Abstract

FIGUEIRAS, Maria João; MARCELINO, Dália  and  FERREIRA, Maria Manuela. Predictors of intention to adopt preventive behaviours for HIV/AIDS in Portuguese teenagers. Rev. Port. Sau. Pub. [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.2, pp.27-36. ISSN 0870-9025.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the extent to which the dimensions of the health belief model and the theory of planned behaviour are predictive of the adoption of preventive behaviours for AIDS in healthy teenagers. Method: Cross-sectional study in which 546 Portuguese healthy teenagers, (50% female), completed a questionnaire measuring individual beliefs about HIV/AIDS, and sociodemographic variables. Statistical analyses were performed using linear regression analysis. Results: In general, the perceived vulnerability and perceived risk to HIV/AIDS were low. There was a positive attitude towards the adoption of preventive behaviours, and strong beliefs concerning the intention of adopting preventive behaviours, perceived control over behaviour, benefits, and clues for action. There were significant gender differences in the predictors of intention to adopt preventive behaviours. Conclusion: Gender seems to have an effect in the way teenagers cognitively process information concerning AIDS, which may have implications for the adoption of preventive behaviours.

Keywords : health beliefs model; theory of planned behaviour; teenagers; HIV/AIDS.

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