Assertiveness and attitudes of HIV/AIDS orphaned girls towards education in Kampala (Uganda)

Whereas HIV/AIDS prevalence has been declining in Uganda from 30 to less than 10 in the last 2 decades; the number of HIV/AIDS orphaned girls in secondary schools is still high and girl children have tended to carry the heaviest burdens of family responsibilities thereby adversely affecting their assertiveness and attitudes towards education. Assertiveness is a critical life skill that enables a person to state an opinion; claim a right; or establish authority and it is important to improve attitude towards education. This study examined the relationship between assertiveness and attitude towards education of HIV/AIDS orphaned and non-orphaned adolescent school girls in Kampala. The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) Dominance (Do) Assertiveness Scale and the Attitude Scale were administered to 225 students consecutively selected from 6 secondary schools in Kampala. HIV/AIDS Orphaned girls had lower levels of assertiveness and most had a negative attitude towards education compared to non-orphaned girls. Girls orphaned to HIV/AIDS were less assertive compared to those orphaned by other causes. There was a positive relationship between assertiveness and attitude towards education among orphaned adolescent secondary school girls in Kampala. Girls orphaned to HIV/AIDS were less assertive compared to other school girls and have a poor attitude towards education

HIV/AIDS Prevention through Peer Education and Support in Secondary Schools in South Africa

The implementation and evaluation of a peer education and support programme in secondary schools to prevent and reduce high-risk sexual behaviour amongst adolescents is discussed.The aims of the programme were to provide accurate information about HIV/AIDS; discuss and reconsider peer group norms; and establish support for learners. In the programme that was implemented in 13 secondary schools in Tshwane; South Africa; peer educators were identified; trained and supported to implement the programme in their schools with the assistance of a teacher and postgraduate students as facilitators. Peer educators organised HIV awareness activities; facilitated class discussions on risk behaviour and gender relationships; and supported learners in solving personal problems. Process evaluation included weekly reports and focus group discussions with peer educators and teachers. A quasiexperimental design involving an experimental and control group; as well as pre- and post-assessments; was used to evaluate the impact of the programme on psychological well-being; personal control; school climate and reported high-risk behaviour of learners aged between 13 and 20 years.The results showed that the percentage of learners in the experimental group who were sexually experienced remained unchanged over the time period of 18 months. In contrast; a significantly increased percentage of learners in the control group were sexually experienced after the same time period.The control group also perceived more of their friends to be sexually experienced. No differences were reported in condom use in either of the groups.The findings of this study suggest that peer education can contribute to a delayed onset of sexual activity; and can therefore contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS amongst adolescents

A Comprehensive Programme Addressing HIV/AIDS and Gender Based Violence

A survey was administered to 304 respondents participating from three areas near Welkom; South Africa. Face-toface interviews were conducted with women from randomly selected households to evaluate the impact of a service provision programme targeting women living with HIV/AIDS and gender based violence. Gender based violence (GBV) awareness and knowledge was high. Respondents had high perceived levels of risk.They reported making various behavioural changes to avoid GBV.The respondents were aware of their legal rights pertaining to GBV. HIV/AIDS knowledge levels and attitudes were acceptable. Behavioural changes included condom use; abstinence and being faithful to one partner. Disclosure of HIV was lower than disclosure of GBV. Awareness and knowledge of female condoms were high; yet usage low. Participants reported that they would be able to introduce condoms to a relationship and negotiate usage with relative ease. Perceived levels of GBV and HIV were high; and stigma levels towards the affected women were also relatively high.The awareness and knowledge levels of GBV and HIV of older respondents were lower than younger respondents.The key findings of this study support the notion of using a holistic approach; targeting more than one issue.There is lower stigma levels associated with combined conditions; which might allow easier access to vulnerable groups. Coordination and collaboration of services are however needed to enable this benefit