EXPOSURE TO HIV AIDS INFORMATION, AIDS KNOWLEDGE, PERCEIVED RISK AND ATTITUDES TOWARD PEOPLE WITH AIDS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOLCHILDREN IN NORTHERN TANZANIA

An AIDS survey based on WHO's KABP survey instrument for adolescents was implemented with sixth and seventh grade students attending one of 18 randomly selected primary schools in the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions of Northern Tanzania (n = 2,026). While students reported having been exposed to several sources of AIDS information, overall knowledge level was low, particularly with respect to risk associated with causal contact, and the fact that a person can be infected and show no signs of the disease. Students who reported frequent exposure to AIDS information or who frequently talked to others about AIDS, were more knowledgeable regarding AIDS than students who reported less frequent exposure to AIDS information or communication. Furthermore, students with high scores on AIDS knowledge were more likely to report AIDS as a very severe disease. Also, they perceived themselves as less susceptible to AIDS, and were more likely to have a positive attitude toward spending time with and taking care of people with AIDS than did less knowledgeable students. It is recommended that primary schools be utilized as an arena for AIDS education in Tanzania.