Cognitive Factors Affecting AIDS Preventive Behaviors in Iranian Women with Addicted Spouses

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS is one of the most substantial socioeconomic health issues in many countries all around the world.[Objectives]This study aimed to address the factors affecting AIDS preventive behaviors in women who had addicted husbands using the health belief model (HBM) in Sarbishe and Birjand cities, Iran, in 2019.[Methods]A descriptiveanalytical study was conducted on 224 women who had addicted husbands. A convenience sampling method was used, and all women whose husbands were under the support of the public and private addiction treatment centers were entered into the study. Data collection tools included a questionnaire of demographic items, HBM constructs, knowledge, and AIDS preventive behaviors. The collected data were analyzed using a correlation test and a regression model. The p value was considered less than 0.05 to be significant.[Results]The respondents mean age was 37.77 ± 8.97 years. Most women (93.8%) were housekeepers, and 54% of them had selfemployed husbands. Most women (61.6%) and their husbands (58.9%) had an education level of underdiploma. Based on the regression model, the most important predictors of AIDS preventive behaviors included perceived selfefficacy (B = 0.231), education level (B = 0.196), and income (B = 0.154).[Conclusions]Research findings confirm the association between perceived selfefficacy, education level, income, and adopting AIDS preventive behaviors. The obtained results can be used to develop theorybased interventions to shape AIDS preventive behaviors in highrisk groups.