Applying value expectancy theory, or the theory of reasoned action or Research Paper

Applying value expectancy theory, or the theory of reasoned action or planned behavior, to a potential HIV prevention program in Tanzania - Research Paper Example Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS) together form a disease that has decimated a lot of people globally and has seen the productive people fall to it (Whiteside 2008). As of 2007/08, the HIV prevalence rate in Tanzania had fallen to 5.7% with women having 6.6% while men had 4.6%. This was a fall from 7.0% with 7.7% in the 6,000 women who were tested and 4.3% in men, 4,900 of whom were tested. This information was accessed from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 2009. As a result of this intervention, the women in Tanzania are anticipated to revolutionize in several ways. First of all, the women are expected to become more assertive in the households as far as sex is concerned. This translates that women being able to negotiate for sex with their partners and in effect increase the use of condoms. At the same time, the high risk category is projected to be knowledgeable on the benefits of using condoms. They are expected to start taking precautionary measures, as well as, educating their fellow women on the same. The high risk group in this case mainly encompasses commercial sex workers. The value of assessing this behavioral intention is to allow the strategists redesign ineffective messages and also allow the formulation of more effective and up-to-date version. As Fishbein (2000) has stated, there is no need to formulate new theories of behavior change. The existing ones are effective when applied well. In that regard, as he has stated, targeting a specific behavior for change will effectively bring about the needed change. If the women can be well informed of the risks that they face through unprotected sex, they can then change for the better. This figure displays the interrelationship of different factors in the shaping of behavior. This model, espoused by Fishbein (2000), indicated the way that behavior of women using condoms will be