Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Sonia Crandall
Committee Member
G. Jeremiah Ryan
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
AIDS, community, data analysis, education programs, evaluation model, focus groups, formative committees, HIV, infection, instrument validation, knowledge assessment, literature review, peer education, peer prevention-intervention programs, posttest, pretest, prevention, process evaluation, qualitative evaluations, quantitative evaluations, research project, risk behavior reduction, SESTA, Sisters Empowering Sisters Towards Achievement, statistical significance, summative committees, transmission
Abstract
The purpose of this research project was to conduct a quantitative evaluation that employed a pretest and posttest HIV and AIDS knowledge assessment and a qualitative evaluation of an HIV and AIDS peer prevention-intervention program. Quantitative data from the pretest and posttest knowledge assessment instrument were used to determine the effectiveness of the program in improving HIV and AIDS knowledge. Qualitative data from process evaluation were used to determine which aspects of the peer prevention-intervention program were working and which aspects needed changing and to provide a model for the evaluation of HIV and AIDS prevention program in other settings.
Several procedures were undertaken in order to respond to the research questions. These procedures included a thorough review of literature, formulation of a focus group of professionals to assist in conceptualizing the project, establishment of formative and summative committees, development of the quantitative and qualitative instruments, formative and summative review, instrument validation and administration, and data analysis.
Findings from this study suggested that postintervention HIV and AIDS knowledge of program participants generally improved. However, in most cases, these improvements were not statistically significant. Only 4 of the 30 items reached statistical significance. Comments from the focus group demonstrated that the Sisters Empowering Sisters Towards Achievement (SESTA) peer education is appropriate for the community and an effective adjunct in improving HIV and AIDS knowledge as a function of infection, transmission, risk behavior reduction, and prevention. Ongoing evaluation of the SESTA program was recommended as both the institutions and the community are expected to benefit from such exercise.