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Jeannette Bryant, BS, MPHKids Be Aware!

P.O. Box 2591 Carrollton, Georgia 30112

Abstract

Background

Objectives

•Increase knowledge in regard to the spread and prevention of diseases,Promote better health behaviors and•Build healthy relationships among children.

Methods

A needs assessment was used to determine the need for early HIV/AIDS education among children in schools and in the community.

100 surveys were collected 20 parent focus group study was conducted 20 parent interviews and 20 children interviews ages 9 to 15 were conducted Parents were asked if there was a need in the community and in the schools for early

HIV/AIDS education. Parents from the focus group were interviewed and given educational materials to

evaluate and decide if they were appropriate for kids’ ages 8 to 12 . Children ages 9 to 15 years old were interviewed to see if HIV/AIDS education

through books was something they will favor.

Results

The information collected from surveys, interviews and focus groups indicate a need for HIV/AIDS education among children. HIV/AIDS education to increase awareness and encourage behavior change among children is needed but should be age appropriate. The appropriate age for many parents was 9 years old; some thought 10 years was appropriate but many said HIV/AIDS education should start at 8 years old.Parents from the survey group, interview group and focus group thought the use of storytelling to explain to children how important it is to learn about tuberculosis and adopt healthy behaviors was inspiring and a good concept to add into a child’s education. Parents said the books were a great supplement for health education classes in schools and for community health fairs. When asked how concerned they were about children being exposed to HIV/AIDS on a scale of 1 to 10, parents from all three groups chose 10 as being very concerned.Parents from all 3 groups responded that the methodology used to educate children about HIV/AIDS will most likely help decrease their chances of infection but will not limit exposure. Perhaps the teaching will help them recognize signs and seek treatment. Parents from the 3 groups said they were teaching their children basic hygiene and basic health safety measures; they were not specific on the type of measures used. Some parents were not doing much in helping kids increase their knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

Overall, the results showed that a majority of parents were in favor of a program that will not only increase HIV/AIDS awareness among children, but it will involve parents in teaching their children about HIV/AIDS as well.

Children responded that books and curriculum activities will be the method of choice for them because they feel they will learn more by reading books and identifying with the characters than by being told what HIV/AIDS is.

Results

Results

Results (Children’s feelings about the program)

Limitations

Recommendations

Acknowledgement

The sample size used provided pertinent information, however:A thorough needs assessment with a larger sample size will help in

determining how helpful a program such as this one will help raise HIV/AIDS awareness among children.

A pilot study would provide ample information if performed.

Conclusion

The findings show there is a need for early HIV/AIDS education; Kids Be Aware Disease Awareness Program is needed in schools and in the community.

The books and curriculum activities were shown as the method of choice to teach kids about HIV/AIDS.

Introduce the books into schools to complement the health curriculum already in place.Parents and children want the program funded and implemented as it will complement other programs currently in place.

For more information, please visit us at: http://www.kids-be-aware.orgOr simply email us at: info@kids-be-aware.org

I would like to acknowledge Oladele, Alawode, MD.MPH, Medical Director of County Wide Services In DeKalb County for mentoring me during my internship. Dr. Oladele provided his time and knowledge for making this project possible.

Kids Be Aware Kids Be Aware

TitleKids Be Aware Disease Awareness Program

Author:Bryant, Jeannette, BS, MPH Affiliation:American Public Health AssociationAmerican Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance I- Background:While health education is a component of city schools, it lacks tangible resources that introduce children to diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Kids Be Aware is a program created to meet the needs of children in schools and in the community to increase their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The program makes it a mission to teach kids about HIV/AIDS, its methods of transmission and to build knowledge in regard to disease prevention. To promote healthy relationships while teaching healthy behaviors. II-MethodsA needs assessment survey, a focus group study and interviews were used to determine the need for early HIV/AIDS education among children in schools and in the community. A storytelling books format, activities and curriculum were presented to the 3 groups of parents. Children ages 9 to 15 years old were interviewed to see if disease awareness through books was something they will favor. The goals and objectives were to found out if parents thought books and activities will: 1) Increase HIV/AIDS awareness 2) Increase knowledge with regard to the spread and prevention of HIV/AIDS 3) Promote better health behaviors and 4) Build healthy relationships among children.III-ResultsThe results shows parents from the survey group agreed there was a need for early HIV/AIDS education. Thus, parents from the focus group found the storytelling format of the HIV/AIDS books, activities and curriculum appropriate for kids 8 to 12 years old. Children thought the storytelling format of the books were a great way to get them interested to learn about HIV/AIDS as they can relate to the character in the story.IV- Conclusion:A program aim to increase HIV/AIDS awareness between the ages of 8 to 12 in schools and in the community is needed. The books and curriculum activities are the method of choice to teach kids about diseases such as HIV/AIDS and to encourage healthy behaviors.

While health education is a component of city schools, it lacks tangible resources that introduce children to diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Kids Be Aware is a program created to meet the needs of children in schools and in the community to increase their knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

Goal:the goal of the program is to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among children

Rational Of the program:

Upstream intervention (acting early)Prevention of communicable diseases is necessary in childhood.Intervention from Children to Adults.The rational of Kids Be Aware Disease awareness program is to stop the spread of disease by starting early at the base. We may not eliminate the problem but we can stop it from even happening. By going upstream, we will focus on factors such as behavioral, environmental, economical, social and cultural.

Good perceptions

about the program

Choice of material used

Books will increase HIV/AIDS

awareness

Children's thoughts about the program

Surveys 100% 80% 90%Focus group 100% 95% 100%Interviews 100% 100% 95% 100%

0%20%40%60%80%100%120%

Percentage of Participants

’ ’ Parent s and children s views about Kids Be Aware Disease Awareness Program

Title message

appropriate

Program needed

Target age appropriate

Books content

appropriate

Surveys 100% 99% 95% 100%Interviews 100% 95% 80% 95%Focus group 100% 100% 95% 100%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%120%

Percentage of participants

’ Parent s feelings about Kids Be Aware

34%

33%

33%

Children's responses Books will improve health behaviors

HIV/AIDS education is needed

Books are a great method for HIV/AIDS education

Views of parents and Children with regard to the Program

Feelings of parents with regard to program appropriateness