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Principles of the health belief model and social learning theory form the
conceptual framework for this program, together with strategies previously
found to be effective in changing such adolescent health-risk behaviors as
cigarette smoking and early pregnancy. Originally designed for teens between 12
and 16 years of age, the intervention includes three 90-minute, small group
sessions, in which participants receive five forms of assistance: (1)
information about the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS;( 2) instruction
in purchasing and using condoms with spermicide; (3) guidance in
self-assessment of risk behaviors; (4) training in decision-making,
communication, and assertiveness skills; and (5) peer group support for
HIV/AIDS prevention and risk reduction. In addition to lectures and modeling by
instructors, teens complete role plays, skill-building exercises, and homework
activities. A field study of the program was conducted with 87 African-American
and Latino youths, who were recruited from three New York City community-based
organizations providing alternative education and after-school programs for
high-risk teens. Comparing four week follow-up measures of program participants
with a control group of peers, participants showed significant gains in
knowledge and attitudes about AIDS, as well as in sexual refusal and
negotiation skills. However, no differences were found between the groups'
risk-related sexual behaviors.
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