Volume 7, Issue 3, 2002
Health SA Gesondheid - Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2002
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2002
Author M. Poggenpoel
Source: Health SA Gesondheid 7 (2002)
&apos;n Raamwerk vir die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid : research
Authors: M. Martin, E. Arries and E. Nel
Source: Health SA Gesondheid 7, pp 3 –18 (2002)
The nurse functions as an independent practitioner, as part of the multi-disciplinary health team, during the delivery of nursing care to an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit. Pressure controlled ventilation as a mode of mechanical ventilation is generally practiced in critical care units. Pressure controlled ventilation refers to a controlled mode of mechanical ventilation in which all breaths are pressure limited and time cycled, with no possibility for patient triggering, often achieved by sedation and / or paralysis (Hess & Kacmarek, 1996 : 20). Pressure-controlled ventilation is associated with a multiple of life-threathening complications such as barotrauma (Chlochesy, Breu, Cardin, Rudy & Whittaker, 1996 : 267 - 270). Therefore it is important to describe a framework according to which the nursing care of a patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit can be approached. Although general frameworks for the nursing care of a patient on mecahnical ventilation exists, no such specifc framework exists that describes the nursing needs of an adult patient on pressure controlled ventilation by the critical care nurse. Such a framework will be described in this article. The purpose of this article is to describe a framework for the nursing care of an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit. An explorative, descriptive research-design (Mouton & Marais, 1990 : 44 - 46) was implemented to achieve this purpose. Based on a purposive study of both national and international literature and the triangulation thereof with other data-sources (Burns & Grove, 1993 : 277), like physicians and critical care nurses, a framework for the nursing care of an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit is described. A cognitive analysis, that includes both inductive and deductive thinking strategies, is applied during the study of the literature. Trustworthiness in the study was ensured through the application of the following measures for trustworthiness, namely triangulation, prolonged engagement, peer-group discussion, referential adequacy, stepwise repeat, investigative auditing, and dense description (Lincoln & Guba, 1985 : 289 - 331). According to the framework described in this article, the nurse as independent practitioner functions as part of a multi-disciplinary health team during the nursing care of an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit. The context in which the nurse functions during the nursing care of an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit, guides his / her actions that he / she performs on the adult patient. As independent practitioner during the nursing care of an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation, the nurse is responsible and accountable to carry out certain clinical actions, that are applicable to the nursing care of an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation, based on a scientific-approach, through demonstration of certain abilities, within the legal-ethical, philosophical and management framework of his / her profession.
Die verpleegkundige, as onafhanklike praktisyn, funksioneer as lid van die multi-dissiplinêre gesondheidspan tydens die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid. Druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie as &apos;n modus van meganiese ventilasie word algemeen in kritiekesorg-eenhede toegepas. Druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie verwys na &apos;n gekontroleerde modus van meganiese ventilasie, waartydens asemhaling op &apos;n tyd-siklus druk-gekontroleer word, met geen moontlikheid dat die pasiënt enigsins die masjien kan beheer nie, aangesien die pasiënt gesedeer en/of geparaliseer is met behulp van bensodiasepiene en neuro-muskulêre blokkeermiddels (Hess & Kacmarek, 1996 : 20). Druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie word met verskeie lewensbedreigende komplikasies, soos barotrauma, geassosieër (Chlochesy, Breu, Cardin, Rudy & Whittaker, 1996 : 267 - 270). Om dié rede is dit noodsaaklik dat &apos;n duidelike raamwerk beskryf word waarvolgens die kritiekesorgverpleegkundige die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op hierdie modus van meganiese ventilasie kan benader. Alhoewel daar algemene raamwerke vir die verpleging van pasiënte op meganiese ventilasie bestaan, is daar egter geen spesifieke raamwerk wat die unieke verpleegbehoeftes van die volwasse pasiënt op druk gekontroleerde ventilasie beskryf nie. So &apos;n raamwerk word in die meegaande artikel voorgestel. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om &apos;n raamwerk vir die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid te beskryf. &apos;n Verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp (Mouton & Marais, 1990 : 44 - 46) is gevolg ten einde die doelstelling te bereik. Aan die hand van &apos;n doelgerigte bestudering van beide nasionale en internasionale literatuurbronne en die triangulering daarvan met ander data-bronne (Burns & Grove, 1993 : 277), soos geneeshere en kritiekesorgverpleegkundiges, is &apos;n raamwerk vir die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid beskryf. &apos;n Kognitiewe analise, wat beide deduktiewe en induktiewe denkstrategieë ingesluit het, is tydens die bestudering van die literatuur aangewend. Vertrouenswaardigheid binne hierdie studie is verseker deur die toepassing van die volgende maatreëls vir vertrouenswaardigheid, naamlik triangulering, verlengde blootstelling, portuurgroepbespreking, voldoende verwysing, stapsgewyse herhaling, ondersoekende oudit en digte beskrywing (Lincoln & Guba, 1985 : 289 - 331). Volgens die raamwerk wat binne hierdie artikel beskryf word, funksioneer die verpleegkundige as onafhanklike praktisyn as deel van die multi-dissiplinêre gesondheidspan tydens die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid. Die konteks waarbinne die verpleegkundige tydens die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid funksioneer, rig sy/haar handelinge wat hy / sy op die volwasse pasiënt uitvoer. As onafhanklike praktisyn tydens die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie, is die verpleegkundige verantwoordelik en aanspreeklik om op &apos;n wetenskaplike benadering en deur die demonstrasie van bepaalde vermoëns, sekere kliniese handelinge, wat betrekking het op die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie, uit te voer binne &apos;n bepaalde wetlik-etiese, filosofiese en bestuursraamwerk.
Kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde vir die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid : research
Source: Health SA Gesondheid 7, pp 19 –31 (2002)
The purpose of this article is to describe clinical nursing care standards for a patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit. Nursing practitioners working in the critical care unit are responsible for quality nursing care of the patient on pressure-controlled ventilation. To deliver quality nursing care to the adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation, the use of clinical nursing care standards are of paramount importance. Clinical nursing care standards refer to descriptive statements that reflect the expected level of clinical performance by the critical care nurse during the nursing care of an adult patient on pressure-control ventilation in a critical care unit. Quality nursing care of an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation implies that certain characteristics of quality have been determined and are being adhered to. This nursing care occurs in relation to the health needs of an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation within the legal-ethical and managerial framework of critical care nursing and the health care institution (Gillies, 1994 : 97; Muller, 1998a : 3). However, in the South African nursing context there are no clinical nursing care standards for adult patients on pressure-controlled ventilation in critical care units. The following question can therefore be asked: "Which clinical nursing care standards should be formulated for an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit?" An explorative, descriptive, standard-generating research design was followed in this study to formulate clinical nursing care standards for an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit. The method of standard formulation was based on the method described by Muller (1990 : 49 - 53), consisting of a development phase and a quantification phase. In this study, only the development phase was implemented. The formulation of clinical nursing care standards for an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit was based on a previous framework that was described on the basis of a literature study. In this way, the content validity of the clinical nursing care standards was ensured. Furthermore, the content validity of the clinical nursing care standards for an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit was ensured by means of a peer group discussion that was held with clinical domain experts. During this discussion clinical nursing care standards were refined and reformulated. Seventeen clinical nursing care standards were formulated for an adult patient on pressure-controlled ventilation in a critical care unit.
Die doel van hierdie artikel is om kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde vir die volwasse pasiënt op drukgekontrolleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid te beskryf. Verpleegkundiges werksaam in die kritiekesorgeenheid is verantwoordelik vir die lewering van gehalteverpleging aan die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid. Om gehalteverpleging aan die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontrolleerde ventilasie te lewer, is kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde van deurslaggewende belang. Kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde verwys na &apos;n beskrywende verklaring van die verwagte vlak van werkverrigting deur die kritiekesorg verpleegkundige tydens die verpleging van die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid. Gehalteverpleging aan die volwasse pasiënt op drukgekontroleerde ventilasie, impliseer dat sekere kenmerke van gehalte vooraf bepaal is en aan voldoen word. Hierdie verpleging vind plaas in verhouding tot die gesondheidsbehoeftes van die volwasse pasiënt en die wetliketiese raamwerk van kritiekesorgeverpleging en die gesondheidsorginstelling (Gillies, 1994 : 97; Muller, 1998a : 3). Binne die Suid-Afrikaanse verpleegkonteks, bestaan daar egter geen kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde vir die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid nie. Om dié rede kan die gehalte van verpleging van volwasse pasiënte op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in kritiekesorgeenhede nie geëvalueer word nie. Die volgende vraag ontstaan dus: "Watter kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde behoort vir die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid geformuleer te word?" &apos;n Kwalitatiewe standaard-formulerende navorsingsontwerp is nagevolg om kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde vir die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontroleerde ventilasie te beskryf. Die metode vir standaard-formulering is gebaseer op die metode soos beskryf deur Muller (1990 : 49 - 53), bestaande uit &apos;n ontwikkelingsfase en &apos;n kwantifiseringsfase. In hierdie studie is slegs die ontwikkelingsfase geïmplementeer. Die formulering van kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde vir die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontrolleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid is op &apos;n vorige raamwerk gebaseer, wat aan die hand van &apos;n literatuurstudie beskryf is. Op dié wyse is die inhoudsgeldigheid van die kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde verseker. Verder is die inhoudsgeldigheid van die kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde verseker, by wyse van &apos;n portuurgroepbespreking wat met kliniese domeinkundiges gehou is. Gedurende hierdie bespreking is die kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde verfyn en geherformuleer. Sewentien kliniese verpleegsorgstandaarde vir die volwasse pasiënt op druk-gekontrolleerde ventilasie in die kritiekesorgeenheid is geformuleer.
Community nurses&apos; perceptions of and exposure to children with severe disabilities and their primary caregivers : research
Authors: J. Bornman and E. Alant
Source: Health SA Gesondheid 7, pp 32 –55 (2002)
In primary health care clinics nurses are faced with individuals of different ages with different problems, ranging from minor ailments to severe disabilities. Particularly vulnerable are those with severe disabilities, with specific reference to those with communication and intellectual impairments because of their inability to articulate their needs, feelings and rights. Community nurses are often the first contact that primary caregivers (parents) of children with severe disabilities (CSDs) have with health professionals and they often remain the only professionals who support and assist these caregivers. It is therefore clear that these nurses need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to assist caregivers in dealing with their CSDs. This is a descriptive study aimed at determining community nurses&apos; perceptions regarding disability and their exposure to CSDs. Quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (focus groups) methods were used to obtain data. Results indicated that nurses regarded their knowledge and skills in dealing with CSDs and their caregivers as inadequate, despite the fact that they were exposed to them and were expected to provide services to them. A need for knowledge and skill training in this regard was identified.
In primêre gesondheidsorgklinieke kom verpleegkundiges in aanraking met individue van verskillende ouderdomme met &apos;n verskeidenheid probleme, wat strek vanaf geringe kwale tot erge gestremdhede. &apos;n Besonder weerlose groep is persone met erge gestremdhede, met spesifieke verwysing na dié met kommunikasie- en intellektuele gebreke as gevolg van hul onvermoë om hul behoeftes, gevoelens en regte te verwoord. Gemeenskapsverpleegkundiges is dikwels die eerste kontak wat primêre versorgers (ouers) van kinders met erge gestremdhede met professionele persone in die gesondheidssektor het, en hulle bly gewoonlik die enigste professionele persone wat ondersteuning en leiding aan hierdie versorgers verskaf. Gevolglik is dit duidelik dat hierdie verpleegkundiges met die nodige kennis en vaardighede toegerus moet word om versorgers te ondersteun in die hantering van hul kinders met gestremdhede. Hierdie is &apos;n beskrywende studie wat daarop gerig is om gemeenskaps-verpleegkundiges se persepsies rakende gestremdheid te bepaal, asook hul blootstelling aan kinders met erge gestremdhede. Kwantitatiewe (vraelys) sowel as kwalitatiewe (fokusgroep) metodes is gebruik om die data te verkry. Resultate het daarop gedui dat verpleegkundiges hul kennis en vaardighede in die hantering van kinders met erge gestremdhede en hul primêre versorgers as ontoereikend ervaar, desnieteenstaande die feit dat hulle aan hierdie populasie blootgestel is en dat daar van hulle verwag word om dienste aan hulle te lewer. Die behoefte aan kennis- en vaardigheidsopleiding in hierdie verband is geïdentifiseer.
Die dwelmmiddelafhanklike pasient se belewenis van sy herstelproses na ontslag en voltooiing van &apos;n herstelprogram : research
Authors: M. Overbeeck, M. Poggenpoel and A. Gmeiner
Source: Health SA Gesondheid 7, pp 56 –67 (2002)
Dwelmmiddelafhanklikheid word wêreldwyd beskou as een van die hoof geestesgesondheidsprobleme. Dit blyk dat dwelmmiddelafhanklike pasiënte verskeie struikelblokke ervaar in hul strewe na geestesgesondheid. Geestesgesondheid vereis &apos;n verskuiwing vanaf rigiede gedrag en die daarmee gepaardgaande intellektuele prosesse, na interne prosesse wat saamvloei met &apos;n verandering in innerlike belewenisse. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is die verkenning en beskrywing van die dwelmmiddelafhanklike persoon se herstelproses ná ontslag en met voltooiing van &apos;n herstelprogram binne &apos;n spesifieke privaat rehabilitasiesentrum. Die navorsing was kwalitatief, verkennend, beskrywend en kontekstueel van aard waar van in-diepte, fenomenologiese onderhoude; asook fokus enkelonderhoude gebruik gemaak is om data in te samel. Data is geanaliseer deur die toepassing van Tesch se beskrywende metode waar al die data in agt stappe geanaliseer is. Veldnotas is ook geneem en saam met die data geanaliseer. Daarna is &apos;n literatuurkontrole uitgevoer om data te valideer en te rekontekstualiseer. Guba en Lincoln se vertrouenswaardigheidsmodel is nagevolg om die vertrouenswaardigheid van die navorsing te verseker en daar is ook voldoen aan streng etiese maatreëls, aangesien dit &apos;n baie sensitiewe navorsingsonderwerp behels. Die temas wat geïdentifiseer is, dui daarop dat daar struikelblokke sowel as fasiliterende elemente bestaan in die dwelmmiddelafhanklike pasiënte se belewenis van hul herstelproses en dat die struikelblokke aangespreek moet word deur die mobilisering van hulpbronne in hierdie herstelproses. Dit dra weer by tot die fasilitering van lewenslange onthouding.
Drug dependency is acknowledged worldwide as one of the major mental health problems. It seems that drug dependent patients experience various obstacles in striving after mental health. The recovery process requires a shift from the rigid behaviour and intellectual processes that accompany them, to internal processes accompanied by a change in inner experiences. The objective of this research was to explore and describe the drug dependent person&apos;s recovery process after discharge, and the completion of a recovery programme within a specific private rehabilitation centre. The research design was qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. In-depth, phenomenological interviews, as well as focused individual interviews, were conducted to gather data. Data was analysed using Tesch&apos;s descriptive method, where all the data were analysed in eight steps. Field notes were taken and analysed together with the data. A literature control was then done to validate and recontextualise the data. Guba and Lincoln&apos;s model for trustworthiness was applied to ensure the trustworthiness of the research and strict ethical measures were adhered to, since the research addressed a very sensi- tive topic. The themes identified indicate obstacles, as well as facilitating elements, in the drug dependent patients&apos; experience of their recovery processes and these obstacles should be addressed by mobilising resources
A cognitive-relaxation-visualisation intervention for anxiety in women with breast cancer : research
Authors: C.D. Linde and A.D. Stuart
Source: Health SA Gesondheid 7, pp 68 –78 (2002)
The aim of this study was twofold. Firstly, to design a cognitive-relaxation-visualisation intervention with the aim of reducing both overt and covert anxiety associated with the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. In addition to the creation of a suitable intervention, the aim of the present study was to ascertain the efficacy of the intervention in two groups of randomly selected female subjects, the one group (N = 72) being pre-diagnosis (awaiting mammogram results) and the other group (N = 16) being post-diagnosis (beginning radiation therapy). A Solomon four group design was used for the pre-diagnosis group and a pre-test - post-test control group design was utilised for the post-diagnosis group. The IPAT Anxiety Scale was used to measure the variables of overt and covert anxiety. Qualitative information regarding the intervention was obtained by means of a delayed interview. The results indicated that while the intervention had the effect of reducing anxiety for both groups, a pre-test sensitisation effect was also observed in the pre-diagnosis group. It emerged that patients had perceived the presence of an empathic individual at the time of diagnosis and early in treatment as being of greatest value in reducing anxiety.
Die doel van hierdie studie was tweeledig. Eerstens is daar gepoog om &apos;n kognitiewe ontspanningsvisualiseringsintervensie te ontwerp wat die vermindering van overte en koverte angs geassosieer met die diagnose en behandeling van borskanker ten doel het. Tesame met die ontwerp van &apos;n geskikte intervensie was die tweede doel om die doelmatigheid van die intervensie te toets in twee groepe bestaande uit toevallig geselekteerde vrouens. Die een groep (N = 72) kan beskryf word as pre-diagnose (afwagtend van mammogramresultate) en die tweede groep (N = 16) as post-diagnose (aanvang van bestralingsterapie). &apos;n Solomon viergroep ontwerp was gebruik ten opsigte van die pre-diagnose groep en &apos;n pretoets-posttoets kontrolegroep ontwerp was gebruik vir die postdiagnose groep. Die IPAT Angsskaal was gebruik om overte en koverte angs te meet. Kwalitatiewe inligting aangaande die intervensie was verkry deur middel van &apos;n vertraagde onderhoud. Die resultate toon dat, alhoewel die intervensie wel verminderde angs tot gevolg gehad het vir beide groepe was &apos;n pretoets sensitiseringseffek waargeneem in die prediagnose groep. Dit blyk dat die teenwoordigheid van &apos;n empatiese individu ten tye van diagnose asook vroeg in die behandelingsfase deur pasiënte as die waardevolste faktor beskou is ten einde angs te verminder.
Risk awareness and sexual relationships among youth in the Johannesburg area : research
Source: Health SA Gesondheid 7, pp 79 –88 (2002)
The increase in the reported rate of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and sexually transmitted infections among the youth of South Africa has led to a rise in awareness campaigns to combat these epidemics. If health awareness campaigns have an effect on behavioural change, one would expect the youth to abstain from sex and be involved in stable sexual relationships. This quantitative survey, conducted among a sample of 226 Johannesburg youths, was aimed at ascertaining their exposure to sex risks and their stability in sexual relationships. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire, and descriptive as well as inferential statistical analyses were computed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed a quarter of respondents to have been engaged in risky sexual activities and males in general to be riskier and more sexually active than women.
Die toename in die aangemelde koers van menslike immuniteitsgebreksindroom (MIV), verworwe immuniteitsgebreksindroom (VIGS) en seksueel oordraagbare infeksies onder die jeug in Suid-Afrika het tot &apos;n toename in bewuswordingsveldtogte gelei om hierdie epidemie hok te slaan. Indien gesondheidsveldtogte &apos;n effek op gedragsverandering het, kan &apos;n mens verwag dat die jeug hulself van seksuele omgang sal weerhou en in stabiele seksuele verhoudings betrokke sal wees. &apos;n Kwantitatiewe opname is onder 226 jeugdiges in Johannesburg gedoen met die doel om hul blootstelling aan seksuele risiko&apos;s en stabiele seksuele verhoudings te bepaal. Data-insameling het deur middel van &apos;n vraelys geskied en beide beskrywende en inferensiële statistiese analise is deur middel van die Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) gedoen. Die resultate het aangetoon dat &apos;n kwart van die respondente in riskante seksuele aktiwiteite betrokke was en mans was oor die algemeen waaghalsiger en seksueel meer aktief as vroue.
Factors affecting behaviours that address HIV risk among a sample of junior secondary school students in the Northern Province, South Africa : research
Source: Health SA Gesondheid 7, pp 89 –93 (2002)
Die doel van hierdie studie was om HIV risiko reduksie faktore onder junior sekondêre skool leerlinge in Suid-Afrika te identifiseer. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 441 Graad 10 sekondêre skool leerlinge in die ouderdomsgroepe tussen 16 tot 25 jaar (M ouderdom 16.3 jaar, SD=2.3) van drie plattelandse skole in een streek van die Noordelike Provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Meting het die volgende ingesluit: seksuele gedrag en kondoom gebruik, kennis van korrekte kondoom gebruik, doelstelling met kondoom gebruik, gedragsnorme, houdings, normatiewe oortuigings en subjektiewe oortuigings oor kondome, HIV/VIGS vatbaarheid (moontlikheid om dit op te doen) en die ernstigheid van die siekte in die land, asook kondoom gebruik selfvaardigheid. &apos;n Tweevoudige ontleding het positiewe beduidende verbande tussen ouderdom by eerste vaginale geslagsgemeenskap, HIV/VIGS vatbaarheid en ernstigheid, houdings teenoor kondome en die HIV/VIGS risiko indeks gevind; omgekeerd verwant was korrekte kondoom kennis en kondoom gebruik doelstelling. Regressie ontleding het aangedui dat omgekeerde korrekte kondoom kennis telling, ouderdom tydens eerste vaginale seks en HIV/VIGS erns voorspelbaar was vir HIV/VIGS risiko gedreag wat 53% van die afwyking verklaar het.
The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting HIV risk reduction among junior secondary school pupils in South Africa. The sample included 441 Grade 10 Secondary School pupils in the age range of 16 to 25 years (M age 16.3 yr, SD=2.3) from three rural schools in one region of the Northern Province of South Africa. Measures of the following were included: sexual behaviour and condom use, knowledge about correct condom use, intention of condom use, behavioural norms, attitudes, normative beliefs, and subjective norms about condoms, HIV/AIDS vulnerability (likelihood to get it) and severity of the illness in the country, and condom use self-efficacy. Bivariate analysis found positive significant relations between age at first vaginal intercourse, HIV/AIDS susceptibility and severity, attitudes towards condoms, normative beliefs to use condoms as well as subjective norms to use condoms and the HIV/AIDS risk index; inversely related were correct condom knowledge and condom use intention. Regression analysis indicated that inversely correct condom knowledge score, age at first vaginal sex and HIV/AIDS severity were found to be predictive for HIV/AIDS risk behaviour explaining 53% of the variance.