Status of HIV/AIDS in Secondary Schools

HIV/AIDS has proved to be a socio-economic problem affecting both present and future population and livelihood of the people.The study to assess the status of HIV/AIDS in secondary schools was carried out in Mbeya Municipality (Tanzania). Data were collected using structured and unstructured interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions. A total of 75 respondents were involved as representative sample. Results indicate that the majority (76.6%, n=75) of the respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS in the three secondary schools was on the increase by 0.39% between 2009 and 2011. Association between genders and transmission and prevention methods revealed that, both genders identified sexual intercourse and sharing of sharp objects as the main transmission methods. Moreover, both genders identified condom use and avoid sharing of sharp objects as the major prevention methods. Females across all schools identified sexual intercourse as the predominant transmission method of HIV/AIDS while as for males, sharing of sharp objects as a major method of HIV/AIDS transmission.Government should continue putting more efforts on providing HIV/AIDS education to secondary students.