Knowledge efficacy as a preventative strategic paradigm for addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is having a devastating effect world-wide and particularly in Africa. Over the past two decades, the focus of most government HIV/AIDS initiatives has been on prevention through strategies based on the knowledge efficacy paradigm, and have been unsuccessful in reducing the rate of infection. The authors draw comparisons between a study of African-American women of low socio-economic status and research carried out in Malawi and Zimbabwe, where they found that high-risk groups, especially women, perpetuate at risk behaviour despite their knowledge of HIV/AIDS, due to economic and other factors. They recommend that governments should implement additional complementary strategies to address the pandemic more effectively.

Africa Insight Vol. 36 (2) June 2006: 91-101