HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness and perception of undergraduate first-year students at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training : higher education and training

Date
2010-03
Authors
Huisamer, Zelda Patricia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In a developing country as South – Africa, one of the most disturbing facts about HIV/AIDS is that the infection rate is growing at an alarming rate and as yet, there is no cure for the disease. More than 5 million South Africans are currently HIV positive. HIV and AIDS is an epidemic fuelled by social, cultural, behavioural and economic factors. Therefore, our country needs effective interventions to reduce the high HIV infection rate. One of the critical aspects of HIV prevention is ensuring that vulnerable groups, such as the youth, are not excluded or overlooked by prevention and treatment programmes. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, awareness and perception level of undergraduate first- year students registered at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Higher Education and Training at Elsenburg regarding HIV and AIDS. Questionnaires consisting of close – ended questions on a 4 – point Lickert scale was distributed to 130 students and a total of 103 responded by completed it. The results of the study indicated that students had a high awareness and perception level about HIV/AIDS. However, this study found a significant difference between males and females in terms of total awareness and perception level. In comparison with awareness and perception levels, students scored a low percentage in terms of total knowledge. Recommendations and future research at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Higher Education and Training at Elsenburg regarding HIV and AIDS are proposed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In ‘n ontwikkelende land soos Suid – Afrika is een van die mees hinderlike feite van MIV/VIGS dat die infeksie koers teen ‘n angswekkende snelheid groei en dat daar nie huidiglik ‘n geneesmiddel vir die siekte is nie. Meer as 5 miljoen Suid – Afrikaners is huidiglik MIV positief. VIGS is ‘n epidemie wat aangevuur word deur sosiale, kulturele, gedrags- en ekonomiese faktore. Daarvoor benodig ons land effektiewe intervensies om die hoë MIV infeksie koers te verminder. Een van die kritiese aspekte rondom MIV voorkoming is om te verseker dat kwesbare groepe, soos die jeug, nie uitgesluit of oorgesien word by voorkomings- en behandelingsprogramme nie. Die doel van hierdie studie is om te bepaal die kennis-, bewustheids- en persepsie vlakke van voorgraadse eerstejaar studente geregistreerd aan die Kaapse Instituut vir Landbou Opleiding: Hoër Onderwys en Opleiding te Elsenburg rakende MIV en VIGS. Vraelyste bestaande uit geslote – vrae op ‘n 4 – punt Likert skaal was versprei onder 130 studente waarvan 103 dit voltooi het. Resultate van die studie dui daarop dat studente ‘n hoë bewustheids- en persepsie vlak rakende MIV/VIGS het. Daar was wel ‘n beduidende verskil tussen mans en vroue in terme van algehele bewustheid en persepsie vlak. In vergelyking met bewustheid en persepsie vlakke, het studente ‘n lae telling behaal vir hul algehele kennis vlak. Aanbevelings en toekomstige navorsing aan die Kaapse Instituut vir Landbou Opleiding: Hoër Onderwys en Opleiding te Elsenburg rakende MIV en VIGS word aanbeveel.
Description
Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (HIV/AIDS Management) at the Stellenbosch University
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
HIV infections -- South Africa -- Public opinion, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, College students -- South Africa -- Attitudes, AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Public opinion
Citation