Today's young people have grown up in a world where the existence of HIV/AIDS is taken for granted. Many college students are unaware that they are at risk for HIV, and many are unaware of its prevalence. Education programs can help students to increase awareness of their risk and educate them on prevention methods, such as the use of latex condoms. Speakers who are living with HIV can provide real-life examples to students. By hearing these stories college students learn of the risk of HIV and the importance of prevention for them and their partners.
Education designed to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in college students should focus on gender inequality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young women are particularly vulnerable to acquiring HIV. These women are biologically more vulnerable and often fail to recognize the risk factors of their partners. This is also due to gender inequality: men are more likely to have the power and say when it comes to negotiating sex, sexual practices and condom use. Young women often have sexual partners who are older men, and are more likely to be infected.
Education needs to focus around empowering women to speak out about sexual practices and condom use with their partners. Similarly college-aged men also need to learn to negotiate safe sex practices in ways that empower young women.
The use of alcohol and other drugs in college students increases the likelihood of high-risk sexual behaviors. Students who have sex under the influences are more likely to contract HIV or other STDs. When they are drunk or high, students are less likely to use safe sex techniques such as condoms or may use condoms incorrectly or inconsistently. Substance use can impair judgment and lead students to make high-risk decisions.
Education focused around prevention needs to also concentrate on issues around sex and substance use. Substance use and abuse are also connected to increased risk of sexual assault among college students, such as date rape. Education methods should help to increase students' knowledge about these risks and give them tools for preventing these behaviors.
According to the CDC, students report that education about prevention methods for HIV does not always lead to changes in behavior. However, peer education is an important component to HIV education on college campuses. Peer education can increase knowledge and positive attitudes, behaviors and beliefs about preventing HIV.