Girls' schooling in Tanzania: the key to HIV/AIDS prevention?

AIDS Care. 2006 Nov;18(8):863-71. doi: 10.1080/09540120500307776.

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between schooling for girls and HIV/AIDS prevention in the United Republic of Tanzania. It is based on a survey administered to upper-level primary school students in rural Tanzania designed to ascertain their numeracy and literacy skills as well as their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The findings show that female students generally have stronger literacy and numeracy skills but less knowledge about HIV/AIDS than their male counterparts. This suggests that general education may not be the best vaccine against HIV/AIDS for young women; rather, AIDS-specific education and skills training may be required to increase the likelihood of prevention because of gender differences in how young people utilize knowledge acquired in school.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Education / standards*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • School Health Services
  • Sex Factors
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Tanzania / epidemiology