Letting Students Be Innovative! Using Mini-Grants to Fund Student-Designed HIV/AIDS Education

Abstract

This article describes a project designed to use student leaders to increase the awareness of HIV/AIDS among college students. Student organizations apply for a competitive mini-grant that is used to increase their members’ knowledge level about HIV/AIDS and increase the likelihood of individuals’ practicing behaviors that would reduce the risk of transmission or contraction. Four student organizations receive funds to design a unique HIV/ AIDS prevention intervention that match its members’ needs for a total of 126 individuals receiving HIV/AIDS education. An evaluation indicates positive behavioral intentions related to sexual communication and safer sex practices. Moreover, the majority of participants report the education received as relevant and applicable. The methods, intervention applications, and benefits to using an award competition to deliver HIV prevention education to college students in a nontraditional and innovative approach are detailed within this article.