Parents and HIV/AIDS education in schools in Delta State: A panacea for in-school interventions

Abstract

Basic HIV/AIDS education in schools remains fundamental to the global effort to combat HIV transmission. Although HIV/AIDS education is targeted at all ages, it is most important for young people because they experiment with risky behaviours due to the demands of their developmental stage. This descriptive survey study was carried out to examine the perspectives of parents on the inclusion of HIV/AIDS education in schools, in Oshimlli North/South Local Government Area of Delta State. Two research questions based on eight (6) independent variables which included: religion, sex, socio economic status, level of education and occupation were set. The qualitative finding indicated that parents will want to be more involved in the HIV/AIDS education of their children and possibly learn more in order to buttress what is taught in school. They also indicated that their children should be taught sex and HIV/AIDS education to prevent further spread of the disease. The researcher recommended that the school should involve parents in the HIV/AIDS education of their children through Parent Teachers Association (PTA) where talks on HIV/AIDS can be given and the curriculum discussed before been taught to children.   Key words: HIV/AIDS education, socio economic status, level of education, occupation.