Moderator factors in the influence of post HIV/AIDS education on HIV/AIDS awareness and myths among primary school teenagers in Kenya; Eldoret municipality

Abstract

This study investigated the moderating factors in the influence of HIV/AIDS education on the level of HIV/AIDS awareness among primary school teenagers in Eldoret municipality and the myths that the students have concerning HIV/AIDS. The study was guided by the Social Learning Theory of Bandura (1977) which asserts that learning occurs when individuals observe and imitate others‟ behaviour. In this regard schools and society provide models for teenagers thereby increasing or distorting their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The study used the survey and comparative designs. Stratified and random sampling techniques were employed to select 14 schools with more than 40 students in class eight and 280 students who represented 28% of the teenage students in both the public and private schools. Data was collected using questionnaires administered to selected students and the results obtained for analysis. A reliability coefficient of r = 0.83 was obtained through pre-testing the questionnaire. Data was analyzed with the level of significance used for t-tests at p> .05. A significant difference in HIV/AIDS awareness between males (m=140) and females (m=140) was found, t (278) = 1.06, p < .05, in HIV/AIDS awareness between private and public schools, t (278) = 7.08, p < .05, in HIV/AIDS myths between private and public schools, t (278) = 6.45, p < .05 and in HIV/AIDS awareness between high and low socio-economic status, t (278) = 4.18, p < .05. No significant difference was found between HIV/AIDS myths by gender, t (278) = .85, P > .05 and HIV/AIDS myths by socio-economic status, t (278) = .33, P > .05. The study therefore recommended the need to increase HIV/AIDS awareness among students in primary schools, investigate the information related to HIV/AIDS being offered in schools and ensure its implementation.