Factors determining behavioral models of vulnerable population groups in situation of wide spread of socially dangerous diseases (according to expert survey results)

Abstract

The article presents expert survey analysis results and defines major behavior models for main population groups in TB, HIV, hepatitis, STD infection risk zone (risk groups) in situation of wide spread of socially dangerous diseases. The correlation was detected between risk groups behavior models/types and their formation factors, including value-motivation, socio-economic, financial, medical, cognitive and social factors, as well as stigmatization and self-stigmatization. The research shows that it is impossible to relate risk groups behavior to only one or two factors. All influential factors should be considered in connection to each other. The article determines most effective interventions changing risk groups behavior from passive to health-preserving one, such as information and communication campaign on safe behavior; expanding state funding on HIV, TB, hepatitis, STDs services; legal framework improvement for services in field of HIV infection, TB, hepatitis, STDs for various risk groups; expanding NGOs’ access to risk groups interventions. The article emphasizes the fact that preventive work against spreading HIV/AIDS epidemic involves behavioral interventions at individual and social level. It is proposed to consider the problem of socially dangerous diseases resistance not as a part of medical system only, but also as a part of political, managerial, economic, social, humanitarian and cultural problem that cannot be solved by branch medical management or medical means only.