AIDS Risk Reduction for College Students

 Diane L. Kimble Willcutts, Jeffrey D. Fisher Ph.D., William A.
Fisher, Ph.D., Stephen J. Misovich, Ph.D.
FOCUS

SUMMARY

Originally designed as a workshop for college students, this program consists of three two-hour sessions incorporating information, motivation, and behavioral strategies for AIDS risk reduction. The motivation component is addressed through small-group discussions led by a peer health educator and a video narrated by persons who contracted HIV through unsafe heterosexual intercourse. Finally, behavioral skills development is encouraged through role plays of safe sex communication. In a field study of the program with 744 college students, participants showed significant gains in knowledge, motivation, and behavior; in particular, sexually active participants were more likely than similar control students to purchase and use condoms during a two- to four-month period following the intervention.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

This program can be implemented in a variety of school or community settings with college-aged participants.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age, Gender
The original sample included 744 college students with an average age of 20 years; 51% of the students were female.

Race/Ethnicity
88% White, 4.3% Asian, 3.9% Latino, 2.7% African-American.

PROGRAM LENGTH

Three two-hour sessions are held one week apart.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

A professional health educator should lead the sessions in collaboration with a team of peer educators, preferably health education students. For the small-group discussions, one peer educator is recommended for groups of up to six students. An intensive training workshop for the peer educators is also suggested, followed by a supervised practice session.
   Primary Pregnancy Prevention
   Secondary Pregnancy Prevention
   STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention

ORIGINAL SITE
   School-Based
   Community-Based
   Clinic-Based

APPROACH
   Abstinence
   Behavioral Skills Development
   Community Outreach
   Contraceptive Access
   Contraceptive Education
   Life Option Enhancement
   Self-Efficacy/Self-Esteem
   Sexuality/STD/HIV/AIDS Education

COMPONENTS
   Adult Involvement
   Case Management
   Group Discussion
   Lectures
   Peer Counseling/Instruction
   Public Service Announcements
   Role Play
   Video

   Other

   

PASHA PROGRAM PACKAGE

The PASHA Program Package for this program includes:
  • PASHA User's Guide
  • AIDS Risk Reduction for College Students Session Guides
  • A Set of Handout Masters for Session Guides
  • AIDS Risk Reduction for College Students Peer Educator Training Manual
  • A Set of Handout Masters for Peer Educator Training
  • Just Like Me... videotape
  • The Stakes are High... videotape
  • Knowing the Facts... videotape
  • Changing AIDS Risk Behavior... article reprint
  • 25 HIV Infection and AIDS... pamphlets
  • 25 Know Your Status pamphlets
  • 25 Making Safer Sex pamphlets
  • 25 Condom Basics pamphlets
  • American Red Cross HIV/AIDS Education Instructor's Manual
  • Condom Educator's Guide
  • Transitions (March 2003), newsletter reprint
  • A Set of Original Evaluation Instruments
  • Prevention Minimum Evaluation Data Set (PMEDS)
  • Local Evaluator Consultant Network Directory

  • Telephone technical support on implementation and evaluation for 1 year
REFERENCE
This package was produced as part of an overall program of research by Fisher, J.D., Fisher, W.A., Misovich, S.J., Kimble, D.L., & Malloy, T.E. (1996). Changing AIDS risk behavior: Effects of an intervention emphasizing AIDS risk reduction information, motivation, and behavioral skills in a college student population. Health Psychology, 15(2A), 114-123.