Peer Education in the Residential Context

Abstract

Research on HIV-prevention education with college students has demonstrated that interventions that provide only information do not bring about risk-reducing changes in behavior. Given the chronic nature of HIV infection, as well as data that show that students do not consistently use condoms and practice safer sex, peer education programs dealing with sexually transmitted diseases need to focus on strategies that have demonstrated success in encouraging behavioral changes. A one-on-one program at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook has shown how students' understanding of risk reduction can help bring their behavior into accord with their knowledge.

Key Words:

• AIDS
• behavior change
• HIV transmission
• resident assistants
• risk reduction
• self-esteem