PETRA: Promoting Education, Teaching & Research on AIDS
Online Science-Based Information Modules

Sociometrics has translated the latest HIV/AIDS research findings into easy-to-navigate, easy-to-understand online resource modules in order to increase understanding of the social and behavioral aspects of this deadly epidemic. PETRA’s Information Modules include information about HIV/AIDS incidence, prevalence, antecedents, consequences, prevention, and treatment. The PETRA Information Modules are:

• Module 1: HIV /AIDS: The Epidemic
• Module 2: Preventing HIV/AIDS
• Module 3: Living with HIV/AIDS
• Module 4: Gender, Culture, and HIV/AIDS

Each of the four modules contains several chapters. Each chapter, in turn, contains several topic pages. Users can explore modules, chapters, and topic pages in any order that they want. Every module and chapter begins with a helpful introduction, followed by topic pages with pictures, graphs, did-you-know questions, and compelling interactive features. The last topic page for each chapter presents relevant learning activities, assignments, web resources, and readings that allow the user to further explore each chapter’s key themes.

Who can use PETRA? The PETRA Information Modules have research-based information for anyone interested in learning more about HIV/AIDS. Examples of audiences who could benefit from using the Information Modules are:

Teachers and students: College and advanced high school students in health, science, and social science classes will find the resource helpful for preparing course papers, projects, and presentations. Faculty will find that the resource’s content and modular format lend themselves well to the development of course syllabi and lecture materials, as well as to the design of more extensive teaching units on HIV/AIDS. The modules’ Powerpoint slides, reading lists, web links, and suggested learning and discussion activities are particularly well suited for classroom learning. The 6 month subscription period makes it easy to integrate PETRA, as a supplementary learning material, into a standard semester.

Health education centers: School and community-based health education centers will find that the PETRA Information Modules make an excellent addition to their library of health resources. The online PETRA Information Modules will complement the information-dissemination goals of such facilities, and provide health center clients with engaging, interactive HIV/AIDS information that goes far beyond that offered in standard health brochures and fliers.

HIV/AIDS prevention programs: Busy HIV/AIDS prevention professionals can utilize the PETRA Information Modules in several practical ways: 1) as a “select-what-you-need” resource for teaching paid and volunteer staff about a variety of HIV/AIDS related issues; 2) as an informational resource for creating their own HIV/AIDS prevention materials (brochures, workshops, presentations, etc.); and 3) as a “maintenance” or “booster curriculum” for clients who have completed other HIV prevention programs and could benefit from continuing education on key HIV/AIDS prevention issues.

Concerned citizens, especially those who have been affected by the epidemic directly or indirectly. The global pandemic has affected a significant percentage of the world’s population. It is therefore important that as wide an audience as possible have accurate knowledge about HIV/AIDS’ causes. HIV/AIDS is a problem that is typically caused by risky sexual and drug-related behavior. While accurate knowledge does not produce behavior change in and of itself, such knowledge is a necessary precursor to behavior change.

A six month (180 days) online subscription to PETRA is only $75 for a single user. PETRA is also available as part of the HIV RAP subscription package.