Perceiving Risks Box 3. 2 Men's sexual behaviour related to risk of HIv infection and pregnancy a greater understanding of mens female partners. Samples of 750-850 men were prostitutes, strangers and lovers, but erceptions of sexual risk and their risk-taking selected randomly in each city. The percentages considerably less so with married partners behaviour is necessary if interventions are to be who reported having taken preventive measures However, just over half the young men said they more successful in improving the reproductive -usually the use of condoms -to reduce the risk would use such measures when having health of both men and women. In a question- of HIv transmission or pregnancy are shown intercourse with a virgin or a fiancee. The need naire survey of reproductive risk behaviours in below. measures to prevent pregna the capital cities of Argentina, Bolivia, Cuba and The findings were very similar in all four cities, perceived, however, to be higher than that for Peru, young adult males(aged 20-29 years) were though the men clearly perceived the risks as HIv infection. To avoid pregnancy, such measures asked whether they would take measures to being different with different partners. Preventive were commonly used with all sexual partners prevent HIV infection and pregnancy during measures against HIv infection were believed to and even with about half the spouses sexual intercourse with different categories of be highly necessary for sexual intercourse with Perceived sexual health risk, 20-29-year-old men Buenos Aires La paz Havana Sexual partnerArgentina Cuba Prostitute 100%0% spondents who took preventive measures against HIv infection(%) pondents who took preventive measures against pregnancy(%) INFLUENCES ON RISK PERCEPTIONS Two important factors that influence risk perception are gender and world views, with filiation, emotional affect and trust also being strongly correlated with the risk judgements of experts as well as lay persons. The influence of gender has been well documented, with men tending to judge risks as smaller and less problematic than do women. Explanations have focused mainly on biological and social factors. For example, it has been suggested that women are more socialized to care for human health and are less likely to be familiar with science and technology. However, female toxicologists were found to judge the same risks as higher than do male toxicologists(22, 23). In another study dealing with perception of 25 hazards, males produced risk-perception ratings that were consistently much lower of risks, gender differences appear to have an important effect on interpretingris Option than those of females(24). To the extent that sociopolitical factors shape public perce The influence of social, psychological and political factors can also be seen in studies on the impact of world views on risk judgements. World views are general social, cultural and political attitudes that appear to have an influence over people' s judgements about complex issues(25). World views include feelings such as fatalism towards control over risks to health, belief in hierarchy and leaving decisions to the experts, and a conviction that individualism is an important characteristic of a fair society, or that technological developments are important for improving our health and social well-being. These world views have been found to be strongly linked to public perceptions of risk (26). These views have also beenPerceiving Risks 35 INFLUENCES ON RISK PERCEPTIONS Two important factors that influence risk perception are gender and world views, with affiliation, emotional affect and trust also being strongly correlated with the risk judgements of experts as well as lay persons. The influence of gender has been well documented, with men tending to judge risks as smaller and less problematic than do women. Explanations have focused mainly on biological and social factors. For example, it has been suggested that women are more socialized to care for human health and are less likely to be familiar with science and technology. However, female toxicologists were found to judge the same risks as higher than do male toxicologists (22, 23). In another study dealing with perception of 25 hazards, males produced risk-perception ratings that were consistently much lower than those of females (24). To the extent that sociopolitical factors shape public perception of risks, gender differences appear to have an important effect on interpreting risks. The influence of social, psychological and political factors can also be seen in studies on the impact of world views on risk judgements. World views are general social, cultural and political attitudes that appear to have an influence over people’s judgements about complex issues (25). World views include feelings such as fatalism towards control over risks to health, belief in hierarchy and leaving decisions to the experts, and a conviction that individualism is an important characteristic of a fair society, or that technological developments are important for improving our health and social well-being. These world views have been found to be strongly linked to public perceptions of risk (26). These views have also been Box 3.2 Men’s sexual behaviour related to risk of HIV infection and pregnancy A greater understanding of men’s perceptions of sexual risk and their risk-taking behaviour is necessary if interventions are to be more successful in improving the reproductive health of both men and women. In a question￾naire survey of reproductive risk behaviours in the capital cities of Argentina, Bolivia, Cuba and Peru, young adult males (aged 20–29 years) were asked whether they would take measures to prevent HIV infection and pregnancy during sexual intercourse with different categories of prostitutes, strangers and lovers, but considerably less so with married partners. However, just over half the young men said they would use such measures when having intercourse with a virgin or a fiancée. The need for measures to prevent pregnancy was perceived, however, to be higher than that for HIV infection. To avoid pregnancy, such measures were commonly used with all sexual partners and even with about half the spouses. female partners. Samples of 750–850 men were selected randomly in each city. The percentages who reported having taken preventive measures – usually the use of condoms – to reduce the risk of HIV transmission or pregnancy are shown below. The findings were very similar in all four cities, though the men clearly perceived the risks as being different with different partners. Preventive measures against HIV infection were believed to be highly necessary for sexual intercourse with Source: (20). Buenos Aires Argentina La Paz Sexual partner Bolivia respondents who took preventive measures against HIV infection (%) respondents who took preventive measures against pregnancy (%) Stranger Virgin 0% 50% 100% Prostitute 0% 50% 100% Fiancée Spouse Lover 0% 50% 100% 0% 50% 100% Perceived sexual health risk, 20–29-year-old men Havana Cuba Lima Peru