Evaluation of HIV and AIDs awareness among upper primary school pupils with hearing impairements in Central Province, Kenya
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Date
2011-11-22
Authors
Mwangi, D. Kimani
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Abstract
Despite the vigorous HIV and AIDS awareness campaigns, the dangers of this pandemic are still a matter of grave concern especially to Primary School Children with hearing impairments. Thus, relevant HIV and AIDS awareness information is key in curbing the spread and effects of this disease. This awareness information forms the basis of education and strategy for survival for both the affected and infected persons. In recognition of this situation, this study examined in its general objective, the level of awareness of HIV and ADS among upper primary school pupils with hearing impairments in Central Province of Kenya. Specific objectives were to: Establish what pupils with hearing impairments in Central Province know about HIV and AIDS pandemic; find out awareness of modes of HIV transmission, investigate awareness of HIV and AIDS preventive measures and find out awareness of how to care for and live with persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. The study design used was survey. Simple random sampling technique involving lottery method was used to select 4 out of the 5 schools in the province. The four schools yielded a sample of 192 pupils who consisted of all the pupils in standards 4, 5, 6 and 7. A questionnaire consisting of 33 closed-ended items and 4 open-ended items was used. The questionnaire was administered by the researcher and two trained research assistants who helped to explain some of the items in the questionnaire, using sign language. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics. Frequency distribution tables, pie charts and bar graphs were used in the presentation of the results and data were then analysed according to objectives, by per centages, so as to determine the level of HIV and AIDS awareness among the pupils. The findings revealed that the pupils' knowledge of HIV and AIDS pandemic was lower (88.02%) compared to the hearing pupils. Majority of the pupils indicated that they perceived themselves to be at risk of HIV infection (64.55%). Various misconceptions were noted regarding HIV transmission some of which were: one cannot contract HIV for the first time one engages in sexual intercourse (79.89%), one cannot contract HIV if he/she is young and healthy (23.28%), one cannot contract HIV from someone who looks young and healthy (16.84%), one can contract HIV through shaking hands (14.66%) and insect bites like mosquitoes (17.8%). Most of the respondents (74.48%) were knowledgeable that the pandemic can be contained while 25.52% indicated that it is not possible to prevent it. Negative attitudes towards people living with AIDS were noted with 47.89% indicating that pupils who are HIV positive should be confined in a class of their own. This calls for sensitization in this area. Among the recommendations made were that pupils with hearing impairments need to be educated on the need to behave responsibly on sexual matters, strengthen peer counselling on HIV/AIDS and maximize on the sense of sight like captioned television programmes, illustrations, print media and diagrams in communicating HIV and AIDS messages to them
Description
Department of Special Education,RJ 387.A25K52 81p.2009
Keywords
AIDS (Disease) in children--Kenya,Central Province, Virus disease in children--Kenya,Central Province