The Effect of a Health Belief Intervention on Safer Sex Practices.

Increases in HIV infection among young heterosexual women has prompted a call for the development of new safe sex interventions for this population. This study tested the effectiveness of an intervention conceptualized on the basis of the Health Belief Model and combined with Bandura's self-efficacy theory. Subjects (N=82) were sexually active (more than one partner), female college students. Experimental subjects were exposed to four 1.5 hour group sessions incorporating vicarious learning, mastery learning, and modification of beliefs about vulnerability to HIV infection, partner risk assessment strategies, and the costs and benefits of condom use. Group two received four 1.5 hour group interventions, which incorporated traditional AIDS education strategies. Group three received no treatment. Subjects were tested prior to treatment, during the last session of the group treatment, and 60 days following the end of the group. The dependent variables examined included attitudes toward condoms, condom use, beliefs about vulnerability, efficacy for condom use, and efficacy for discussing sexual histories with potential partners. Experimental subjects demonstrated a greater awareness of the benefits of condom use and intention to use condoms when compared to group three. Other factors found to influence safer sex practices included self-defined monogamy status. (RJM)