scholarly journals HIV and AIDS related knowledge and attitudes towards learners infected with HIV: Survey among high school learners in Gauteng and North West provinces in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sphiwe Madiba ◽  
Mathildah M Mokgatle
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
North West ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes

The success of the proposed HIV testing and counselling (HTC) initiative among learners at high school in South Africa depends on their acceptability of the service, which may be influenced by their HIV/AIDSknowledge, perceptions, and attitudes. The study assessed high school learners’ HIV knowledge and attitudes towards learners infected with HIV. The survey was part of formative evaluation with grade 10-12 learners in order to assess the acceptability of HTC at schools. The study consisted of 17 high schools in two provinces in South Africa. T- tests were used to compare the differences in the mean HIV knowledge scores. Logistic regressions were performed to establish relationships between demographic variables, attitudes, and HIV knowledge scores. The sample consisted of 2970 learners aged 14-27years, 1810 (61%) had had sex, and 1494 (50.3%) had tested for HIV in the past year. The majority had high knowledge scores: 87% on HIV-related knowledge, 98.6% on the modes of transmission, and 73% on prevention. Overall, HIV knowledge was high, with a total mean score of 20.5 out of 26 points. There were significant differences in the HIV knowledge total mean scores; females had higher scores (M= 20.6, SD=2.3) than males (M=20.3, SD=2.4), and the younger age group (M= 20.5, SD=2.4) had higher scores than the older age group (M=20.1, SD=2.1). A quarter (25.4%) exhibited negative attitudes, 13.9% felt that HIV-positive learners should be isolated, and 75% would not date HIV-positive learners. Attitudes were associated with gender (OR=0.48, CI: 0.41-0.57), grades (OR=3.24, CI: 2.36-4.44), and total HIV knowledge scores (OR=2.21, CI: 1.43-3.43). Despite substantial HIV knowledge, there were knowledge gaps and misconceptions, which resulted in negative attitudes towards the disease. Appropriate sexual health education and HIV prevention interventions in school are crucial in correcting the knowledge gaps as well as reducing stigma and discrimination to assist learners to be accepting of HIV-positive persons.

scholarly journals HIV and AIDS related knowledge and attitudes towards learners infected with HIV: Survey among high school learners in Gauteng and North West provinces in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sphiwe Madiba ◽  
Mathildah M Mokgatle
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
North West ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes

The success of the proposed HIV testing and counselling (HTC) initiative among learners at high school in South Africa depends on their acceptability of the service, which may be influenced by their HIV/AIDSknowledge, perceptions, and attitudes. The study assessed high school learners’ HIV knowledge and attitudes towards learners infected with HIV. The survey was part of formative evaluation with grade 10-12 learners in order to assess the acceptability of HTC at schools. The study consisted of 17 high schools in two provinces in South Africa. T- tests were used to compare the differences in the mean HIV knowledge scores. Logistic regressions were performed to establish relationships between demographic variables, attitudes, and HIV knowledge scores. The sample consisted of 2970 learners aged 14-27years, 1810 (61%) had had sex, and 1494 (50.3%) had tested for HIV in the past year. The majority had high knowledge scores: 87% on HIV-related knowledge, 98.6% on the modes of transmission, and 73% on prevention. Overall, HIV knowledge was high, with a total mean score of 20.5 out of 26 points. There were significant differences in the HIV knowledge total mean scores; females had higher scores (M= 20.6, SD=2.3) than males (M=20.3, SD=2.4), and the younger age group (M= 20.5, SD=2.4) had higher scores than the older age group (M=20.1, SD=2.1). A quarter (25.4%) exhibited negative attitudes, 13.9% felt that HIV-positive learners should be isolated, and 75% would not date HIV-positive learners. Attitudes were associated with gender (OR=0.48, CI: 0.41-0.57), grades (OR=3.24, CI: 2.36-4.44), and total HIV knowledge scores (OR=2.21, CI: 1.43-3.43). Despite substantial HIV knowledge, there were knowledge gaps and misconceptions, which resulted in negative attitudes towards the disease. Appropriate sexual health education and HIV prevention interventions in school are crucial in correcting the knowledge gaps as well as reducing stigma and discrimination to assist learners to be accepting of HIV-positive persons.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding HIV and AIDS among High School Learners in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-92
Author(s):  
Thanduxolo Fana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Risky Behaviour ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Globally, millions are infected with HIV/AIDS, and more than half of them are adolescents aged between 12-25 years. Inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes, and risky practices are major barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention. This study seeks to establish the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among high school learners in South Africa. Methods: Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 422 learners from two high schools using pre-tested questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Results: Participants had good HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and practice levels, however, misconceptions about transmission, negative attitudes, and risky behaviour or practices were also found. Knowledge was associated with age, social status, and sources of information. Attitudes were associated with gender, age, race, social status and sources of information. Practices were associated with age, race, social class, and sources of information (p = < 0.05). Conclusion: Sex education (life orientation) in school and HIV/AIDS awareness programs in communities need to be intensified in order to rectify misconceptions, negative and discriminatory attitudes, unsafe and risky practices, as schools and healthcare workers were found to be the main source of HIV/AIDS information.

scholarly journals Progress towards the 2020 targets for HIV diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh F. Johnson ◽  
Rob E. Dorrington ◽  
Haroon Moolla
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Routine Data ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
North West ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Northern Cape

Background: The UNAIDS targets for 2020 are to achieve a 90% rate of diagnosis in HIVpositive individuals, to provide antiretroviral treatment (ART) to 90% of HIV-diagnosed individuals and to achieve virological suppression in 90% of ART patients.Objectives: To assess South Africa’s progress towards the 2020 targets and variations in performance by province.Methods: A mathematical model was fitted to HIV data for each of South Africa’s provinces, and for the country as a whole. Numbers of HIV tests performed in each province were estimated from routine data over the 2002–2015 period, and numbers of patients receiving ART in each province were estimated by fitting models to reported public and private ART enrolment statistics.Results: By the middle of 2015, 85.5% (95% CI: 84.5% – 86.5%) of HIV-positive South African adults had been diagnosed, with little variation between provinces. However, only 56.9% (95% CI: 55.3% – 58.7%) of HIV-diagnosed adults were on ART, with this proportion varying between 50.8% in North West and 72.7% in Northern Cape. In addition, 78.4% of adults on ART were virally suppressed, with rates ranging from 69.7% in Limpopo to 85.9% in Western Cape. Overall, 3.39 million (95% CI: 3.26–3.52 million) South Africans were on ART by mid- 2015, equivalent to 48.6% (95% CI: 46.0% – 51.2%) of the HIV-positive population. ART coverage varied between 43.0% in Gauteng and 63.0% in Northern Cape.Conclusion: Although South Africa is well on its way to reaching the 90% HIV diagnosis target, most provinces face challenges in reaching the remaining two 90% targets.

scholarly journals Parents Support Implementation of HIV Testing and Counseling at School: Cross-Sectional Study with Parents of Adolescent Attending High School in Gauteng and North West Provinces, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Sphiwe Madiba ◽  
Mathildah Mokgatle
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
North West ◽  
Hiv Testing And Counseling ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Testing And Counseling

Background. A formative assessment of the implementation of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) at school showed high acceptability and willingness to test among learners. However, the success of the proposed HTC depends on the support and acceptability of key stakeholders, including the parents. The aim of the study was to assess the opinions and acceptability of the implementation of HTC at school among parents of adolescents in high school.Methods. This was a cross-sectional household survey conducted with parents of adolescents attending high schools in educational districts in North West and Gauteng provinces, South Africa.Results. A total of 804 parents participated, and 548 (68.3%) were biological mothers, 85 (10.6%) were fathers, and the remaining were other relatives including grandmothers. Almost all (n=742, 92.9%) parents were in support of implementation and provision of HTC at school, 701 (87.7%) would allow their children to be tested at school, 365 (46%) felt that parental consent was not needed to test at school, and 39.4% preferred to receive the HIV test results with their children.Conclusion. Parents accept the roll-out of an HTC program at school and have a role to play in supporting children who test positive for HIV.

scholarly journals The Impact of HIV Knowledge and Attitudes on HIV Testing Acceptance among Patients in an Emergency Department in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Ryan ◽  
Elizabeth Hahn ◽  
Aditi Rao ◽  
George Mwinnyaa ◽  
John Black ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Undiagnosed Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Transmission of HIV in South Africa continues to be high due to a large proportion of individuals living with undiagnosed HIV. Uptake of HIV testing is influenced by a multitude of factors including the patient’s knowledge and beliefs about HIV. Methods: This study sought to quantify the impact of knowledge and attitudes on HIV testing acceptance in an emergency department by co-administering a validated HIV knowledge and attitudes survey to patients who were subsequently offered HIV testing. Results: During the study period 223 patients were interviewed and offered HIV testing. Individuals reporting more negative overall attitudes (p = 0.006), higher levels of stigma to HIV testing (p<0.001), and individuals who believed their test was confidential (p<0.001) were more likely to accept an HIV test. Conclusions: Interventions focused on improving patient perceptions around testing confidentiality will likely have the greatest impact on testing acceptance in the emergency department.

scholarly journals Risk correlates for physical-mental multimorbidities in South Africa: a cross-sectional study

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (04) ◽  
pp. 418-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Petersen ◽  
S. Rathod ◽  
T. Kathree ◽  
O. Selohilwe ◽  
A. Bhana
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Chronic Care ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
North West

Aims.The aim of this study was to identify the risk correlates for coexisting common mental disorders (CMDs) in the chronic care population in South Africa, with the view to identifying particularly vulnerable patient populations.Methods.The sample comprised 2549 chronic care patients enrolled in the baseline and endline rounds of a facility detection survey conducted by the Programme for Improving Mental Health Care in three large facilities in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district in the North West province of South Africa. Participants were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) and for alcohol misuse using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data were analysed according to the number of morbidities, disorder type (physical or mental) and demographic variables. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more disorders (physical and/or mental).Results.Just over one-third of the sample reported two or more physical conditions. Women were more at risk of being depressed than were men, with men more at risk of alcohol misuse. Those who were employed were at lower risk of having coexisting CMDs, while being younger, HIV positive, and food deprived were all found to be associated with higher risk for having coexisting CMDs.Conclusion.In the face of the large treatment gap for CMDs in South Africa, and the role that coexisting CMDs can play in exacerbating the burden of chronic physical diseases, mental health screening and treatment interventions should target HIV-positive, younger patients living in circumstances where there is household food insecurity.

scholarly journals “My Mother Told Me I Must Not Cook Anymore”—Food, Culture, and the Context of HIV− and AIDS-Related Stigma in Three Communities in South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Okoror ◽  
C. O. Airhihenbuwa ◽  
M. Zungu ◽  
D. Makofani ◽  
D. C. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Food Culture ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Black Communities ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Positive Women ◽  
Aids Stigma ◽  
Hiv Aids

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of food as an instrument in expressing and experiencing HIV/AIDS stigma by HIV-positive women and their families, with the goal of reducing discrimination. It goes beyond willingness to share utensils, which has been identified in HIV/AIDS research. As part of an ongoing capacity-building HIV/AIDS stigma project in South Africa, 25 focus groups and 15 key informant interviews were conducted among 195 women and 54 men in three Black communities. Participants were asked to discuss how they were treated in the family as women living with HIV and AIDS, and data was organized using the PEN-3 model. Findings highlight both the positive and negative experiences HIV-positive women encounter. Women would not disclose their HIV status to avoid being isolated from participating in the socio-cultural aspects of food preparation, while others that have disclosed their status have experienced alienation. The symbolic meanings of food should be a major consideration when addressing the elimination of HIV/AIDS stigma in South Africa.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF EARLY SEXUAL DEBUT ON HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION IN SOUTH AFRICA

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Bengesai ◽  
H. T. A. Khan ◽  
R. Dube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
High School Completion ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Early Sexual Debut ◽  
School Completion ◽  
Sexual Behaviours

SummaryEarly sexual debut is of major concern because it is a correlate for health and economic shocks experienced in adulthood. In South Africa, this concern has provided impetus for research directed at the HIV and AIDS epidemic, teenage pregnancy and the effect of adolescent sexual behaviour on persistence in school. Of interest to the present study is high school completion, which is a well-established empirical barometer of adult socioeconomic opportunities. Using data from the five waves of the Cape Area Panel Study (CAPS), this paper examines the association between sexual behaviours initiated in pre- and early adolescence and high school completion rates. The CAPS study is a longitudinal survey that was designed to investigate young people’s (aged 14–22 years) educational attainment and sexual behaviours in Cape Town, South Africa. The sample was constituted from 3213 individuals who had initiated sex during their teenage years and the analysis was undertaken when the youngest cohort was aged 21, an age at which they should have completed high school if they were on time. Logistic regression models were fitted separately for males and females. Overall, the results reveal that early sexual debut is correlated with long-term negative educational outcomes. Individuals who experience early sexual debut are less likely to complete high school than their counterparts who make their sexual debut later on in life. This effect is worse for Africans, who also disproportionately have an earlier sexual debut than other race groups. Apart from race however, the findings also reinforce the effect of other demographic factors on high school completion, namely, place of residence and family socioeconomic status as measured by parental education and household income. Hence, early sexual debut adds another layer of inequality and worsens the plight of Africans, females, those living in rural areas and those who come from low-income families.

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