The Impact of HIV Prevention Education in School on Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

The Impact of HIV Prevention Education in School on Young Men Who Have Sex With Men by Michael Edward Tachet Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University November 2019 Abstract Sex education through the public school system has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an excellent vehicle by which HIV prevention education can be presented to students, thereby decreasing the rate of HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). However, YMSM continue to be at high risk for HIV infection in the United States despite educational efforts to preventSex education through the public school system has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an excellent vehicle by which HIV prevention education can be presented to students, thereby decreasing the rate of HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). However, YMSM continue to be at high risk for HIV infection in the United States despite educational efforts to prevent infection. The purpose of this qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was to explore what impact school-based HIV prevention education had on YMSM in the past, and what effect that education has had on their current sexual behaviors. The theoretical foundation for this study was the health belief model. Individual 1-hour interviews were conducted with 13 YMSM (ages 21-35) who received HIV prevention education in California. Interviews were analyzed for common themes using a phenomenological approach. Results of this study suggest that participants were not utilizing safer techniques taught in the school HIV prevention education because there was a lack of curriculum consistency, LGBTQ content, and classroom management, and the impact of stigma and homophobia on YMSM. These results support the health belief model. Findings support that positive social change can be achieved by providing standardized, all-inclusive, non-judgmental, HIV prevention education program, in a classroom environment where it is safe to receive same-sex sexual information. This should decrease the number of HIV+ test results among YMSM. The Impact of HIV Prevention Education in School on Young Men Who Have Sex With Men by Michael Edward Tachet Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University November 2019 Dedication I dedicate this study to all the participants who gave so freely of their time to share their experiences receiving HIV prevention education while in middle school, high school, or both, with me. Although the experiences they related to me were poor, their honesty and candor should help to make the HIV prevention educational experiences of future generations of young men who have sex with men much more meaningful. This meaningful experience should help in preventing the future spread of HIV disease. Acknowledgment First of all, I would like to acknowledge the members of my doctoral dissertation committee: Drs. Tracy Marsh, Debra Wilson, and Yoly Zentella. Thank you for your continued encouragement and support. Without your help this would have been a much longer and arduous process. Second, I would like to acknowledge my wife, Yolita Tachet, who also gave me continued encouragement and support. I cannot imagine what it takes to be the spouse of someone who is seeking a doctoral degree. Your patience is an inspiration to me. I love and thank you more than mere words can describe. Third, I would like to acknowledge my friends and colleagues who gave me continued encouragement and support. Every time I thought I had reached a bump in the road, or an impasse, they helped me find ways to accomplish what I needed to do. I especially want to acknowledge Jesus Altamirano, a dear friend and colleague of many years, who passed away before I could finish my dissertation.