7th International AIDS Conference Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:456 (abstract no. W.D.4275)
Wright NP; Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to (1) evaluate the effect of an AIDS education program on university students' knowledge of AIDS, AIDS-related attitudes, and sexual practices, and (2) to determine the predictive value of the Health Locus of Control construct.

METHODS: One hundred and eleven Canadian university students volunteered for the study and were randomly allocated to either the experimental or control condition. Subjects in both groups completed an AIDS questionnaire (an adaptation of the National Condom Awareness Program [NCAP] questionnaire) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales (MHLC) at baseline, short-term follow-up (4-6 weeks), and long-term follow-up (7-8 months). Following baseline, experimental group subjects participated in a 90 minute AIDS education program entailing didactic presentation of information, instructor and video demonstration, and group discussion. Control group subjects did not participate in the AIDS education program.

RESULTS: T-tests conducted to assess group difference scores at short-term follow-up were significant for both knowledge and attitudes indicating that the experimental group's AIDS knowledge and attitudes increased as a function of the education program. Sexual practices did not change as a result of the educational intervention. Stepwise multiple regression analyses provided support for the Health Locus of Control construct as higher knowledge levels, positive AIDS-related attitudes, and condom use were predicted by internal health locus of control.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Results support the efficacy of the AIDS education program in increasing AIDS-knowledge and positive AIDS-related attitudes at short-term follow-up. The research indicates that program development should be guided by incorporating strategies to increase internal health locus of control.

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