A controlled study of the effect of one lesson on the knowledge and attitudes of schoolchildren concerning HIV and Aids

Abstract

FINNISH schoolchildren's knowledge of HIV infec tion, Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases has been shown to be good. The aim of this study was to evaluate if it is possible in one 45-minute lesson to increase pupils' knowledge about Aids, HIV infec tion and other sexually transmitted diseases and to change their attitudes towards HIV positive persons and the prevention of Aids. The sample consisted of 332 15-year-old pupils at nine elementary schools randomly selected from the 12 elementary schools in the city of Oulu. A controlled study design with pre- and post-intervention evaluations was used, with a questionnaire circulated before, and again six weeks after, the intervention lesson. One lesson had a sig nificant effect on the level of knowledge about Aids and HIV infection in pupils of both sexes. The ques tionnaire itself, without any lesson, was sufficient stimulus to increase the knowledge of the girls but not of the boys in the control group. No clear change in attitudes towards the prevention of Aids or towards people with HIV infection was noticed in this study.