SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR CHANGE ASSOCIATED WITH A COLLEGE HIV COURSE

This study examined the effects of a multidisciplinary, multi-media co llege course, The HIV Pandemic and AIDS, on the Knowledge, attitudes a nd behaviours of students. A quasi experimental design was implemented using pre-and post-questionnaires administered to students enrolled i n the course and to two control groups (N = 131) similar in age, gende r, degree programme and class. At pre-testing, over 80% of students in volved in relationships of four months or more reported having genital intercourse without a condom occasionally or frequently in the last y ear. Posttest results indicated HIV course participants changed more r isk-related behaviours and felt less vulnerable to contracting HIV tha n the control group. Significant differences reported by course-enroll ed students in comparison to the control group included discussing saf e sex with a potential partner at a higher rate, becoming more selecti ve about partners, and learning more about HIV. The dangers of presume d monogamy are discussed in relation to the transtheoretical model of change and the development of future HIV courses.