28th International Congress of Psychology August 8 ... - U-netSURF

to have precise statistics as to how large the problem is. Yet there is extensive informal data which
points in this direction. This presentation will focus on the development and results of training
program directed at rural shopkeepers. Based on formative research a program and educational
and promotional materials were developed in order to train them to become promoters of HIV
prevention. The role of advocacy and dissemination with different community members will also
be explained.
1056.3 Refugees: Reproductive rights, responsible parenthood and mental health, N.
Kapor-Stanulovic, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia Montenegro
About 11% of the population of Vojvodina, a province of Serbia and Montenegro (formerly
Yugoslavia), are refugees. Although they share the same ethnic background, language, and legal
rights as the local inhabitants, their reproductive rights and life circumstances are often
dramatically different. Typically, refugee women hold low level jobs, usually without social
benefits. Pregnancy can result in job loss. Reproductive services are seldom readily available;
neither is access to informal channels of communication. Modern contraceptives are too expensive.
Abortion remains the most frequent method of fertility regulation. The impact on family size,
responsible parenthood, and mental health will be discussed.
1056.4 Perceptions of HIV-related policies among persons living with HIV, R. Klitzman,
Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
Policies of partner notification, name-based HIV case reporting, and criminalization of
non-disclosure of HIV-positive status to sexual partners cause controversy in HIV-prevention
efforts. Yet the views of persons with HIV toward these policies have received little study. The
study discussed showed opposition to name-based reporting, but support for partner notification
and criminalization of non-disclosure. Reasons included perceived public health benefits and costs;
concerns about threats to privacy and civil rights; mistrust of government; belief that prevention is
not the government’s responsibility; and concerns about the impact of disclosure and notification
policies on relationships. Misperceptions and confusion influence these attitudes, revealing a need
for education campaigns. In conclusion, in determining policies, the views of those most affected
must be assessed.
1056.5 Changing HIV Risk Behavior, J.D. Fisher, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
Most attempts to change HIV risk behavior have been atheoretical, and few have been rigorously
evaluated. his presentation focuses on a theoretical framework, the
Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model of HIV risk and prevention, which has been
rigorously tested and received significant empirical support. It proposes that HIV risk behavior is
often caused by weaknesses in HIV-prevention information, motivation, and behavioral skills, and
that targeted interventions to remediate these deficits produce sustained increases in HIV
prevention. Furthermore, it proposes three necessary steps for designing, implementing, and
evaluating effective interventions: first, elicitation research to identify deficits in
population-specific HIV-prevention information, motivation, behavioral skills, and HIV risk
behavior; second, implementation of targeted, population-specific interventions; and third,
rigorous evaluation-outcome research.
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