The knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV/AIDS among peer educators in the Limpopo Department of Agriculture

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:HIV/AIDS is a world wide pandemic and has caused threat in many organizations. Organizationsare trying to put in place programmes to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS as it affects theproductivity and profits due to increased absenteeism and turnover. The Joint United Nationsprogramme on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS] estimated that there are 40 million people living withHIV/AIDS world wide, 25 million has died and 15 millions are orphans due to HIV/AIDS.The Department of Agriculture [Limpopo] has recruited Peer Educators to assist in providingeducation, awareness and prevention programmes on HIV/AIDS to employees and stakeholders.However, it is essential to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perception of this Peer Educatorsin order to develop intervention measures to improve the effectiveness of the programme.The Department of Public Service Administration guideline on managing HIV/AIDS in theworkplace (2002) requires departments to conduct KAP (knowledge, attitudes and perception) inorder to have baseline data for responsive, relevant intervention strategies in the workplace.'HIV/AIDS workplace programmes can only be successful if the employees needs regardingknowledge, attitudes and practices have been thoroughly researched (Family HealthInternational, 2000).The aim of the study was to identify the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Peer Educators inthe Limpopo Department of Agriculture. This will also assist to measure the impact of trainingprovided to them. All Peer Educators were be given an opportunity to participate in the study.Self-administered questionnaire was be used to collect data and confidentiality was emphasized.Data was analysed using the SSP programme and Microsoft excel.The findings revealed an average knowledge of Peer Educators on HIV/AIDS, positive attitudesand safe sexual practice by using condoms. There is need for in service training for PeerEducators. The results also indicated the strong need of support from supervisors andmanagement in the implementation of Peer Educators programme. The findings of the study willalso assist the Limpopo Department of Agriculture to redesign the Peer Education Programme inorder to minimize the risks and reduce the infection rate on HIV. Peer Educators are consideredas key informants, it is significant to understand their level of knowledge, and what is theirperception of risk to HIV/AIDS.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University