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This study evaluated a media literacy education program designed for sexual health promotion, Media Aware, in southeastern universities. Participants included college students from four universities in the southeastern United States (n = 457). Media Aware was implemented on college campuses either in a group setting, one-on-one setting, at a student event, or online only. Media Aware contains four sections on sexual health promotion including on how media messages influence sexual health, gender stereotypes and representations of romantic relationships, sexual violence, substance use, consent, sexual risk behaviors, contraception, STIs, and partner communication. Results indicated significant changes in intention to visit a healthcare provider for sexual health services, intention to use condoms and other forms of birth control, and awareness of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives after participation in Media Aware. Future research should explore how to extend program impacts and use an experimental study design to assess between group differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A telephone survey was administered to residents of a historically conservative southern state to assess resident's level of support for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in schools and support for the availability of condoms and contraception to reduce unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Data were obtained from 841 residents and findings revealed that the majority of residents: (a) support CSE, (b) support access to birth control, and (c) support the availability of condoms. Data were analyzed to determine characteristics of those in support of these prevention strategies so that data could inform key stakeholders, policy makers and health promotion strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]