title: Effects of a rapid peer-based HIV/AIDS educational intervention on knowledge and attitudes of high school students in a high-income Arab country.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Community Medicine, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. m.grivna@uaeu.ac.ae
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Barss
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Grivna
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Ganczak
authors: Roos
authors: R
authors: Bernsen
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Al-Maskari
authors: Hussein
authors: H
authors: El Agab
authors: Fatheyah
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authors: Al-Awadhi
authors: Hamdan
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authors: Al-Baloushi
authors: Sharina
authors: S
authors: Al-Dhaheri
authors: Jamila
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authors: Al-Dhahri
authors: Amal
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authors: Al-Jaberi
authors: Sheikha
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authors: Al-Kaabi
authors: Aysha
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authors: Khouri
authors: Hala
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authors: Al-Kitbi
authors: Dalal
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authors: Al-Mansoori
authors: Mohamed
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authors: Al-Marzouqi
authors: Shamma
authors: S
authors: Al-Muhairy
authors: Wadha
authors: W
authors: Al-Neaimi
authors: Ebrahim
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authors: Al-Shamsi
authors: Abdullah Mohd
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authors: Zahmi
authors: Amnah Ali
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authors: Yammahi
mesh_terms: 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