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This three-hour workshop is designed to increase college students'
self-efficacy, or belief in their own ability to act successfully to prevent
HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Drawing upon social learning
theory, the program includes numerous role-play and skill-building exercises,
and is led by peer educators who are trained to serve as persuasive models. To
give students the knowledge necessary to practice preventive behaviors, the
leaders begin by facilitating a group discussion about HIV/AIDS and STDs,
including transmission and prevention. During the next section, participants
discuss personal experiences of and feelings about AIDS and other STDs.
Finally, the students role play safe-sex discussions and learn about correct
condom use, gaining confidence in their abilities in the process. A field study
of the workshop was conducted with 209 undergraduate students enrolled in a
health education class at the University of Texas. Compared to comparison
groups of their peers, program participants showed significant increases in
self-efficacy at the two month follow-up assessment. Sexually active students
also showed an increase in their frequency of condom use.
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