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Richard Sawyer, PhD, Center on AIDS & Community Health, Academy for Educational Development, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, 202 884-8868, rsawyer@aed.org, Michael Scicchitano, PhD, Department of Political Science, University of Florida, 3421 Turlington Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, T Lehman, MA, Center for Applied Behavioral and Evaluation Research, Academy for Educational Development, 1825 Conn. Ave, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20009, and Anita Bhuyan, MA, Technical Writing Group, The Futures Group, 1050 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.
A study was conducted to assess support and attitudes about HIV and sexuality education among West Palm Beach, Florida parents of middle school students. A telephone survey was conducted of a non-probability sample (longest residing) of English- (n = 151), Spanish- (n = 151), and Haitian-Creole (n = 155) speaking parents (total n = 457). “Call classifications” data provided details on non-respondents (e.g., refusals, non-working number). The survey, extensively pilot tested and conducted in the parents’ primary language, comprised items concerning whether or not to include specific topics (e.g., birth control methods) within the school-based curriculum, earliest grade to introduce topics, and attitudes about the school’s role in providing HIV and sexuality education. Results found strong support for inclusion of key prevention topics, and supportive attitudes about the role of schools in providing prevention education. For example, 80% or more of parents expressed support for instruction about pregnancy and childbirth; prevention of HIV; and condom use. Creole-speaking parents were significantly less supportive than other parents on 9 of 13 topics (.01 level). Seventy-eight percent of parents expressed belief that school-based birth control education decreases teen pregnancy and STDs. Parents of higher educational achievement and higher income levels were more supportive of HIV education than those of lower educational achievement and lower income levels. The study provided useful information (e.g., detail regarding topic coverage and earliest grade to introduce topics) about parent support for use by school district staff when developing programs.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to
Keywords: School-Based Programs, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.