Adolescent Sexual Behavior and the HIV/AIDS Risk in the Czech
Republic

J 2003

Adolescent Sexual Behavior and the HIV/AIDS Risk in the Czech Republic

RABUŠIC, Ladislav and Kateřina KEPÁKOVÁ

Basic information

Original name

Adolescent Sexual Behavior and the HIV/AIDS Risk in the Czech Republic

Authors

RABUŠIC, Ladislav (203 Czech Republic, guarantor) and Kateřina KEPÁKOVÁ (203 Czech Republic)

Edition

Revija za sociologiju, Zagreb, 2003, 0350-154X

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

50000 5. Social Sciences

Country of publisher

Croatia

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14230/03:00008616

Organization unit

Faculty of Social Studies

Keywords in English

sexual behavior; sexual risks; rational choice; AIDS; HIV

Abstract

V originále

Although the number of HIV-infected persons registered in the Czech Republic might appear very low, the authors caution against false optimism. They point to the risky sexual behavior of Czech youth, who, in spite of having solid knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention, do not consistently apply it to their sexual practice. From the analysis of this paradox, based primarily on data collected in the city of Brno in 1997, the authors suggest replacing the so-far preferred rational choice theory or the Health Belief Model, as models explaining human behavior, with the more adequate theory of expected utility. While the former theories assume that individuals will make rational decisions and practice safer sex once they are better informed about HIV infection and ways to protect themselves, the latter one allows for the existence of rationality of intimacy, which differs from the scientific rationality of the health system. The theory maintains that, within the realm of intimate relationships, it might appear rational to practice unsafe sex if this is compensated by other benefits. In order to be able to reconcile the two rationalities and understand unsafe sexual behavior, the general context of an intimate situation must be analyzed, including the social norms and values involved, the emotional load, individual intentions and goals of the partners, and also the complex mechanisms of interaction and power negotiation between sexual partners.

Links

GV403/96/K120, research and development project

Name: Sociální trendy Výzkum - archivace - publikace - vědecká výchova

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Social trends. Research - Archives - Publication - Graduate training

MSM 142300002, plan (intention)

Name: Děti, mládež a rodina v transformaci (Acronym: MLADĚRO)

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR, Children, Youth and Family in Transition

Citovat

RABUŠIC, Ladislav and Kateřina KEPÁKOVÁ. Adolescent Sexual Behavior and the HIV/AIDS Risk in the Czech Republic. Revija za sociologiju. Zagreb, 2003, vol. 34, 3-4, p. 198-206, 18 pp. ISSN 0350-154X.

@article{491704,
   author = {Rabušic, Ladislav and Kepáková, Kateřina},
   article_location = {Zagreb},
   article_number = {3-4},
   keywords = {sexual behavior; sexual risks; rational choice; AIDS; HIV},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0350-154X},
   journal = {Revija za sociologiju},
   title = {Adolescent Sexual Behavior and the HIV/AIDS Risk in the Czech Republic},
   volume = {34},
   year = {2003}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 491704
AU  - Rabušic, Ladislav - Kepáková, Kateřina
PY  - 2003
TI  - Adolescent Sexual Behavior and the HIV/AIDS Risk in the Czech Republic
JF  - Revija za sociologiju
VL  - 34
IS  - 3-4
SP  - 198-206
EP  - 198-206
SN  - 0350154X
KW  - sexual behavior
KW  - sexual risks
KW  - rational choice
KW  - AIDS
KW  - HIV
N2  - Although the number of HIV-infected persons registered in the Czech Republic might appear very low, the authors caution against false optimism. They point to the risky sexual behavior of Czech youth, who, in spite of having solid knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention, do not consistently apply it to their sexual practice. From the analysis of this paradox, based primarily on data collected in the city of Brno in 1997, the authors suggest replacing the so-far preferred rational choice theory or the Health Belief Model, as models explaining human behavior, with the more adequate theory of expected utility. While the former theories assume that individuals will make rational decisions and practice safer sex once they are better informed about HIV infection and ways to protect themselves, the latter one allows for the existence of rationality of intimacy, which differs from the scientific rationality of the health system. The theory maintains that, within the realm of intimate relationships, it might appear rational to practice unsafe sex if this is compensated by other benefits. In order to be able to reconcile the two rationalities and understand unsafe sexual behavior, the general context of an intimate situation must be analyzed, including the social norms and values involved, the emotional load, individual intentions and goals of the partners, and also the complex mechanisms of interaction and power negotiation between sexual partners.
ER  -

RABUŠIC, Ladislav and Kateřina KEPÁKOVÁ. Adolescent Sexual Behavior and the HIV/AIDS Risk in the Czech Republic. \textit{Revija za sociologiju}. Zagreb, 2003, vol.~34, 3-4, p.~198-206, 18 pp. ISSN~0350-154X.

Detailed Information on Publication Record