HIV infection. An educational program on prevention for college freshmen

An educational program about AIDS prevention and transmission was developed and presented in 4 separate college freshmen classes (n = 77). The program consisted of five components: (a) current AIDS statistics; (b) the three degrees of the AIDS virus (full-blown AIDS with all defining characteristic symptoms, AID-related complex with no defining characteristic symptoms, and asymptomatic infection); (c) information relevant to AIDS transmission and prevention; (d) group discussions about life situations that could occur with AIDS; and (e) a film about AIDS. The purpose of this research was to determine if participation in the AIDS program would significantly change students' attitude toward or knowledge about AIDS. Prior to and immediately following the AIDS program, students were given a test which measured the constructs of attitude and knowledge. Students' attitudes toward AIDS were found to be more positive and their knowledge about AIDS had increased following the AIDS program.