Abstract

The primary purpose of this investigation was to assess the level of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) knowledge of high school adolescents in Kenya. As a subsidiary, objective of the investigation was to determine whether there was transfer of knowledge between boys and girls regarding their sexual behaviour. The results showed that adolescent high school students have a high level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and that such knowledge transfers to the sexual relationship between boys and girls. The sample of the study consisted of 157 participants attending two high schools in Nairobi. Participants were administered a questionnaire based on HIV/AIDS transmission, infection and prevention. The method of data analysis used were frequencies, percentage and the chi-squared test. The study concluded that, even though the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge was high, there were identified misconceptions which would further justify the continued promotion of public education regarding HIV/AIDS. Unlike similar studies, this study found a correlation between knowledge and the transfer of this knowledge to change of behaviour. This study shows that public education does produce dividends in the prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission and the spread of the epidemic worldwide.

Key words: Avoidance, epidemic, infection, invulnerability, learning transfer, misconception, physical contact, transmission, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).