This study explores the impact of a peer-led HIV intervention, based on the health belief model and social cognitive theory of behavior change, on a sample of African American college students. Certified peer educators were trained by the researcher to implement the four-module HIV prevention intervention. Pre-/postassessments revealed that after the intervention, students were less embarrassed to put a condom on themselves or on their partner, were more likely to use a condom, and ask their sex partner if they had ever been tested for HIV. It was concluded that peer education, which focuses on susceptibility, severity, benefits, self-efficacy (components of the health belief model), skill building, and peer influence (social cognitive theory) is an effective strategy in reducing HIV risk behaviors among African American college students.
AlbarracinD.GilletteJ. C.EarlA. N.GlasmanL. R.DurantiniM. R.HoM.-H. (2005). A test of major assumptions about behavior change: A comprehensive look at the effects of passive and active HIV-prevention interventions since the beginning of the epidemic. Psychological Bulletin, 131, 856-897.
2.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention Annual report. Atlanta, GA: Author.
3.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Trends in HIV-related risk behaviors among high school students—United States, 1991-2011. MMWR, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 61, 556-560.
DuncanC.MillerD. M.BorskeyE. J.FombyB.DawsonP.DavisL. (2002). Barriers to safer sex practices among African American college students. Journal of the National Medical Association, 94, 944-951.
6.
El BcheraouiC.SuttonM. Y.HardnettF. P.JonesS. B. (2013). Patterns of condom use among students at historically black colleges and universities: Implications for HIV prevention efforts among college-age young adults. AIDS Care, 25, 186-193.
7.
Maticka-TyndaleE.BarnettJ. P. (2010) Peer-led interventions to reduce HIV risk of youth: A review. Evaluation and Program Planning, 33, 98-112.
8.
MedleyA.KennedyC.O’ReillyK.SweatM. (2009). Effectiveness of peer education interventions for HIV prevention in developing countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. AIDS Education Prevention, 21, 181-206.
9.
MerakouK.Kourea-KremastinouJ. (2006). Peer education in HIV prevention: An evaluation in schools. European Journal of Public Health, 16, 128-132.
10.
PoulsonR. L.BradshawS. D.HuffJ. M.PeeblesL. L.HiltonD. (2008). Risky sex behaviors among African American college students: The influence of alcohol, marijuana, and religiosity. North American Journal of Psychology, 10, 529-542.
11.
RittenourC. E.Booth-ButterfieldM. (2006). Sexual health: Investigating the role of peer communication. Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, 7, 57-65.
12.
SimoniJ. M.FranksJ. C.LehavotK.YardS. S. (2011). Peer interventions to promote health: Conceptual considerations. American Journal Orthopsychiatry, 81, 351-359.
13.
SimoniJ. M.NelsonK. M.FranksJ. C.YardS. S.LehavotK. (2011). Are peer interventions for HIV efficacious? A systematic review. AIDS and Behavior, 15, 1589-1595.
14.
SteinbergL. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Review, 28, 78-106.
15.
Thompson-RobinsonM. V.RichterM. L.ShegogM.WeaverL. T.SellarsD. B.BrownV. L. (2005). Perception of partner risk and influences on sexual decision-making for HIV prevention among students at Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Journal of African American Studies, 9(2), 16-28.
16.
TolliM. V. (2012). Effectiveness of peer education interventions for HIV prevention, adolescent pregnancy prevention and sexual health promotion for young people: A systematic review of European studies. Health Education Research, 5, 904-913.
WebelA. R.OkonskyJ.TrompetaJ.HolzemerW. L. (2010). A systematic review of the effectiveness of peer-based interventions on health-related behaviors in adults. American Journal of Public Health, 100, 247-253.
19.
WhiteS.ParkY. S.IsraelT.CorderoE. D. (2009). Longitudinal evaluation of peer health education on a college campus: Impact on health behaviors. Journal of American College Health, 57, 497-506.
