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Abstract

This paper explores possibilities of integrating HIV/sex education into the school education framework. Various attributes of adolescents’ vulnerability to HIV infection are discussed. The paper also looks at different aspects of AIDS education for young people based on both theoretical frameworks and models developed and widely used worldwide and on Armenian youth perspectives. After an overview of legislation, policies and programs in this field in a number of countries with effective school-based AIDS education programs, a current status of school health education policies in Armenia is presented. The paper also attempts to analyze important policy and institutional aspects that support or hinder the integration of HIV/STI prevention and health education into the schools in Armenia. For that purpose views and attitudes of a variety of stakeholders including policy makers at the top and executive levels, school teachers, and parents were investigated and are presented to a reader’s review. Policy implications are followed.

Full text Research Paper (PDF file, 513 KB)