Psychology and AIDS Education: Reducing High-Risk Sexual Behavior

Abstract

Several years of research produced a 1-credit AIDS education class that is effective in increasing student knowledge and changing high-risk sexual behavior. The course integrates information on AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, sexual assault prevention, and related issues with self-management and sexual decision-making skills. The class is taught in small sections led by 2-person teams of peer instructors and uses a discussion and exercise approach to present the material. Data from a two semester course evaluation indicate a substantial decrease in the percentage of students engaging in high-risk sexual behavior. The course was replicated at three other universities and is a way of actively involving psychology departments and behavior analysis programs in the important activities of AIDS prevention and peer education.