The Impa Of Health Education On Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Prisoners Towards Hiv/Aids

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Federal prison for men (kober) and Omdurman prison for women, in the period of January 2002 to June 2003, to study the impact of health education on raising knowledge, improve attitudes and in promoting behaviour of the inmates towards HIV/AIDS. The selections of the prison as an area of this study because the inmates are high-risk group towards HIV/AIDS and because there was no known health education programme targeting this group. Sample size statistically determined from those who have had long-term imprisonment (more than one year). A 120 and 68 inmate of males and females respectively were selected randomly to represent inmates population in both prisons. The collection of the data passed through three phases - based on a standard questionnaire of WHO on behavioural survey on HIV/AIDS, 2000. The questionnaire includes data on the background of the respondents, knowledge, attitudes and their practices towards HIV/AIDS. Firstly the pretest questionnaire was distributed and filled by the intended inmates. Secondly introduced comprehensive health education programme that included lectures, posters, booklets, film, group discussion and peer education. Thirdly, the posttest questionnaire (same pretest questionnaire) was distributed for the sample selected. SPSS Statistical Package for Social Science was used for the analysis of the data; McNemar test was used to label the significance of the parameters. The result showed the positive impact of health education raising knowledge, improve attitudes and in promoting practices of the respondents towards HIV/AIDS. Before health education it was found that 69 males (70%) and 31 females (55%) did not know much about the cause, 48 of males (47%) and 30 of females (53%) did not know the way of transmission, and 37 males (37%) and 17 females (30%)did not know the way of prevention of HIV/AIDS before health education, their awareness changed after the health education programme. 78 males (80%) and 47 females (84%) did not eat with patient, 82 males (83%) and 34 females (60%) prefer that concealing of an AIDS patient, 74% males and 55% females prefer the prohibition of an AIDS patient to practice their job or go to schools and university. 35% of male and female respondents practicing sex in the prison. The result confirmed the important and vital significance of health education in raising knowledge, improve attitudes and in promote practices. So 89% of the respondents know the actual cause of disease, 100% said the AIDS transmitted through practicing sex with infected person, and using of their equipment. 100% mentioned the uses of condom is away of prevention against infection