The study found that 99.3% of the 144 students analyzed had a good overall level of HIV/AIDS knowledge, while only 0.7% were categorized as having a moderate level of knowledge. The students demonstrated strong understanding of the definition of HIV/AIDS, its modes of transmission, prevention strategies, signs and symptoms, and its health and social impacts.
The results offer encouraging evidence about the role of school-based health education in helping adolescents understand HIV/AIDS. At the same time, the researchers emphasize that continued education remains important because knowledge must be reinforced and translated into responsible preventive behavior.
HIV/AIDS Remains an Important Adolescent Health Issue
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, attacks the body's immune system. Without appropriate treatment, HIV infection can progress to AIDS, the advanced stage of the disease associated with serious health complications.
Adolescents are an important group in HIV prevention efforts. The teenage years involve major physical, psychological, and social changes, while curiosity and exposure to new experiences can influence decision-making. Inadequate knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention may increase vulnerability to risky behaviors.
The issue is particularly relevant in East Nusa Tenggara. The province recorded 997 new HIV cases in 2023 and 1,315 cases in 2024, including cases among adolescents aged 15–19. In Alor Regency, cumulative HIV cases also increased from 664 in 2023 to 761 in 2024, according to data cited in the study. In August 2025, 62 new HIV cases were reported in the regency.
These conditions make schools an important setting for health education. Schools provide regular access to adolescents and can deliver accurate information before misconceptions develop into harmful attitudes or behaviors.
Researchers Surveyed 144 Grade 11 Students
The researchers conducted a descriptive quantitative study at SMAK St. Yoseph Kalabahi. The study focused on Grade 11 students and collected data in April 2026.
The researchers initially identified 151 eligible students. However, seven students were absent during data collection, leaving 144 respondents whose data were analyzed. The majority of respondents were 17 years old, representing 64.6% of the sample. Female students accounted for 58.3%, while male students represented 41.7%.
Students completed a structured questionnaire assessing their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The questions covered several key areas, including the meaning of HIV/AIDS, transmission, prevention, signs and symptoms, and the potential impacts of the disease.
The researchers then analyzed the responses using frequencies and percentages. Knowledge scores were classified as good, moderate, or poor based on the percentage of correct answers.
Students Showed Strong Understanding Across All Knowledge Areas
The strongest result appeared in the students’ understanding of the basic definition of HIV/AIDS. All 144 respondents, or 100%, were categorized as having good knowledge in this area.
Knowledge about HIV transmission was also very high. A total of 96.5% of students demonstrated good knowledge, while 3.5% were categorized at the moderate level.
For HIV prevention, 95.8% of respondents had good knowledge. A smaller proportion showed moderate knowledge at 3.5%, while 0.7% was categorized as having poor knowledge.
Knowledge about signs and symptoms recorded the lowest proportion of students in the good category, although the result remained high at 92.4%. Meanwhile, 4.9% demonstrated moderate knowledge and 2.8% were categorized as having poor knowledge.
Students also showed strong understanding of the impacts of HIV/AIDS. A total of 98.6% demonstrated good knowledge, while 1.4% were categorized as moderate.
Overall, 143 of the 144 respondents, or 99.3%, demonstrated good knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Only one student, or 0.7%, was categorized as having moderate knowledge.
School Education and Reliable Information May Support High Knowledge
The researchers suggest that several factors may explain the high level of knowledge among students at SMAK St. Yoseph Kalabahi.
HIV/AIDS-related information is integrated into subjects such as Biology and Physical Education, Sports, and Health. Students also have increasing access to digital information, allowing them to obtain health information beyond the classroom.
The location of the school may also play a role. Because East Nusa Tenggara faces significant HIV/AIDS challenges, schools and local health authorities have strong reasons to maintain awareness and prevention activities.
The study also highlights the importance of reliable information. Accurate knowledge can help adolescents understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and what misconceptions should be avoided. The researchers further note that correct information can contribute to reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
However, the researchers caution that knowledge alone does not automatically guarantee healthy behavior. A student may understand HIV prevention but still require support to develop positive attitudes and make responsible decisions.
For this reason, Maria Susana Simo Ujan, Serlyansie V. Boimau, Ni Komang Yuni Rahyani, and Adriana M.S. Boimau recommend that HIV/AIDS education and health promotion programs continue to be implemented and strengthened.
Continuous Health Education Remains Important
The findings provide a positive picture of HIV/AIDS knowledge among Grade 11 students at SMAK St. Yoseph Kalabahi. Nevertheless, the small number of students who demonstrated incomplete knowledge, particularly regarding symptoms and prevention, shows that education should not stop after students achieve a high level of understanding.
Schools can continue strengthening HIV/AIDS education through classroom lessons, health campaigns, counseling, student activities, and cooperation with health professionals. Digital school media can also provide an additional channel for distributing accurate and age-appropriate health information.
The researchers argue that future health promotion should focus not only on improving knowledge but also on encouraging positive attitudes and responsible preventive behaviors. This approach is important because the ultimate goal of health education is not simply for students to remember information, but to use that knowledge in making informed decisions.
For education and public health policymakers, the study demonstrates the value of maintaining school-based HIV/AIDS education, particularly in regions where HIV continues to represent a major public health concern. Strong collaboration between schools, families, health institutions, and local governments could help ensure that adolescents receive consistent, accurate, and stigma-free information.
Author Profiles
Maria Susana Simo Ujan is affiliated with Poltekkes Kemenkes Denpasar and works in the field of health education and adolescent health.
Serlyansie V. Boimau is affiliated with Poltekkes Kemenkes Kupang, with academic interests in health education and public health.
Ni Komang Yuni Rahyani is affiliated with Poltekkes Kemenkes Denpasar and conducts research related to health and adolescent education.
Adriana M.S. Boimau is affiliated with Poltekkes Kemenkes Kupang and served as the corresponding author of the study. Her research interests include adolescent health, HIV/AIDS education, health promotion, and public health.
Research Source
Article Title: A Descriptive Study of Students' Knowledge of HIV and AIDS at Santo Yoseph Catholic Senior High School, Kalabahi, Alor Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Maria Susana Simo Ujan, Serlyansie V. Boimau, Ni Komang Yuni Rahyani, and Adriana M.S. Boimau
Affiliations: Poltekkes Kemenkes Denpasar and Poltekkes Kemenkes Kupang
Journal: International Journal of Education and Psychological Science (IJEPS)
Volume: 4, Issue 4, 2026, pp. 427–436
DOI: 10.59890/ijeps.v4i4.17
Official Journal URL: https://journalijeps.my.id/index.php/ijeps
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