AIDS health beliefs and intention for sexual abstinence among male adolescent students in Kathmandu, Nepal: a test of perceived severity and susceptibility

Abstract

Objectives: In Nepal, male adolescent students are at high risk for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of their risky sexual behaviours. This study examined whether two subscales of the Health Belief Model (HBM), perceived severity and perceived susceptibility, are associated with abstinence intention among Nepalese male adolescent students for HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention.

Study design and methods: A school-based study was conducted at a single school located in central Kathmandu from July to August 2002. Participants included 183 male students in Grades 9-12 aged 14-19 years. Anonymous self-reported questionnaires were used, and Zagumny's AIDS Health Belief Scale was adopted as a measure of perceived severity and perceived susceptibility.

Results: Over half of the students (53%) strongly agreed with abstinence intention. Students with higher levels of perceived severity strongly agreed with abstinence intention [crude odds ratio 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-3.38; adjusted odds ratio 1.94, 95% CI 1.05-3.58], but those with higher levels of perceived susceptibility did not. Moreover, age-stratified analysis showed that a high level of perceived susceptibility tended to decrease strong abstinence intention among students aged 16-19 years.

Conclusions: Perceived severity enhanced abstinence intention. The interpretations of perceived susceptibility need further examination through a longitudinal study among students aged 16-19 years. Furthermore, future research is needed to assess the effect of HIV/AIDS education on HIV/AIDS prevention strategies using perceived severity as a motivational tool to help persuade Nepalese male students to abstain from sexual intercourse.