Learning through teaching : an experimental educational programme for the prevention of AIDS
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Date
1994
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Abstract
AIDS is a major world wide problem with, the incidence and prevalence of the disease increasing at an alarming rate, affecting people regardless of their economic status, educational level, ethnicity, age, occupation or gender. Although initially perceived as affecting deviant subgroups in communities such as prostitutes, the fastest growing population in the AIDS epidemic especially in Africa consist of heterosexual men and women. In Africa the incidence represents over half the reported number of AIDS cases in the world.Almost all African countries are developing countries, which will make it very difficult for these countries to afford any future vaccine developed against AIDS. Thus AIDS education will continue to play a major role in the prevention of HIV-infection and AIDS.
In South Africa the majority of people belong in poorer communities where violence, poverty, lack of education and unemployment are perceived as being relatively more problematic in etiology and prevention than AIDS.
Most AIDS prevention programmes in South Africa have been relatively ineffective and simplistic in approach and methodology. The programmes that are needed are those that go beyond provision of knowledge, motivate and empower people to change risk behaviour and are designed to be self-supportive/ sustaining and effective.
An educational psychological experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of learning through teaching about AIDS prevention. A pre-and post-test group method was used within a nested experimental design.Subjects were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 experienced both passive and active learning, group 2 experienced only active learning and group 3 experienced only passive learning.. Scales which assessed subj ects' knowledge of AIDS, sexual attitudes and AIDS prevention practices were administered. The data- obtained on all variables were analyzed by means of simple one way and repeated measures analyses of variance ( ANOVA ) for nested experimental design followed by Tukey's HSD statistic for multiple comparisons.
Pre-treatment base-line data indicated that the sample was relatively knowledgeable about AIDS. The results indicated that passive and active learning combined was better than either active or passive learning alone.
This dissertation also revealed that it is practically feasible to implement this programme in any organization which includes educational systems. Ideally everyone should be equipped with enough information to educate others about HIV-infection and AIDS. It is neither possible nor desirable to leave all AIDS awareness and support initiatives to experts and professionals. Everyone needs to be actively involved in AIDS education.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 1994.
Keywords
AIDS education.