5042.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - Board 3

Abstract #23110

HIV awareness and attitudes among pre-service health education students

Justin M. Laird, PhD1, Fred L. Peterson, PhD1, Randy J. Cooper, PhD2, and Tammy J. Jordan, MEd1. (1) Child, Adolescent, and School Health, The University of Texas at Austin, 2100 San Jacinto Blvd, Bellmont Hall 222, Austin, TX 78712, 512-471-4405, jlaird@mail.utexas.edu, (2) Department of Health and Safety, Indiana State Univeristy, Terre Haute, IN 47809

For almost two decades the effects of HIV and AIDS have compromised the health and well-being of young people throughout our nation and the world. Varying approaches to prevention and advocacy have been used to increase knowledge and further prevention efforts. Reports from national agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and international agencies such as the World Health Organization continue to demonstrate that rates of transmission among young people still pose a significant health threat to youth today. The primary purpose of the current research was to assess the level of HIV knowledge and attitudes of a sample of 100+ pre-service undergraduate students at a large state university. Survey results indicated moderate levels of knowledge and positive attitudes towards HIV prevention. The secondary purpose of this study was to demonstrate how bio-behavioral health science basic research, theory, applied research, and evaluation may be integrated into HIV prevention information for future teachers. Specific examples will be given to participants to illustrate how to link evidence-based HIV information into ideas for youth health promotion practice. Youth health promotion practice domains for application of research will include health education, public policy, health advocacy, and medical care. The Child and Adolescent Health Logic Framework (CAHLF) will serve as the pedagogical model for illustrating the interrelatedness of each of these components. Participants will be shown how student assessment of HIV knowledge and attitudes can be linked to opportunities for different aspects of youth health promotion.

Learning Objectives: 1. Describe and discuss current trends in HIV knowledge and awareness among college students. 2. Identify how basic and applied research combine with theory in the area of HIV prevention. 3. Recognize the components of youth health promotion with respect to HIV prevention. 4. Apply the CAH Logic Framework to HIV prevention in young adults.

Keywords: College Students, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA