Impact of simple intervention on the knowledge and perceptions of HIV/AIDS amongst school children in rural area of Pune

Pages: 952-955
Rahul R. Bogam and Sunil M. Sagare (Department of Community Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Pune )

Adolescents form substantial risk group due to situations arising out of their curiosity, haphazard knowledge and risk prone behaviour. Concerns about risk of infection with HIV have renewed interest in sexual behaviour of adolescents in developing countries, where they represent a large proportion of population and are at a risk. Primary prevention including sex education is the key factor for eliminating HIV epidemics amongst adolescents. The present study attempted to assess pre and post intervention knowledge and perceptions of high school students pertaining to HIV/AIDS. All 169 school students from rural area participated in quiz competition followed by interactive session and completed pre-intervention and post intervention questionnaire. Each completed questionnaire was assigned marking system. The data was analysed using ‘Paired t test’. Significant improvement in knowledge was found after quiz followed by interactive session. (Pre test mean marks: 8.50, post test mean marks: 15.95, t = 32.83, p < .001). Present study showed significant improvement in student's knowledge regarding all aspects of HIV/AIDS from pretest to post-test as a result of quiz competition followed by interactive session.