Dissertation (MA Sociology)
This study aimed at examining a sociological understanding of HIV/AIDS among primary school children in Kigoma-Ujiji Municipal. Ten primary schools in the Municipal with 50 students respondents aged between 10 and 15 and 10 teachers (five students and one teacher from each school); and 5 medical personnel were selected. Whereas questionnaires were administered to students, interviews were conducted to teachers and medical personnel in exploring their views on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Municipal and in the course of their services. The study employed cross sectional type of research design. Data were collected from primary school children, teachers and health personnel and then analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program version 16.0). Likert Scale sort of questions were used to measure the children‟s understanding of HIV/AIDS. The study‟s findings portray that majority of children and teachers in the Municipal schools are aware of the HIV/AIDS and its impacts. Though, there is still a knowledge gap on the HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Findings from medical sector show that the HIV/AIDS and STIs are still a threat as the trend seems to be getting higher, a situation which needs multisectoral, timely, comprehensive and holistic interventions. The study leads to the conclusion that the level of understanding in terms of knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV/AIDS is crucial in combating the menace of the disease. The study recommends that more efforts and interventions in regard to HIV/AIDS and STI should start at grass root level, thus at children while are still young, as the earlier the better and what goes wrong go wrong earlier.