Study of the opinion and level of knowledge about AIDS problem among secondary school students and teachers in Alexandria.

Preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS through behavioral change may be the best available defense against AIDS. Health and sex education programs have therefore been acknowledged as useful tools to bring about such change. To support the recommendation of appropriate education interventions the knowledge and opinions about HIV/AIDS of 571 students and 211 teachers in Alexandria Egypt were assessed. 179 female students 392 male studentsm 85 female teachers and 126 male teachers were interviewed. The study found a significant correlation between the degree of sexual experience and level of knowledge. While few respondents had discussed HIV and AIDS with friends and family male students and female teachers were relatively better informed on the issue. Both teachers and students were somewhat misinformed about HIV transmission. 75% of respondents knew that HIV carriers may be infectious yet only few were aware that those who are infectious may be asymptomatic. Overall little priority is given to sex education in Egyptian schools and schools provide only minor information on AIDS despite broad interest among interviewees in additional information. An organized health education program is called for with health education in school curricula; open discussion of sex encouraged with specialized personnel; consideration of the role of familial breakdown in increasing risky behavior; religious person encouragement of healthy behaviors; stress on the importance of premarital HIV antibody screening; education on the role of condom use; and discussion of the correlation of addiction and sex films with excitation and risky behaviors. Finally athletic participation should be encouraged and strict rules imposed to punish those who intend to infect others.