PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
To evaluate the extent to which the activities of PROSTAR clubs could increase the knowledge, awareness and sensitivity of the youth towards AIDS.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
To observe the level of exposure of PROSTAR club members to information about HIV/AIDS
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To observe the involvement of PROSTAR members in club activities
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To observe the capability of PROSTAR club members as AIDS education trainers to their peers
SAMPLING AND SELECTION OF SAMPLES
Youth between the ages of 13 to 25 years
Purposive sampling
Consist of three groups with the following numbers of members:
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PROSTAR clubs – (1844)
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Facilitators – (506)
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Non-club members – (2173)
DESIGN OF STUDY
Non-members function as a control sample for comparison.
The impact of AIDS education on the three groups was studied.
METHOD OF STUDY
- Survey method to investigate the behaviours of some individuals who attended PROSTAR
- Interview method of focus groups, detailing the experiences and effectiveness of PROSTAR on facilitators
INSTRUMENT OF STUDY
A set of pre-tested questionnaires that cover the knowledge, attitudes, prejudices, behaviour, hobbies, communication skills and organization of the youth on HIV/AIDS
AREA OF STUDY
This study was conducted throughout the country and divided into the following zones:
1 |
Central Zone – Perak, Selangor and Negri Sembilan
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2 |
Northern Zone – Penang , Kedah and Perlis
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3 |
Southern Zone – Malacca and Johore
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4 |
Eastern Zone – Kelantan, Trengganu and Pahang
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5 |
Sabah and Sarawak Zone
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SCHEDULE OF STUDY
1 |
Conceptualisation and preparation |
1 month |
2 |
Field work for data collection |
2 months (April and May) |
3 |
Data coding |
1 month |
4 |
Data analysis |
1 month |
5 |
Initial report writing |
1 month |
6 |
Final report writing |
1 month |
SURVEY FINDINGS
- Reasons for not joining PROSTAR are two, being ignorance (55%) and having never heard of PROSTAR (17%).
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The PROSTAR advertising logo is not being understood. Members understand the logo better than the non-members.
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Members have more exposure to information on AIDS than non-members.
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The seven channels of educational information on AIDS/PROSTAR are PROSTAR advertisement, Johan & Gang Comics, PROSTAR Comics, PROSTAR Bulletin, AIDS exhibition, Talks on AIDS and Peers.
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The role of comics and bulletins as channels of information is ineffective due to publication problems and limited distribution network.
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The credibility of members as an information source is higher than the credibility of non-members.
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Trust in the Internet as a source of information on AIDS is low. The Internet can only be used as an information distribution channel to create awareness.
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The exposure of members to PROSTAR is only through schools, hospital and clinics, and not through the mass media.
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The receipt of information by the youth does not relate to joining PROSTAR. The encouragement and support of friends, teachers and health service providers is more important than the information.
Involvement of club members (frequency) in PROSTAR activities are:
Frequency |
New Members |
Old Members |
Facilitators |
One |
62% |
31% |
23% |
Two |
19% |
23% |
25% |
Three |
5% |
17% |
14% |
Four |
1% |
7% |
11% |
Five |
2% |
7% |
6% |
Six |
1% |
3% |
6% |
Seven |
1% |
2% |
3% |
More than eight |
9% |
10% |
13% |
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Only 54% of the facilitators are active. Reasons for inactive facilitators include transfers (11%), no support (11%), no interest (3%) and no time (21%).
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Activities organised by facilitators include talks, exhibitions, camps, course/training and sports.
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The main topics presented by facilitators include general information on AIDS, ways of getting infected, symptoms of AIDS, prevention of AIDS and the role of society.
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Other topics such as sex and drug abuse are seldom discussed.
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The number of members qualified to become trainers is still low (only about 23 to 28%). However, among the facilitators, the number is about 61%.
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Facilitators possess a high level of confidence in planning AIDS education activities, such as disseminating information on AIDS and training and influencing their peers, compared to members and non-members.
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Knowledge about HIV/AIDS amongst the youth is high. The level of knowledge can be determined by asking questions on the following facts:
The use of condoms can reduce the risk of AIDS infection.
(Knowledge increase from 7% to 80%)
• HIV infection can occur through injections of drugs.
(Knowledge increase from 75% to 98%)
• Infection can spread from a HIV positive mother to her baby.
(Knowledge increase from 35% to 97%)
- Common misconceptions about AIDS include the following:
• Mosquito bites can cause HIV infection.
• The Asians are less prone to HIV infection than the Westerners.
• The HIV virus can infect only drug addicts, prostitutes, and homosexuals.
• The youth are more aware of the dangers of shared needles than sex as a source of AIDS.
• Although the youth have a positive attitude towards AIDS victims, prejudices against AIDS victims still exist, especially among the non-members (41%).
• More non-member youth are involved in high-risk behaviour as compared to the member youth.
• Members, especially senior members, are more involved in positive activities during their spare time.
SUGGESTIONS
Promote PROSTAR through a popular medium, such as humour magazines, entertainment magazines, MTV programmes and radio programmes, for the youth.
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Simplify messages on PROSTAR so that its aims and aspirations are easily understood and attract the youth to join the clubs.
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Keep in constant touch with club members through newsletters such as the PROSTAR Bulletin to maintain their interest.
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Outdoor activities should be promoted to accommodate members who prefer adventurous and challenging activities.
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The individuals who apply for the role of facilitators must have the interest as well as the time to do the job effectively.
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The focus of PROSTAR training and activities should not be on increasing knowledge and changing attitudes. Training should also be given on building confidence, interpersonal communication skills and organisational skills.
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Membership continuity should be maintained at the school, factory, village, Institute of Higher Learning and district levels.
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Use a consolidated approach to handle AIDS issues. Expand club activities to include other aspects of health.
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Include PROSTAR club membership in the co-curricular activities in schools.
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