Encouraging Interpersonal Communication

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The Relationship between Peer Mass Media Exposure to Youth Knowledge and Attitudes in the S2 Study Program Faculty of Public Health and the Role of Friends of HIV/AIDS Transmission in Raksana Raksana High School in Medan 2016

Introduction

The alarming trend of HIV/AIDS cases among adolescents in Indonesia is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. In 2015, there were 2,030 teenagers suffering from HIV/AIDS, largely due to their low knowledge and attitudes towards this disease. This study aims to explore the relationship between the exposure of mass media and the role of peers on adolescent knowledge and attitudes in the prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS, with a focus on students in Raksana Medan Private High School.

The Importance of Mass Media Exposure and Peer Influence

Mass media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing individual behavior. In the context of HIV/AIDS prevention, mass media exposure can provide adolescents with accurate and up-to-date information about the disease, its transmission, and prevention methods. This knowledge can empower adolescents to make informed decisions about their health and reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission.

Peer influence, on the other hand, is a powerful factor in shaping adolescent behavior and attitudes. Friends and peers can provide adolescents with social support, encouragement, and role models that can influence their knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Positive peer relationships can foster a sense of belonging, self-esteem, and confidence, which are essential for healthy development and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Research Methodology

This study uses analytical survey methods with a cross-sectional design. The population studied consisted of 406 students in class X and XI in Raksana Medan Private High School. From this population, 143 students were chosen as samples through simple random sampling techniques. Data was collected by distributing questionnaires designed to measure students' knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Data analysis was carried out using the Chi Square test to see a significant relationship between the variables studied.

Research Results

The results of the analysis show that there is a significant relationship between the exposure of mass media and adolescent knowledge about the prevention and transmission of HIV/AIDS (P-value <0.001). This shows that the more often adolescents are exposed to information about HIV/AIDS through the mass media, the higher their knowledge. However, this study also found that there was no significant relationship between the exposure of mass media and adolescent attitudes towards HIV/AIDS (p-value = 0.299).

On the other hand, the role of peers is proven to have a significant relationship with knowledge (p = 0.029) and attitudes (p = 0.017) adolescents regarding the prevention of HIV/AIDS. This shows that interactions with peers who have good knowledge can increase the understanding and positive attitude of adolescents towards HIV/AIDS.

Implications and Recommendations

The results of this study emphasize the importance of the exposure of mass media and social interaction in shaping adolescent knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. To overcome the problem of knowledge and low attitudes among adolescents, it is recommended that the school:

Providing Reading Books: Providing the right and informative literature about HIV/AIDS so that students can learn independently.
Creating a Website about HIV/AIDS: Creating an online platform that provides accurate and latest information about HIV/AIDS, so students can access the information at any time.
Building Peer Counselors: Developing Peer Counseling Programs in Schools, which aims to discuss health problems including HIV/AIDS. This will create an environment where adolescents feel comfortable sharing information and experience.
Encouraging Interpersonal Communication: Encouraging students to engage in open and honest communication with their peers and teachers about HIV/AIDS, its prevention, and transmission.

By carrying out these recommendations, students are expected to be able to gain a better understanding of HIV/AIDS, as well as develop a positive attitude towards the prevention of transmission of this disease. This effort is not only beneficial for individual youth, but also for the community as a whole in creating a healthier and knowledgeable environment.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of mass media exposure and peer influence in shaping adolescent knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. The results of this study emphasize the need for schools to provide adolescents with accurate and up-to-date information about HIV/AIDS, as well as create an environment that encourages open and honest communication about health problems. By implementing these recommendations, schools can play a crucial role in preventing HIV/AIDS transmission among adolescents and promoting a healthier and more knowledgeable community.

Limitations and Future Directions

This study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the use of a cross-sectional design. Future studies should aim to replicate this study with a larger sample size and a longitudinal design to better understand the relationship between mass media exposure and peer influence on adolescent knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Additionally, future studies should explore the effectiveness of school-based interventions in promoting HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission among adolescents.

References

[List of references cited in the study]

Appendix

[Appendix materials, including questionnaires, data analysis, and additional tables and figures]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relationship between Peer Mass Media Exposure to Youth Knowledge and Attitudes in the S2 Study Program Faculty of Public Health and the Role of Friends of HIV/AIDS Transmission in Raksana Raksana High School in Medan 2016

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to explore the relationship between the exposure of mass media and the role of peers on adolescent knowledge and attitudes in the prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it highlights the importance of mass media exposure and peer influence in shaping adolescent knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. The results of this study can inform the development of effective school-based interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission among adolescents.

Q: What is the methodology used in this study?

A: This study uses analytical survey methods with a cross-sectional design. The population studied consisted of 406 students in class X and XI in Raksana Medan Private High School. From this population, 143 students were chosen as samples through simple random sampling techniques.

Q: What are the findings of this study?

A: The results of this study show that there is a significant relationship between the exposure of mass media and adolescent knowledge about the prevention and transmission of HIV/AIDS. However, there is no significant relationship between the exposure of mass media and adolescent attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. On the other hand, the role of peers is proven to have a significant relationship with knowledge and attitudes adolescents regarding the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The implications of this study are that schools should provide adolescents with accurate and up-to-date information about HIV/AIDS, as well as create an environment that encourages open and honest communication about health problems. By implementing these recommendations, schools can play a crucial role in preventing HIV/AIDS transmission among adolescents and promoting a healthier and more knowledgeable community.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the use of a cross-sectional design. Future studies should aim to replicate this study with a larger sample size and a longitudinal design to better understand the relationship between mass media exposure and peer influence on adolescent knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.

Q: What are the recommendations for future studies?

A: Future studies should aim to replicate this study with a larger sample size and a longitudinal design to better understand the relationship between mass media exposure and peer influence on adolescent knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Additionally, future studies should explore the effectiveness of school-based interventions in promoting HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission among adolescents.

Q: What are the practical implications of this study for schools and communities?

A: The practical implications of this study for schools and communities are that they should provide adolescents with accurate and up-to-date information about HIV/AIDS, as well as create an environment that encourages open and honest communication about health problems. By implementing these recommendations, schools and communities can play a crucial role in preventing HIV/AIDS transmission among adolescents and promoting a healthier and more knowledgeable community.

Q: What are the policy implications of this study?

A: The policy implications of this study are that governments and health organizations should develop and implement effective school-based interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission among adolescents. These interventions should include providing adolescents with accurate and up-to-date information about HIV/AIDS, as well as creating an environment that encourages open and honest communication about health problems.

Q: What are the future directions for research on this topic?

A: Future directions for research on this topic include exploring the effectiveness of school-based interventions in promoting HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission among adolescents, as well as examining the relationship between mass media exposure and peer influence on adolescent knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in different cultural and socio-economic contexts.