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Gay and bisexual men continue to be the group most affected by HIV and AIDS in the UK. In 1996, as part of an effort to address this situation, a consortium of London health authorities commissioned a gay men's HIV prevention project based on principles of community mobilisation which the research literature suggests offers considerable scope for achieving effective HIV prevention. This impact evaluation study, analysing responses to a selfcompletion questionnaire administered to a community-based sample of 674 men in London, found highest reported levels of contact with the awarenessraising interventions in the project. Much lower levels of engagement with more participative and involving activities were identified. In relation to the reported outcomes of the project, awareness-raising was achieved to a greater extent than behavioural outcomes for prevention. Future gay men's HIV prevention based on community mobilisation should be oriented to focus more specifically on the achievement of these more complex outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance knowledge of the issues involved in the education and training of health professionals in health promotion, a focused but broad-based literature review took place. More than 70 studies of relevance were selected from the literature on human resource development and education, as well as professional preparation and development in health promotion. Studies reviewed covered current trends in initial professional education and training, continuing professional development, validation and accreditation, and evaluation. In none of these fields was there a significant literature based on systematic evaluation, but weaknesses in current practice were identified. A number of specific recommendations relating to the education and training of health professionals can be identified. These include: the importance of conceptual development and the capacity to reflect critically on practice; the value of efforts to bridge theory and practice through greater use of work-based systems of professional development; and the need to specify more clearly the health promotion role of health and education professionals so as to facilitate the development of appropriate methods of initial and continuing education and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

THIS paper draws upon the findings of an evaluation and programme review of some of the professional development activities supported by the Health Education Council/Health Education Authority during the period 1986-89. The evaluation, based at Bristol Polytechnic, used a variety of methods to evaluate a set of activities consisting of the Certificate, Diploma and Masters courses supported by HEC/HEA and the Academic Lecturer scheme. The research team concluded that, despite the strengths of individual programme components, the overall provision for professional development in health education lacked co herence. They made various recommendations, as outlined in this pa per, and some of these are already being acted upon by the HEA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]