With HIV and AIDS, knowledge is the key to prevention.

That was the message given to young people Sunday afternoon during an AIDS information session at First Regular Missionary Baptist Church, 1646 Vt.

Taurean Smith, age 12, takes one last look at panels of a South African AIDS quilt on display at First Regular Missionary Baptist Church, 1646 Vt. The quilt made its first appearance in the United States earlier this weekend at a conference in Wichita before panels were divided among black churches for display. The church had a program Sunday afternoon for youth group members that offered the opportunity for adults and children to talk about AIDS, how it affects a high percentage of blacks, how to prevent the spread of HIV and how youths can educate their peers about AIDS.

Surrounded by panels of an AIDS quilt made by children in Capetown, South Africa, about 20 students and church members learned the basics about AIDS particularly how it affects the black community.

Sharon Goolsby, a member of the church and a worker in the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s HIV program, said that 1 in 50 black men and 1 in 160 black women were infected with HIV. In December 2000, the Centers for Disease Control reported that blacks accounted for 38 percent of AIDS cases and that AIDS was now the leading cause of death for blacks age 25 to 44.

“That means they are being infected as teen-agers,” Goolsby said.

The Rev. Reginald Bachus told the group that churches had shied away from the issue for too long and that education was important.

“If we see someone in trouble, let’s reach out and help them with the knowledge we are going to learn today,” he said.

The students, who are members of the church’s youth council, reviewed the basics of the disease, took an informational quiz and talked about how the disease is acquired and how to prevent it.

The talk covered needles, ways to protect against sexually transmitted diseases, and abstinence.

“Remember that your body is a temple,” Goolsby said. “Learn how to say no and stand firm on what you believe.”

Daiyna Vann, a fifth-grader at Pinckney School, said she came to listen and “know more about AIDS.”

Aaron Doleman, a senior at Free State High School, said his friends were aware of HIV/AIDS and didn’t engage in risky behavior.

“It’s good to just spread the information,” he said.

Bachus said that with issues such as HIV/AIDS, churches needed to “step up to educate youth.”

“I just want to make sure they can make informed decisions. My hope is that they’ll take what they learned and share it with someone else.”