Mc. Yzer et al., Can public campaigns effectively change psychological determinants of safer sex? An evaluation of three Dutch campaigns, HEAL EDUC R, 15(3), 2000, pp. 339-352
This study evaluated the 1994, 1995 and 1996 Dutch safer sex campaigns as t
o their effectiveness in terms of improved attitudes, perceived social norm
s, self-efficacy and intentions regarding safer sex. The hypotheses were te
sted that variables become more positive when campaigns are conducted and l
ess positive when campaigns are discontinued, A comprehensive design, inclu
ding a baseline-post-test/post-test-only group design and a longitudinal or
multiple assessment group design, was employed to exclude testing effects,
history effects, cultural changes and sample differences as alternative ex
planations. The results show that despite high baseline levels, the campaig
ns positively affected all variables. Importantly, levels of all variables
decreased when no campaign was conducted. It is concluded that campaigns ar
e needed to maintain high levels of determinants of safer sex and that futu
re campaign goals should be formulated in terms of stabilization instead of
growth.