A CDC Pathfinder - 1995
This pathfinder is designed to serve as a guide to information resources about college students and HIV/AIDS. It contains information about behaviors that may place college students at risk of HIV infection and materials used for HIV/AIDS education. The information in the first section responds to questions frequently asked of the CDC National Prevention Information Network (CDC NAC) reference staff on a variety of topics related to HIV/AIDS and college students. The following section lists selected organizations that provide HIV/AIDS-related services for college students, administrators, and educators. Pertinent materials available from CDC NAC and other sources are included.
Basic Information About HIV/AIDS and College Students
HIV Infection Among College Students
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association estimate that 1 in 500 college students is infected with HIV1. This estimate is based on the results of a blind study conducted at 19 American universities, where anonymous blood samples were tested at campus health centers. A follow-up to this study, which was expanded to include 24 colleges, found the incidence of HIV infection on these college campuses to be about .2 percent, which is consistent with the earlier findings.2 The CDC estimates that 1 in 250 Americans (all age groups) is infected with HIV.
College Students' Risk For Contracting HIV
Factors such as peer pressure, lack of maturity, and alcohol and drug use put college students at risk for HIV infection3-7. College students may have unprotected sex while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, which they ordinarily might not do. Abandoning safer sex techniques, failing to use condoms correctly and consistently, and having sex while under the influence can lead to possible infection with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Also, date rape, an increasing problem on college campuses, is associated with alcohol use and may present a risk for infection.
Researchers have conducted many studies to determine whether the threat of HIV infection causes college students to alter risky behaviors 5,8-13. Researchers have used Knowledge, Attitude, Belief, and Behavior (KABB) models and have developed questionnaires that attempt to measure behavior change. HIV/AIDS prevention theorists believe that increased knowledge, along with positive attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS, will lead to positive behavior changes, i.e., behaviors that are less risky, or safer, such as use of condoms, abstinence, and avoidance of risky situations. However, studies indicate that increased knowledge of HIV/AIDS does not always result in a positive behavior change. Use of alcohol or other drugs often alters judgments about the perceived risks of a particular situation.
In addition, many of the studies mentioned above include a questionnaire measuring HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behavior. The CDC Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) is in the process of developing a KABB survey for colleges that will be administered in 1995.
Effective Ways to Educate College Students About HIV/AIDS The American College Health Association has developed a handbook that guides campus authorities in establishing HIV/AIDS policies and effective education programs.
Peer education programs often have been used to facilitate AIDS education, as well as general health education courses. The entire May 1993 issue of The Journal of American College Health 14 is devoted to evaluation and discussion of peer health education programs. Researchers have conducted numerous studies to determine the effectiveness of peer education programs and most show that knowledge and positive attitudes and beliefs increase as a result of peer education. However, behavior change is often extremely difficult to measure 15-17. The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) is another resource for peer educators. SIECUS can identify materials on their database and create bibliographies on sexuality education.
Some colleges and universities offer courses on HIV/AIDS for credit 4,18-21. These courses generally cover basic HIV/AIDS information. One such program at Rutgers University covers the basics, as well as in-depth information on a variety of specialized topics. For-credit HIV/AIDS courses have provided an organized, logical, nonjudgmental, comprehensive approach to sexuality. Studies indicate that many college students already have a broad-based knowledge of basic issues, and a more in-depth approach is often needed to provide challenging courses.
Bibliography
1 "Prevalence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Among University Students," The New England Journal of Medicine, 1990, Vol. 323, p. 1538-41.
2 "College HIV Rate Holds Steady, but Risk of Exposure Remains High," AIDS Alert, November 1994, Vol. 9, No. 11, p. 153-156.
3 "Alcohol-Induced Sexual Behavior on Campus," Journal of American College Health, 1993, Vol. 42, p. 27-31.
4 "Knowledge About AIDS and Reported Risk Behaviors Among Black College Students," Journal of American College Health, 1989, Vol. 38.
5 "High-Risk STD/HIV Behavior Among College Students," Journal of the American Medical Association, 1990, Vol. 263, p. 3155-3159.
6 "Gender, Knowledge About AIDS, Reported Behavioral Change, and the Sexual Behavior of College Students," Journal of American College Health, 1991, Vol. 40, p. 5-12.
7 "Acquaintance Rape and Alcohol Consumption on College Campuses: How Are They Linked?," Journal of American Public Health, 1991, Vol. 39, p. 165-169.
8 "AIDS: Attitudes/ Knowledge/ Beliefs/ - Special Issue," Journal of Health Education, January/February 1991.
9 "Knowledge of AIDS and Safer Sex Practices Among College Freshmen," Public Health Nursing, 1993, Vol. 10 p. 149-165.
10 "An Assessment of AIDS-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Among Selected College and University Students," AIDS and Public Policy Journal, 1989, Vol. 4, p. 112-119.
11 "Predictors of Safer Sex on the College Campus: A Social Cognitive Theory Analysis," Journal of American College Health, 1992, Vol. 40, p. 254-263.
12 "A Research-based HIV/AIDS Education Program Via the University Computer System: Bridge to Prevention," Journal of Health Education, 1992, Vol. 23, p. 198-203. (The survey tool is available by writing to the author at Ball State University, AIDS Coordinator, Muncie, IN 47306-0265.)
13 "College Students and AIDS: A Preliminary Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior," Journal of American College Health, 1988, Vol. 37, p. 127-130.
14 "Peer Health Education on Campus" (A Theme Issue), Journal of American College Health, 1993, Vol. 41.
15 "Did an AIDS Peer Education Program Change First Year College Students Behaviors?" Journal of American College Health, 1994, Vol. 42, p. 163-65.
16 "Effects of a Peer-counseled AIDS Education Program on Knowledge, Attitude and Satisfaction of Adolescents," Journal of Adolescent Health, 1991, Vol. 12, p. 38-43.
17 "Effects of a Peer-Led AIDS Intervention With University Students: Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention," Journal of American College Health, 1991, Vol. 40, p. 75-78.
18 "Evaluating HIV/AIDS Education in the University Setting," Journal of American College Health, 1994, Vol. 43, p. 11-14.
19 "Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Credit Semester Course on AIDS Among College Students," Journal of Health Education, 1991, Vol. 22, p. 35-41.
20 "What is the Impact of a Campus AIDS Education Course?" Journal of American College Health, 1991, Vol. 40, p. 87-92.
21 "Development of a Classroom-Based AIDS Education at New Jersey State College," Journal of American College Health, 1991, Vol. 40, p. 95-96.
Organizations
These organizations provide services related to HIV infection and the college population. Most offer services targeting college educators, while others directly benefit students.
American College Health Association (ACHA)
P.O. Box 28937
Baltimore, MD 21240-8937
(410) 859-1500
ACHA provides guidelines, technical assistance, educational materials, consultation, research tools, and speakers on HIV/AIDS to colleges and universities. ACHA offers free brochures on HIV/AIDS, STDs, alcohol use, acquaintance rape, and other college health issues.
Association on Higher Education and Disability
AIDS Task Force, Special Interest Group
P.O. Box 21192
Columbus, OH 43221-0192
(614) 488-4972
The AIDS Task Force provides information on the services being made available to HIV-affected individuals on college campuses. The newsletter "HIV on Campus," which is published on an irregular basis, provides information for service providers on accommodations, preventive education and other health issues for persons with disabilities.
Association for the Advancement of Health Education (AAHE)
1900 Association Dr.
Reston, VA 22091
(703) 476-3437
AAHE is a professional membership organization representing health educators. AAHE distributes many journal articles about HIV/AIDS education issues for young adults and college students, including information on KABBs and teaching guides. Educational publications and collaborative training workshops help support AIDS education and prevention in schools, including colleges.
Jackson State University
National Alumni AIDS Prevention Project
P.O. Box 18890
Jackson, MS 39217
(601) 968-2512
Jackson State University has developed a number of KABB studies and distributes educational materials which are both for and about college students. It develops and implements AIDS intervention and prevention strategies aimed at decreasing transmission of HIV within the African American community.
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO)
Black Higher Education Center
Lovejoy Bldg.
400 12th St., NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 543-9111
NAFEO has developed a number of materials for colleges about HIV/AIDS education programs including a manual titled "HIV/AIDS Education: A Manual for Peer Educators of Historically Black Colleges and Universities." NAFEO has also produced a video titled "AIDS: The Real Deal." The organization also produces a bimonthly newsletter for university administrators: "NAFEO þ HIV Info Notes."
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS)
130 West 42nd St.
Suite 2500
New York, NY 10036
(212) 819-9770
SIECUS provides information and education on sexuality and related issues to health care professionals, educators, policymakers, students, and the public. SIECUS can provide HIV/AIDS information from its resource library. Technical assistance is available for educators, health care professionals, and religious leaders.
Resources and Materials From The Clearinghouse
A customized search on the CDC NAC Educational Materials Database will identify a variety of materials for college students, educators, and administrators. Some of these materials are directly available through the CDC National Prevention Information Network inventory; CDC NAC also provides availability information for materials produced by other organizations.
National and local organizations, which may be able to provide you with additional information, can be identified from the Clearinghouse's Resources and Services Database. Materials for and about college students can also be identified on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Comprehensive School Health Database.
Call (800) 458-5231 to speak with a CDC NAC Reference Specialist who can search these databases for your and provide additional information on HIV/AIDS and college students.
CDC NAC Materials for Use With College Students
CDC Fact Sheets (I566)
Women, Sex, and HIV (D532)
Background Information on the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Effectiveness of Condoms (D459)
The Surgeon General's Report to the American Public on HIV Infection and AIDS (D323)
HIV Infection and AIDS: Are You At Risk? (D539)
Using Condoms to Prevent HIV Infection and Other STDs (D547)
Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing: Facts, Issues, and Answers (D545)
A Guide to Locating Information About HIV/AIDS (D317)
CDC National Prevention Information Network Catalog of HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Materials (D499)
HIV/AIDS and Sports: A Pathfinder to Information (B685)
To order CDC NAC publications, call (800) 458-5231.
Other Materials
Manual: "A Peer Dilemma (Students Working Together to Stop the Spread of AIDS)," manual, 23 p., Jackson State University, National Alumni AIDS Prevention Project, P.O. Box 18890, Jackson, MS 39217, (601) 968-2512
Journals and Newsletters
These journals may be located in your local college or university library.
Health Education: Theory and Practice
Journal of American College Health
Journal of College Student Personnel
Journal of Health Education
Journal of School Health
HIV on Campus, Association on Higher Education and Disability, AIDS Task Force (see Organizations section)
NAAPP Sack, Jackson State University National Alumni AIDS Prevention Project (see Organizations section)
NAFEO: HIV Info Notes, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (see Organizations section)
Inventory No. B437
950301
CPATH003
