The personal perception of HIV and AIDS related infection risk among African refugee communities of Cape Town

Date
2014-04
Authors
Mpazayabo, Albert
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Political instability involving civil wars which had been prevailing mostly within the African Great Lakes Region caused great numbers since the 1990s of civilian populations to move to and fro within the borders and sometimes beyond its frontiers in search of both safer homes and better living conditions. Socio-economic hardships experienced by these people constrained them to engage in various migration movements, thus making them more vulnerable to a variety of diseases and pandemics, among which Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Sub–Saharan Africa has been bearing the brunt of HIV pandemic, and South Africa is believed to have the highest HIV prevalence. The present study was a quantitative survey exploring personal perception of HIV infection risk among African émigré communities of the Cape Metropolitan area. Only thirty four heterosexual active participants, who had joined their partners in South Africa after a certain period of temporary separation, were considered for final analysis using descriptive statistics. A relatively high perception of HIV infection risk was found among both males and females. However, the perceived risk did not necessarily determine sexual behaviour. No significant reciprocal relationship was found between the perceived risk and one important sexual risk behaviour. HIV and AIDS related stigma was found to be relatively high and the use of condoms prejudiced by tendencies of personal moralistic values. The present study has made relevant recommendations as to promote more preventive behaviours among the present African émigré community.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Politieke onstabiliteit wat burgeroorloë meebring kom sedert die 1990’s meestal in die Groot Mere-streek van Afrika voor en het veroorsaak dat groot groepe van burgerlike bevolkings heen en weer tussen grense beweeg en soms grense oorsteek op soek na beter en veiliger tuistes en beter lewensomstandighede. Die sosio-ekonomiese ontberings wat deur hierdie mense ervaar is het hulle verplig om by verskeie migrasiebewegings betrokke te raak. Dit het hulle kwesbaar gemaak vir ’n verskeidenheid siektes en pandemies, waaronder die menslike immuniteitsgebreksvirus (MIV) en verworwe immuniteitsgebreksindroom (Vigs). Sub-Sahara-Afrika het die ergste van die MIV-pandemie getrotseer en Suid-Afrika het na bewering die hoogste MIV-voorkoms. Hierdie studie is ’n kwantatiewe opname wat die persoonlike persepsie van die risiko van MIV-infeksie onder Afrika-uitgeweke gemeenskappe in die Kaapse Metropoolgebied ondersoek het. Slegs 34 heteroseksuele, seksueel aktiewe deelnemers wat na ’n tydperk van tydelike skeiding by hul (lewens) maats in Suid-Afrika aangesluit het, is vir die finale analise oorweeg met behulp van beskrywende statistiek. Onder mans sowel as vroue is ’n relatief hoë persepsie van infeksierisiko gevind. Die waargenome risiko het egter nie noodwendig seksuele gedrag bepaal nie. Geen beduidende omgekeerde verhouding is tussen die waargenome risiko en een belangrike seksuele risikogedragsaspek gevind nie. Daar is bevind dat MIV en Vigsverwante stigma relatief hoog is en dat daar weens tendense van persoonlike moralistiese waardes vooroordeel teen die gebruik van kondome bestaan. Hierdie studie het relevante aanbevelings gedoen om meer voorkomende gedragspatrone onder die huidige Afrika-uitgeweke gemeenskap te bevorder.
Description
Thesis (Mphil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
Keywords
Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, HIV infections -- South Africa -- Cape Town, Refugees -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Cape Town, Refugees -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Cape Town, HIV infections -- Risk factors -- South Africa -- Cape Town, UCTD
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