SUMMARY

This six-session program for high school students is delivered by regular classroom teachers. Combining principles of the health belief model with social psychology, the curriculum aims to improve students' knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy and risk behaviors concerning HlV/AlDS. The first two classes provide general information about the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS and teach students how to appraise their own risk behaviors. During the next two sessions, myths about peers' sexual behaviors are corrected, values clarification is introduced and students use role play and negotiation skills to practice delaying sexual intercourse. The final lessons involve discussions of purchasing and using condoms. A field study of the program was conducted with a predominantly African-American and Hispanic sample of students attending four New York City public high schools. Compared with a comparison group of peers, program participants scored significantly higher on measures of knowledge, beliefs about the benefits of risk reduction, and beliefs about one's own ability to effect positive change (e.g., self-efficacy). At the three-month follow-up assessment, the program was found to be particularly effective in reducing sexually active participants' number of total sex partners and number of sex acts with high-risk partners, and in increasing the use of condoms.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

Although it was originally implemented in school classrooms, this program is equally suitable for use in community-based organizations.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age, Gender
The field study included 1,201 students ages 12 to 20 years (avg. age= 15.7 yrs.). 58% of the participants were female.

Race/Ethnicity
37% African-American, 35% Latino, 28% other (mostly non-Hispanic White or Asian).

PROGRAM LENGTH

The six-hour program is divided into six class lessons that are delivered on consecutive school days.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

Regular classroom teachers implement the program. A one-day in-service training session is recommended to introduce teachers to the curriculum's objectives and activities.