Students Perceptions of School-based HIV/AIDS Education Programs in Western Kenya

Abstract

Education on HIV infection, prevention, and treatment has the potential to improve young people’s knowledge on sexual health. Utilizing an ethnographic research approach, this study explored students’ perceptions of school-based HIV/AIDS education programs in three high schools in Western Kenya. Using a rights-based theoretical framework the authors sought to understand how such programs empower students to understand HIV vulnerability and prevention. This study contributes in two ways: first, it informs education-based policies and guidelines on the design and implementation of HIV/AIDS education programs in K-12 schools. Second, it underscores the influence of social norms, attitudes and behaviors within the broader societal context on the youth and the power of this population in participating in the design, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of school-based HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, School-Based HIV/AIDS Education programs, Students perceptions, Human Rights, Kenya.