Participation of the school community in AIDS education: an evaluation of a high school programme in South Africa

Abstract

An AIDS education programme was developed and evaluated in a high school in a socio-economically disadvantaged, urban, African area in South Africa. The programme, which addressed the whole school community, aimed to raise awareness about AIDS using a variety of educational methods and operating through a number of channels. Students and teachers were actively involved in its design and implementation. Students' knowledge of and attitudes towards AIDS prevention were investigated before and after the AIDS programme, and compared to a neighbouring school, in which no AIDS education was conducted. The programme greatly improved student knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention. It increased levels of acceptance of people with AIDS and had a small impact on behavioural intentions. The process of involving the school community in the design of the AIDS education programme is discussed.

PIP: The authors report their experiences in developing and evaluating an AIDS education program in a high school in a township of Cape Town, South Africa. The school population included approximately 1000 students and 50 teachers. The program addressed the entire school community with the goal of raising awareness about AIDS through a variety of educational methods and channels. Students and teachers were actively involved in its design and implementation. Students' knowledge of and attitudes toward AIDS prevention were assessed before and after the AIDS program, and compared to a neighboring school in which no AIDS education was conducted. The program was found to greatly improve student knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention. It also increased levels of acceptance of people with AIDS, but had a smaller impact upon behavioral intentions. The process of involving the school community in designing an AIDS education program is discussed.