Masters Degrees (African Centre for HIV/AIDS Management)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (African Centre for HIV/AIDS Management) by Author "Adekola, Ayobami Precious"

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    An evaluation of the level of awareness about biomedical intervention for HIV prevention among the post secondary school youth in Richards Bay
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04) Adekola, Ayobami Precious; Munro, Greg; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Science. Dept. of Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Despite various strategies such as biomedical, behavioural and political strategies to stop the spread of HIV epidemic among the youth, the risky sexual behaviour among the youth and the resultant increase in unwanted pregnancies is driving the spread of HIV transmission among the youth of Kwazulu-Natal. This study sought to evaluate the level of awareness of post secondary school youth who are living in Richards Bay in Kwazulu-Natal. The researcher conducted the study within a quantitave paradigm. The population for this study are the post secondary school youth in Richards Bay. The data sources for this study will come from survey conducted using semi-structured questionnaire and from the focus group session. The data collection tool was distributed by referral using snowball sampling technique. This study found that the level of general knowledge about biomedical strategies for HIV prevention is low among the youth in Richards Bay since most participants knew only about condoms as a strategy for HIV prevention. The study also found that a significant number of the study participants did not know about the role of circumcision in HIV prevention. In addition, the study found that level of knowledge about biomedical intervention for HIV prevention is higher in female participants than male participants. This study ascertained that the youth have good attitude towards biomedical intervention for HIV prevention though much mobilisation and education will still have to be done with regards to circumcision. The study also identified practices that may impede the use of biomedical strategies such as a lack of availability and accessibility to female condoms The study recommends the need to educate and mobilise the community about biomedical strategies for HIV prevention such as condoms, circumcision, PMTCT, PEP, PrEP, HAART and VCT. The Umhlatuze municipality needs to create a massive awareness within Richards Bay about its available facilities and services like free circumcision and condom distribution outlets that can increase the uptake of biomedical strategies for HIV prevention. Also, the government needs to engage the faith based organisations and other NGOs to integrate biomedical strategies for HIV prevention in their awareness campaign. The study also recommends provision of female condoms in appropriate quantities like male condoms and that multimedia campaign against HIV-related stigma and discrimination should be intensified in Richards Bay.