Da. Palmer et al., 6TH AND 8TH GRADERS AND ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME - THE RESULTS OF FOCUS GROUP-ANALYSIS, Journal of adolescent health, 19(4), 1996, pp. 297-302
Objective: To determine young adolescents' range of factual knowledge
and beliefs about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immu
nodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among those who have received AIDS educat
ion. Design: Focus group analysis. Setting: Urban middle school. Parti
cipants: Two male and two female groups consisting of 4-7 students eac
h, ages 11-15 years. Results: The predominant responses in all four gr
oups relating to factual knowledge of HIV transmission and mechanisms
of prevention were correct. However, responses indicated that factual
information had not been integrated into students' plans for situation
s involving relationships and sexual activity. All four groups shared
the image of AIDS as a disease of adults. The girls frequently gave re
sponses which included discussion and use of condoms, whereas only a f
ew boys could realistically visualize using condoms. Many students, pr
edominately boys, identified with media figures such as Magic Johnson
and saw themselves to be at risk for HIV, but the girls almost exclusi
vely saw Magic Johnson as a rich, famous person and did not identify w
ith him. Students gave suggestions about ways to improve AIDS educatio
n and recommended that AIDS education begin in the early grades. Concl
usion: Standard AIDS education may be effective in teaching factual in
formation about AIDS, but it may have little effect on students' futur
e behavior. The format of AIDS education may need to be modified to be
tter address adolescents' beliefs and behaviors regarding HIV and AIDS
.