NCJ Number
120097
Journal
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1989) Pages: 70-78
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A systematic school-based educational program providing knowledge about risk factors associated with the acquisition and transmission of HIV infection could be a significant factor in preventing the spread of HIV among adolescents, although few school systems currently provide this education as part of the formal curriculum or have evaluated their programs for effectiveness.
Abstract
These programs should be compulsory; their goal should be to encourage behaviors that promote health and to eliminate or reduce high-risk sexual and drug behaviors; and they should provide adolescents with timely, accurate, and unbiased information so that they can make good decisions. Adolescents cannot be coerced into changing behavior patterns, but clear and developmentally appropriate HIV information may result in behavioral change. Teachers have a crucial role to play in this educational effort; with proper training they can become powerful change agents. Programs must reach all adolescents and must be carefully evaluated. 38 references.