Purpose . This dissertation studied the relationships between some elements of family life behavior and partner notification.

Problem . AIDS occurs when HIV infection breaks down the body's defense system, leaving it vulnerable to infections and other diseases. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are sentinel risk factors for heterosexual sexual transmission of HIV.

Sub-Sahara Afrika, with 13.4 percent of the world's population, bears nearly 61.3 percent of the world's HIV burden. HIV and STI are transmitted in Sub-Sahara Afrika, mainly heterosexually. Partner Notification may help control spread. The Republic of Guinea has relatively low HIV prevalence rates, rising rapidly. Social dynamics of sexual relationships in Guinea may provide epidemiologic resilience factors to prevent transmission.

Research questions . Do pre-existing family planning activities influence partner notification of STI/HIV status within Afrikan polygynous and monogynous marital settings? How do polygynous and monogynous marital structures influence partner notification of STI/HIV status?

Methods . Secondary data were obtained from Macro International, collected during the 1999 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of women, age 15 years to 49 years, in the Republic of Guinea, using a multi-stage, weighted, cluster sampling approach. Relevant, valid variables were selected using recoding with qualitative, hermeneutic and quantitative discriminant function analysis. Factor analysis and alpha analyses were used for validity and reliability tests, and to define constructs of the Related Behavior Model. The relationships between family planning knowledge, STI/HIV knowledge, marital structure, family planning discussions, family planning activities, polygyny and partner notification were analyzed With SPSS and STATA, using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results . Family planning discussions significantly related with partner notification. Marital structure was not significantly related to partner notification.

Conclusion . Partner notification can be a useful and effective way to control STI/HIV transmission. The Related Behavior Model provided some insight into possible ways to engage the public in prevention behavior. Prevention education content needs revisions to include specific symptomatology that will recognize infection. Further research needs to address understanding health promotion and disease prevention using the Related Behavior Model.