Comprehensive community prevention models: HIV prevention on hispanic serving universities in south Texas

BACKGROUND The HIV/AIDS Partnership (“Partnership”) is a three year demonstration project working with two Hispanic Serving Institutes of higher education to implement a culturally relevant, community based HIV prevention program. The partnership employs a three pronged approach that involves fostering a supportive campus environment; HIV peer education; and targeted outreach.

METHODS: Change in knowledge is measured through pre and post-test surveys administered to students participating in HIV peer education seminars and targeted outreach. HIV knowledge is measured using the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18) and knowledge of services is measured by three questions asking about awareness of HIV testing on campus, HIV testing in the community and behavioral health services. Paired sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used to assess changes in levels of knowledge for those students participating in peer education sessions.

RESULTS: For those students who participated in peer led presentations and targeted outreach program (n=923), significant changes in HIV knowledge is suggested through paired sample t-tests (t=21.350, p<=.000). Additionally, students who participated in peer led presentations (n=580) indicated increased knowledge about campus HIV testing services (χ2=11.922, p=0.001), community HIV testing services (χ2=40.393, p<=.00), and behavioral health services available (χ2=45.852, p<=.000),

CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive community prevention models can reach large numbers of Hispanic college students, particularly through peer education. While peer education has been examined with various populations, peer education among Hispanic college students has not been explored. Initial findings from the Partnership suggest peer education is effective at increasing HIV knowledge and awareness of services with this population.