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OBJECTIVES: To identify the best methods of reaching individuals at high risk with HIV-prevention messages. METHODS: Data were collected from 827 men who have sex with men, injection drug users, sex workers, HIV+ individuals, heterosexuals, migrant workers, and perinatal women. RESULTS: Over 70% of participants were exposed to HIV-prevention messages, but sources of exposure varied by risk group. CONCLUSIONS: Most methods examined were effective means of communicating prevention messages. As multifaceted approaches to intervention allow for more comprehensive dissemination, interventions can be tailored to the targeted risk group by using sources shown most effective for each group.

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This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of scores on homophobia among 104 college students at a northeastern urban university. Participants reported their attitudes regarding homosexuals and homosexual behavior on Hudson and Rickett's Index of Homophobia. The 33 men indicated more negative attitudes about homosexuals and homosexual situations than the 71 women.

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Teenagers in the United States are one of the populations whose HIV infection rates are increasing most rapidly. This study was designed to measure college students' knowledge of HIV transmission methods using Kittleson and Venglarcik's HIV Transmission Survey. Participants (N= 167) were divided into two groups, 99 students from a rural background and 68 students from an urban background. Students from an urban background were significantly more knowledgeable about documented HIV transmission modes than students from a rural background. Men were significantly less aware of documented HIV transmission modes than women. These results suggest that education about AIDS needs to be improved. The current educational procedures do not properly inform students in a fashion which exhibits the true risk of infection and those behaviors which increase risk. Fifteen years after the discovery of the HIV virus students are still largely unaware that they are at risk for contracting a fatal disease.

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The number of AIDS cases, since its identification by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 1981, has continued to escalate at a very alarming rate. A population at increased risk of acquiring AIDS is college students, because of their behavior, especially personal and sexual exploration (D'Augelli & Kennedy, 1989; American College Health Association, 1988; Hirschorn, 1987).

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As the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection increases, health care practitioners are being called upon to counsel and educate patients regarding the complications associated with HIV infection. In addition, the anxiety levels of health care workers reveal that similar educational efforts must be initiated early in the training of health care professionals. In this study we surveyed 341 first and second year medical students from three medical schools to assess their levels of knowledge about how HIV infection is and is not transmitted. Results were analyzed overall, by site, by gender, and by the respondents' locality (urban or rural). Analysis revealed that knowledge regarding HIV transmission varied dramatically among these first and second year medical students. Place of residence, gender, and class rank did not appear to be factors affecting these students' knowledge. We recommend that caution be exercised in assuming that prospective physicians possess current knowledge on how HIV infection is transmitted.

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The status of general health education courses was examined in 248 education programs. A general health education course was included in the curriculum of more than 85% of responding institutions. Thirty-five universities indicated the course is a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students. One hundred seventy-eight programs offer a general health education course to meet requirements for various majors including health education, physical education, elementary and secondary education, and athletic training. The average health education course enrolls slightly more than 46 students; more than 108,000 students enroll annually in a general health education course. Part-time faculty teach approximately 23% of the courses.

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The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of university-based health educators on the role of health fairs. Ninety-nine health educators from throughout the country completed a three-part survey requesting information regarding local health fairs, demographics of the respondent, and a series of Likert-type questions regarding the role and function of health fairs. Results indicate that one's level of training and level of involvement played a significant role in determining attitudes regarding the purpose of health fairs. Health educators with doctoral training, when compared to individuals with master's-level training, were less likely to approve of health fairs.

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This study examined the current status of health fairs throughout the United States. Surveys were sent to all program heads of University Health Education Departments identified in the Eta Sigma Gamma Directory 1985. Information such as number of participating agencies, location of health fairs, and the goals of the health fairs was requested. The results identified 89 health fairs. The majority were held in shopping malls (57%), with schools hosting approximately 21%. The average number of participants consisted of 31 agencies, and the average number of individuals from the community attending the fair was 3000. The average length of health fairs was 1.5 days, with over 88% of identified fairs being held annually. Providing accurate health information and health screenings were ranked as the most important goals for health fairs. Health educators need to become involved with health fairs if such goals are to be realized.

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