Knowledge and practices of HIV/AIDS education among adult literacy learners in Tanzania

The study was carried out in Mvumi and Itiso Wards in Dodoma Rural District with the purpose of investigating on knowledge that adult literacy learners had about HIV/AIDS, and the extent to which the knowledge was put into practice. The study sought to specifically investigate the manner of integration of HIV/AIDS education in the adult literacy curriculum and the means by which knowledge about the epidemic was obtained. Employed data collection methods included; Interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review. A total number of 56 respondents were selected including adult literacy learners, facilitators, centre heads, Ward Education Coordinators and district officials. The study revealed that all adult learners, irrespective of their education status, had reasonable knowledge on HIV/AIDS causes, symptoms and control measures. Most of adult literacy learners pointed out that they acquired HIV/AIDS education in a variety of sources including participation in adult literacy classes, radio broadcasts, peers, political party meetings, women meetings, clubs and religious ceremonies and cultural performances. The written media presented difficulties to adults who do not know how to read and write. The discussion method in the adult literacy classes was found to be the most effective of all methods in disseminating HIV/AIDS education. With regard to dissemination of HIV/AIDS information to children, most of the adult literacy learners pointed out that they faced difficulties in transmitting HIV/AIDS knowledge to their children since open discussions about sex and sexual related matters were inimical to their cultural norms. The study has revealed that both literate and illiterate community members are aware of causes and symptoms of the killer disease HIV/AIDS. But HIV/AIDS epidemic continue to spread at an alarming speed. In this dilemma, the study has attempted to put forward recommendations and a need to undertake in depth studies on human habits across cultures in regard to sexual behaviors. Sexuality account for 82.1% of the HIV/AIDS causes. Since the present study focused only on a single district it is recommended that researches covering a wider area have to be undertaken so as to get conclusions that are generalizable to all districts in the country.