Xaba N, Kunene P, Harrison A; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. TuOrD435.

N. Xaba, Box 198, Mtubatuba 3935, South Africa, Tel.: +27 35 550 0158, Fax: +27 35 550 1674, E-mail: harrisoa@mrc.ac.za

Background: The gap between awareness and behaviour in South Africa is well known, yet few studies have examined understanding of prevention messages. We asked high school youth for their interpretation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic's most enduring concept, "safe sex", to better understand barriers to prevention. Methods: In two high schools: semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire to all male and female students attending grades 8-10 on one day (N = 396) & two focus groups (FGDs) with 13-15 year old girls. Results: Ages ranged from 12-25; 54% were girls & 46% boys. When asked "what does "safe sex" mean to you?", 46% did not know. Of those who knew (n = 214), most associated safe sex with condoms, saying: "it means you should use a condom" (70.5%). Others referred to abstinence: "it means you should abstain from sex & that can protect you from AIDS" (25%), "safe sex is to say no to sex" (4 %) or were vague (18%): "it means you are protected, "youth should behave themselves", or "dont sleep with everyone". Only one respondent referred to safe sex for preventing pregnancy. Knowledge increased with age; no gender differences were found. True/false questions elicited many fewer "dont knows": 82% said it is important to use a condom with a new partner; 75% said with all partners. 93% said true to "young people are at high risk for HIV/AIDS"and 90% for pregnancy. FGDs found the same association of "safe sex" with condoms. When asked "are there other forms of safe sex that you know?", participants said "other than the condom, no". In both groups, no participants recognized "ukusoma", a traditional practice of non-penetrative (thigh) sex. Most had heard about "safe sex" on the radio, or had seen it written. Conclusions: A high proportion of correct T/F responses indicates high awareness but inability to articulate "safe sex" shows limited impact on understanding. More active intervention strategies at younger ages are needed to change behaviour.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Behavior
• Condoms
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Knowledge
• Male
• Pregnancy
• Rural Population
• Safe Sex
• South Africa
• Students

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0001988

UI: 102239481

From Meeting Abstracts