The Assessment of the Status of HIV/Aids Education Programs in the Second Cycle Primary School of the Oromia Region
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Date
2001-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to assess the status of AIDS education in the
second cycle primary school of the Oromia region. To achieve this purpose, schoolteaching
materials were surveyed; school implementation practices of AIDS education
were examined; and students' awareness level on HIV/AIDS was tested.
Teaching materials of three school subjects (Science/Biology, Health and Physical
education, and Social Studies) were purposively selected and analyzed for objectives
and contents of AIDS education. By systematic random sampling technique, 600
students from both sexes and settings were selected to fill student questionnaires.
Tea chers teaching the school subjects in which AIDS education is integrated have
filled the feedback form adapted from works of WHO. Club coordinators from each
sampled schools have also responded to questions on how the implementation
practices of the club. Parents and curriculum experts were interviewed on the present
school AIDS education programs.
For data collection purposes, coding sheets, questionnaires, and tests were employed.
Percentage and t-test were used for analyzing the data.
It was found out that inadequacies of AIDS education objectives and contents were
observed. Only in grade six and eight Science courses and in grade seven H.P.E
courses that few issues of AIDS were integrated. The available contents ignored the
importance of care and support for people living with the virus.
The results of school survey revealed that teachers and Anti-AIDS club coordinator
were not given enough orientation to successfully implement the program. The
involvement of the risk groups and different social agencies in the development and
implementation of the programs were unsatisfactory. Meager resources were being
allocated for the implementation of the program. The peer education approach
reported to be very fruitful in many countries was not properly applied in the schools
observed. There were no enough references for teachers and students in the schools.
Parents have strong interest if the school can assume the responsibility of informing
their children about AIDS.
In spite of the above constraints, students have demonstrated an appreciable
knowledge base on the first three categories. Deficiencies were, however, observed on
the importance of care and support for people living with HIV/A IDS both in curricula
and actually on the students' score. Students have demonstrated that they have no
caring attitude for the victims. There is a statistically significant awareness differences
between male and female. Males were more aware than females were. Setting has not
brought about statistically significant difference of awareness on the students.
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Keywords
Hiv/Aids Education Programs