Evaluation of an AIDS Peer Education Program on Multiethnic Adolescents Attending an Urban High School in Quebec, Canada

ABSTRACT The level of implementation, degree of program satisfaction and effectiveness of an AIDS peer education program on multiethnic adolescents attending an urban high school in Quebec, Canada were examined. Two 50-minute sessions were presented to four classes of secondary three students (ages 14-15 years) by well-trained peers. The pretest and posttests were administered three weeks apart. Peer educators presented 62%-89% of the content planned and respondents were highly satisfied with the program. When one class of students was excluded because of disruptions during the intervention, the intervention group had more positive attitudes toward abstinence and condom use, particularly the cognitive component related to condom use, and was more likely to intend to use condoms when the female partner takes oral contraceplives than the comparison group. Short-term results sussest this well-implemented program had a positive effect on attitudes and intentions associated with AIDS prevention.