An inquiry into the effect of voluntary counseling and testing on mitigating the spread of HIV and AIDS among high school teachers teaching in Mdantsane

Date
2010-03
Authors
Nkwateni, Luleka Letticia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research investigates the effect that VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) has on mitigating the spread of HIV and AIDS among high school teachers teaching in the Mdantsane suburb of East London in the Eastern Cape. An overview of studies addressing VCT is outlined in the literature review. The positive impact of VCT on HIV and AIDS infection is dealt with as well as reasons for the fear participants experience when HIV testing is addressed. Methods used to collect data have been dealt with. Data collected through questionnaires includes background information about teachers, their opinions and experiences about VCT whether they have undergone this service and how do they feel about it. Areas of concern about VCT e.g. the importance of counsellors, confidentiality, geographical issues that affect the availability of this service and also how HIV positive teachers relate to those who are negative, are also dealt with. The analysis of this data shows that VCT is a necessity as this service provides teachers with relevant information which when obtained earlier can result in one’s HIV status being known, thus resulting in medical service being made accessible. The importance of more awareness campaigns about VCT and about conducting more research has proved to be necessary so that teachers know more about this service. Although HIV and AIDS policies and work programmes are available in our schools, some participants have shown that these are not known to them, whilst others admit that these policies are available in their schools but that their contents are meaningless to them as nothing is being done about them as they were not involved in the drawing up of these policies. If VCT is part of the HIV and AIDS policy of the Department of Education, knowledge about its importance cannot be meaningful if these policies do not have economic and social meaning for the teachers. Due to cultural beliefs, some teachers feel that it is not important for them to be tested for HIV as the result might bring about fears of death and rejection by partners, colleagues as well as family members.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die uitwerking wat VRT (Vrywillige Raadgewing en Toetsing) het op die verligting van die verspreiding van MIV en VIGS onder onderwysers in Mdantsane, ‘n buurt buite Oos-Londen in die Oos-Kaap. Vorige navorsers se beskouings van hierdie noodsaaklike diens is in die literatuurstudie behandel. Die positiewe impak van VRT op MIV infeksie word behandel sowel as die redes vir respondente se vrese wanneer MIV toetsing behandel word. Metodes gebruik vir data insameling word bespreek. Data ingevorder deur vraelyste sluit in: agtergrond inligting oor onderwysers, hul opinies en ondervinding van VRT, of hulle hierdie diens benut het en hoe hulle daaroor voel. Areas van bekommernis oor VRT bv. die belangrikheid van beraders, vertroulikheid, geografiese kwessies wat die beskikbaarheid van hierdie diens beïnvloed, en die verhoudings tussen MIV positiewe onderwysers met die wat negatief is, word ook behandel. Die ontleding van hierdie data toon aan dat VRT ‘n noodsaaklikheid is, aangesien hierdie diens die onderwysers met die toepaslike inligting verskaf, wat as dit vroeër verskaf word kan die relevante dienste vroeër verskaf word. ‘n Gebrek aan inligtig en onkunde vertoon deur die onderwysers bevestig dat meer bewustheidsveldtogte en navorsing aangepak moet word. Di het geblyk dat meer VRT bewusmakingsveldtogte en meer navorsing nodig is om onderwysers meer oor hierdie diens in te lig. Alhoewel MIV en VIGS beleide en werksprogramme in ons skole beskikbaar is, het van die respondente gevoel dat hierdie volgens hulle redelik onbekend is. Ander wat bewus was dat hierdie beleide in die skole beskikbaar is het gevoel dat hul inhoud niksbeduidend vir hulle is omdat niks omtrent hulle gedoen word nie omdat hulle nie betrokke was met die ontwerp van hierdie beleide nie. As VRT deel van MIV en VIGS beleid is, kan kennis oor die belangrikheid hiervan nie betekenisvol wees as hierdie beleide nie ook ekonomiese en sosiale betekenis het vir die wat deelneem nie. Weens kulturele menings voel van die onderwysers dat MIV toetsing nie belangrik is nie, omdat die uitkoms dalk vrees vir die dood en verwerping deur ‘n eggenoot, kollega en gesinslede veroorsaak.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
HIV/AIDS -- South Africa -- Mdantsane, HIV/AIDS testing -- South Africa -- Mdantsane, Teachers -- South Africa -- Mdantsane, HIV/AIDS counseling -- South Africa -- Mdantsane, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management
Citation