Question box: a tool for gathering information about HIV and AIDS

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Previous research on HIV knowledge relied on surveys.
• A need exists for safe methods to assess adolescent understanding of HIV transmission and prevention.
• Fear of stigma and judgment hinders open discussion of sensitive health topics among youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the question box method for collecting anonymous inquiries about HIV.
• To encourage open dialogue on HIV transmission and prevention among secondary school students.
• To identify common knowledge gaps and concerns regarding HIV/AIDS in young people.

Main Methods:

• The question box method was implemented in community secondary schools in Malawi.
• Seven question boxes were distributed across schools for anonymous question submission.
• Participant-generated questions were collected and categorized.

Main Results:

• A total of 394 questions were collected anonymously.
• Questions fell into six main categories: general HIV information, sexual practices, perinatal transmission, other transmission routes, contact/sharing, and prevention/condom use.
• The method successfully facilitated the asking of sensitive questions.

Conclusions:

• The question box method provides a safe and effective anonymous channel for adolescents to inquire about HIV.
• This approach can reveal crucial information about youth knowledge and concerns regarding HIV/AIDS.
• It offers a valuable alternative to traditional survey methods for sensitive health topics.