Abstract:
This study was conducted to evaluate changes in student teacher trainees at the
Centre for Continuing Education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, after completing a
course on the Human Immunodefi ciency Virus/Acquired Immune Defi ciency Syndrome
(HIV/AIDS). It particularly evaluated changes in relation to improving their level of
knowledge on the transmission, stigmatisation, symptoms, prevention and control
of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. The study also considered
stigmatisation, the attitudes of students towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
and their sensitivity to impart knowledge on the pandemic.
A descriptive research design was used. The target population comprised all student
teachers who had participated in the programme on reducing HIV/AIDS and
stigmatisation through education. A sample size of 600 respondents randomly selected
from 10 study centres throughout the country responded to a 32-item questionnaire.
Section A of the questionnaire collected data on participants’ age, sex, study centre
and level or year group. Section B focused on fi ve research questions. Frequencies
and percentages were used to analyse the data.
Findings from the study revealed that there was an increase in the knowledge of
student trainee teachers on STIs, HIV/AIDS and stigma prevention, and their ability
to discuss reproductive health and sexual issues. However, as student teachers were
exposed to other HIV/AIDS materials and activities outside their written modules for
the programme, it appears that not all of the changes were due to the programme.
Description:
Proceedings of the 3rd biannual International Conference on
Distance Education and Teachers’ Training in Africa (DETA) held at
the University of Cape Coast,
Cape Coast, Ghana, August 2009
