EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS HIV/AIDS IN KHARTOUM NORTH. SUDAN

Rami Tag Alsir Ahmad, *Dr. Mohamed Osman Elamin Bushara, Dr. Fatima Fadul Ali Osman and
Prof. Hatim Rahamtalla Mohamed

ABSTRACT

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is one the pandemic diseases that increased the risk worldwide in the 21st century, because no medications for it, the transmission going in increased rates. By 2011, there were 33.3 million infected estimated globally and 2.6 million new HIV infections. In the North Africa and the Middle East, the number of estimated people infected by HIV was 460 000 at the end of 2009, up from 180 000 in 2001. A cross - sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of secondary school students towards HIV/AIDS in Khartoum north locality. Khartoum North is one of the seven localities of Khartoum State. It is located between the Blue Nile on the south and the River Nile State on the North, with a total area of 4559.7 Km2. According to 2010 census the population of the locality is about 770943 citizens. There are 22 schools (17 female’s schools and 5 male’s schools). The main human activities of the population are workers and officers at public and private sectors and working in agriculture and animal production activities. 196 students were randomly selected for the study; the data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview. The data were analyzed using SPSS and frequent distributions measures. The result was presented in tables and figures, results showed that a large number of secondary school students has limited knowledge of HIV/AIDS, 54.1% of students know the symptoms and signs of HIV/AIDS, 45.9% student have negative attitudes towards AIDS and Only 2% of the students were voluntary tested for HIV/AIDS. The study concluded that all the respondents have poor knowledge, negative attitudes and practices concerning HIV/AIDS. The Ministry of Health has to adopt the most recent science and health education methods to promote health in these areas and to strengthening health education and use of active participatory approaches during the school sessions.

Keywords: AIDS – Health_ Education- Khartoum.