An assessment of selected public school teachers and pre-service teachers knowledge and opinions about AIDS and AIDS education

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a rapidly growing public health concern which has led to national and state legislation recommending education as the most effective means of combating the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The purpose of this original 1989 study at the University of Northern Iowa was to identify, by questionnaire, the similarities and differences between the knowledge and opinions concerning acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS education policies of teachers in practice in Northeast Iowa and teachers in training at the University of Northern Iowa. Questionnaire responses and scores were analyzed using Chi Square and test at the .05 level of significance. The groups differed significantly on 17 of the 97 items on the AIDS and AIDS Education Opinion and Knowledge Survey. Results suggest there is minimal response differences between the groups. Identification of opinions of public school educators is needed to address AIDS education and school policy issues