Behavior Change [in relation to AIDS/HIV]: A Summary of Four Major Theories

How does behavior change occur? This question probably has as many answers as there are diverse populations and cultures. Every HIV prevention program, however, is based on those answers -- theories about why people change their behaviors. These underlying principles may not be formally recognized as theories, but they focus HIV prevention efforts on the elements believed to be essential for individuals to enact and sustain behavior change. Four of the most commonly cited theories in HIV prevention literature are outlined in this booklet: The Health Belief Model, the AIDS Risk Reduction Model, the Stages of Change, and the Theory of Reasoned Action. These theories have yet to be extensively applied in research outside of the United States, and they may not capture the elements necessary for behavior change in every culture or population. They do provide, however, four examples of how the behavior change process is believed to occur. [author]