Young people, HIV/AIDS/STIs and sexuality in South Africa: the gap between awareness and behaviour.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the baseline data of secondary school students in the Midlands district of Kwa-Zulu, Natal, South Africa. The data provide details of students' knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and AIDS, spread, prevention, how they can protect themselves from contracting an STI, their general awareness and sources of information, their perceptions of their vulnerability and their sexual practices.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1113 grade 11 students in 19 randomly allocated secondary schools. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using the SPSS software package.


RESULTS
The results confirm that knowledge levels were high for causes and spread of STIs and the participants were well informed about issues relating to protection against STIs and seeking treatment. However, there was significant deviation in reported behaviours.


CONCLUSIONS
This discrepancy between awareness and behaviour calls for a reorientation of sexuality education to include those elements critical for behavioural change, such as addressing gender discrepancies and promoting skills for communication through planned intervention programmes.
James
S
S
National Health Promotion Research and Development Group, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. shegs.james@mrc.ac.za
Reddy
S P
SP
Taylor
M
M
Jinabhai
C C
CC
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*