Uushona, Selma Ingandipewa
A mixed-method approach was employed to collect the necessary data, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodology. Quantitative data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire whereas qualitative data was gathered by means of focus group discussions and literature review. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 18, and results from the focus group discussions were grouped into themes and concepts and analysed quantitatively where applicable.
Most respondents indicated to have adequate knowledge about HIV and AIDS and had positive attitudes necessary to effect behavioral change and implementation of prevention and care strategies. Most respondents were aware of their risk factors and aspects that increased individual vulnerability to HIV and AIDS.
While the knowledge and attitudes were identified as adequate, the practices of the respondents did not explicitly indicate an adequate level of responsible behavior among the young female student nurses in the face of HIV and AIDS. Student nurses identified HIV and AIDS as a problem of the “others” and continued to report that infection would be an accidental exposure as a result of their profession or the perceived powerlessness over sexual matters, gender and income inequalities. Other factors of importance that respondents identified as critical in exposing them to HIV and AIDS included alcohol and drug use, peer pressure, lack of sufficient campus accommodation and limited supply of condoms, especially female condoms.
Prevention remains a challenge in planning programs needed to address risky sexual behavior among students due to structural, social, and socio-economic dynamics, individual circumstances, gender and biological vulnerability. To address all these factors, respondents believed that University authorities should collaborate with national service providers and increase their commitment towards reproductive health promotion, development of effective prevention programs, improvement of policies, empowerment of young women through life skills required to advocate for self protection against HIV and AIDS. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie verteenwoordig 'n beraming van kennis en 'n ondersoek na spesifieke faktore wat jong vroulike verpleegstudente aan MIV en VIGS blootstel by UNAM, Oshakatikampus.
'n Gemengde metode benadering was gevolg om die nodige data in te samel, 'n kombinasie van kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodologieë. Kwantitatiewe data was ingesamel deur middel van 'n selftoegediende vraelys waar die kwalitatiewe data versamel is deur middel van fokusgroepbesprekings en literatuuroorsig. Kwantitatiewe data was ge-analiseer by wyse van die Statistiek Pakket vir Sosiale Wetenskappe 18, en resultate van die fokusgroepbesprekings was groepeer in temas en konsepte en kwantitatief ontleed waar van toepassing.
Die meeste respondente het aangedui dat hulle voldoende kennis het oor MIV en VIGS en het 'n positiewe houding ingeneem teenoor die insluit van gedragsverandering en implementering van voorkomende en versorgingstrategie. Terwyl die kennis en houdings as voldoende identifiseer is, het die praktyke van die respondente nie 'n voldoende vlak van verantwoordelike gedrag tussen jong vroulike student-verpleegsters teenoor die aangesig van MIV en VIGS aangedui nie. Student-verpleegsters het MIV en VIGS as 'n probleem van “ander” identifiseer en het aanhoudend rapporteer dat infeksie 'n toevallige blootstelling is as gevolg van hulle professie of waar geneemde magteloosheid oor seksuele sake, geslags- en inkomste ongelykhede. Ander faktore van belang wat respondente identifiseer het as kritiek in hul blootstelling aan MIV en VIGS sluit in alkohol en dwelm misbruik, groepsdruk, gebrek aanvoldoende kampus akkommodasie en nie-beskikbaarheid van kondome, veral vroue kondome.
Voorkoming bly 'n uitdaging in beplanningsprogramme wat nodig is om riskante seksuele gedrag tussen studente aan te spreek as gevolg van strukturele, sosiale en sosio-ekonomiese dinamika, individuele omstandighede, geslags en biologiese kwesbaarheid. Om al hierdie faktore aan te spreek glo respondente dat universiteitsowerhede behoort saam te werk met die nasionale diensverskaffers en dat hulle toegewydheid teen oor reproduktiewe gesondheidsbevordering, ontwikkeling van effektiewe voorkomingsprogramme, verbetering van beleide, bemagtiging van jong vroue deur lewensvaardighede wat nodig is om hul self teen MIV en VIGS te beskerm, moet verskerp. Description: