The effects of AIDS prevention programs by lay health advisors for migrants in The Netherlands.

Two studies describe the effectiveness of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention programs by lay health advisors (LHAs) for migrants in The Netherlands. The effects of such AIDS programs were evaluated (Study 1) and compared with the effects of professional health advisors (PHAs, i.e. medical doctors or nurses) (Study 2). The first study concerned Turkish and Moroccan migrants and showed positive effects on knowledge, behavioral control, and social norm towards condom use. Iraqi refugees participated in the second study that concerned a direct comparison of LHA- and PHA-based programs. Both programs result in positive effects in terms of attitude change and knowledge, but the LHA program resulted in a stronger intention to discuss AIDS with children. Analyses predicting intention to use condoms provide evidence that LHA programs lead to a stronger relation between attitudes and intention. This suggests that LHA-based AIDS programs are more successful in inducing internally motivated intentions to safe sex practices, such as condom use.