ABSTRACT

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continues to be a major global public health issue. Health education activities directed at reducing high-risk behaviors and promoting safe sex remain the only way forward. Moreover, an important issue for health education research in Africa is the cross-cultural validity of behavioral models such as the Health Belief Model (HBM), the Theory of Reasoned Action, and the PRECEDE framework. A comprehensive review of studies found the HBM valuable in understanding preventive actions and recommended its use in health education program planning. The HBM was used as a framework for exploring condom use behavior and intentions among University students in the south eastern corner of Nigeria. The chapter suggests that certain components of the HBM provide a useful set of beliefs about AIDS to explore among university students in Nigeria and to target in efforts to increase condom use.