| The purpose of this study was to identify HIV education needs and obstacles reported by secondary school home economics (N = 789) and health (N = 76) teachers.;Nearly all of the health teachers taught about HIV and had instruction to do so, most often through local, state or national workshops. Resources most used were videotapes, pamphlets, and state curriculum guides. Most needed were films/videos and developmental guidelines for instruction.;Overall the health teachers were comfortable teaching sensitive topics. They expressed some need for updates on IV drug use, homo/bisexuality and death and dying. Some of the health sample was not permitted to teach about safer sex (18%) and homo/bisexuality (25%). Over 20% rated overcrowded curriculum, student attitudes, and lack of materials stressing abstinence as great obstacles to HIV education.;In the home economics sample, 57% reported teaching about HIV. Most used pamphlets, videotapes, and locally-developed curricula. Over half had instruction to help them provide HIV education, most through in-service programs and local workshops. Overall, the group had high levels of comfort in teaching HIV topics. Over half needed knowledge updates on IV drug use, homo/bisexuality, STDs, death and dying, and risk behaviors for HIV. Over 70% of the sample was permitted to teach all of the HIV topics with the exception of safer sex (70%) and homo/bisexuality (56%).;In significant comparisons of the groups, health teachers were more likely to teach about HIV and to use state curricula and videos than home economics teachers. Fewer home economics teachers had instruction for providing HIV education and were lacking in state and national workshop/conference training. The home economics group needed information for planning programs and was less likely to be permitted to teach about nearly all of the HIV topics. Health teachers felt comfortable teaching homo/bisexuality and home economics teachers felt neutral. Lack of training was a moderate obstacle to the home economics group and no obstacle for the health group. |
