Puttiraporn Hungsawanus. Comparison of knowledge and attitude towards Aids between primary and secondary school students in Samutprakarn province . Master's Degree(Human Reproduction and Population Planning). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2007.
Comparison of knowledge and attitude towards Aids between primary and secondary school students in Samutprakarn province
Abstract:
The objectives of this cross-sectional survey research were to compare
knowledge and attitude toward AIDS between primary and secondary school students
in Samutprakarn Education Service Area Office 1. Six hundred students were recruited
to answer a questionnaire on AIDS from December 2006 to February 2007. Three
hundred students were in Prathom 5 primary school and another three hundred were in
Mathayom 1 secondary school. Descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage,
mean and standard deviation. Chi – square test, t – test, Pearson’s Product Moment
Coefficients and Regression were used for hypothesis testing at the significance level
of P < 0.05
The results showed that secondary school students had better knowledge about
AIDS than primary school students (Mean±S.D=9.12±1.888) versus (Mean±S.D=
8.43±1.925) (P<0.05) and secondary school students had a better attitude toward AIDS
than primary school students (Mean±S.D=53.74±5.954) versus (Mean±S.D=50.81±
5.693) (P<0.05). Higher age and education status were associated with a higher level
of knowledge (P<0.05), whereas gender, higher age, higher education status and
education status of parents were associated with a better attitude toward AIDS
(P<0.05).
In conclusion, the education curriculum on AIDS which is given to students in
the last year of primary school significantly improved knowledge and attitude toward
AIDS. It was also found that although a formal education curriculum has been
established, there were still some misunderstandings or misconceptions about AIDS in
these students. A corresponding improvement in the education curriculum on AIDS is
recommended.