Search

This study evaluates the first year of a novel HIV and substance use prevention program for inner city youth (Offering New Youth eXperiences--ONYX). Baseline and follow-up measures of knowledge, attitudes, and risk behaviors were administered seven months apart to 441 youth participating in the ONYX program. Youth (n=71) who provided data at both baseline and follow-up assessments are reported on here. Significant reduction in risk behavior was not observed, however improvement in other outcomes was noted. Youths knowledge about HIV significantly increased from baseline to follow-up. Further, increases in condom use self-efficacy, perceived harm from drug use, and resistance of peer pressure to drink alcohol were observed. Overall, the results of this feasibility phase suggest that the design is possible and the program may be effective in producing some of the desired outcomes. (Author)

African American college students are among the age group of African Americans who are at significantly higher risk for heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Much of the research in this area suggests that for the majority of these students, there is little or no relationship between the knowledge of HIV transmission and safer sexual behavior. Simply being knowledgeable about HIV transmission is not sufficient to change risky sexual behavior. None of the research clearly elucidates the factors that serve as barriers to those who either fail to use condoms or do so inconsistently. Based on this literature review, it is apparent that the barriers to practicing safer sex are complex. Several recommendations are included on developing HIV prevention programs for African American college students. HIV prevention might be best included within the context of more general health promotion campaigns. Sustained effort is needed to build trust and credibility between the African American community and prevention program staff. Health beliefs and how they may impact preventive measures need to be identified. Privacy and ease of accessibility to HIV testing must be assured. Peer influence must be taken into account, and education about use and availability must be considered. (Contains 23 references.) (JDM)

This report summarizes three bodies of research on teenage pregnancy and programs to reduce the risk of teenage pregnancy. Studies included in this report were completed in 1980 or later, conducted in the United States or Canada, targeted adolescents, employed an experimental or quasi-experimental design, had a sample size of at least 100 in the combined treatment and control group, and measured the impact on sexual or contraceptive behavior, pregnancy, or childbearing. Six chapters focus on: (1) "Making the Case for Prevention Efforts: Adolescent Risk-Taking Behavior and Its Consequences"; (2) "Looking for Reasons Why: The Antecedents of Adolescent Sexual Behavior"; (3) "Assessing the Evidence: Factors Affecting the Strength of Research Results"; (4) "Emerging Answers: The Behavioral Impact of Programs To Reduce Adolescent Sexual Risk-Taking"; (5) "Looking Forward: Conclusions about the State of Research and the Effectiveness of Programs"; and (6) "Bringing It Home: Applying These Research Results in Communities." (Chapters contain references.) (SM)

Until recently, the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union appeared to have escaped the worst of the AIDS epidemic. In 1994 there were 30,000 reported HIV infections, but by the end of 1997 the number had climbed to 190,000. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) for explanatory utility among young adults and their use of condoms was examined for its ability to predict student behavior. The AIDS Planned Behavior Scale was translated into Russian and administered to 329 students at the University of Vilnius, Lithuania. The results highlight the limited cross-cultural utility of the theory of planned behavior for predicting condom use among young adults. Interventions to increase condom use among sexually active Lithuanians should focus on changing attitudes, which may be accomplished by changing norms concerning condom use. Developing skill-building programs designed to improve the mechanics of condom use among young adults, and the associated self-efficacy, will effectively increase condom use and reduce sexually transmitted diseases. The data demonstrated that providing basic condom use instruction is an essential condition to effective changes in social norms and attitudes towards condoms in Lithuania. (Author/JDM)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have a disproportionate and more devastating impact on women than men; adolescent women are at the greatest risk for acquiring STDs. However, promoting consistent condom use among female adolescents involves dealing with complex socio-cultural factors, including deep ambivalence regarding sexuality in general, women's sexuality in particular, and adolescent girls' sexuality in specific. This cultural ambivalence comes into play in dating relationships where differences in the allocation of power and responsibility often make it difficult to effect important sexual decisions such as consistent condom use. Specific attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions that distinguish between couples who use condoms consistently and those who do not are explored. It is hypothesized that couples who are egalitarian in their attitudes and behaviors and who share power equally are more likely to consistently use condoms. This project used self-report, interview, and observer-coded interaction data to study gender role attitudes and behavior, power in verbal interaction, emotional power, decision-making power, and condom use. Although difficulty was encountered in distinguishing between consistent and inconsistent users of condoms, findings are summarized in nine brief statements. The next steps in this research program are presented. (Author/EMK)

This paper reviews the research on HIV risk, attitudes, knowledge, and behavior for Mexican/Chicano farmworkers and discusses culturally relevant prevention strategies. Following sociodemographic and HIV risk profiles for Mexican farmworkers, the major HIV exposure categories for farmworkers are discussed: prostitution, sex between men, needle sharing, and wives and female partners of men who engage in these behaviors. Farmworker knowledge and misconceptions about HIV transmission and condom use are examined. The results of large surveys concerning condom use are reported. Three behaviors--using condoms with occasional sex partners, using condoms with regular sex partners, and carrying condoms--were all predicted by social norms and perceived AIDS vulnerability. However, the addition of "condom efficacy" (the ability to negotiate condom use in challenging situations) as a predictor variable greatly reduced the effects of social norms. Aspects of culturally competent HIV research and implications for future HIV research with Mexican farmworkers are discussed. Implications for HIV prevention services for Mexican farmworkers are suggested, including general recommendations and suggestions for male-focused and female-focused interventions. Contains 32 references. (SV)

This study examined condom use by college students and factors associated with consistent condom use. It is based on a survey of 212 sexually active residential students at a major eastern doctoral granting institution conducted in the spring of 1994. The survey found that a substantial number of sexually active students were engaging in behaviors that put them at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It found that nearly two-thirds did not consistently use condoms during sex, and that an equivalent percentage reported consuming alcohol or using drugs in situations potentially leading to sexual intercourse. These results were considered surprising in view of the high knowledge level the students displayed in regard the causes of HIV. Students also reported low self-perceptions of risk for contacting HIV. The study also found that race, gender, parental education level, and family income were not related to condom usage. It concludes that while college students have a high awareness level of the causes of HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), they are not likely to adopt HIV-safe behaviors. The implications for HIV/AIDS education programs are discussed. (Contains 39 references.) (MDM)

This study addressed the hypothesis that intentions to use condoms are affected by alcohol intoxication. Recruited for this research were 54 male students, who indicated on a pretest that they were sexually active, usually used condoms, and were social drinkers. Subjects were divided into groups of two or three and then randomly assigned to the sober (n=24, no alcohol consumed) or the intoxicated (n=30, blood alcohol limit of 0.08 percent) condition. Each group watched a video vignette depicting a couple faced with the decision of whether or not to have unprotected sexual intercourse. Each participant then answered a questionnaire devised to assess subjects' predicted intentions to engage in sexual intercourse if they were in the situation presented in the video. Results indicated that intoxicated subjects had more positive intentions to engage in sex without a condom and were more likely to endorse items justifying the decision to do so than did sober subjects. The findings were interpreted in terms of "alcohol myopia"--the notion that alcohol decreases cognitive capacity so that an individual attended only to the most salient cues of a situation. (RJM)

The purpose of this study was to determine the actual behaviors or problems which college students are experiencing, as opposed to their general attitudes concerning sexuality. The study surveys sexual behavior in college students, including usage of sexual enhancements (such as pornography, provocative dress, and sadomasochism), "safe sex" practices, HIV awareness, and reported experience of sexual dysfunction. A confidential questionnaire composed of author-devised questions and questions adapted from previous surveys by Hernandez & Smith (1990) and Spencer and Zeiss (1987) was administered to 127 randomly selected subjects. The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC-SDS, 1960) was administered concurrently, in order to assess the extent of social desirability contamination of the sexual behavior measures. The surveys were individually administered using procedures to safeguard confidentiality. Reported HIV awareness (80%) made respondents cautious about sex, females being more concerned than males. 75% of respondents said they were likely to use a condom during intercourse. High scoring individuals on the Marlowe-Crowne were more likely to encourage partners to wear provocative lingerie or costumes, suggesting possible contamination. Almost twice as many males as females view x-rated films or engage in sadomasochistic practices, and more males than females report feeling comfortable viewing such films with their partners. (MSF)

This publication reports on an evaluation of the "HIV/AIDS Education Program" in the New York City public schools during the 1993-94 school year. The program involved the cooperation of many offices within the school system, including the Division of High Schools, the Division of Student Support Services, the six high school superintendencies, the 32 community school districts, District 75 (special education), and school-based staff at every level throughout the New York City public school system. Data were collected through site visits, surveys, and examination of program documents. Chapters of the report focus on the components of the program: training in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) instruction for high schools teachers; "AIDS 201," HIV/AIDS training for community school district staff; and condom availability. Among the findings reported were: (1) a majority of responding teachers indicated they felt well prepared for HIV/AIDS instruction; (2) there were few requests from parents to excuse their children from attending mandated lessons; (3) the biggest obstacles to the delivery of HIV/AIDS instruction remained the lack of well-trained teachers and the absence of yearly updates of the HIV/AIDS lessons; (4) there is a need for more in-service training of those teachers delivering instruction to special populations; and (5) implementation of the parental opt-out procedure had little impact on condom availability. The report concludes with 15 specific recommendations for training, instruction, and condom availability. (ND)

The potential for an increase in the transmission of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) exists because the practice of sexual intercourse among unmarried individuals has increased in all age groups. Nonetheless, an earlier study in 1984 had found that the sexual activity and minimal condom use of college students had not changed significantly since a previous year. This study was conducted to replicate earlier studies and obtain current data for college students in the United States. College students (N=99) responded to a survey which requested each subject to list each partner with whom they had engaged in sexual intercourse, the year of the activity, the number of intercourse experiences, the number of times condoms were used, the number of anal intercourse experiences, and the number of times condoms were used. They were also asked in which year they learned that AIDS was transmitted sexually, and those who indicated that they had engaged in intercourse without a condom were asked why. The results supported research showing that college students' sexual behavior has increased in the last 15 years, and that even though the students are aware of AIDS, over 40% of them still do not use condoms half of the time that they have intercourse. The use of condoms decreased as the number of partners increased. The results of the study indicate that students need to be informed about the risks entailed in trusting partners' statements of prior sexual history. (ABL)

This study tested the effect of varying levels of fearful information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and self-efficacy of condom use on attitudes toward condom use and STD prevention. College students (N=118) from an introductory psychology class were exposed to audiotaped information about several STDs. Those in the high fear condition were simultaneously shown explicit photographic slides of the diseases being described. Those in low fear condition only heard the audiotape. Following the STD information subjects read information about the risk of contracting an STD and suggestions for avoiding STDs. Those in the low self-efficacy condition were informed only that if a partner refused to use a condom during sex they should not have sex with that partner. Those in high self-efficacy condition were also given suggestions on how to convince a partner to use a condom if the partner argued about it. Following all treatments subjects completed the Attitude Toward Condoms Scale. A control group who was not exposed to any manipulations simply filled out the questionnaires. The results suggested that exposure to explicit photographs of diseased human genitalia resulted in a greater interest in taking steps to avoid STDs, as measured by the STD attitude scale. It is possible that self-efficacy manipulation did not produce a difference in groups because neither of the groups was discouraged from using condoms. (ABL)

The number of adolescents with AIDS and the number of young adults diagnosed with AIDS who were infected with HIV during adolescence continues to grow at alarming rates. This report evaluates a program that included staff development, mandated HIV/AIDS education for children in kindergarten through grade 12, and a peer leadership component that was designed to increase students' knowledge of HIV/AIDS issues. The evaluation appears in seven chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction and overview of the program. Chapters 2 and 3 describe program orientation, different levels of training, recruitment, and the accomplishments of the HIV/AIDS education teams, while chapter 4 addresses issues affecting mandated HIV/AIDS instruction and related educational efforts in high schools. Chapter 5 focuses on the first year of condom availability during the two phases of the program, and chapter 6 covers community program involvement and resource needs. The peer education program and Be Active in Self Education (BASE) grants are discussed in chapter 7. Evaluators offer recommendations at the end of each chapter. Also included are a glossary and appendices cataloging schools by implementation phase, program implementation guidelines, a self-assessment instrument, curriculum descriptions, and a list of participating community-based organizations. (RJM)

Often Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) programs are based on the assumption that women have control over whether or not intercourse takes place; and, if it takes place whether or not condoms are used. However, those who are in violent relationships may have little or no control over the sexual activity in the relationship. Planned Parenthood of Maryland is in the third year of running a peer-support group program which is designed to prevent Human Immune Virus (HIV) acquisition in adolescents. After the first year's implementation it was clear that dating violence was an issue which needed attention. The second year program was expanded to include a session on dating violence. For the second year's evaluation a section on experiences with dating violence was added. Young black women (N=77), 79% of whom were sexually active completed a questionnaire which included questions on dating violence. Thirty-four percent of the women had experienced one or more episodes of dating violence in the past year and 15% percent had experienced severe dating violence. Group leaders gained the impression that the teenagers perceived the dating violence as normal. It is a matter of great concern that dating violence discouraged behaviors which are related to reducing the risk of contracting AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. These differences focused on condom usage, and perceptions of men's and peer's attitudes towards condoms. (ABL)

Many heterosexuals have not altered their sexual practices in response to the threat of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Knowledge of risk alone appears to have little effect on altering sexual behavior; more complex psychological factors seem to be involved. Condom use to prevent the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a unique health behavior because it typically involves either explicit or implicit agreement between both partners. Therefore, within heterosexual relationships, knowledge of gender differences in attitudes, intentions, and behavioral tendencies should enhance understanding of the interpersonal processes involved in condom use. Two studies, conducted approximately one year apart, examined gender differences with respect to AIDS-relevant condom attitudes and condom use behaviors. Subjects (N=248, N=528) were undergraduates, primarily heterosexual. Females generally had more favorable attitudes with the exception of greater inhibition about buying and possessing condoms. Men engaged in preliminary condom use behaviors (carrying and keeping condoms at home) substantially more often. Gender was unrelated to past and intended condom use. Results suggested that although females may indirectly influence condom use decisions, providing condoms is generally the expected role of males, infusing them with greater control over the interpersonal process. Interventions aimed at decreasing females' inhibitions about possessing condoms, and/or increasing their influence in the sexual situation will increase the frequency that condoms are used during sexual intercourse. (LLL)

This brochure presents facts and information about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) for teenagers and young people. A story tracing the sexual activities and exposure to AIDS of a group of teenagers is presented, interspersed with objective information about one's chances of getting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), how one contracts AIDS, what HIV is, and how to use a condom. Four steps to a healthier and safer sex life are given and examples of safe and risky sex activities are listed. Three additional steps to a healthier and safer sex life are suggested. Questions are asked of readers throughout the brochure concerning how they would respond to various situations. Telephone numbers are given for further information about AIDS. (NB)

This survey of 66 4-year state universities with enrollments greater than 5,000 students in the North Central census region investigated the availability of condoms on campuses to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The survey sought to determine condom availability, location, cost to students, and the institutional levels at which this issue had been raised. Results indicated that condoms were available to students on 57 of the 66 campuses, or 86 percent. Condom availability had been a campus issue on 62 of the campuses. Of the nine institutions not making condoms available on campus, five indicated it had been a campus issue. Condom availability did not appear to be as strong an issue with parents, faculty, or boards of trustees as it was with students, chief health officers, and student affairs staff. The most common areas in which condoms were reported to be available at colleges and universiites were at health centers and in restroom vending machines. It is concluded that the extent of condom availability on campuses may be too limited to effectively deal with the increase in sexually transmitted diseases. (17 references) (JDD)

Describe the development and properties of a scale measuring demonstrated condom use skill using a sample of 261 drug-using women. Analysis of scale scores revealed high levels of condom skill among the population. Preliminary analysis suggests that the Condom Skill Scale is a potentially valid and reliable instrument, and may have application as a tool assessing condom skill level. (Contains 52 references, 1 table, 2 figures, and 1 appendix.) (GCP)

Tests the effectiveness of behavioral skills training based on the Behavioral-Ecological Model among a group of adolescents. Evaluates two interventions: one teaching condom use skills and the other teaching anger management skills. Changes in most skills were significant at postintervention but were not maintained at six months. Few risk-related attitudes or behaviors improved at six months for either group. (Contains 46 references and 3 tables.) (GCP)

Assesses the differential effects of the perceived benefits and costs associated with both condom use and unprotected sex on sexual risk behaviors of late adolescent college students (N=704). Analyses indicate that sexual risk behaviors are most related to situational temptation, self-efficacy for safer sex, and perceived benefits of unprotected sex. (Contains 57 references and 5 tables.) (Author/GCP)

Questions a sample of Israeli adolescents (N=1,082) on the following topics: sexual habits and HIV/AIDS prevention behaviors; HIV/AIDS related knowledge and attitudes; and six kinds of HIV/AIDS-related denial. Results show that infrequent condom use was associated with a high level of denial, denial of personal relevance and of responsibility being the most salient. (Contains 48 references and 7 tables.) (Author/GCP)

Investigates the degree to which religious identity acts as a protective buffer against sexual risk-taking in late adolescence in 230 first-year college students. Results indicate that greater intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity were associated with less sexual activity and condom use. (Contains 21 references and 1 table.) (Author/GCP)