Factores de risco psicosociais e sócio-cognitivos para o virus da imunodeficiência humana/síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (VIH/Sida) na mulher africana

Translated title of the contribution: Psycosocial and sociocognitive risk factors for the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in African woman

Ana Luísa Patrão*, Teresa Mcintyre, Eleonora Costa

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
33 Downloads

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a major threat to human life and the vulnerability of women is undeniable, especially in disadvantaged settings. In sub-Saharan Africa, women are the most affected by HIV/AIDS, in a proportion of infection four times higher than men. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to increase knowledge of which psychosocial and socio-cognitive factors may be related to gender, culture and biology thus placing women at greater risk for HIV/AIDS. The literature suggests that factors such as victimization, characteristics of the relationship, mental health problems, history of prison and prostitution; knowledge about HIV, beliefs and skills related to safe sex practices, and self-efficacy influence sexual risk behaviors linked to HIV infection. Examining these factors is essential to plan more realistic intervention strategies. This paper presents a literature review on the psychosocial and socio-cognitive factors that contribute to women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, particularly African women. The paper also addresses research questions that stem from the review of the literature in this field.

Translated title of the contributionPsycosocial and sociocognitive risk factors for the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in African woman
Original languagePortuguese
Pages (from-to)222-234
Number of pages13
JournalRevista Portuguesa de Saúde Pública
Volume33
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2015

Keywords

  • Human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome
  • Africa
  • Women's vulnerability
  • Psychosocial factors
  • Socio‐cognitive factors

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