Children's awareness and attitude towards the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Cape Coast Metropolitan area of Ghana

Samuel Asiedu Owusu, University of Cape Coast

This study described how children in the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area of Ghana are knowledgeable in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Children in primary school participated in the study. The entire respondent’s reported being aware of the existence of HIV/AIDS. Teachers were the most important source of information on HIV/AIDS to the respondents. Respondents believed that HIV can be transmitted through mosquito bites, witchcraft, a curse or other supernatural means. Most of the respondents thought they were not at risk of contracting the virus. Majority of the respondents were not willing to purchase fresh vegetables from a known HIV/AIDS patient, to be taught by infected teacher nor were willing to disclose to third parties that a relative is infected with HIV/IDS. It was recommended that HIV/AIDS intervention programmes should also focus on children. Teachers should be continually educated on current trends of the pandemic to enable them effectively educate their pupils