Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis of HIV Prevention Interventions for Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
This paper assesses the extent to which HIV prevention interventions for young people in sub-Saharan Africa are grounded in theory and if theory-based interventions are more effective. Three databases were searched for evaluation studies of HIV prevention interventions for youth. Additional articles...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | AIDS Research and Treatment |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/345327 |
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| _version_ | 1850170500802674688 |
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| author | Kristien Michielsen Matthew Chersich Marleen Temmerman Tessa Dooms Ronan Van Rossem |
| author_facet | Kristien Michielsen Matthew Chersich Marleen Temmerman Tessa Dooms Ronan Van Rossem |
| author_sort | Kristien Michielsen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper assesses the extent to which HIV prevention interventions for young people in sub-Saharan Africa are grounded in theory and if theory-based interventions are more effective. Three databases were searched for evaluation studies of HIV prevention interventions for youth. Additional articles were identified on websites of international organisations and through searching references. 34 interventions were included; 25 mentioned the use of theory. Social Cognitive Theory was most prominent (n=13), followed by Health Belief Model (n=7), and Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behaviour (n=6). These cognitive behavioural theories assume that cognitions drive sexual behaviour. Reporting on choice and use of theory was low. Only three articles provided information about why a particular theory was selected. Interventions used theory to inform content (n=13), for evaluation purposes (n=4) or both (n=7). No patterns of differential effectiveness could be detected between studies using and not using theory, or according to whether a theory informed content, and/or evaluation. We discuss characteristics of the theories that might account for the limited effectiveness observed, including overreliance on cognitions that likely vary according to type of sexual behaviour and other personal factors, inadequately address interpersonal factors, and failure to account for contextual factors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9e1823f73813422ebba0a8a418f69ff6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2090-1240 2090-1259 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AIDS Research and Treatment |
| spelling | doaj-art-9e1823f73813422ebba0a8a418f69ff62025-08-20T02:20:29ZengWileyAIDS Research and Treatment2090-12402090-12592012-01-01201210.1155/2012/345327345327Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis of HIV Prevention Interventions for Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic ReviewKristien Michielsen0Matthew Chersich1Marleen Temmerman2Tessa Dooms3Ronan Van Rossem4International Centre for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185 P3, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumInternational Centre for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185 P3, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumInternational Centre for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185 P3, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumCentre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South AfricaDepartment of Sociology, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumThis paper assesses the extent to which HIV prevention interventions for young people in sub-Saharan Africa are grounded in theory and if theory-based interventions are more effective. Three databases were searched for evaluation studies of HIV prevention interventions for youth. Additional articles were identified on websites of international organisations and through searching references. 34 interventions were included; 25 mentioned the use of theory. Social Cognitive Theory was most prominent (n=13), followed by Health Belief Model (n=7), and Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behaviour (n=6). These cognitive behavioural theories assume that cognitions drive sexual behaviour. Reporting on choice and use of theory was low. Only three articles provided information about why a particular theory was selected. Interventions used theory to inform content (n=13), for evaluation purposes (n=4) or both (n=7). No patterns of differential effectiveness could be detected between studies using and not using theory, or according to whether a theory informed content, and/or evaluation. We discuss characteristics of the theories that might account for the limited effectiveness observed, including overreliance on cognitions that likely vary according to type of sexual behaviour and other personal factors, inadequately address interpersonal factors, and failure to account for contextual factors.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/345327 |
| spellingShingle | Kristien Michielsen Matthew Chersich Marleen Temmerman Tessa Dooms Ronan Van Rossem Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis of HIV Prevention Interventions for Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review AIDS Research and Treatment |
| title | Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis of HIV Prevention Interventions for Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis of HIV Prevention Interventions for Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis of HIV Prevention Interventions for Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis of HIV Prevention Interventions for Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis of HIV Prevention Interventions for Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | nothing as practical as a good theory the theoretical basis of hiv prevention interventions for young people in sub saharan africa a systematic review |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/345327 |
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