Abstract:
A descriptive cross sectional study was undertaken in Mwanza Region during June
2004, to assess HIV I AIDS knowledge and sexuality among primary school youth of
class VI and VII. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Of 1630
study participants, 888 (54.5%) were from HIV/AIDS intervention schools (Magu
District) and 742 (45.5%) from no-intervention schools (Ilemela District); 577 (35.4%)
were boys and 1053 (64.6%) were girls.
The study results indicated that 94% of respondents from intervention group were aware
of HIV/AIDS as compared with 74% in non-intervention group (p= 0.00001).
Respondents who scored high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge were 83% from
intervention group as compared with 86.4% from non-intervention group. However,
71 % of respondents from non-intervention group knew 3 preventive measures against
HIV infection compared with 64.2% respondents from intervention group.
Pupils from the intervention group were twice as likely to be more sexually active than
pupils from non-intervention group, 20.7% vs 11.3% (OR=2.03, 95% Cl 1.52,2.71).
Condom awareness was significantly higher in intervention group than in non-
intervention group, 96% vs 87% (p<0.0003). For respondents who are sexually active
they reported to have higher condom use in intervention group (28.8%) than in non-
intervention group (20.2%).
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Sources of information on HIV / AIDS and sexuality reported did not differ among study
groups except peer educators were more common for the intervention group than in non-
intervention group.
This study concludes that school HIV / AIDS education program using peer educators did
not demonstrate success in reduction of sexual activity among pupils. Development of
appropriate teaching strategies and learning materials for HIV / AIDS education for
school youth to bring positive sexual behaviour change is required.
