Perceptions of stakeholders in education on the distribution of condoms to secondary schools learners in the Oshana region

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: HIV and AIDS is the most catastrophic epidemic affecting the entire world. Worldwide HIV and AIDShas become the single largest cause of death among populations. It has reached an acute stage andcontinues its deadly course. Despite the effort situation that people in different parts of the word andsectors have made and still making to better the condition, HIV and AIDS is still increasing on a dailybasis particularly among the youth. Since its existence, the epidemic has claimed lives of many familymembers, learners, and colleagues regardless the age, gender and race. It has become the daily news inevery media, affecting majorities in one way or another. The fight against HIV and AIDS demands hugecollective responses from individuals, communities and governments at large and continuous educationhas a major role to play in this fight.The study investigated the perception of stakeholders in education mainly the teachers and learners on theissue of condoms distribution to secondary school learners in the Oshana Region as a preventativemethod. The study was stimulated by a higher number of learners‟ drop-outs due to teenage pregnanciesin most secondary schools in the Oshana Region.The study confirmed that condoms are needed to prevent unwanted pregnancies and reducing HIVtransmission among learners. Most learners are not yet sexually, emotionally and physically-matured tomake comprehensive decision on sex practices. Some teachers felt that the availability and accessibilityof condoms in schools might increase promiscuity among learners. Therefore before condoms‟availability and accessibility, there is a need of massive awareness on sex education in order to save ourlearners. Interestingly, learners who participated in the study were happy if condoms could be madeavailable and accessible in their schools. Furthermore they felt that the sexual active learners would beable to complete their secondary education free from unwanted pregnancies and HIV transmission.From the research findings, recommendations are made to the education policy makers to provideguidelines to the stakeholders on whether the condoms availability and accessibility was necessary in thesecondary schools. The research had shown that the use of condoms was safe with no hormonal ormedical side effects. Therefore strategies on how to make them accessible and available to our learnersshould be treated as a matter of urgency. Finally, 'prevention is better that cure.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University