National cross sectional study of views on sexual violence and risk of HIV infection and AIDS among South African school pupils.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the views of school pupils on sexual violence and on the risk of HIV infection and AIDS and their experiences of sexual violence.


METHODS
National cross sectional study.


METHODS
5162 classes in 1418 South African schools.


METHODS
269,705 school pupils aged 10-19 years in grades 6-11.


METHODS
Answers to questions about sexual violence and about the risk of HIV infection and AIDS.


RESULTS
Misconceptions about sexual violence were common among both sexes, but more females held views that would put them at high risk of HIV infection. One third of the respondents thought they might be HIV positive. This was associated with misconceptions about sexual violence and about the risk of HIV infection and AIDS. Around 11% of males and 4% of females claimed to have forced someone else to have sex; 66% of these males and 71% of these females had themselves been forced to have sex. A history of forced sex was a powerful determinant of views on sexual violence and risk of HIV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
The views of South African youth on sexual violence and on the risk of HIV infection and AIDS were compatible with acceptance of sexual coercion and "adaptive" attitudes to survival in a violent society. Views differed little between the sexes.
Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Apdo Postal 182, Acapulco, Mexico. neil@ciet.org
Neil
N
Andersson
Ari
A
Ho-Foster
Judith
J
Matthis
Nobantu
N
Marokoane
Vincent
V
Mashiane
Sharmila
S
Mhatre
Steve
S
Mitchell
Tamara
T
Mokoena
Lorenzo
L
Monasta
Ncumisa
N
Ngxowa
Manuel Pascual
MP
Salcedo
Heidi
H
Sonnekus
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D013019:South Africa; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*