The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49381

Torrance T. Brown, MPH¹, Robert E. Bailey II², Tricia Hall, BS¹, Colleen DiIorio, PhD, RN¹, Pamela Denzmore, MPH¹, Ruth Bedell, MS¹, Phillip Williams, BS¹, Frances McCarty, PhD¹, and Patrice D. Lee, MS¹. (1) Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Rd, Rm. 264, Atlanta, GA 30322, (2) Department of Behavioral Sciences & Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Room 564, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404.712.9736, ttbrown2@hotmail.com

Finding new and different practical strategies for conveying HIV/AIDS messages to teenagers can be challenging. Over the past two decades, it has been shown that cultural stimulation may have effects upon "specific health determinants" which may translate into concomitant behavioral modification. Role-playing and the use of improvisational dramas as educational mediums have been found to be moderately successful in promoting change in teenagers' knowledge, attitudes and misconceptions of health issues. Likewise, facilitator-led interventions have been found to have similar effects upon teenagers' knowledge, attitudes and misconceptions regarding HIV and AIDS information. Although both methodologies have elicited similar impacts upon adolescents' cognitive awareness and behavior, little research has used control groups to compare or evaluate their relative effectiveness. Secrets is an AIDS educational theatrical performance designed to increase students' awareness and factual knowledge about HIV and its modes of transmission. Furthermore, it seeks to reduce apprehension and prejudices arising from misinformation and myths about AIDS.

This presentation will examine differences in the AIDS prevention knowledge, attitudes and behavioral intentions of 8th grade students who viewed the live, dramatic play, Secrets versus students in a wait-listed control condition.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Articulate the role of live drama in intervention projects;
• Identify behavioral change components of AIDS educational theater; and
• Identify strategies used to evaluate an AIDS educational theatre intervention.

Keywords: Adolescents, Health Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.