Attitudes and practice of primary school teachers regarding prevention of HIV/AIDS: a case study of Mkuranga district, Tanzania

This dissertation examines the attitudes and practice of primary school teachers regarding prevention of HIV/AIDS. A total of 235 primary school teachers from Mkuranga District were selected through random sampling for this study. Information was collected through a self-administered questionnaire which contained 44 questions and statistical package known as SPSS was used as a tool of data analysis. The findings show that all (100 percent) teachers heard about HIV/AIDS and that 25.7 percent of the respondents obtained information about HIV/AIDS from the media. Majority of teachers have good knowledge on transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Some 95 percent of the teachers have positive attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS and the use of VCT services. More than half (57.3 percent) of teachers did not attend any training or seminars concerning HIV/AIDS. About 74.7 percent of the respondents reported condoms as a prevention measure of HIV/AIDS, but only 38.7 percent usually use condoms. Furthermore, the findings show that over half (60.9 percent) teachers do not usually use condoms. Several reasons were found to hinder the use of condoms by teachers, 46 percent said they don't like condoms and 37 percent said they are making love with their husband/wives. Other reasons were religion and reduction of sexual pleasure. Based on the results it is recommended that teachers should be provided with more seminars or training on HIV/AIDS. Knowledge and positive attitudes should lead to behaviour change.