Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Credit Semester Course on AIDS among College Students

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-credit semester hour course in (1) increasing knowledge about AIDS, (2) increasing positive attitudes toward AIDS, and (3) decreasing negative attitudes toward homosexuality among college students. During the 1988-1989 academic year, pre- and posttest data were gathered before and after the course using a 36-item knowledge test, a 40-item attitude instrument, and a 28-item homosexuality scale. The data were analyzed using t-tests. The mean age of students was 21.2 years old. Females comprised 68.6 percent and males 30.5 percent of the students enrolled. On the pretest, students had a high level of knowledge about AIDS, but negative attitudes toward AIDS and homosexuality were evident regarding some issues. On the posttest, an increase in knowledge, more positive attitudes about AIDS, and a decrease in negative attitudes toward homosexuality were observed and statistically significant (p < .05). This contrasts with other studies that have found attitudes persistently negative after AIDS education. Research shows a relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and the length of health instruction. The 30 classroom hours of instruction, in this study, are believed to have been beneficial in achieving the goals of this research. Future research will be needed to investigate whether students with more positive attitudes toward AIDS are more likely to engage in behavioral risk-reduction.