Document 0298
 DOCN  M9650298
 TI    Results of a model AIDS prevention program for high school students in
       the Philippines.
 DT    9605
 AU    Aplasca MR; Siegel D; Mandel JS; Santana-Arciaga RT; Paul J; Hudes ES;
       Monzon OT; Hearst N; Research Institute for Tropical Medicine,
       Department of Health,; Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines.
 SO    AIDS. 1995 Jul;9 Suppl 1:S7-13. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96085738
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To describe the sexual practices of high school students; to
       describe the process of development of a school-based AIDS prevention
       program; and to evaluate the effect of this program on students'
       AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and AIDS-preventive behaviors.
       SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cluster-randomized, controlled trial with
       pretest/post-test evaluation was conducted in four demographically
       similar public high schools in a semi-urban district of Metro Manila,
       the Philippines. Of 845 high school students who participated in the
       baseline survey, 804 (95%) completed a postintervention questionnaire.
       INTERVENTION: An AIDS prevention program was developed by public high
       school teachers together with local AIDS experts, social scientists and
       health educators. The teacher-led AIDS program was designed to provide
       students with accurate information about AIDS, particularly in
       dispelling misconceptions about casual contagion, to foster positive
       attitudes towards people with AIDS and to develop skills aimed at
       clarifying values and assessing intended behavior. RESULTS: At baseline,
       11% of students (20% of males and 4% of females) reported ever having
       had sexual intercourse (mean age 14 years). Among these, condom use was
       low (24%). After implementation of the AIDS prevention program,
       statistically significant effects favoring the intervention group were
       observed in knowledge and attitudes towards people with AIDS. While
       there was no statistically significant overall effect on intended
       preventive behavior, the program appeared to delay the students'
       intended onset of sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS: A sizable number of
       Filipino high school students are sexually active but condom use is low.
       School-based AIDS prevention programs can be developed and implemented
       in developing countries with the assistance of school personnel to
       address sexual issues. Our program was successful in increasing
       AIDS-related knowledge and improving attitudes towards people with AIDS.
       Supplementation with other preventive activities may be needed to
       achieve lasting changes in students' risk-taking behavior.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/  TRANSMISSION
       Adolescence  Cluster Analysis  Condoms  Curriculum  *Developing
       Countries  Female  *Health Education  Human  Knowledge, Attitudes,
       Practice  Male  *Models, Educational  Philippines  Sex Behavior  Social
       Values  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  Urban
       Population  CLINICAL TRIAL  JOURNAL ARTICLE  RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).