HIV knowledge, risk perception and risk behaviours among Technikon staff in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore HIV knowledge, risk perception and risk behaviours, using a quantitative descriptive design. Participants included 233 randomly selected Technikon academic and non academic staff aged 19 to 65 (Mean age=40.0; SD=10.7), of which 56% were males and 44% were females, with more than two-thirds being black (70.4%). The results indicated that participants were generally knowledgeable about HIV, had low HIV risk perception and high intentions to engage in risk reducing behaviours and a sizeable minority indulged in risky behaviour. It could be concluded that there is a need for an HIV risk reduction programme aimed at strengthening HIV knowledge, preventing new infections, and increasing HIV risk perception.

Key words: Border Technikon, HIV knowledge, risk perception, behavioural intentions, risk behaviour, HIV risk reduction.

AJPHERD Vol.11(2) 2005: 132-148