The relationship between attitudes and prevention knowledge of HIV/AIDS amoung matriculation students.
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Date
2004
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Abstract
The present study sought to understand the relationship between attitudes and prevention
knowledge of HIV I AIDS among matriculation students. HIV infection rates has reached
epidemic proportions in South Africa and has serious consequences for individuals, particularly
for adoiescellts as they make up the largest percentage of the vulnerable age group aged between
15 and 29. Given the high risks that adolescents are faced with, many awareness and prevention
programmes have been implemented. These programmes have focused particularly on attitudinal
and behavioural change towards HIV I AIDS prevention. The reason for this is that all sexual
behaviour is mediated, facilitated and or justified by cognitions and beliefs (Vanwesenbeeck,
Bekker & Van Lenning 1998). The sample was selected from a boys school, which chose to
remain anonymous and a girls high school in Westville, Durban. Questionnaires aimed at
assessing knowledge regarding the spread and prevention of HIV/AIDS were administered.
Questionnaires aimed at assessing their attitudes towards prevention of HIV/AIDS were also
administered to learners. Learners had been exposed to awareness and life skills programmes as
part of their curriculum. Festinger's (1957) theory of cognitive dissonance was used as a
framework to understand the relationship between one's attitudes and behaviour. The findings
indicated that most respondents had adequate knowledge regarding HIV I AIDS spread and
prevention. The results also indicated that there was a correlation between knowledge and
attitudes but it was not a strong relationship suggesting that there may have been external factors
that may have impacted on the relationship thus placing adolescents at a relatively high risk to
the HIV infection. This according to Festinger's (1957) theory suggests that there is some
inconsistency between attitudes and behaviour towards HIV I AIDS prevention amongst learners.
The findings of the study also highlight the need for future research in this area, which would
better inform and improve intervention programmes that have been targeted at adolescents in
high schools.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.
Keywords
University of KwaZulu-Natal--Dissertations., AIDS (Disease)--Prevention., Health education., AIDS (Disease)--Social aspects., Theses--Psychology.