Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based acquired immunologic deficiency syndrome (AIDS) educational intervention in young adults.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used. Two townships in Kunshan county, matched by socioeconomic characteristics, were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Eight hundred young adults aged 18-30 were recruited from the two townships as study subjects. A 12-month comprehensive educational intervention on AIDS prevention was conducted in the intervention group through local family planning services.
Results: After intervention, subjects in intervention group significantly improved their knowledge on AIDS and attitudes related to AIDS prevention. Reported rate of condom use during the last episode of sexual intercourse increased from 8.5% at baseline to 14.4% after intervention (chi 2 = 4.66, P = 0.030 8). No obvious change was observed among subjects in control group.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of integration of AIDS educational intervention into the existing family planning services. Integration of AIDS programs into family planning program should be considered as a realistic approach for AIDS control in China.