School Curriculum and HIV/AIDS: A Study of District Swat

Abstract

This study was performed in District Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. It aimed to underline the problem of school level health education and specifically the insufficiency of contents related to HIV (Human Immune Virus)/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) in the curriculum taught at school resulting in unawareness of students concerning basic information on HIV/AIDS. This study is both qualitative and quantitative in nature whereas simple random sampling (SRS) and proportional allocation method were used for selection of samples. Textual analysis of school books was carried out to note down the relevant general information (sufficiency and deficiency) with reference to HIV/ AIDS. A textual analysis of selected 8 books of grades 9 and 10 was conducted to interpret the presence of textbook matter discussing HIV/ AIDS in current school books. Results of the data analysis proved that school syllabus and books are incomplete in respect to the contents for awareness on HIV/AIDS. In addition, a total of 150 respondents were selected from grades 9 and 10, students of male government schools of the area and data regarding HIV awareness was collected through questionnaire. Most of the respondents were found to be unfamiliar with prevention and mode of transmission of HIV/ AID.