Since 1979, the National Network of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) has provided state-of-the-art clinical and laboratory training for STD prevention across the United States. This article provides an overview of the history and activities of the NNPTC from its inception to present day, and emphasizes the important role the network continues to play in maintaining a high-quality STD clinical workforce. Over time, the NNPTC has responded to changing STD epidemiological patterns, technological advances, and increasing private-sector care-seeking for STDs. Its current structure of integrated regional and national training centers allows NNPTC members to provide dynamic, tailored responses to STD training needs across the country.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there is an association between knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, reported intentions to get an HIV test, and reported HIV testing behaviour at a later date among a sample of African American women. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data collected from October 2007 through March 2008 for a randomized controlled experiment that was one part of a comprehensive evaluation of the 'Take Charge. Take the Test' HIV social marketing campaign. METHOD: A series of logistic regression models were estimated to assess the effects of baseline knowledge and attitudes and beliefs on intention at two and six weeks post-baseline. Logistic regression models were also estimated to assess the effects of intention on HIV testing at both follow-ups. RESULTS: A statistically-significant association between baseline attitudes and beliefs and subsequent HIV testing intentions was found. Knowing where to get a free HIV test at baseline was also significantly associated with reported intentions at follow-up. Reported intentions were significantly associated with reported HIV testing at follow-up. CONCLUSION: The study's findings reiterate the importance of applying behaviour change theories and measuring behavioural precursors in the design and evaluation of HIV testing campaigns. (Health Education Journal 2010.)

Clinicians value printed patient education materials for use in their busy practices because of their accessibility, convenience, and low cost.1 These materials can help broach important and sensitive topics, reinforce medical information verbally discussed with the patient in a cost-effective manner, and save time typically required to explain clinical topics.1–4 If a material can provide necessary information succinctly, then clinician–patient communication can be focused on other unmet patient education needs. | Most clinicians, including midwives and other women's health care providers, receive a number of printed health education materials offered for use in their practices. Just reviewing these materials can be time-consuming for clinicians, let alone selecting the materials that are most appropriate for their patients. Although others have researched how clinicians organize, display, and use printed patient education materials, few resources exist to help clinicians systematically judge the materials' quality for use in their specific practice.5–7 This article provides a checklist that helps clinicians assess the suitability of printed patient education materials within the context of their own practice.11 This article does not address the assessment of non-print media products for patient education, such as audio or video resources, which have different considerations.12

OBJECTIVES: To describe the application of seven core principles to the design and evaluation of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing social marketing campaign as a case study example. STUDY DESIGN: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used a structured social marketing approach, informed by the Ecological Model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model, to develop and evaluate a two-city campaign with print, radio and outdoor advertising; HIV telephone hotlines; an HIV website; community partnerships; and events to promote information seeking and HIV testing. METHODS: The CDC applied seven core principles to design and evaluate the campaign, including formative research, the use of behavioural theories, audience segmentation, message design and pretesting, channel selection, process evaluation and outcome evaluation. RESULTS: Over 200 partners in both cities contributed significantly to campaign efforts. Key informant interviews indicated that, due to increased coordination, city infrastructures for HIV testing improved. More than 9600 individuals attended campaign events in both cities, with 1492 rapid HIV tests administered and 14 newly-identified HIV individuals. Overall, event attendees responded positively to campaign materials and events, and free HIV testing opportunities. The campaign significantly increased information-seeking behaviours in the form of hotline calls and web searches. Audience reaction and receptivity to the final campaign materials was very high. Exposure to campaign messages was associated with increases in key knowledge items, intentions to get tested, and peer-to-peer communication. CONCLUSIONS: The seven core principles, including formative research, behavioural theories and extensive partnerships, acted synergistically to help a campaign reach its target audience with compelling, relevant messages and motivate them to seek information and get an HIV test. Rapid testing removes many barriers by providing a testing process that can be accessed and acted upon quickly in response to media exposure. Findings suggest that modifying the campaign in future implementations to encourage the target audience to attend and participate in rapid testing events, while expanding the number and reach of such events, may have considerable potential to measurably increase testing behaviours.