Awareness and perceptions of HIV/Aids preventive strategies among students of Universities of Zululand and Ado-Ekiti
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Date
2010
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Abstract
This study sets out to establish the level of awareness and perception of preventive
strategies against HIV/AIDS in two African Universities, Zululand (South Africa) and Ado-Ekiti (Nigeria). Responses to a questionnaire set out in nine sections (125 items) from one
thousand four hundred and sixty participants (604 from UNAD; 856 from UNIZULU) were
analysed for their socio-demography, sexual activities, awareness, assessment of factors
that support spread of HIV/AIDS on campus, risk assessment of students, knowledge of HIV
transmission and protection, and perception of preventive strategies. One section also
covered the assessment of institutional programmes on HIV/AIDS.
The socio-demography revealed that though the two institutions are located in relatively
rural/remote places, the socio-economic status were completely different. While UNIZULU
respondents were predominantly from rural areas, and from poor families, UNAD
respondents were predominantly from middle/high class homes drawn from cities and big
towns.
The pattern of their sexual activities was also different. While a small, but higher,
percentage of UNAD’s respondents have been sexually active from elementary schools, the
majority of respondents from UNIZULU have been sexually active from high school with a
large proportion being single parents. Most of UNAD’s respondents became sexually active
in the university although a small percentage was sexually active when they were in the
primary school.
Institutional support was much better at UNIZULU though both institutions enjoyed
adequate awareness of HIV. However, UNIZULU has facilities for testing and counselling, which was not available at UNAD. UNAD respondents did not have adequate access to male
condoms whereas UNIZULU did, but both institutions did not have adequate access to
female condoms.
Core risk factors common to both institutions are irregular and inconsistent use of condoms,
not knowing the HIV status of their partners and of themselves, multiple and concurrent
sexual activities, intergenerational relationships cloaked in sex-for-money or favour trade,
and having sex under the influence of alcohol or drug. While risky sexual activities were
driven mainly by gender, and to a smaller proportion by marital status, number of children,
where grown up and family resources, the factors that drive risk at UNIZULU were more
complex and included gender, age, marital status, number of children and level of study.
Indeed there was evidence that UNIZULU respondents appeared to be more sexually risky as the level of study increased while UNAD’s appeared to be less risky.
Recommendations are put forward for the possible use results of this study could be put to make African university campuses sexually safe.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University of Zululand, 2010.
Keywords
HIV/AIDS -- Awareness and perception of preventive strategies, HIV/Aids -- higher education