Attitudes of teachers toward implementing AIDS prevention education programmes in secondary schools of Zimbabwe
Munodawafa, D.
Central African Journal of Medicine 37(12): 390-393
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-9176 PMID: 1806251 Document Number: 200790
Questionnaire data from 83 school teachers in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe participating in and HIV/AIDS awareness workshop were analyzed to examine their attitudes toward starting AIDS prevention education programs in secondary schools. 79 teachers (95.2%) claimed to support such a program. 53 teachers (63.9%) agreed that AIDS prevention education should include discussions about condom use. 29 teachers (34.9%) believed teaching about condom use should begin in Form I (junior) level while the other 24 teachers (28.9%) thought it should begin in Form III level. Male teachers were more likely to want discussions about condom use included in the program than female teachers (39 male vs. 14 females; p=.028). 67.4% and 25.3% of teachers thought that AIDS prevention education should begin at Form I and Form III levels, respectively. It appeared that female teachers need to attend reorientation sessions about prevention education concerning reproductive health especially since female teenagers begin sexual activity at a younger age than do male teenagers. Based on these findings, it is suggested that a health council consisting of community members and health and school officials in each school district be formed to identify and satisfy health needs of students and community expectations. The council should develop a plan to garner community support and participation for starting HIV/AIDS education and that the program mirror community values. The sensitivity of HIV/AIDS must not deter schools from implementing the program because AIDS does exist.