Untitled Information-Based AIDS Intervention

OVERVIEW

The Untitled Information-Based AIDS Intervention is a program that is designed to increase knowledge of AIDS and prevention of HIV infection. Adolescent females are taught the facts surrounding AIDS through exercises, games, and a video. Results of this evaluation showed that the participants in the information-based intervention had significantly higher prevention outcome expectancies and AIDS knowledge than the control group. There was no significant impact on intention to use condoms and confidence in using condoms.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

Target population: Inner-city, black adolescent females.

The Untitled Information-Based AIDS Intervention is designed to increase knowledge of AIDS and prevention of HIV infection. The participants receive a 105-minute intervention over two days in which culturally and developmentally appropriate exercises, games, and a video are used to teach and increase active participation. For example, one exercise is based on explaining the facts and myths surrounding AIDS.

The video presented information about the cause, transmission, and prevention of AIDS and contains a comedic demonstration about how to put a condom on a banana. A question and answer session followed, in which the participants would earn points for answering questions about AIDS. The sessions are led by a female facilitator.

EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM

Jemmott, J. B., Jemmott, L. S., Spears, H., Hewitt, N., & Cruz-Collins, M. (1992). Self-efficacy, hedonistic expectancies, and condom-use intentions among inner-city black adolescent women: A social cognitive approach to AIDS risk behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, 13, 512-519.

Evaluated population: Nineteen sexually active African-American adolescent females from a low-income inner-city community in New Jersey. Their ages ranged from 15 to 21 years and their parents had an approximate average of 12 years of schooling. Seventy-nine percent of the participants were Baptist. The mean age of first sexual intercourse was 15.8 years, and 22% reported using a condom during their last sexual intercourse experience.

Approach: The participants were recruited from a waiting room in a family clinic and randomly assigned to a Social Cognitive (SC) group, Information-alone (IA) group, and a General health promotion (GH) group. Participants in the SC group participated in exercises designed to increase confidence in ability to use condoms and reduce concerns about the impact of condoms on sexual enjoyment. The GH group received information about reducing health risks through diet and exercise. Participants discussed favorite foods, activities, and facts and myths about health. The GH group and SC groups met for the same amount of time and same number of days as the IA group. After the 105-minute intervention (which took place over two days), all participants participated in the general health program.

Participants were assessed on risky sexual behavior, intention to use condoms, perceived self-efficacy to use condoms, outcome expectancies regarding condom use, knowledge about AIDS and STDs, and attitudes towards health behaviors.

Results: There were no significant differences in intention to use condoms and confidence in using condoms between the IA and GH groups. The IA group scored significantly higher on prevention outcome expectancies regarding condom use. The two other groups scored significantly higher on AIDS knowledge than the GH group but did not significantly differ on AIDS knowledge.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

References

Program categorized in this guide according to the following:

Evaluated participant ages: 15-21

Program components: clinic/provider-based

Measured outcomes: Teen Pregnancy and Reproductive Health

KEYWORDS: Adolescents (12-17), Youth (16+), Young Adults, High School, Female, Black/African American, Clinic/Provider-based, Urban, STD/HIV/AIDS, Condom use and Contraception, Self-Efficacy, Nutrition

Program information last updated 2/12/10

		© Child Trends 2003