Place: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Moderator: _________________
Recorder: __________________
Observer(s): __________________

Welcome
Welcome all of the participants to the focus group and thank them for coming.

Introduction of workers
Introduce moderator, recorder and all observers

Review of the program
This project is supported by the International Policy Fellowships program, Open Society Institute. The aim of the project is to investigate the possibility of integrating HIV/AIDS/sexuality education into the school curricula in Armenia. For that purpose we are going to explore views and opinions of different interest groups including key policy makers, school principals, and parents about necessity of school-based AIDS education. As parents influence greatly on mentality and attitudes of their children, and because AIDS education efforts should be consistent with parental values, we would like to learn your attitude and opinion about AIDS education in schools and to discuss with you possibilities of implementing such education.

Participation
Your full participation in our discussion is important.  There are no “right” of “wrong” answers.  We are interested in your opinions and feelings.  We hope to learn from you.

Ground rules
All of you should feel free to discuss all questions among yourselves; don’t wait for the moderator to ask for your opinion.  But please don’t interrupt others when they are speaking.  Everyone will have a chance to speak. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers; no ideas, concerns, opinions are foolish.  All of you should feel free to disagree with anyone’s opinions.

Confidentiality
This discussion will be confidential. Only first names will be used; we will not tell anyone your names or that you participated in this discussion. We have a recorder who will take notes throughout the session. We also will tape record the discussion to make sure that no idea remains out of our attention.

Part II
Discussion

1. What is your opinion about whether or not HIV/AIDS is a problem in Armenia today?  Probe: During the past few years what is your observation regarding HIV/AIDS prevalence in Armenia?

2. What is your response when you hear people say that HIV/AIDS infection is a
problem restricted to prostitutes, intravenous drug users, and prisoners?

3. What is your opinion regarding whether our young people are at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS?

4. What do you know about HIV/AIDS? Probe: what it is? How people get infected with HIV? How one can avoid from getting infected with HIV/other STIs?

5. Do you talk to your children about HIV/AIDS/STIs? Probe: What do you tell them? If not, why not?

6. Please comment on the expression, “Our children will learn all they need to know when the time comes”.

7. What is your opinion about whether or not sex education should be taught to schoolchildren? Why or why not?

8. What is your opinion about a common belief that sex education in schools would entice adolescents to engage in sexual activities?

9. What is the role of parents/family in preparing children to sexuality education in schools? Who is responsible for that, mother or father, or both?

10. What subjects associated with sex education are currently taught in the national school program? Is there a need for such a program in schools?

11. What obstacles if any do you see to introducing HIV/AIDS education in the schools? Probe: policy, legislative, institutional, financial, cultural/traditional norms, limited availability of textbooks, absence of professional staff, etc

12. In your opinion, what is the capacity of the national schools for implementing HIV/AIDS education programs? Probe: Program/curriculum available? Teachers ability/readiness to teach about sensitive issues

13. In what ways should parents be involved in the development of an HIV/AIDS educational school program? Probe: Discussions with parents about content of sex education in school; Involvement of parents in design and development of sexuality education curricula;

14. What is your opinion about whether or not there is a need for parents to receive a special training on HIV/AIDS/sexuality issues and on how to talk to children about these issues? How and who should organize and conduct such training? Probe: Should this training be community-based or school-based?

15. In your opinion, in which form HIV/AIDS education program should be taught in schools:
a. as a component of a larger health education program
b. as a part of some other subject
c. as a separate course
d. as an extracurricular course

16. In which grades HIV/AIDS education program should be taught? Should information be provided through low to higher grades and tailored at age of the students?

17. Which issues should be addressed by HIV/AIDS school education program:
a. it should help students to acquire age-appropriate knowledge necessary for prevention of HIV-infection
b. HIV/AIDS education program should describe the benefits of abstinence
c. it should help adolescents avoid HIV high-risk behaviors through development of necessary skills
d. how to use condoms/contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and STD
e. other (specify)

18. Who should teach HIV/AIDS prevention program in schools:
a. any teacher
b. biology teacher
c. teachers or other specialists who received special training in school health education

19. Is a permission of parents or other caregivers necessary in order for a student to be able to participate in a school HIV/AIDS prevention course?

20. Would you like to be present during initial lessons of the course on HIV/AIDS prevention in school along with your child/children? Why?

21. What other alternatives can you suggest for teaching HIV/AIDS prevention to adolescents then through the national school curriculum?