AIDS education for college students: An application of the health belief model

The Health Belief Model (HBM) provided the theoretical framework for both assessing the effectiveness of an AIDS education course and predicting safer sex practices among college students. In Study 1, components of the HBM were used to examine potential changes in the AIDS-related attitudes, knowledge, and sexual behaviors of an AIDS education class, both before and after the course, and in comparison with a quasi-control group. These HBM variables included: perceived susceptibility to HIV infection, perceived severity of AIDS, perceived benefits and costs of condom use, general health motivation, and feelings of self-efficacy. Results indicated that members of the AIDS class failed to demonstrate significant changes in AIDS-related attitudes and sexual behaviors, but did improve their level of AIDS-related knowledge. In Study 2, the predictive utility of the HBM was examined in relation to both condom use and abstinence from vaginal intercourse and oral sex. HBM variables were associated with one or more safer sex practices. Implications of the results from both studies are discussed.