Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on HIV/AIDS among peer educators and students at the Tshwane University of Technology

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of peer educators and university students, on whether the Peer Education-HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme has made an impact on the behavioural change of the recipients of the module as compared to the non-recipients.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using stratified sampling design among peer educators and students to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of peer educators and students. Participants were selected from Tshwane University of Technology campuses in Pretoria, Soshanguve and Ga-rankuwa. The study was conducted among 300 participants; 150 peer educators and 150 students. Informed consent was provided with each structured questionnaire.Findings and Discussion: Three quarters of the respondents in this study were females. This is consistent with many other studies of HIV/AIDS among students. The response rate in this study was 68% and was higher than the 45% of the Namibian Polytechnic students who participated in the KAP surveys of HIV/AIDS (De Beer et al., 2012).Mean knowledge levels of HIV/AIDS in this study were slightly higher among peer educators (92%) than among students (90%). Peer educators had more positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS than students in knowing someone who is HIV+ (78% vs. 67%) and sharing a desk with a PLHIV (97% vs. 95%). On whether HIV+ children should mix with others, attitude levels were the same (92% vs. 92%). Better practices were observed on peer educators vs. students - more peer educators (87%) than students (75%) said they always used a condom when they have sex.Conclusion and Recommendations: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV/AIDS are high among peer educators and students at Tshwane University of Technology and it is recommended that the Peer Education-HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme at TUT should continue giving attention to changing attitudes and practices among peer educators and other learners.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University