Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103245

Wynn Gillan, DrPH, Kinesiology and Health Studies, Southeastern Lousiana University, SLU 10845, Hammond, LA 70402, 985 549-5252, wgillan@selu.edu, Diane Cole, Kinesiology and Health Studies, Southeastern Louisiana University, SLU 10845, Hammond, LA 70402, and Lillie Burns, School and Community Support, Louisiana Department of Education, P.O Box 94064, Baton Rouge, LA 70804.

Increasing evidence suggests that youth peer education programs enhance the likelihood of knowledge and attitude change among teens. This is especially relevant in the area of adolescent HIV prevention. Design: In this study a group of ten diverse youth were selected and received over 25 hours of structured HIV/AIDS curriculum training from skilled program coordinators. This training also included presentation skills, cultural sensitivity, knowledge of adolescent health and sexuality, and experiential learning strategies suited for adolescents. These peer educators then planned and delivered an education and skill-building program designed to reduce adolescents' risk for HIV, improve HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes toward people with AIDS, and improve communication/refusal skills. Over 47 adolescents (ages 14 - 18), recruited from area schools, attended two days of sessions led by the peer educators. Sessions were designed to provide accurate, culturally appropriate information plus develop communication, negotiation, and refusal skills. Results: Pre-and post-assessment questionnaires showed significant improvements in HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes toward people with AIDS. Additional evaluations indicated intentions to engage in safer sexual practices. Conclusion: This program of effective HIV/AIDS education confirms that peer-led education programs can increase HIV knowledge, improve attitudes about those with AIDS, and promote healthier sexuality-related attitudes among potentially high-risk youth.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe procedure for developing effective peer educators
• Identify youth friendly curriculum
• Select evaluation strategies effective with youth participants
• Describe knowledge and attitudinal shifts that occur with peer education
• Describe one strategy for enhancing the capacity to develop peer educators

Keywords: Peer Education, HIV Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.