HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness and perception of undergraduate first-year students at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training : higher education and training

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In a developing country as South – Africa, one of the most disturbing facts about HIV/AIDS is that the infection rate is growing at an alarming rate and as yet, there is no cure for the disease. More than 5 million South Africans are currently HIV positive. HIV and AIDS is an epidemic fuelled by social, cultural, behavioural and economic factors. Therefore, our country needs effective interventions to reduce the high HIV infection rate. One of the critical aspects of HIV prevention is ensuring that vulnerable groups, such as the youth, are not excluded or overlooked by prevention and treatment programmes. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, awareness and perception level of undergraduate first- year students registered at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Higher Education and Training at Elsenburg regarding HIV and AIDS. Questionnaires consisting of close – ended questions on a 4 – point Lickert scale was distributed to 130 students and a total of 103 responded by completed it. The results of the study indicated that students had a high awareness and perception level about HIV/AIDS. However, this study found a significant difference between males and females in terms of total awareness and perception level. In comparison with awareness and perception levels, students scored a low percentage in terms of total knowledge. Recommendations and future research at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Higher Education and Training at Elsenburg regarding HIV and AIDS are proposed.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University