The Communication Theory & Methodology Division of the proceedings contains the following 14 papers: "Interaction As a Unit of Analysis for Interactive Media Research: A Conceptualization" (Joo-Hyun Lee and Hairong Li); "Towards a Network Approach of Human Action: Theoretical Concepts and Empirical Observations in Media…

To combat the HIV epidemic, health service providers and public health professionals must use the best possible science and proven program models to reach and influence HIV-positive individuals and others at high risk of becoming infected. The large number and complexity of approaches that are necessary to institute and maintain HIV prevention…

Issues related to sex education programs in public schools are addressed, focusing on public support, opposition by special groups (frequently religious groups), "crash" programs to reverse such trends as teenage pregnancy, requisites for effective family life programs, and values clarification in sex education programs. (SK)

Reviews empirical studies about the psychosocial correlates of HIV risk among heterosexual college students, presenting results related to condom use, HIV/AIDS knowledge, perceived susceptibility to HIV/AIDS, gender differences, communication skills, and sexual self-efficacy. Results indicate that students are still at high risk. Recommendations…

Summarizes results from the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and trends from 1991 to 1997 in selected risk behaviors. Results indicate that many high school students still practice behaviors that place them at risk for serious health problems, with some behaviors more likely among particular subgroups. Some behaviors vary considerably…

Describes a peer-led sexually transmitted disease (STD)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) intervention for students in a dropout prevention program. Trained peer counselors/educators led schoolwide activities and classroom sessions. Teachers and students rated peer counselors' effectiveness. Pre- and postintervention surveys indicated an increase…

Describes an AIDS prevention project of the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, discussing how it was influenced by information from a baseline survey and how it was implemented. A followup evaluation study that assessed the community-level impact indicated that the intense community education effort, which used religious leaders and lay…

Examines whether cognitive/behavioral interventions that produced immediate changes in AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and intentions for coping with AIDS-risk situations among delinquents and abused adolescents can produce long-term benefits assessed at 9-12 months follow-up. One intervention model, discussion groups, produced a long-term…

Contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) is one of the most serious public health issues for adolescents and young adults; rates of STDs among American Indian youth are among the highest of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. Although it is one of the key risk factors for spreading STDs, little is known about individual…

This study examined whether the effects of level of alcohol consumption on condom use at first sex depend on adolescents' gender, utilizing data from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Compared to girls who did not consume any alcohol, inebriated girls were significantly less likely to use a condom at…

Service learning has been identified as a promising approach to reduce sexual risk behavior, among other outcomes. This study used qualitative data analysis to offer suggestions for optimally integrating service learning into a program to reduce sexual risks among alternative school students. Data were collected from student participants in the…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI) project successfully disseminated VOICES/VOCES, a brief video-based HIV risk reduction intervention targeting African American and Latino heterosexual men and women at risk for HIV infection. Elements of the dissemination strategy included a…

As the educational environment becomes increasingly diverse, adult educators are poised to serve as invaluable resources to adult learners, both as links to reliable health information and builders of skills. Health literacy skills are important tools that prepare learners to access, understand, and use information to make informed health…

This study piloted a brief individual motivational intervention targeting multiple health risk behaviors in HIV-positive youth aged 16-25. Interviews about sexual behavior and substance use and viral load testing were obtained from 51 HIV-positive youth at baseline and post intervention. Youth were randomized to receive a four-session motivational…

"Chlamydia trachomatis" infection in college students has not undergone a detailed large-scale evaluation. The authors undertook a cross-sectional study of 4,086 students enrolled on the campuses of California State University, Sacramento, and 3 local community colleges from fall 2000 through spring 2002. They used an outreach screening…