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  • Title: Preferred sources of information on AIDS among high school students from selected schools in Zimbabwe.
    Author: Ndlovu RJ, Sihlangu RH.
    Journal: J Adv Nurs; 1992 Apr; 17(4):507-13. PubMed ID: 1578074.
    Abstract:
    Following various national HIV and AIDS awareness campaign activities under the auspices of the Ministries of Health and Education, Zimbabwe, an AIDS KABP survey was undertaken. The study sample comprised 478 high school students randomly selected and stratified to represent sex and Forms 1 through to 6. The study instrument was a 31-item questionnaire designed to assess the students' knowledge, attitudes, practices and sources of information in relation to HIV syndrome. This report reviews only that part of the study dealing with sources of information. Newspapers, television, radio and magazine were the most frequently cited sources of first information. Classmates were cited by 20% to over 30% of respondents as first sources of information. Authority figures like health workers, parents, teachers, the Church did not emerge as significant sources of first information. Doctors were identified as the most preferred source of information in future. Sources of first information were related to age, form level, sex and location of school attended. There were notable differences between boarding school respondents and day scholars. No regional differences were noted. 478 students from 4 sub-urban coeducational schools from Mashonaland region and Matabeleland region, Zimbabwe, were surveyed on their knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to AIDs in October-December, 1990. The sample was randomly selected and stratified by sex and grade level. Information was obtained on their first source of sources of information on HIV infection and AIDs, the most informative source, and the most preferred source. A national awareness campaign, begun in 1987, informed the general population and distributed 3 booklets on HIV infection and AIDs to high school students. Differences were reflected by sex, grade level, school location, and geographical region in the use of newspaper, television, and booklets. The findings were that health care providers were of minimal significance in providing information, although 20% cited these professions as preferred sources of information. 49% of the students cited the newspaper as their first source of information. Following newspapers in order of preference were television, radio, and magazines which were identified as the first source by 36-45% of the students. Only 25% gave booklets as the first source of information. 20% cited classmates as the first source of information. First sources may not always be the most informative. Higher grade levels more frequently cited newspapers as their first source, but television was the most frequently cited as the first source in grades 1-3. Higher grade levels (5-6) also cited classmates as an important first source. Girls tended to cite as first sources classmates and radio, while boys cited newspapers and magazines. Sources of first information followed a school location pattern and socioeconomic setting. Classmates were the higher first source in the boarding school, while television and magazines had the lowest scores in the school with mostly low income families. Magazines were considered the most informative source for 17% and newspapers and magazines for 32%. Nurses and relatives were considered the least informative. Only 12.2 cited parents as the first source and only 3% cited them as a good source. 10% preferred booklets. Several proposals for the nursing practice are given. The rural population and appropriate networks needs to be examined.
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