AIDS Awareness Amongst School Teachers in a Rural Area of India

Abstract

One hundred and eighty-two teachers from a random selection of 15 schools in a rural area of Lucknow district of northern India were interviewed to assess their awareness and knowledge about AIDS using a pretested CARC proposed questionnaire. Observations revealed that only 79.7 of the teachers had heard about AIDS, newspapers being the main source of information. Awareness amongst graduate teachers was significantly higher than non-graduates. Many believed AIDS to be mosquito-borne and less than 2 knew that condom usage makes sex safer. The study reveals the need to undertake intensive health education efforts as school teachers are an important source of health-related information for rural populations.