Title: [AIDS prevention: experience with adolescents from a state elementary school in the city of Porto Alegre]

POPLINE Document Number: 122786

Author(s):

Dreher ML
Ferreira SR
Eidt OR

Source citation:

REVISTA GAUCHA DE ENFERMAGEM, 1995 Jan-Dec;16(1-2):52-7.

Abstract:

The Panamerican Health Organization warns that by the year 2000 there will be a minimum of 10 million cases of AIDS and 40 million people infected with HIV worldwide, of whom 10 million will be children. An AIDS prevention program involving adolescents from grades 5-8 of a state elementary school in Porto Alegre during the first half of 1994 was organized. The objective was to encourage preventive behavior by means of health information and education to reduce the transmission of HIV. Groups of 18-20 adolescents aged 11-19 years (a total of 161 students from a low socioeconomic area) took part in the investigation. A workshop took an average of 3.5 hours in six stages. The coordinator stimulated the discussion by questions concerning the feelings and experiences of the participants, their interpretation of the reaction of each participant, the relationship between the technique and the reality, and expected action. The method used participation techniques for relaxation, discussion, and reflection on topics in the group. Collective evaluation after the workshop was performed by a questionnaire listing 5 questions: 1) What do you know about AIDS? 2) What causes AIDS? 3) What is the mode of transmission of AIDS? 4) How can it be prevented? 5) What is safe sex? The responses were grouped into three categories: 1) the objective was achieved; 2) the objective was not achieved; and 3) no response. 60.2% were aware of the importance of AIDS; 30.8% did not respond in a satisfactory way. 70.4% of the pupils identified the causative agent of AIDS and knew about the consequences of the disease, while 23.6% failed to answer this question. 90.6% could enumerate the modes of transmission of AIDS, while 9.4% could not. 92.6% could describe preventive methods, and 73.2% knew about the significance of safe sex. Preventive action could be encouraged through reflection on the HIV disease process and its serious repercussions for public health.

Keywords:

Brazil
Workshops
Surveys
AIDS Prevention
HIV Prevention
Primary Schools
Adolescents
Socioeconomic Status
IEC
Developing Countries
South America, Eastern
South America
Latin America
Americas
Education
Sampling Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
AIDS
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Schools
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Program Activities
Programs
Organization and Administration