Relative Efficacy of a Pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infection, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention–Focused Intervention on Changing Sexual Risk Behavior Among Young Adults

Abstract

Objectives: Despite findings suggesting that young adults are more concerned about experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) than becoming human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected, no empirical work has investigated whether the specific focus of an intervention may be more or less efficacious at changing sexual behavior. Participants: Participants were 198 college students randomized to 1 of 4 conditions: pregnancy intervention, STI intervention, HIV intervention, or a control condition during 2008–2009. Methods: The authors compared the efficacy of 3 theory-based, sexual risk–reduction interventions that were exactly the same except for an exclusive focus on preventing pregnancy, STI, or HIV. Condom use and risky sexual behavior were assessed at baseline and 4-week and 8-week follow-up. Results: Participants exposed to the pregnancy or STI interventions reported greater condom use and less risky sexual behavior than those exposed to the HIV intervention. Conclusions: The focus of sexual risk–reduction interventions may lead to differential behavior change among young adults.

Keywords:

• human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
• intervention
• pregnancy
• prevention
• sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• young adults

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) predoctoral fellowship grant (1F31MH079768) to Wynne E. Norton (principal investigator [PI]) from the National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland. This work was also supported by a Pilot Grant to Wynne E. Norton (PI) from the Center for Health, Intervention, and Prevention at the University of Connecticut. The current study served as part of the doctoral dissertation requirements for Wynne E. Norton (2009). The authors thank especially the research assistants involved in this project, including Lea Bishop, Kate Bousaada, Amanda Campbell, Michael Earls, Marybeth Fafalla, Tyler Jennings, and Lindsey Welsh, as well as expert advice and assistance from Ms Joleen Nevers, Director of Health Education, University of Connecticut. The authors are grateful to the University of Connecticut students who participated in the present study.