AIDS: Toward a system for classifying risk and prevention behaviors

Main Article Content

Gerardo Ortiz
Carmen Quintana
Carlos Torres

Abstract

In recent decades, HIV infection and AIDS have been leading topics of concern and research around the world. Despite numerous multidisciplinary efforts, infection continues to spread alarmingly; up to now it has been suggested that the only effective solution is to try to link behavior with health-illness models. On the assumption that behavior as an individual practice may be grounded in different reasons that change their character and functionality within the interaction, and following the logic of the psychological model of biological health proposed by Ribes (1990a), this paper puts forth a classification system that enables these behaviors to be grouped not as particular cases, but rather as generic cases representing the main factors that come into play in the individual’s interaction. Given the premise that before proposing an AIDS-prevention intervention method, it is important to identify what factors are involved in individuals’ infection- and prevention-related practices, the establishment of this classification would make it possible to analyze the intra- and inter-individual consistencies that might be involved in the behaviors deployed in risk situations, which is an essential aspect for the creation of a prevention program. Some data are presented from empirical work related to the proposed categories.

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How to Cite
Ortiz, G., Quintana, C., & Torres, C. (2010). AIDS: Toward a system for classifying risk and prevention behaviors. Journal of Behavior, Health & Social Issues, 1(2), 99–110. https://doi.org/10.22201/fesi.20070780.2009.1.2.18811

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Author Biography

Gerardo Ortiz

Doctora en Psicologia General Experimental, UNAM