Preliminary Evidence of an Adolescent HIV/AIDS Peer Education Program

Adolescent peer education has been found to be an effective method to improve adolescents' knowledge and positive health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a peer education program was effective in changing adolescents' HIV/AIDS knowledge, risk behavior intentions, and confidence to engage in safe sex. The results showed that there was a significant difference in HIV knowledge between the peer education group and the traditionally educated group, with the peer group demonstrating greater knowledge. There was no significant difference in confidence to engage in safe sex between the two groups, but students in the intervention group were more likely to engage in safe sex than students in the traditionally educated group. Nurses can provide leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of peer education in adolescent health.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, Adolescent peer education, HIV-related risk behaviors