Knowledge about AIDS and self-reported behaviour among Zimbabwean secondary school pupils

Knowledge about AIDS and self-reported sexual behaviour was studied among 1532 (893 male, 633 female) Zimbabwean secondary school pupils drawn from 12 schools. Most subjects knew that AIDS is fatal and incurable. However, over 40% of subjects believed that most people with AIDS in Africa are homosexual. Over 40% of respondents did not know that many HIV seropositive individuals look healthy. Nearly 40% of participants believed that HIV can be contracted from toilet seats and 54% of subjects believed that mosquitos can transmit HIV. Pupils from homes in urban areas were better informed about AIDS than were those from homes in rural areas. Forty-six percent of males and nearly 3% of females were reportedly sexually experienced. It is suggested that female under-reporting of sexual activity occurred. Nearly 16% of males reported coital experience with a prostitute. The implications of these findings for future AIDS awareness campaigns in Zimbabwe are considered.