Imperial College London
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DrRanjeetaThomas

Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health

Honoray Lecturer
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 7594 0923ranjeeta.thomas

 
 
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Location

 

LG 33AMedical SchoolSt Mary's Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Schaefer:2019:10.1007/s10461-018-2374-0,
author = {Schaefer, R and Thomas, R and Nyamukapa, C and Maswera, R and Kadzura, N and Gregson, S},
doi = {10.1007/s10461-018-2374-0},
journal = {AIDS and Behavior},
pages = {2199--2209},
title = {Accuracy of HIV risk perception in east Zimbabwe 2003-2013},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2374-0},
volume = {23},
year = {2019}
}
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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB  - 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.
AU  - Schaefer,R
AU  - Thomas,R
AU  - Nyamukapa,C
AU  - Maswera,R
AU  - Kadzura,N
AU  - Gregson,S
DO  - 10.1007/s10461-018-2374-0
EP  - 2209
PY  - 2019///
SN  - 1090-7165
SP  - 2199
TI  - Accuracy of HIV risk perception in east Zimbabwe 2003-2013
T2  - AIDS and Behavior
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2374-0
UR  - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/66750
VL  - 23
ER  -
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