The level of HIV/AIDS knowledge amongst female young adults and factors that inhibit hem from negotiating condom usage

HIV/AIDS knowledge is an important component of HIV/AIDS risk prevention strategies that may influence engagement in high risk behaviour. This qualitative study examines HIV/AIDS knowledge and factors that inhibit female young adults between ages 25-29 years old from negotiating condom usage with their sexual partners. A representative sample of 12 unemployed female young adults lived in Parkgate KwaZulu Natal, South Africa were used for this study. The main problem was that the HIV/AIDS rate was reported to be high amongst the age group of 25 to 29 years, especially in women as opposed to men. There are lot of governmentÀŸs, NGOs and private sector interventions designed for the public using different modes of communication but the statistics show that these interventions somehow do not reach all intended audiences. For whatever reason people are still failing to use condoms. There is still lot of work that needs to be done in ensuring that awareness interventions reach all communities irrespective of their life status. Data was analysed by identifying different categories and themes and coded. This study found out that most of the participants had inadequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS, how one can be infected and on how they can prevent themselves. The perceived risk of infection was high amongst many participants but there also lot of myths and disbelief about the existence. This study also found out that unemployment and fear to be beaten and dumped had lot to do with women failing to negotiate condom usage. Lack of communication skills among women due to cultural beliefs also has lot to do with the problem.

Publisher: University of Stellenbosch
Year of Publication: 2013
Download : 18092_mnqayi_level_2013.pdf