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Table 2 An ecological perspective: levels of influence

From: The perceptions on male circumcision as a preventive measure against HIV infection and considerations in scaling up of the services: a qualitative study among police officers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Levels

Definition

Intrapersonal Level

Individual characteristics that influence behavior, such as knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and personality traits

Interpersonal Level

Interpersonal processes and primary groups, including family, friends, and peers that provide social identity, support, and role definition

Community Level

 

Institutional Factors

Rules, regulations, policies, and informal structures, which may constrain or promote recommended behaviors

Community Factors

Social networks and norms, or standards, which exist as formal or informal among individuals, groups, and organizations

Public Policy

Local, state, and federal policies and laws that regulate or support healthy actions and practices for disease prevention, early detection, control, and management

  1. Source: National Cancer Institute. Theory at a glance. Available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/theory.pdf (Cited May 13, 2011).