Modifying Sexual Risk Health Behavior Change Models to Incorporate Alcohol-Related Factors

Abstract

Objectives: Theories and models that address harmful health behaviors often do not incorporate factors related to alcohol.

Methods: The aim of this article is to review the role of alcohol use on risky sexual behavior and to suggest how alcohol-related factors can be incorporated into health behavior change models.

Results: Suggestions for modifying health behavior change models are presented, including integrating motivation and volition phases of models with a preconsumption and consumption phase of alcohol use.

Conclusions: These modifications may be useful in developing interventions designed to increase the occurrence of safer sex behaviors affected by alcohol and other drugs.