The perception of parents in Zvishavane, regarding barriers preventing them from engaging with their children on HIV/AIDS issues

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: The reason that this study was conducted was to establish the possible barriers preventing parental involvement with their children in relation to HIV/AIDS issues. According to the findings, some highly populated urban and rural settlements are hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic (UNAIDS/WHO, 2003: 225). This fact explains in part the choice by the researcher, of Mandava Township, in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe as a focus for this study.Results: The study can be said to have provided useful baseline information regarding the level of parental involvement with regards to communicating with their children on issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS. Several factors are mentioned as possible reasons that hinder parental involvement in communicating with their children on HIV/AIDS issues. Although the data obtained points to the fact that the respondents showed that they were quite aware of the advantages of prevention knowledge, the actual results show that there is still a need to further educate people, parents in particular, on the positive impact of parents engaging with their children on matters regarding HIV/AIDS. It was established in the study that in a sample of (n = 75) participants selected 32.2 %, often talked to their children about issues concerning HIV/AIDS. However a high percentage, 33.3 %, seldom engaged in dialogue with their children on this issue, and about 34.4 % indicated that they have not attempted to be involved with their children in communicating with their children about HIV/AIDS issues.Conclusion: The researcher has come to the conclusion, that while the parents, as the custodians of these children, have been diligent in the upbringing of their children, they need to purposefully inculcate their children with values that will help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. In so doing, they will win the fight against the spread of the disease. The battle could be won by encouraging parents to become actively involved in communicating with children about HIV/AIDS matters.It is the hope of the researcher that the findings of this research will also address existing gaps in overcoming barriers to parental involvement on the issue of HIV/AIDS.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University