Attitudes of teachers toward implementing AIDS prevention education programmes in secondary schools of Zimbabwe

Eighty-three secondary school teachers and headmasters from Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe responded to a questionnaire eliciting their opinions toward implementation of AIDS prevention education programmes in the school setting. Results show that although 79 teachers (95.2 pc) supported implementing AIDS prevention programmes in the school setting, teachers were divided as to what should be taught (content) and when it should be taught (timing). Specific content areas such as the use of condoms was found to be controversial and supported only by 53 teachers (63.9 pc). Further, the 53 teachers could not agree as to what educational level this should be taught. These findings suggest that teachers alone cannot determine the "what" or "when" of an AIDS prevention programme in the school setting. Formation of a health council comprising of community members, school and health officials within each school district is proposed in order to receive community input.