Effects of a brief, theory-based STD-prevention program for female college students

Abstract 

Purpose: To evaluate a brief, theoretically guided sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk-reduction intervention tailored to college-aged women.

Methods: The participants were 78 undergraduate females (M = 20 years; 76% European-American) who reported inconsistent condom use or multiple sexual partners. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (a) a one-session intervention based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model, (b) a one-session information-only intervention (INFO), or (c) a wait-list control (WLC) group. Consistent with Fisher and Fisher’s (1992) IMB model, we predicted that risk reduction would be greater when information about HIV was supplemented with motivational enhancement strategies and skills training. To evaluate this hypothesis, groups were compared at the post-intervention assessment and at a 2-month follow-up using analyses of covariance and log odds ratios.

Results: At the post-intervention assessment, the IMB and INFO groups demonstrated increased STD-related knowledge. At 2-month follow-up, the IMB and INFO groups showed sustained STD-related knowledge, and the IMB group showed reductions in number of sexual partners compared to the WLC group.

Conclusions: These results provide partial support for the hypothesis that an IMB model-based intervention leads to reductions in sexual risk behavior and suggest directions for future research.

Keywords:  Sexually transmitted diseases, Motivation, Sex behavior, College students, Women