An investigation into the factors that contribute to an increase in HIV prevalence in the learners between the ages 15 to 24 years at Middelburg Combined School (Mpumalanga)

Date
2013-03
Authors
Seloane, Hlage Aaron
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS is a serious problem all over the world especially on the youth who are already at school. Some of these learners are dropping out due to pregnancy while some are being absent many times which affects performances in the schools. The level of HIV/AIDS is increasing instead of decreasing. This paper focuses on the factors that contribute to an increase in HIV/AIDS prevalence in the learners aged 15 to 24 years at Middelburg Combined School in Mpumalanga Province. It reveals various factors that contribute to the increase in HIV within this age group. The learners acknowledges that ignorance and irresponsibility, the effect of drugs and alcohol, poverty, peer pressure, fear of pregnancy not HIV/AIDS and the impact different cultural practices amongst the communities as the factors that contribute to the increase. The teachers are also in agreement with the learners except that they view media influence instead of peer pressure as one of the factors that contribute to the increase. Literature around this issue point to a problem that need to be solved and it is obvious from the findings that something need to be done if the Millennium Development Goal number Six of reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 is to be met. The Department of Basic Education is also aware of the problem therefore different stakeholders in education together with Non-Governmental Organisations need to come on board to help solve the problem. Parental involvement is crucial so that the dangers of certain cultural practices around HIV/AIDS can be outlined to them with the aim of modifying or abandoning them. There must be unity with the purpose of decreasing the level of HIV/AIDS amongst the learners in the schools so that the world cannot run out of intellectuals who will contribute positively to the economy.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: MIV/VIGS is ʼn groot probleem onder ons jeug, veral die wat reeds op skool is. Hierdie tendens gebeur regoor die wêreld. Sommige van hierdie leerders verlaat die skool as gevolg van swanderskap terwyl ander baie afwesig is. Dit beïnvloed hulle akedemiese prestasies. Hierdie navorsingstuk fokus op die faktore wat bydra tot MIV/VIGS toename by leerders by Middelburg Gekombineerde Skool, Mpumalanga. Die oudersdomsgroep van hierdie studie wissel tussen 15 – 24 jaar. Hierdie navorsingstuk belig die faktore wat bydra tot die toename in MIV/VIGS in hierdie ouderdomsgroep. Die leerders erken dat onkunde en onverantwoordelikheid die uitwerking van dwelms, alkohol, armoede, groepsdruk, vrees vir swangerskap en nie MIV/VIGS en die impak van verskillende kulturele praktyke tussen die gemeenskappe as die faktore wat bydra tot die toename in MIV/VIGS. Die onderwysers stem saam met die leerders. Hulle uitgangspunt is egter dat die media ook ʼn groot bydraende rol speel en dat dit nie soseer groepsdruk is wat bydra tot die toename in MIV/VIGS. Literatuur rondom hierdie kwessie dui aan dat die problem uitgesorteer moet word. Dit is voor die hand liggend vanaf die bevindings dat iets gedoen sal moet word as die Millennium Ontwikkelings Doel No 6, om die verspreiding van MIV/VIGS om te keer teen 2015. Die Departement van Onderwys is ook bewus daarvan dat al die verskillende rolspelers in die onderwys en Nie Regerings Organisasies sal moet saamstaan om die probeleem te help oplos. Ouer betrokkenheid is van kardinale belang sodat die gevare rondom sekere kulturele praktyke van MIV/VIGS uitgelig kan word met die doel om dit te modifiseer of heeltemal daarvan af te sien. Daar sal eenstemmingheid moet wees met die doel om ʼn afname in die vlakke van MIV/VIGS tussen leerders in skole te bewerkstellig. Dit sal teweeg bring dat die wêreld nie gedreineer sal word van intelektuele kapitaal wat ʼn positiewe bydrae sal kan lewer jeens die ekonomie.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, HIV infections -- South Africa -- Middelburg (Mpumalanga), High school students -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Middelburg (Mpumalanga), High school students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Middelburg (Mpumalanga), HIV infections -- Risk factors -- South Africa -- Middelburg (Mpumalanga)
Citation