Belize currently has the highest HIV prevalence in
Central America 2.01 per 1,000. One-third of all
reported HIV/AIDS cases are in young people ages 15
to 24. Given the small population of Belize (235,000)
and the large percentage of Belizeans under the age
of 24 (64%), the continued increase of HIV/AIDS cases
could have a devastating impact on the future of
Belize's economy, health care system and society as a
whole. The purpose of this book is twofold: First, to
provide an in-depth examination of the behavioral and
socio-cultural context of AIDS in Belize; and second,
to give a detailed account of the program planning,
implementation, and evaluation of a theory-centered
peer-facilitated school-based HIV/AIDS education and
prevention program on HIV-related knowledge,
attitudes, and behaviors among primary and secondary
students in Belize. The intervention was shown to
have a significant impact on condom use behavior,
intention to use condoms, condom attitudes, and
knowledge. Given the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS in
Belize, the study detailed in this book has important
implications for AIDS education and prevention in the
country of Belize.
Central America 2.01 per 1,000. One-third of all
reported HIV/AIDS cases are in young people ages 15
to 24. Given the small population of Belize (235,000)
and the large percentage of Belizeans under the age
of 24 (64%), the continued increase of HIV/AIDS cases
could have a devastating impact on the future of
Belize's economy, health care system and society as a
whole. The purpose of this book is twofold: First, to
provide an in-depth examination of the behavioral and
socio-cultural context of AIDS in Belize; and second,
to give a detailed account of the program planning,
implementation, and evaluation of a theory-centered
peer-facilitated school-based HIV/AIDS education and
prevention program on HIV-related knowledge,
attitudes, and behaviors among primary and secondary
students in Belize. The intervention was shown to
have a significant impact on condom use behavior,
intention to use condoms, condom attitudes, and
knowledge. Given the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS in
Belize, the study detailed in this book has important
implications for AIDS education and prevention in the
country of Belize.