Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to more than 70% of the global HIV-positive population. In Zambia, as well as in other parts of Africa, deaths from AIDS and associated infections have created a generation of households headed by children, a situation that negatively affects the chances for economic and health improvements in the region. In contemplating possible public health interventions around HIV prevention, we found that a growing body of research advocates for school-based HIV programs as an effective strategy to stop the spread of the disease. This work is critical because it explores schoolteachers' perspectives on their potential roles as HIV prevention educators. Semi-structured interviews (n = 12) were conducted among schoolteachers in the Lusaka province of Zambia to collect qualitative data. Analysis of qualitative data revealed three broad and interconnected themes related to the roles and concerns of the participating teachers: 1) the role of overburden; 2) fear of stigma; and 3) perceived lack of agency. These themes are further discussed in the context of the results that focused on the teachers and the adoption of HIV education. Little is known about teachers' perceptions of themselves as HIV educators. Our study suggests that understanding teachers' perceptions and the contextual factors is crucial to the adoption of school-based HIV programs.
Highlights
An estimated 30 million people are living with HIV worldwide; 22.5 million live in sub Saharan Africa[1]
Mortality from AIDS and associated infections has created a generation of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) — school census conducted by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in 2007 estimated th e total number of orphans at 1.3 million
In alignment with others studies on this topic[27], our study suggests that many teachers may have formal or informal knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention, but may not know how or what topics to teach to students
Summary
An estimated 30 million people are living with HIV worldwide; 22.5 million live in sub Saharan Africa[1]. Mortality from AIDS and associated infections has created a generation of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) — school census conducted by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in 2007 estimated th e total number of orphans at 1.3 million. According to the 2007 Zambian Demographic Health Survey, 14.9% of all orphan children are vulnerable to HIV[2]. This growing number negatively affects and further exasperates the chances for economic and health improvements in the region. Education levels are a strong predictor of HIV knowledge, safer sexual behavior, and reduced HIV infection rates[5]. De Walque (2009) asserts that schooling is one of the most consistent predictors of behavior and knowledge[6] Education levels are a strong predictor of HIV knowledge, safer sexual behavior, and reduced HIV infection rates[5]. de Walque (2009) asserts that schooling is one of the most consistent predictors of behavior and knowledge[6]
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