi
  • Center for Computational Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Risk Analysis (CCEBRA), College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health (CVMNAH), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 36088, U.S.A.
  • Google Scholar
Tsegaye Habtemariam
  • Tsegaye Habtemariam
  • Center for Computational Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Risk Analysis (CCEBRA), College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health (CVMNAH), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 36088, U.S.A.
  • Google Scholar
Vinaida Robnett
  • Vinaida Robnett
  • Center for Computational Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Risk Analysis (CCEBRA), College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health (CVMNAH), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 36088, U.S.A.
  • Google Scholar
David Nganwa
  • David Nganwa
  • Center for Computational Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Risk Analysis (CCEBRA), College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health (CVMNAH), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 36088, U.S.A.
  • Google Scholar
Berhanu Tameru
  • Berhanu Tameru
  • Center for Computational Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Risk Analysis (CCEBRA), College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health (CVMNAH), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 36088, U.S.A.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Accepted: 28 November 2011
  •  Published: 31 January 2012

Abstract

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is still rising globally. In order to develop effective HIV/AIDS risky behavior reduction intervention strategies and to further decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS, it is important to assess the prevalence of psychosocial problems and HIV/AIDS risky behaviors in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between psychosocial variables and HIV/AIDS risky behaviors among PLWHA. A total of 341 questionnaires were distributed and 326 were fully completed and returned, 96% response rate. The relationships between the identified psychosocial and HIV/AIDS risky behaviors among PLWHA were analyzed using The Moment Structures software version 17.0 (SPSS Inc.) The results indicate that psychosocial health problems were significant predictors of HIV/AIDS risky behaviors in PLWA. Further cross-disciplinary research that addresses the manner in which psychosocial problems and HIV/AIDS risky behaviors interact with each other among PLWHA is needed.

 

Key words: Relationships, psychosocial factors, HIV/AIDS, risky behaviors, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).