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UTILIZING STUDENT ORGANIZATONS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE RURAL SOUTH TO FACILITATE HIV/AIDS EDUCATION

Free, Martinique C. G. (2006) UTILIZING STUDENT ORGANIZATONS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE RURAL SOUTH TO FACILITATE HIV/AIDS EDUCATION. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

AbstractHIV/AIDS among students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the rural South is a growing public health concern. Lack of basic HIV/AIDS knowledge, underestimating risky behaviors, and lack of discussions relating to sexuality are some factors that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS within the HBCU population. Objectives of the study included the following: 1) To examine how the issue of HIV/AIDS is viewed by student leaders and organizations on campus; 2) To examine what student organizations and administrators are doing to educate the student body on HIV/AIDS; 3) To identify barriers that student organizations and administrators face when providing education to students; and 4) To examine how student leaders rate their leadership influence when interacting with their peers.This study utilized a qualitative research design in which student leaders and administrators were interviewed and asked a series of questions related to HIV/AIDS education on their campus. Student leader participants were recruited from a university site located in the rural South. Interviews were collected through a 30 minute tape-recorded session on campus. Interview data were analyzed using principles of grounded theory. The findings of the study suggest that student organizations could be a useful vehicle for HIV/AIDS peer-led interventions if their members are well trained and first address underlying issues such as cultural homophobia, sexuality, and stigma relating to HIV/AIDS. Administrators of the university should encourage students to be creative when addressing their peers about issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. Researchers and public health officials must create appropriate interventions to address issues surrounding HIV/AIDS before effective education of HIV/AIDS can take place. Public health significance: Improving HIV education among HBCU students presents a potentially effective strategy that addresses the larger issue of HIV/AIDS among African Americans by focusing their efforts and targeting a smaller sub-population first. The public health relevance of improving education among HBCU campuses is evident when considered in light of this promising possibility. This sub-population is particularly important because many of these individuals will become leaders of the African American community, and influence community behavior and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Free, Martinique C. G.marti2004@yahoo.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairSilvestre, Anthonytonys@stophiv.pitt.eduTONYS
Committee MemberLombardi, Emiliaell8@pitt.eduELL8
Committee MemberTerry, Martha Annmaterry@pitt.eduMATERRY
Date: 18 September 2006
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 18 July 2006
Approval Date: 18 September 2006
Submission Date: 2 August 2006
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Degree: MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Historically Black Colleges and Universities and; HIV/AIDS; African American College Students and HIV/AIDS; Black College Students
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-08022006-134212/, etd-08022006-134212
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:56
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:47
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8822

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