Attitudes of the University of Zambia Community towards HIV ad AIDS prevention programmes at the University of Zambia

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Date
2012-10-15
Authors
Nachela, Rosemary
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Abstract
The study sought to determine the attitudes of University of Zambia community toward HIV and AIDS prevention programmes. It used both qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection and data analysis. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from the sample, which included leaders of HIV and AIDS organizations operating on the campus, members of staff and students. The study population consisted of all the members of staff, students and leaders of HIV and AIDS organizations on the campus. In particular, the study focused on investigating the attitudes of the University of Zambia community towards HIV and AIDS prevention programmes at the University of Zambia. The study involved a randomly selected sample which consisted of 49% (49) of males and 51% (51) of females of an average age of 25. From the sample, 4.1% (4) were widowed, 6.1% (6) were divorced, another 4.1% (4) were separated, 51% (51) were married while 17% (17) were single. The finding revealed that UNZA had organizations offering appropriate HIV and AIDS prevention programmes. In addition, the research discovered that the community was not only aware of the organizations and programmes but also accessed services from these same organizations. Further, the research revealed that the community at large is satisfied with the services offered by the UNZA HIV and AIDS organizations. In this regard, it can be deduced that the majority of UNZA community has got positive attitudes towards the UNZA HIV and AIDS prevention programmes. It also revealed that majority of the University community used three (3) prevention methods to prevent the spread of HIV the virus namely sticking to one sexual partner; use of condoms; and abstinence. Others used prevention (not medically proven) such as washing their private parts with hot water immediately after sexual intercourse, washing their private parts with dettol after sexual intercourse, going to the toilet to pass urine (female only) immediately after sexual intercourse and going for male circumcision (male only). Of all the above strategies, sticking to one sexual partner was the most used by the University community. The study concluded that the UNZA community has positive attitudes towards HIV and AIDS prevention programmes. The study recommendations were: (i) Management should set aside sufficient time during which the University community could be exposed to HIV and AIDS teachings and demonstrations; (ii) Management should fund the activities of some of these Organizations dealing with HIV and AIDS on campus, especially the HIV and AIDS Response Unit which serves as a coordinating Office for all organizations dealing with HIV and AIDS at the institution and (iii) UNZA Organizations dealing with HIV and AIDS should extend their services to surrounding residential areas so that the residents can also be provided with relevant information on HIV and AIDS.
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HIV infections , Health attitudes , sexually transmitted diseases --study and teaching
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