HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health issue in Ethiopia, particularly affecting adolescent girls who are at higher risk of infection due to multiple factors including early sexual debut and lack of access to comprehensive healthcare. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with educators, students, and parents from selected high schools in Dar-es-Salaam, focusing on the HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum's content, implementation strategies, and student reactions. Ethnographic techniques were employed to gather detailed insights into the programme's cultural context and impact. Students reported a significant increase in knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention methods post-participation in these programmes (65% of respondents indicated this improvement). However, challenges such as lack of parental involvement and perceived stigma were noted, particularly affecting girls from marginalized communities. While the school-based HIV/AIDS prevention programmes show promise in increasing awareness among adolescent girls, ongoing support and community engagement are crucial to overcome existing barriers and ensure sustained impact. Schools should collaborate more closely with local authorities and parents to address stigma and increase participation. Additionally, tailored educational materials addressing specific cultural contexts can enhance programme effectiveness. HIV/AIDS prevention, adolescent girls, school-based programmes, Dar-es-Salaam, Ethiopia
Tadesse et al. (Sat,) studied this question.