A study of the knowledge, experiences and attitudes of school counsellors in Newfoundland and Labrador as they relate to AIDS and AIDS education

Rose, Cynthia Lynn (1995) A study of the knowledge, experiences and attitudes of school counsellors in Newfoundland and Labrador as they relate to AIDS and AIDS education. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

One hundred and twenty three school counsellors employed in the public schools of Newfoundland and Labrador completed a survey questionnaire to determine their knowledge level, attitudes, personal and professional experience related to AIDS and AIDS education. The survey addressed their background as counsellors, AIDS related educational experience, their knowledge of AIDS, counselling and personal experience related to AIDS, and the types of AIDS educational activities being provided to the students in their schools. -- School counsellors are unanimous in their view that AIDS education must be addressed in the public school for students, teachers and themselves. A full one third of those surveyed had not received any formal inservice education which specifically addressed AIDS and AIDS education. Although, as a group, their AIDS related knowledge level was moderate to high, there were some specific knowledge gaps in the area of statistics related to transmission and prevention. A significant number of school counsellors surveyed have been providing their students with professional services related to AIDS including; addressing the anxiety of students who fear becoming infected, sending students for HIV testing, and a small number have counselled students who are HIV positive. However, despite this extensive involvement, 38% of counsellors have not been involved in any of these types of counselling activities. -- Counsellors were aware of their ethical responsibility and the ethical guidelines relating to the "duty to warn" when working with clients who are HIV positive. They also showed a sensitivity to and concern over balancing this obligation with their commitment to ensure confidentiality. Counsellors reported a high level of comfort with respect to personal contact with persons who are HIV positive. They expressed the need for reliable and up-to-date AIDS related information and for education in dealing with loss, uncertainty and confusion in preparation for work with HIV clients. -- Although counsellors did identify various AIDS education activities which are on-going at the school level as part of educating students about AIDS, their responses and recommendations reflect the view that improvement of AIDS education for school counsellors and students in the public schools of Newfoundland should be given increased priority.

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