Mobilization of Students at South African Tertiary Institution to Combat Aggravating Factors of HIV/AIDS Transmission: An Action-Research Approach

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS has emerged through the last three decades as the most devastating epidemic humankind has ever faced. In the Eastern Cape, HIV/AIDS is rife and the forecast is that HIV/AIDS will have devastating effects among university students unless they change their sexual-behaviour. This research study attempted to highlight the socio-cultural factors which are responsible for HIV/AIDS transmission within the University of Fort Hare with the aim to mobilize and actively involve the students into practicing safe sex. The findings revealed that traditional male circumcision, dry sex, traditional practices, patriarchy, patterns of sexual relationships and drug and alcohol abuse, spread the HIV/AIDS transmission. By means of action research, the collaboration that existed among the professional nurses at the Health Care Center and a team of dedicated Psychology lecturers revealed that the campaigns and workshops which advocate healthy sexual practices could have the propensity to the decline of sexually transmitted infections. The recommendations are that; during welcome-parties for the first-year students and other social events within the campus, the Health Center must be open to access condoms. Furthermore, since these functions take place on weekends in most cases, field workers should be redeployed to distribute condoms.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p1722