Development and evaluation of a sexual decision-making and social skills program: "the choice is yours--preventing HIV/STDs".
A series of interactive videodisc programs designed to reduce HIV/STD risk behaviors was developed and evaluated. Separate programs were developed for each of three race/ethnicities (African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian) at each of two age levels (middle school and high school) using extensive formative procedures. Each program uses scenarios with extensive branching story lines to teach decision-making skills and socially appropriate responses to potentially risky sexual situations. In a randomized experiment with 827 students, significant changes were observed at posttest for the four constructs assessed: (1) belief that sex occurs as a result of decisions (vs. "it just happens"), (2) belief that even a single incident of unprotected sex can result in an STD or pregnancy, (3) intentions and attitudes toward use of condoms, and (4) self-efficacy in remaining abstinent (i.e., avoiding sex). At 30-day follow-up, three of the four measures remained significant.
Noell
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Oregon Center for Applied Science, Inc., Eugene 97403, USA. orcas@orcasinc.com
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Duncan
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003657:Decision Making; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014742:Videodisc Recording; D044465:White People