Abstract

Education level and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge in Kenya investigated secondary and university students’ HIV/AIDS knowledge in the City of Nairobi, Kenya. This was motivated by research findings in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, showing a correlation between education level and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The method employed was that of descriptive statistics consisting of frequency, percentage, t-test and probability in the analyses of data. The sample comprised 259 female and male participants drawn from several schools and universities in Nairobi. The results showed that both male and female participants from both schools and universities had a very high knowledge of HIV/AIDS. In terms of comparison between secondary and university respondents, the latter’s performance was superior, as the mean difference was statistically significant. Thus confirming what other researchers have reported in their research findings. In conclusion, it was argued that education remains the social vaccine in the absence of a cure for HIV/AIDS, which remains the most effective means for combating the enormously dreadful disease in recent human history. It is important therefore that education be given the highest priority in combating HIV/AIDS on the basis of the fact that it is controllable, manageable and preventable, all of which can be realized through education.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), girls’ education, correlation, educational attainment, HIV/AIDS free children.