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AIDS/HIV articles published in selected professional health journals: 1981-1990
1Dept. of Physical Education, Health, and Sport Studies, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45046.
The Journal of School Health
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Professional journals published 239 articles on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) between 1981-1990. Research articles lacked evaluation, hindering the identification of effective interventions for behavior change.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Education
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The 1980s saw a significant rise in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) globally.
- Professional health organizations played a crucial role in disseminating information and guidance on the epidemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the publication trends and content of AIDS/HIV-related articles in leading health professional journals from 1981 to 1990.
- To identify the types of articles and approaches used to address AIDS/HIV.
- To assess the effectiveness of published interventions in changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A review of journals from five major health professional associations: AAHE, ACHA, APHA, ASHA, and SOPHE.
- Content analysis of articles published between 1981 and 1990, categorizing them as applied or data-based.
- Examination of research article methodologies to determine intervention effectiveness.
Main Results:
- A total of 239 AIDS/HIV articles were published across the five journals between 1981 and 1990, with the first appearing in 1984.
- Each journal dedicated at least one special issue to AIDS/HIV, indicating significant attention to the topic.
- Articles were predominantly data-based (56.1%) rather than applied (43.9%).
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a substantial body of literature on AIDS/HIV in professional journals during the initial decade of the epidemic.
- A significant limitation was the lack of rigorous evaluation methods, particularly pretest-posttest designs, in many research articles.
- There is a need for improved evaluation methodologies to determine the effectiveness of interventions aimed at changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to AIDS/HIV.