Application of the Health Belief Model (HBM) in HIV Prevention: A Literature Review

As part of a study that explored the factors associated with consistent condom use among senior secondary school female learners in Mbonge subdivision of rural Cameroon, the Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as the framework. Literature was reviewed to ascertain how the entire HBM has been defined and what recommendations have been made as to how to apply the HBM as a framework in studies regarding HIV/AIDS prevention. To achieve this, a systemic review of literature was undertaken. Electronic databases, academic journals and books from various sources were accessed. Several key search terms relating to the HBM and HIV/AIDS prevention were used. Only references deemed useful for bibliographies of relevant texts and journal articles were included. The inclusion criteria were articles that provided information about HIV/AIDS prevention and the HBM constructs. Six constructs of the HBM (perceived susceptibility to HIV/AIDS, perceived severity of HIV/AIDS, perceived benefit of condom use, perceived barriers to condom use, cues to action for condom use and condom use self-efficacy), and modifying factors were identified and applied as the framework for the study. The HBM was identified as the most commonly used theory in health education, health promotion and disease prevention, and thus provided the framework for the study. The underlying concept of the HBM is that behaviour is determined by personal beliefs or perceptions about a disease and the strategies available to decrease its occurrence.