PARTICIPATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY IN AIDS EDUCATION - AN EVALUATION OF A HIGH-SCHOOL PROGRAM IN SOUTH-AFRICA

An AIDS education programme was developed and evaluated in a high scho ol in a socio-economically disadvantaged, urban, African area in South Africa. The programme, which addressed the whole school community, ai med to raise awareness about AIDS using a variety of educational metho ds and operating through a number of channels. Students and teachers w ere actively involved in its design and implementation. Students' know ledge of and attitudes towards AIDS prevention were investigated befor e and after the AIDS programme, and compared to a neighbouring school, in which no AIDS education was conducted The programme greatly improv ed student knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention. It increased levels of acceptance of people with AIDS and had a small impact on beh avioural intentions. The process of involving the school community in the design of the AIDS education programme is discussed.