Training Kids about HIV and AIDS

 

• Information about the modules

  • HIV and AIDS: What Kids Want to Know for 6-9 year olds

  • Lets Talk About HIV and AIDS for 9-12 year olds

• View online version (May take time to load) (Macromedia Flash plug in required)

  • HIV and AIDS: What Kids Want to Know for 6-9 year olds

  • Lets Talk About HIV and AIDS for 9-12 year olds

• Information on the CD ROM version

• Download a test version with no audio (3 megabyte zipped file) (May only run on Windows XP and earlier versions, not on Win7). 

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"HIV and AIDS: What Kids Want to Know" and "Lets Talk About HIV and AIDS" are interactive, multimedia, computer-based training programs for children ages 9-12 and children ages 6-9. The most innovative part of the software is the use of children who are affected by HIV/AIDS to guide development and narrate the programs. The programs contain voice, sounds, animation, and video to keep children involved in the learning. The use of sound is an important feature in the software. Using children affected by HIV/AIDS as narrators creates a powerful experience while hearing the children talk openly and honestly about HIV/AIDS. While the progam runs on Win XP, it does not run on Win 7.  However, it may run on the forthcoming Win 8.  We are hoping to develop an app version for smartphones. 

Ann Wilder and Dick Schoech developed the programs at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work. For additional information contact Dick Schoech, Professor, U. of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, Box 19129, Arlington, TX 76019-0129 phone: 817/272-3964 FAX: 817/272-2046, Support was provided by an AT&T Scholars Grant and the Levi Strauss Foundation.

Details about "HIV & AIDS: What Kids Want to Know" (6-9 year old)

Eight screens from the 6-9 year old program

Description of the 6-9 year old program

The 6-9 year old program titled "HIV and AIDS: What Kids Want to Know" presents a very elementary approach to exploring HIV and its nature. A jungle setting and theme were used for the 6-9 year old program based on the suggestions of the kids. The program focuses on basic health and hygiene in addition to the more concrete aspects of disease prevention, such as, hand washing and how to help with a nosebleed. This program could be used with mentally challenged populations, such as the mentally retarded or the severely mentally ill, whose functioning would be at a 6-9 developmental age.

The 9-12 year old program titled "Let's Talk about HIV and AIDS" uses the metaphor of HIV as a "pirate." The 9-12 year old program explores prevention and disease concepts relevant for late elementary and early adolescent populations, for example, how HIV attacks the immune system and sexual contact as a mode of transmission. The interactive multimedia program contains color graphics, sounds, kid's voices, limited animation, and video. This content is particularly appropriate for using video scenarios of children offering choices in healthy decision making, for example, drug and alcohol consumption.

Overview of the 6-9 year old program

"HIV & AIDS: What Kids Want to Know" contains the following content.

• Opening page--HIV and AIDS-what kids want to know.
• You are special!
• What does it mean to be special: (1) you are unique (2) there is no one else like you in the world, and (3) you have your own appearance, abilities, and talents.
• Part of being special means learning to be responsible and being responsible is hard work. Being responsible mean making good choices and doing what you say you can do.
• You can make good choices to keep your body healthy: (1) you can eat good foods, (2) you can keep yourself clean, and (3) you can exercise, run, and play.
• What is a virus? A virus is a germ that you get from someone else. It gets in your body and it makes you sick.
• What is HIV: (1) a different kind of virus, (2) it's not like measles, chickenpox, cold or the flu, (3) HIV doesn't go away like other viruses, and (4) HIV is harder to get.
• Right now there is no cure for HIV, but doctors are working hard to find one.
• HIV causes the very serious illness called AIDS. If a person gets HIV they can get very sick and die.
• How can I keep from getting HIV: (1) needles are not for touching--if you find a needle on the ground go tell an adult instead, (2) using drugs is not good for your body, and (3) playing with needles is dangerous.
• What can I do if I find a needle on the ground? (1) If you find a needle on the ground, go tell a teacher or an adult, (2) needles are not for touching.
• What can I do if I'm with someone who gets hurt and starts to bleed? (1) It's okay to help someone but don't touch their blood.
• What can I do every day to stay healthy? (1) cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, (2) wash your hands.
• Can I be a friend with someone who has HIV? A person who has HIV needs friends just like you. You can be nice and care about them even if they do have HIV.

Purpose of the 6-9 year old program

To use interactive multimedia technology to prevent HIV/AIDS in youth ages' 6-9

Goals and Objectives of the program of the 6-9 year old program

Goal 1: To increase children's (ages' 6-9) awareness of health through instruction of wellness concepts

Learning objective #1: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that each person's body is special.

Learning objective #2: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of the need to show more compassion for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Goal 2: To increase children's (ages' 6-9) awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS through instruction of disease concepts.

Learning objective #1: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of what a virus is.

Learning objective #2: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is caused by a virus.

Learning objective #3: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is a communicable disease.

Learning objective #4: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of how HIV/AIDS is different from other viruses (e.g., lives in blood and how transmitted).

Learning objective #5: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is transmitted through blood.

Learning objective #6: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is a very serious illness.

Learning objective #7: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS can be prevented in children like other diseases.

Goal 3: To increase children's (ages' 6-9) awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention through personal decision making.

Learning objective #1: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that each person is responsible for the decisions they make about their body.

Learning objective #2: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that decisions that they make about their body can affect other people.

Evaluation of the 6-9 year old program

The program was reviewed by kids of the Kids Club of Dallas; however, a formal evaluation has not yet been completed. Resources to evaluate the program are currently being sought.

Details of "Let's Talk About HIV and AIDS" (9-12 year old)

8 screens from the 9-12 year old program

Description of the 9-12 year old program

The 9-12 year old program titled "Let's Talk about HIV and AIDS" uses the metaphor of HIV as a "pirate." The 9-12 year old program explores prevention and disease concepts relevant for late elementary and early adolescent populations, for example, how HIV attacks the immune system and sexual contact as a mode of transmission. The interactive multimedia program contains color graphics, sounds, kid's voices, limited animation, and video. This content is particularly appropriate for using video scenarios of children offering choices in healthy decision making, for example, drug and alcohol consumption.

Overview of the 9-12 year old program

"Let's Talk About HIV and AIDS" consists of 24 screens that are clustered into four segments.

• Five components compose the first segment. These include an introduction to the program, a statement of learning objectives, the definition of HIV and AIDS, an introduction to the immune system concept, and clarification of how HIV is related to AIDS.
• The second segment illustrates the pirate, boat, and guard metaphors. It also explains the unique nature of the HIV and AIDS disease concept.
• The third segment states how you can and can not get HIV, and what you can do to keep yourself safe from HIV and AIDS.
• The fourth segment stresses the importance of personal decision making and the impact of HIV and AIDS on families and communities.
• The program closes with a personal testimony by one of the Kid's Club Kids. This is presented with a photograph of the child and the primary developer.

Goals and Objectives of the program of the 9-12 year old program

Goal 1: To increase children's (ages' 9-12) awareness and understanding of health through instruction of wellness concepts

Learning objective #1: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that each person's body is special.

Learning objective #2: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of the need to show more compassion for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Goal 2: To increase children's (ages' 9-12) awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS through instruction of disease concepts

Learning objective #1: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of HIV.

Learning objective #2: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of AIDS.

Learning objective #3: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of how HIV affects the body.

Learning objective #4: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of how AIDS affects the body.

Learning objective #5: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is transmitted through blood.

Learning objective #6: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is transmitted through bodily fluids.

Learning objective #7: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of at least three ways of contracting HIV.

Learning objective #8: After experiencing the program, children will be aware of at least three misconceptions about how you can contract HIV.

Goal 3: To increase children's (ages' 9-12) awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention through instruction of personal decision making.

Learning objective #1: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is transmitted through sexual contact.

Learning objective #2: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby.

Learning objective #3: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that HIV/AIDS is transmitted through IV drug use.

Learning objective #4: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that each person is responsible for the decisions they make about their body.

Learning objective #5: After experiencing the program, children will be aware that the decisions they make about their body can affect other people.

Evaluation of the 9-12 year old program of the 9-12 year old program

The evaluation of the 9-12 year old program was designed to address some of the issues currently facing parents and teachers in examining HIV/AIDS curriculum. The evaluation samples consisted of:

• Ten parents living in the Arlington and Fort Worth area who viewed the program and completed the post test,
• Eight teachers and 2 school nurses employed in the Arlington and Ft Worth Independent School Districts who viewed the program and completed the post-test, and
• Ten age 9-12 female participants in the Dallas Girl's Inc. Summer education program who viewed the program and completed a structured interview in a pre and post-test format.

The total evaluation is available as the thesis of Ann Wilder, the co-principle investigator and senior research assistant on the project. The thesis is available upon request or from the University of Texas at Arlington library. The key findings of the evaluation are summarized below.

Parents reactions to of the 9-12 year old program:

Parents strongly agreed that:

• a multimedia program is a good tool for educating children on HIV and AIDS,
• they would allow their child or a child of similar age to view the program,
• they preferred their child to view the program with an instructor available to answer questions,
• they would give their child permission to use this program at school,
• they would support the use of this program in their local public school health or sexual education curriculum,
• the subject matter was presented in a non-sexist and non-racist manner,
• the subject matter is concrete and presented in a clear and logical format,
• the subject matter and its presentation is appropriate for children ages' 9-12,
• the accents of the recorded voices and the vocabulary helps the program relate to different ethnic populations,
• the program is technically simple enough for children ages' 9-12,
• the pirate, boat and guards metaphor was helpful in presenting the subject matter to children ages' 9-12,
• using children to talk to children is helpful in presenting the subject matter to children ages' 9-12,
• children ages' 9-12 would enjoy using the program, and
• children would perceive the presentation of the subject matter as non-judgmental.

Parents agreed that:

• cultural sensitivity is a critical issue in the selection of HIV and AIDS educational software,
• the graphics help the program relate to different ethnic populations,
• the recorded voices were clear and easy to understand,
• the sound, graphics and animation were sequenced in a non-distracting manner,
• the instructions for using the program were clear and easy to follow,
• the viewing time was appropriate for children ages' 9-12, and
• children would perceive the tone of the voices in the program as caring.

Parents preferred that their child view this program with children his/her own age. They also preferred a child view the program with a parent or guardian available to answer questions. The parents were indifferent to their child viewing the program with children of the same gender.

Teachers reactions to of the 9-12 year old program:

Teachers strongly agreed that:

• a multimedia program is a good tool for educating children on HIV and AIDS,
• they would allow their child or a child of similar age to view the program,
• they would give their students permission to use this program at school,
• they would support the use of this program in their local public school health or sexual education curriculum,
• the program was visually appealing,
• the sound, graphics and animation were sequenced in a non-distracting manner,
• cultural sensitivity is a critical issue in the selection of HIV and AIDS educational software,
• the subject matter was presented in a non-sexist and non-racist manner,
• the subject matter is concrete and presented in a clear and logical format,
• the subject matter and its presentation is appropriate for children ages' 9-12,
• the program is technically simple enough for children ages' 9-12,
• using children to talk to children is helpful in presenting the subject matter to children ages' 9-12,
• children ages' 9-12 would enjoy using the program, and
• children would perceive the presentation of the subject matter as non-judgmental.

Teachers agreed that:

• the recorded voices were clear and easy to understand,
• the instructions for using the program were clear and easy to follow,
• more sound, graphics, animation, photographs and video clips would help the program,
• the accents of the recorded voices, the vocabulary and the graphics help the program relate to different ethnic populations,
• the pirate, boat, and guards metaphor is helpful in presenting the subject matter to children ages' 9-12, and
• children ages' 9-12 would perceive the tone of the voices in the program as caring.

Teachers preferred that their students view this program with children their own age. They also preferred the student view the program with a parent or guardian or an instructor available to answer questions. All of teachers were indifferent to their students viewing the program with children of the same gender.

Children reactions to of the 9-12 year old program:

Learning retention

• Pre and post mean scores were compared for the eleven concepts designed to measure learning retention. A significant difference in scores at the p < .05 significance level or better was noted on two of the eleven concepts. These concepts were definition of HIV and causal relationship of HIV to AIDS.
• An increase in post-test scores without significance occurred for five of the eleven concepts. These concepts were viral, invades the body, communicable germ, immunodeficiency, and definition of AIDS.
• No change in pre and post-test scores was observed on two out of the eleven concepts. These concepts were difficulty of infection by HIV and fatality of AIDS.
• A decrease in post-test means was observed on two of the eleven concepts with no significance noted. These concepts were syndrome and immunodeficiency.

Behavioral change

• Pre and post mean scores were compared for the eleven concepts designed to measure behavioral change. A significant difference in scores at the p < .05 significance level or less was noted on four out of the eleven concepts. These concepts were unsafe sexual contact with body fluids, casual contact, hygiene, and emotional concern.
• An increase in post-test scores without significance occurred for five out of the eleven concepts. These concepts were prevention, wellness, importance of self, uniqueness of self, and wellness.
• No change in pre and post-test scores was observed on one out of the eleven concepts. This concept was decisions that you make affect other people.
• A decrease in post-test means was observed on one out of the eleven concepts with no significance noted. This concept was being responsible for your body.

Overall we were pleased with the evaluation results. Both parents and teachers were very positive about the program and its use. Children learned almost all the expected concepts and their behavior is likely to change in many of the desired ways. Our kids viewed the program alone. We expect even stronger learning and behavioral change by children who view the program as part of a group under the guidance of a trained teacher.

These programs were designed specifically for use in a classroom setting. Research and evaluation took place in schools with both students and teachers. Suggestions for use vary greatly depending on the class size, availability of equipment and maturity of students. Adult guidance is advised for the use of these manuals due to the nature of the subject matter which tends to raise questions in children which will need to be answered by a competent adult. Possibilities for viewing consist of individual sessions at a multimedia station using a pair of headphones to contain the sound. A small group setting could also be arranged for viewing with four to six children around one computer screen. A large group presentation could take place with the use of a LCD panel attached to an overhead projector. Whatever the viewing conditions, expect questions from students some of which may be noted here.

Information on the CD-ROM Version

The programs were originally developed on a CD-ROM.  The screen shots above are from the CD-ROM version.  The CD-ROM version contains both programs.  It is free, however, a $25 fee is requested for the programs to cover the cost of CD-ROM pressing and postage. The $25 fee may be waived for those unable to afford the $25. The CD-ROM version includes an additional software module "For kids 9-12-video."  This module contains artwork and videos of some of the developers who worked on the 9-12 program.  Requests the program.

Copyright 2009, Ann Wilder & Dick Schoech. All rights reserved.

Permission is granted for nonprofit, educational uses of this work. All other uses require permission from the Author. AUTHOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES CONCERNING THIS WORK, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND WARRANTIES OF PERFORMANCE, AND ANY WARRANTY THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE ARISE FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE.