HIV Education: Perspectives and Practices. Fastback 461.

Overview & Synopsis

This booklet focuses on the importance of national implementation of comprehensive, effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) education for students in school, explaining that prevention education is most effective if initiated before students start to engage in risky behaviors and is reinforced from then on. This booklet examines: "The Work of Prevention"; "Developing HIV Education" (risk behaviors, matching message to maturity, healthy sexuality and relationships, the role of self-esteem, fear and education, and teens and awareness of risk); "Barriers to Effective HIV Education"; "The Politics of HIV Education" (abstinence-based versus abstinence-only programs, research on HIV education, the role of advocacy, and family involvement and local norms); "Professional Training in HIV Education" (inservice training and psychosocial issues in teacher training); and "Model HIV Education Curricula" (elementary, middle, high school, and community-based). The booklet concludes that informed educators can contribute significantly to public advocacy for effective and comprehensive school-based HIV education. A list of resources is included. (SM)