Boonchoo Prampu. Health education program for promoting HIV/AIDS preventive behavior among Thai army recruits of Pramongkutklao hospital . Master's Degree(Health Education and Behavioral Sciences). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
Health education program for promoting HIV/AIDS preventive behavior among Thai army recruits of Pramongkutklao hospital
Abstract:
AIDS is a major public health problem. It affects health status, families, society and the
economy of the country. The number of HIV cases has rapidly increased. At present, there is no
effective vaccine to prevent AIDS and there are no drugs to cure the disease. The highest rate is
found among males aged 20–39 years, which is more than 90 percent. Most recruits are 21-22
years old and found to be a risk group of HIV infection.
The objective of this quasi–experimental research was to assess a health education program
created to enhance AIDS preventive behaviors of recruits. The sample consisted of 102 recruits: 54
were in the experimental group while 48 were in the comparison group. The experimental group
received health education through a peer group applied with Self-Efficacy Theory and Health Belief
Model. The ratio of peer group was 1:3. Data were collected three times. The first time was before
the lessons; the second was after the lessons; and the last, a follow up, was four weeks after the
lessons. The data were examined using percentage, mean and standard deviation. The mean scores
were then compared to find the differences between two groups using the Independent t-test, and the
differences within the groups were compared using the Paired t-test.
Following the program, the experimental group showed statistically significant changes
in AIDS knowledge, perceived severity of AIDS, perceived susceptibility to HIV infection,
self-efficacy on AIDS preventive behaviors, outcome expectation on AIDS preventive
behaviors and AIDS preventive behaviors more than before and than the comparison group.
The results of this study showed that in order to be effective in the modification of
AIDS preventive behaviors among recruits, a health education program should focus on
AIDS knowledge, perception, expectation, skills in condom using, exchanged experience and
skills in problem solving. This health education program could be applied to other recruits
with the same conditions