Psychosocial self-assessments of HIV prevention behaviour and perceptions of risk in multiple cultures

Lawrence J. Severy, University of Florida

Currently, our research team is conducting self-assessments of HIV prevention behaviour and perceptions of risk in multiple countries and different population groups within countries. The context of these projects most typically involves women and their partners involved in Phase II and Phase III randomized controlled trials of new microbicide products. Of particular concern is the way that the socio-cultural context and gender factors influence real and perceived risk. It is often the case that our rigorously developed, culturally specific instruments do not generate data that correspond directly to epidemiological data from the same settings. Our studies involve data from more than ten African countries in addition to India. We offer speculation as to the reasons behind these inconsistencies.