Evaluation of a brief computer-mediated intervention to reduce HIV risk among early adolescent females

To evaluate the efficacy of a brief computer-mediated intervention, relative to no intervention, in altering HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, protective attitudes, and self-efficacy for risk reduction among early adolescent females aged 11 through 14 years. Recruited through the auspices of a large social services agency with multiple sites across New York City, a volunteer sample of 205 Black, White, and Hispanic young women participated in this research. The efficacy of the software intervention was examined in a randomized blocks design with site as the unit of randomization. Young women at experimental arm sites interacted with the software in a single 30-minute session. Youths at control arm sites participated in regular programs offered at these sites, but did not receive the intervention until all planned assessments were concluded. Before and after intervention, participants completed measures of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, protective attitudes, and self-efficacy for HIV risk reduction. Analyses of covariance were used to test for significant between-arm effects. Between-arm effects were observed for HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and risk reduction self-efficacy. Experimental arm youths evidenced greater improvements from pretest to posttest than control-arm youths on these outcomes. Computer-mediated interventions may improve HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and risk reduction self-efficacy among early adolescent females. However, additional research is needed to find effective computer-mediated approaches for enhancing protective attitudes among this population.