Evaluation of three health education trials in aids prevention

Abstract AR

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate general public knowledge concerning AIDS and the effectiveness of 3 different methods of health education in people with varying levels of education in Mosul, Iraq.

Methods: A total of 725 persons (351 males and 374 females) with a mean age of 20.5 +/_4.7years with different educational levels was randomly selected for the study.

Initially, a baseline evaluation of knowledge regarding modes of transmission and prevention of AIDS was conducted.

Three different methods of health education were applied: lecture, small group discussion, and lecture accompanied by audio-visual aids.

Following the health education programs, reevaluation of knowledge was conducted for all participants.

Results: The study found that health education was significantly effective in reducing the number of incorrect responses in both sexes, with a reduction of such responses from 38.4% and 42.5% to 7.4% and 5.7% in males and females respectively.

The study also found that participants with higher levels of education had more knowledge originally and had better correct response rates after the health education campaign.

The study also showed that all three methods of health education were significantly effective in reducing incorrect responses, but that the method incorporating lectures accompanied by audio-visual aids was by far the most effective type of health education.

Conclusion : The study demonstrated the effectiveness of health education in reducing incorrect information and beliefs concerning the transmission and control of AIDS, especially when lectures were combined with audio-visual aids.