The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64794

Larry Williams, MS¹, Yolanda G Martínez, PhD², and Sylvia Davis, MPH¹. (1) Office of Minority Health, Orange County Health Deparment, 475 W. Story Rd, Suite 1, Ocoee, FL 32761, (2) Office of Minority Health, Orange County Health Department, 475 W. Story Road, Suite 1, Ocoee, FL 32761, 407-667-6253, yolanda_martinez@doh.state.fl.us

Colleges are charged with the task of preparing students for leadership roles in our society. This task has been compounded with the advent of HIV/AIDS, as colleges and universities lack the infrastructure to respond to the AIDS crisis with effective interventions. AIDS is the second leading cause of death among African Americans and Hispanics 25-44 years of age. Given the long incubation period of this disease, it is likely that many of these persons infected (25-44), contracted the virus during their college years. It is imperative that colleges and universities face this challenge by providing or facilitating the dissemination of appropriate risk reduction information. This project targeted Black and Hispanic students and their sex partners on four college and university campuses. UCF provides HIV counseling and testing services to its student body, however, 1997-2000 data indicates that a low percentage of Blacks and Hispanics are accessing these services that are available on campus. The overall goal of this project is to develop a risk reduction program targeting Black and Hispanic college students and their sex partners. The program had three main objectives: (1) develop and conduct an assessment of factors that put target population at-risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and (2) disseminate risk reduction formation on the campuses and refer students for HIV, STD testing and ancillary services. A total of 644 students participated in the project by completing the assessment tool. Responses to the assessment reveal a need among this population for reinforce awareness and prevention.

Learning Objectives:

(
• Identify risk behaviors among young adults in college campuses. (
• Identify successful elements in the development of collaborative efforts (
• Identify essential elements in the development of educational interventions for college students.

Keywords: College Students, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.