ROLE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS IN AIDS pANDEMIC AND THEIR EFFECT ON HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS

In most countries, educational programs and condom use is recommended as the most important approaches in controlling HIV infection. We examine the role of different approaches in controlling AIDS epidemics in our region. We find a high failure rate and probably undesirable effects for condom recommendation in epidemiological scale especially considering the low prevalence of HIV infection in our region. Past experience suggests that educational programs in isolation have insufficient effect on health-related behavior in high-risk groups. Present picture of spread of HIV infection discloses the role of religious beliefs, moral values, social nonacceptance of unhealthy lifestyles and illegality of homosexuality, prostitution and drug abuse in controlling AIDS epidemics. In order for health promotion programs to be successful these social and cultural factors should be regarded.