AIDS/HIV education for students in urban high schools in 18 provinces of China

Objective To analyze acquired immunodificiency syndrom/human immunodificiency virus(AIDS/HIV) health education for students in urban high schools in 18 provinces of China and to provide a basis for health education on AIDS among the students. Methods An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among 109 754 urban high school students selected by using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method in 18 provinces and cities of China. Results The percentage of students who had ever been taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection was higher in elite high school students than in ordinary high school students or vacational high school students(P<0.01),and HIV/AIDS education in high schools was not as ideal as expected in some areas.The knowledge of and attitude toward HIV/AIDS were better among students with the education program in school about AIDS or HIV infection than those without the education in different areas(P<0.01). Conclusion There is a great disequilibrium in HIV/AIDS health education among different kinds of high schools in China.HIV/AIDS health education should be strengthened among vocational high school students and the educational effiency should also be promoted.