AIDS education on the college campus: Roy's adaptation model directs inquiry

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Understanding psychosocial factors influencing safer sex practices is crucial for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention.
• College students represent a key demographic for studying sexual behaviors and AIDS prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess college students' beliefs about AIDS, condom use, and related sexual behaviors.
• To explore psychosocial determinants of safer sex practices using Roy's Adaptation Model.
• To evaluate the impact of a safer sex educational module on beliefs and behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Survey administered to 49 college students assessing AIDS and condom beliefs, self-concept, interdependence (sexual regard), and safer sex practices.
• Analysis of associations between psychosocial factors and safer sex behaviors.
• Pre- and post-module assessment of beliefs and practices.

Main Results:

• Students reported positive beliefs about AIDS and condoms but selectively engaged in safer sex, with only 39% using condoms.
• No significant associations were found between AIDS/condom beliefs, self-esteem, sexual regard, and safer sex practices.
• A two-hour educational module improved several beliefs but did not increase condom use or other safer sex practices.

Conclusions:

• Despite positive knowledge and beliefs regarding acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and condoms, college students' safer sex practices remain inconsistent.
• Psychosocial factors like self-esteem and sexual regard, as measured in this study, did not significantly predict safer sex behaviors.
• Current safer sex educational interventions may need refinement to translate knowledge and positive attitudes into consistent risk-reduction behaviors.