Effects of a rapid peer-based HIV/AIDS educational intervention on knowledge and attitudes of high school students in a high-income Arab country.
BACKGROUND
In response to low knowledge about HIV and intolerant attitudes toward persons living with HIV among Arab university students, a peer-based educational intervention was developed and impact evaluated on knowledge and attitudes of high school students in 2 of 4 main cities of United Arab Emirates.


METHODS
Four small teams of final year medical students, 3 female and 1 male, were trained. Multistage random sampling selected 14 female and 5 male Arab schools, then 56 female and 14 male grade 12 classes in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. The 90-minute intervention included a factual presentation and 3 attitude workshops. Baseline and postintervention knowledge and attitudes were assessed. Significance was tested by McNemar, Wilcoxon signed rank, and multilevel regression tests.


RESULTS
Response was 99.6%, 1398 females and 505 males. Misconceptions about modes of transmission and intolerant attitudes were evident. Mean knowledge score improved from 65% to 82% and attitude 51% to 64%, that is, relative increase 26% (P < 0.0005). Females had slightly lower baseline knowledge than males but showed greater improvement in knowledge and attitudes (P < 0.0005)


CONCLUSIONS
Grade 12 students' knowledge about HIV/AIDS was inadequate and attitudes stigmatizing. Peer-based knowledge workshops were effective, especially among females. Concise integrated teaching and workshops designed to address key knowledge and attitudinal deficiencies can be highly effective.
Barss
Peter
P
Department of Community Medicine, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. m.grivna@uaeu.ac.ae
Grivna
Michal
M
Ganczak
Maria
M
Bernsen
Roos
R
Al-Maskari
Fatma
F
El Agab
Hussein
H
Al-Awadhi
Fatheyah
F
Al-Baloushi
Hamdan
H
Al-Dhaheri
Sharina
S
Al-Dhahri
Jamila
J
Al-Jaberi
Amal
A
Al-Kaabi
Sheikha
S
Khouri
Aysha
A
Al-Kitbi
Hala
H
Al-Mansoori
Dalal
D
Al-Marzouqi
Mohamed
M
Al-Muhairy
Shamma
S
Al-Neaimi
Wadha
W
Al-Shamsi
Ebrahim
E
Zahmi
Abdullah Mohd
AM
Yammahi
Amnah Ali
AA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012572:School Health Services; D013334:Students; D014479:United Arab Emirates