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Effect of HIV Antibody Testing and AIDS Education on Communication about HIV Risk and Sexual Behavior
A Randomized, Controlled Trial in College Students
- Neil S. Wenger, MD, MPH;
- Jerome M. Greenberg, MD;
- Lee H. Hilborne, MD, MPH;
- Francoise Kusseling, MA;
- Maureen Mangotich, MD; and
- Martin F. Shapiro, MD, PhD
Abstract
▪ Objective: To evaluate the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing and education about HIV infection on communication about sexual risk behaviors for HIV transmission.
▪ Design: Randomized, controlled trial with three arms.
▪ Setting: University student health center.
▪ Patients: Of 2196 heterosexual university students attending the student health clinic for medical care, 435 were interested in education about HIV and HIV testing and were randomly assigned to three groups. Follow-up at 6 months was done in 370 subjects (85%): 90 control subjects, 144 subjects who received education alone, and 136 subjects who received education plus HIV testing.
▪ Measurements and Results: Subjects who received HIV testing plus education questioned sexual partners about their HIV status more than subjects receiving education alone or those in the control group (56%, 42%, and 41% of subjects, respectively; P = 0.01). No consistent differences among groups in the number of sexual partners or in the use of condoms were found at follow-up.
▪ Conclusions: Heterosexual university students who received education about HIV infection plus HIV testing had increased communication with sexual partners about the risk for HIV infection after 6 months. Further reduction in risk behaviors for HIV transmission may require additional interventions in this population.
Article and Author Information
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From the University of California, Los Angeles, California. For current author addresses, see end of text.
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Grant Support: In part by funds provided by the State of California and allocated on the recommendation of the Universitywide Task Force on AIDS (R88LA074) and by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the supporting agencies.
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Requests for Reprints: Neil S. Wenger, MD, B-564 Factor Building, Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1736.
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Current Author Addresses: Drs. Wenger, Greenberg, Hilborne, Shapiro and Ms. Kusseling: Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California at Los Angeles, Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1736.
Dr. Mangotich: Health Plans Quality Management and Training, MC14, 151 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06156.
- © 1992 American College of Physicians
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