Self report related to HIV/AIDS among Zululand University students
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Date
2000
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Abstract
This study was aimed at describing levels of AIDS knowledge, HIV infection and risk reduction, attitudes towards AIDS and people with AIDS (PWAs), sexual behaviour, condom use as well as attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about condoms, the impact which perceived norms and self-efficacy have on condom use, sexual behaviour and AIDS preventative behaviour(APB). Results of the study have shown that knowledge levels were high among Zululand university students. A comparison of the different sexes shows that females had a slightly higher level of knowledge than males. The three most popular choices identified as sources of AIDS knowledge were campus health, clinic/doctor and a friend. The majority of the sample was negative, rejecting and intolerant with regard to the proximity to PWAs. Many also held judgemental, fatalistic and moralistic attitudes with regard to AIDS and PWAs. Half of the respondents showed compassion with regard to the legal and social welfare of PWAs. The majority of the sample was sexually active, with a substantial number of subjects engaging in sexual intercourse with multiple partners. Condoms were least used among this latter group and only a third used condoms consistently. However, the majority intended to use condoms in future sexual encounters and this intention was stronger among students with one sexual partner. The Pearson product moment correlation revealed that attitudes, perceived norms and self-efficacy were associated with condom use and sexual behaviour. Knowledge of AIDS per se had no impact on sexual behaviour and condom use. The multiple regression analysis showed that attitudes and self-efficacy are the strongest predictor variables of condom use. Finally gender had no effect on sexual activity, number of sexual partners, condom use, perceived norms and self-efficacy.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Applied Master of Arts in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2000.
Keywords
Hiv infection--KwaZulu-Natal, AIDS (Disease)--Moral and ethical aspects, AIDS (Disease)--Prevention--Psychological aspects