HIV/AIDS prevention and care for learners in a higher education institution in Lesotho

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS is considered as a global problem with the number of people living with HIVinfection continuing to increase. At the end of 2007 HIV/AIDS had already claimed 25million lives. Of all new HIV infections 71% were diagnosed in the Sub-Saharan region in2008, remaining the worst affected region globally. UNAIDS (2008:43) indicated thatheterosexual intercourse remained the main origin for HIV infection in the Sub-Saharanregion. Therefore the researcher is of the opinion that prevention strategies should focusmainly on sexual transmission of the disease.HIV/AIDS affects mainly people between the ages 15-24 years, notably the age group ofmost of the learners in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Lesotho, a country in the Sub-Saharan region, presents with the third highest HIV adult prevalence (23.2%) in the worldand in the region.In an attempt to address the prevailing situation, Lesotho has a number of programmes gearedtowards addressing HIV/AIDS in the country. However, all these attempts exclude thelearners in HEIs, yet the majority of learners are found within the most affected age group. Itis also to be noted that Higher Education provides the bedrock for socio-economic andpolitical development in Africa.Some studies have identified insufficient knowledge as being at the root of the increasingHIV infections among youth. However, other studies have shown that there is adequateknowledge among the young people, but still a challenge remains and that is to facilitatechanges in behavioural patterns as a component to be linked to the knowledge.Studies conducted in other African countries have shown that there are anti-AIDSprogrammes and clubs for learners in HEIs where learners are involved in the fight againstHIV/AIDS. No publication indicating the same for Lesotho's HEIs could be found, except forthe National University of Lesotho (NUL) that only launched its HIV/AIDS policy forlearners in 2009. The researcher is of the opinion that HEIs in Lesotho are not doing enoughto combat HIV/AIDS and hence intends to focus on HEIs in Lesotho. This study had two objectives namely: To determine the knowledge of learners in a specific HEI in Lesotho regardingHIV/AIDS prevention and care. To explore the needs of learners in a specific HEI in Lesotho regarding HIV/AIDSprevention and care.This mixed method study was conducted, comprising of both quantitative and qualitativedesigns. Quantitative phase used a questionnaire for determining the knowledge of learners.The questionnaire was adopted from a study that was performed to determine knowledge ofSouth African educators in public schools with some modifications. The qualitative phasewas used to explore the needs of the learners through the focus group discussions with theleaders of the learners. Sample was drawn from the entire population using stratified randomsampling for the quantitative phase. The qualitative phase used the purposive sampling toobtain in-depth information concerning learners' needs. Quantitative data was analysedthrough the use of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data wasanalysed using the thematic analysis and open-coding. All ethical principles were adhered toespecially the principle of respect for persons.The findings from the quantitative phase of the study showed that learners had adequateknowledge regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and care and the findings from the qualitativephase showed the various needs of the learners with regards to prevention and care ofHIV/AIDS in a specific HEI in Lesotho. Recommendations have been proposed based on thefindings from the two phases of the study. Limitations observed by the researcher have alsobeen identified. In conclusion the objectives of the study were met and the research questionshad been answered.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University