NCJ Number
117108
Journal
Journal of School Health Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: (1988) Pages: 137-141
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In 1986, the AIDS knowledge and attitudes of urban high school students in Seattle, Wash., were pretested using a 50-item questionnaire.
Abstract
On the basis of results, a 50-minute AIDS lesson plan was developed. The lesson covered the cause, symptoms, transmission, and prevention of AIDS, as well as attitudes toward the disease and those who have it. Instruction was given 1 month after pretesting, and a posttest was administered 1 week after instruction. Additional retention testing was undertaken 8 weeks after instruction. Correlation of pretest and posttest scores for 114 students revealed statistically significant changes in knowledge and attitudes. Students showed a 13 percent increase in knowledge and a 19 percent increase in tolerant attitudes. Females had more tolerant and compassionate attitudes than males at both pre- and posttest, and students living with both parents scored significantly higher on knowledge and attitudes at pre- and posttest than did those in other family situations. Learning outcomes were retained over the 8-week period. Prior to the lesson, television and magazines were reported as the primary sources of AIDS information by 84 and 79 percent of students, respectively. Following instruction, schools were reported as a major learning source by 82 percent of the students. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 19 references. (Author abstract modified)