HIV knowledge and practices among rural South Africans.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the knowledge and practices related to HIV/AIDS by rural South Africans in Limpopo Province.


METHODS
Qualitative research methods were used. Twenty-eight key and general informants participated in individual interviews in summer 2001. The setting was a hospital-based HIV clinic in rural Limpopo Province.


RESULTS
All participants were members of a support group, and they had basic knowledge about HIV/AIDS; however, participants indicated that they lacked basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS until they joined the support group.


CONCLUSIONS
Support groups were effective in educating people about HIV/AIDS.
Mabunda
Gladys
G
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, School of Nursing, Edwardsville, IL, USA. gmabund@siue.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013019:South Africa; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires