RESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate a brief, theoretically guided sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk-reduction intervention tailored to college-aged women. METHODS: The participants were 78 undergraduate females (M = 20 years; 76% European-American) who reported inconsistent condom use or multiple sexual partners. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (a) a one-session intervention based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model, (b) a one-session information-only intervention (INFO), or (c) a wait-list control (WLC) group. Consistent with Fisher and Fisher's (1992) IMB model, we predicted that risk reduction would be greater when information about HIV was supplemented with motivational enhancement strategies and skills training. To evaluate this hypothesis, groups were compared at the post-intervention assessment and at a 2-month follow-up using analyses of covariance and log odds ratios. RESULTS: At the post-intervention assessment, the IMB and INFO groups demonstrated increased STD-related knowledge. At 2-month follow-up, the IMB and INFO groups showed sustained STD-related knowledge, and the IMB group showed reductions in number of sexual partners compared to the WLC group. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide partial support for the hypothesis that an IMB model-based intervention leads to reductions in sexual risk behavior and suggest directions for future research.
Assuntos
Educação em Saúde/métodos , Motivação , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Serviços de Saúde para Estudantes , Serviços de Saúde da Mulher , Adulto , Análise de Variância , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Comportamento Sexual , Estados UnidosRESUMO
This randomized clinical trial evaluated an HIV-risk reduction (HIV-RR) intervention based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model. At baseline, 102 women (M age = 29 years; 88% African American) completed a survey regarding HIV-related knowledge, risk perceptions, behavioral intentions, and risk behavior. Participants were then assigned to either the HIV-RR intervention or a health-promotion control group. Postintervention and follow-up data indicated that women in the HIV-RR program enhanced their knowledge and strengthened their risk reduction intentions relative to controls. Moreover, HIV-RR women who expressed "imperfect" intentions also increased their condom use, talked more with partners about condom use and HIV testing, and were more likely to have refused unprotected sex.
Assuntos
Aconselhamento , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Motivação , Saúde da Mulher , Sorodiagnóstico da AIDS , Adolescente , Adulto , Preservativos , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pobreza , Assunção de Riscos , População UrbanaRESUMO
Our objective was to determine the priorities of low-income women regarding health, relationship, and social concerns. Street-intercept surveys were conducted with 161 low-income urban women (mean = 27 years, 85% African American, 80% single mothers) regarding their perceptions of the threat associated with 48 health and social problems. Women rated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) as their most important health, social, or relationship concern. Nearly one half of all women indicated that they would attend risk reduction programs to learn how to avoid infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS is perceived as a serious threat to women's health, and interventions to reduce risk are welcomed.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Infecções por HIV , Pobreza , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/prevenção & controle , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/psicologia , Adulto , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , População Urbana , Saúde da MulherRESUMO
The trustworthiness of self-reported sexual behavior data has been questioned since Kinsey's pioneering surveys of sexuality in the United States (Kinsey et al., 1948, 1953). In the era of HIV and AIDS, researchers and practitioners have employed a diversity of assessment techniques but they have not escaped the fundamental problem of measurement error. We review the empirical literature produced since Catania et al.'s (1990) review regarding reliability and validity of self-administered and automated questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, and self-monitoring approaches. We also provide specific recommendations for improving sexual behavior assessment. It is imperative that standardized self-report instruments be developed and used for sexual risk-behavior assessment.