AIDS EDUCATION IN TANZANIA - PROMOTING RISK REDUCTION AMONG PRIMARY-SCHOOL CHILDREN

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of:an ed ucation program in Tanzania designed to reduce children's risk of huma n immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to improve their toleranc e of and care for people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS ). Methods, A randomized controlled community trial including baseline and 12-month follow-up surveys was employed. Public primary schools i n the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions of Tanzania were stratified accor ding to location and randomly assigned to intervention (n = 6) or comp arison (n = 12) conditions. Of the 1063 sixth-grade students (average age: 13.6 years) who participated at baseline, 814 participated in the follow-up survey. Results. At follow-up, statistically Significant ef fects favoring the intervention group were observed for exposure to AI DS information and communication, AIDS knowledge, attitudes toward peo ple with AIDS, and subjective norms and behavioral intentions toward h aving sexual intercourse. A consistent positive: but nonsignificant tr end was seen for attitudes toward having sexual intercourse and for in itiation of sexual intercourse during the previous year (7% vs 17%). C onclusions. It is feasible and effective to train local teachers and h ealth workers to provide HIV/AIDS education to Tanzanian primary schoo l children.