The personal perception of HIV and AIDS related infection risk among African refugee communities of Cape Town

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Political instability involving civil wars which had been prevailing mostly within the African Great Lakes Region caused great numbers since the 1990s of civilian populations to move to and fro within the borders and sometimes beyond its frontiers in search of both safer homes and better living conditions. Socio-economic hardships experienced by these people constrained them to engage in various migration movements, thus making them more vulnerable to a variety of diseases and pandemics, among which Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Sub–Saharan Africa has been bearing the brunt of HIV pandemic, and South Africa is believed to have the highest HIV prevalence. The present study was a quantitative survey exploring personal perception of HIV infection risk among African émigré communities of the Cape Metropolitan area. Only thirty four heterosexual active participants, who had joined their partners in South Africa after a certain period of temporary separation, were considered for final analysis using descriptive statistics. A relatively high perception of HIV infection risk was found among both males and females. However, the perceived risk did not necessarily determine sexual behaviour. No significant reciprocal relationship was found between the perceived risk and one important sexual risk behaviour. HIV and AIDS related stigma was found to be relatively high and the use of condoms prejudiced by tendencies of personal moralistic values. The present study has made relevant recommendations as to promote more preventive behaviours among the present African émigré community.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University