Learners awareness of HIV/AIDS and their attitudes towards peer educators in Khayamandi High School

Date
2011-03
Authors
Booi, Faith Nontuthuzelo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main aim of the study was to investigate learners' awareness of HIV/AIDS and their attitudes towards peer educators in secondary schools. The Department of Education in the Western Cape Province introduced peer education as one of the intervention programmes aimed at equipping secondary school learners' with the knowledge and life skills on HIV/AIDS related issues. Two schools were selected with the total number of 150 learners who participated in the study. The formulated aims of the study were: To determine whether peer education brings about knowledge on HIV/AIDS amongst learner's in high schools; to establish whether knowledge gained by peer educators is implemented in schools; and to determine the attitudes of other learners in schools towards peer educators. To collect data, a questionnaire which consisted of both closed and open-ended questions was administered to learners. Analysis of results was done on the basis of responses on knowledge gained on HIV/AIDS, implementation of the programme by learners in schools and the attitude displayed by learners towards peer educators. The findings indicated that peer education brings about knowledge on HIV/AIDS amongst secondary school learners. With regard to implementation of the programme, learners who were trained as peer educators disseminated information gained during peer education training to their fellow learners with the support of Life Orientation educators. Peer educators were well accepted by their fellow learners. It was also noted that out of the programme learners showed a positive attitude towards people affected and or infected by HIV/AIDS and thus indicated willingness to give care and support to them. The results of the study highlighted the plight and the support needed to all secondary schools for the sustainability of the programme. It was one of the recommendations that the Department of Education needed to provide support in terms of resources, training of both learners and educators, monitoring and evaluation of the programme for its sustainability.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal wat die bewustheid en houdings van leeders was ten opsigte van MIV/VIGS portuurgroepopleiding in hoërskole. Die Departement van Onderwys in die Wes-Kaap het portuurgroepopleiding bekend gestel as een van die ingrypingsprogramme wat poog om hoërskoolleerders toe te rus met die kennis en lewensvaardigheid van MIV/VIGS verwante kwessies. Een honderd-en-vyftig leerders van twee skole is gekies om deel te neem aan die studie. Die hoofdoel van die studie was: Om vas te stel of portuurgroepopleiding kennis van MIV/VGS tussen leerders by hoërskole meebring; om vas te stel of die kennis wat deur die portuurgroepopleiers opgedoen word by skole toegepas word; en om vas te stel wat die houdings van ander leerders is teenoor portuurgroepopleiers. Om inligting te versamel, is 'n vraelys met oop en geslote vrae aan leerders gegee om te voltooi. Die ontleding van die resultate is gedoen, gebaseer op die antwoorde ontvang op kennis opgedoen van MIV/VIGS, die instelling van die program deur leerders in skole en die houding vertoon deur leerders teenoor portuurgroepopleiers. Die uitslae van die studie dui daarop dat portuurgroepopleiding wel kennis van MIV/VIGS by hoërskoolleerders meebring. Ten opsigte van die instelling van die program het leerders wat opgelei was as portuurgroepopleiers hulle kennis met ander leerders gedeel met die hulp en bystand van Lewensoriëntering-onderwysers. Die portuurgroepopleiers is maklk aanvaar deur ander leerders. Daar is ook opgelet dat as gevolg van die programme, leerders 'n positiewe houding het teenoor mense wat aangeraak word of mense wat met MIV/VIGS leef en dit dui op 'n gewilligheid om hulle te ondersteun en te versorg. Die resultate van die studie beklemtoon die ondersteuning wat nodig is aan alle hoërskole vir die volhoubaarheid van die program. Dit was een van die aanbevelings dat die Departement van Onderwys meer ondersteuning verskaf ten opsigte van hulpmiddels, onderrig van leeders en onderwysers en die opvolg en evaluering sowel as waardebepaling van die program vir die volhoubaarheid daarvan.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, HIV/AIDS -- Learners awareness -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, Peer education -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch
Citation