AIDS and tuberculosis control programmes: an integrated approach at educational level.
In developing countries with a high prevalence of individuals co-infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB), urgent public health measures should be implemented to prevent the spread of both diseases. This study was performed by a combined acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-TB health team with the following aims: 1) to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice towards AIDS; 2) to identify target groups for health education (HE); 3) to evaluate HE impact; 4) to circulate correct information on AIDS and TB through target groups; and 5) to evaluate integration of AIDS and control TB activities. Secondary school students of Arua District, Uganda, participated in a standardized HE session (covering the key-points of AIDS and TB control) preceded by a pretest (multiple choice) questionnaire and followed 3 months later by the same questionnaire (post-test). The impact of HE on AIDS control was evaluated by comparing answers to pre- and post-test questionnaires and its influence on the TB programme by evaluating case-finding performances in the period preceding and following the survey. We analysed 1,478 questionnaires. The results of our study gave information on knowledge about AIDS, identified females and students < 16 yrs of age as good targets for HE, revealed that the impact of HE was significantly associated with improved knowledge, contributed to improved TB case-finding and offered suggestions for the integration of programmes. The survey represented an opportunity to create a stable AIDS/TB health team at district level.
Migliori
G B
GB
Depts of Pneumology, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Tradate Medical Centre, Italy.
Spanevello
A
A
Manfrin
V
V
Abongomera
A
A
Pedretti
R F
RF
Ballardini
L
L
Neri
M
M
Borghesi
A
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology