A Pilot Study to determine the Effectiveness of a Primary School-based HIV/AIDS Learning Intervention on the Knowledge of the Learners.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a book designed to teach primary school children about HIV is successful in bringing across important and difficult concepts in a way that enables the children to understand and remember them. The study was conducted at Emahhasini Primary School in the Umtshezi district KwaZulu Natal in July 2007. The same sample group was used as both the control and intervention group- The group consisted of 32 grade 7 learners with Zulu as a first language but with English as the language of instruction. The control data was gathered from existing knowledge of HIV/AIDS based on the school syllabus and media. The new information was taught to the learners by reading the material and explaining the concepts in an interactive process. A test and discussion session was used to measured the improvement in knowledge. A significant improvement was seen in the written test as well as in the discussions. 78% of the class showed an improvement of 10% or more. Learners were able to understand these terms as well as remember them, showing that the book was successful as a teaching tool.