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The European Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on January 23, 2006
The European Journal of Public Health 2006 16(2):128-132; doi:10.1093/eurpub/cki162
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Infectious Diseases

Peer education in HIV prevention: an evaluation in schools

Koula Merakou and Jenny Kourea-Kremastinou

Department of Public & Administrative Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece

Correspondence: Koula Merakou, Department of Public & Administrative Health, National School of Public Health, 196 Alex. Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece, tel: +301 6465982, fax: +301 6432258, e-mail: kmerakou{at}nsph.gr

Background: In recent years a number of publications have come out about the peer education method used as a tool in HIV prevention for young people. Our survey aimed at testing the effectiveness of the peer education method in HIV prevention in high school settings through a pilot intervention. Methods: A peer education intervention took place in 10 high schools in Athens over a 1 year period. A cohort of 702 students was surveyed (n = 493 intervention group, n = 209 control group) from 13 high schools through anonymous questionnaires based on the KABPs model, pre- and post-intervention. The statistical package used was SPSS using the {chi}2-test. Results: Compared with control students, the intervention students were slightly empowered: (i) to increase their personal responsibility; and (ii) to adopt a safer behaviour in sexual practice. Knowledge did not show any significant modification between the two groups. However, discrimination about certain groups of people, the attitude about condoms and initiation of sexual relations did not appear to be influenced. Conclusions: The peer education approach can influence the behaviour of young people regarding their personal protection from HIV infection. In order to test its effectiveness, peer education should be further evaluated as a health education method in HIV prevention in high schools, other youth settings and community interventions, where the aim is behavioural change.

Keywords: high school, HIV prevention, peer education, survey


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