Men's Intentions to Engage in Behaviors to Protect Against Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Testing the Risk Perception Attitude Framework.

Guided by the risk perception attitude framework (RPA), this study examined men's perceptions of risk and efficacy beliefs as predictors of their intentions to engage in self-protective behaviors. The results of multiple regression analyses did not provide support for the RPA prediction that efficacy beliefs moderate the relationship between risk perceptions and self-protective behavior. However, the results provide support for the main effects of risk and efficacy on all four behavioral intentions examined (i.e., Internet information seeking, communication with a health provider, HPV vaccination, and condom use). Risk and efficacy were positively related to (and significant individual predictors of) all four behavioral intentions. Scholarly and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Stigma in Ethiopia: association with depressive symptoms in people with HIV.

Rates of depression among people living with HIV can be as high as 50%. In many settings, HIV-related stigma has been associated with depressive symptoms which may lead to poor engagement in care and ultimately, poorer health outcomes. Stigma is a major issue in Ethiopia but data examining the relationship between stigma and depression in Ethiopia are lacking. We performed a mixed-methods cross-sectional study to examine the relationship between stigma of HIV/AIDS and depressive symptoms in Gondar, Ethiopia. We interviewed patients who presented for routine HIV care at Gondar University Hospital during the study period, examining depressive symptoms and HIV/AIDS-related stigma using standardized measures. Multiple-regression was used to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms, stigma, and gender. Of 55 patients included in this analysis, 63.6% were female and most participants had limited formal education (69%, less than 12th grade education). The majority reported experiencing both stigma (78%) and depressive symptoms (60%) ranging in severity from mild to moderately severe. Higher levels of HIV-related stigma were significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms (ß = 0.464, p ≤ 0.001). Although gender was associated with stigma, it was not associated with depressive symptoms (ß = -0.027, p > 0.05). Results suggest the importance of psychosocial issues in the lives of people with HIV in Ethiopia.

Involving religious leaders in HIV care and treatment at a university-affiliated hospital in Ethiopia: Application of formative inquiry.

In sub-Saharan Africa, religious views strongly influence how people relate to illness, health, and healing. Belief in the curative power of religion, including for HIV, persists in many communities. As such, many funding agencies and organisations working in the field of HIV have incorporated religious institutions into their programmes in various capacities. Yet, debate continues regarding the benefits and drawbacks of including sectarian organisations in the fight against HIV. In the current study, we sought to explore whether patients with HIV would be amenable to receiving HIV-related psychosocial support from religious leaders. We interviewed 48 Ethiopian Orthodox Church followers who presented for routine HIV care at Gondar University Hospital ART (antiretroviral treatment) clinic. Although almost half (46%) of participants self-identified as 'very religious', the majority of them (73%) had not disclosed their HIV status to a religious leader. Study participants highlighted multiple factors that could potentially affect their willingness to involve religious leaders in their HIV care. We discuss these findings in relation to religion and HIV in the African context. Our findings support the use of formative qualitative work prior to developing and implementing programmes that integrate faith and medical communities.