Date of Award
12-7-2007
Degree Type
Closed Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Department
Public Health
First Advisor
Russ Toal - Chair
Second Advisor
Quinn Gentry
Third Advisor
Valerie Hepburn
Abstract
Background: HIV is increasingly prevalent among youth in the US. Objective: To assess the impact of HIV/AIDS education on health-risk behaviors associated with HIV infection in the state of Georgia. Methods: Descriptive analyses of the 2005 Georgia Student Health Survey were conducted by cross-tabulating the presence of HIV/AIDS education and each of the health-risk behaviors of interest. In addition, a survey with a sample of metro Atlanta health educators that assessed ASK US was conducted and analyzed. Results: The percentage of Georgia high school students that had ever been taught about AIDS or HIV infection in school was 91.8% (n = 1,547).The only self-reported risk factor that appeared to have a relationship with HIV/AIDS education was binge drinking (p = 0.0060). Results of the health educator survey demonstrated that ASK US is a good HIV/AIDS education tool. Conclusions: Although HIV/AIDS education is widespread, the prevalence of various health-risk behaviors remain high and, therefore, different models of HIV/AIDS education may be called for.
Recommended Citation
Bennett, Jennifer L., "Youth Risk Behaviors and an Assessment of ASK US in Metro Atlanta High Schools." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2007.
https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/iph_theses/27