Recorded presentation

Donn P. Gaede, MPH, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall Rm. 1309, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-558-4800 ext. 47105, dgaede@sph.llu.edu, Susanne B. Montgomery, PhD, MPH, Dept. of Health Promotion & Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, Jayakaran Job, MD, DrPH, Department of International Health, Epidemiology and Preventive Medecine, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Hill Drive, Loma Linda, CA CA 92354, and Harvey Elder, MD, International Health Department, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350.

While considerable work has been done researching different types of HIV/AIDS prevention programs, little is known about the deliverers of school-based HIV/AIDS education - the teachers. This study was designed to investigate the profile of Kwa Zulu Natal, South African school teachers who volunteered to be trained and then deliver an all school year, 30 unit abstinence based HIV prevention program for 5th grade youth. A 144 question pre and post training survey was administered to 30 volunteer teachers. Teachers who volunteered tended to be experienced confident teacher, with children of their own, active members of Christian congregations, are fairly knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS with lifestyles that minimize HIV/AIDS risk. The four-day training program yielded significant changes in the following areas: increased confidence to teach HIV/AIDS to students, improved HIV/AIDS knowledge, strengthened spiritual beliefs. Issues arising from the qualitative evaluation of this training center around self reported depression and care giving overload from teachers who not only battle HIV/AIDS in their own family lives but also are responsible to teach children in classrooms were up to 1/3 of the students are AIDS orphans and 80% have at least one parent who has died from AIDS. We will also discuss the issue of self-selection bias in the context of motivation for “helping”; the issue of teacher comfort around religious beliefs and comfort educating honestly and clearly about sexuality. Future plans are to use traits identified through factor analysis as predictors of behavioral change in youth.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify three traits of teachers who volunteer to deliver a school based year long HIV prevention program
• Discuss the pros and cons of using volunteer teachers motivated by religious beliefs to deliver a HIV prevention program

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Faith Community

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.

Recorded presentation