Behavioral change reduces risk of HIV infection and development of AIDS. We compared 206 inner-city women who were randomly assigned to a 4-session AIDS-prevention group or to one of two controls, a health-promotion group or a no-intervention group. AIDS-prevention and health-promotion groups provided information, behavioral competency training, and social support. Only the AIDS-prevention group focused on AIDS-specific knowledge and skills. The AIDS-prevention group produced moderate, consistent increases in knowledge and safer sex behaviors in comparison with either the health-promotion or no-intervention group. Self-report and objective changes were sustained 6 months after intervention for both African-American and European-American women.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/ PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION Adolescence Adult *Behavior Therapy Condoms Female Health Promotion Human Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/ PSYCHOLOGY Risk Factors Sex Behavior Sex Education Single Parent/*PSYCHOLOGY Spermatocidal Agents Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. *Urban Population CLINICAL TRIAL JOURNAL ARTICLE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

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