The level of HIV/AIDS knowledge amongst female young adults and factors that inhibit hem from negotiating condom usage
Date
2013-03
Authors
Mnqayi, Carol Velile
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS knowledge is an important component of HIV/AIDS risk prevention strategies that may influence engagement in high risk behaviour. This qualitative study examines HIV/AIDS knowledge and factors that inhibit female young adults between ages 25-29 years old from negotiating condom usage with their sexual partners. A representative sample of 12 unemployed female young adults lived in Parkgate KwaZulu Natal, South Africa were used for this study. The main problem was that the HIV/AIDS rate was reported to be high amongst the age group of 25 to 29 years, especially in women as opposed to men.
There are lot of government‟s, NGOs and private sector interventions designed for the public using different modes of communication but the statistics show that these interventions somehow do not reach all intended audiences. For whatever reason people are still failing to use condoms. There is still lot of work that needs to be done in ensuring that awareness interventions reach all communities irrespective of their life status.
Data was analysed by identifying different categories and themes and coded. This study found out that most of the participants had inadequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS, how one can be infected and on how they can prevent themselves. The perceived risk of infection was high amongst many participants but there also lot of myths and disbelief about the existence. This study also found out that unemployment and fear to be beaten and dumped had lot to do with women failing to negotiate condom usage. Lack of communication skills among women due to cultural beliefs also has lot to do with the problem.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kennis van MIV/Vigs is baie belangrik ten einde doeltreffende stategieë te voorkoming van die pandemie daar te stel. Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie ondersoek die kennisvlakke van jong vroulike volwassenes in die ouderdomsgroep 25 – 29 jaar en ondersoek meer spesifiek die redes waarom die jong dames dit moeilik vind om hulle vriende te oortuig om „n kondoom voor seksuele omgang te gebruik. „n Steekproef van 12 werklose jong dames van die die Parkgate area in Kwazulu Natal is gebruik. Die studie het duidelik aangetoon dat die dames onvoldoende kennis van die pandemie het en dat hulle, hulself daarom onnodig blootstel aan infeksie. Die feit dat die dames werkloos is en „n gebrek aan behoorlike kommunikasievaardighede het verder tot die probleem bygedra. Daar is ook gevind dat daar verskeie gelowe en mites bestaan wat hierdie gedrag verder ondersteun. Voorstelle ter verbetering van die situasie word in die studie gedoen.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kennis van MIV/Vigs is baie belangrik ten einde doeltreffende stategieë te voorkoming van die pandemie daar te stel. Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie ondersoek die kennisvlakke van jong vroulike volwassenes in die ouderdomsgroep 25 – 29 jaar en ondersoek meer spesifiek die redes waarom die jong dames dit moeilik vind om hulle vriende te oortuig om „n kondoom voor seksuele omgang te gebruik. „n Steekproef van 12 werklose jong dames van die die Parkgate area in Kwazulu Natal is gebruik. Die studie het duidelik aangetoon dat die dames onvoldoende kennis van die pandemie het en dat hulle, hulself daarom onnodig blootstel aan infeksie. Die feit dat die dames werkloos is en „n gebrek aan behoorlike kommunikasievaardighede het verder tot die probleem bygedra. Daar is ook gevind dat daar verskeie gelowe en mites bestaan wat hierdie gedrag verder ondersteun. Voorstelle ter verbetering van die situasie word in die studie gedoen.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Keywords
Young women -- South Africa -- Durban -- Sexual behavior, HIV/AIDS knowledge -- South Africa -- Durban, HIV infections -- South Africa -- Durban -- Prevention, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, Condoms