AIDS AWARENESS AMONG WOMEN: THE BENEFIT OF CULTURALLY SENSITIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

AIDS affects everyone, regardless of race, age, or religion; hence, information must be accessible to everyone. This descriptive study identified the need to generate culturally sensitive educational programs and evaluated their effect. Culturally sensitive AIDS educational training was offered to culturally diverse women. Training was conducted by women of the same ethnicity as the women in the group. The facilitators were specially trained on the role of a facilitator and the participatory method of learning. To assess any change in attitude, knowledge, and beliefs regarding AIDS, the questionnaire was administered before and after the training programs. Educational training had a positive effect (p < .05) on participants' attitude and knowledge regarding AIDS; they felt comfortable discussing their concerns in their own language, and with their friends from the same community, and they viewed the resources used as culturally sensitive.