Perceived HIV and Aids impasse in the eastern cape province and its psychological detriment on teenage girls

Abstract

The article is based on perceived HIV and AIDS impasse in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim is to explore perceptions of those students already known to be living with HIV and Aids. There are a myriad of risky behaviours observed amongst them that continue to persist unabated despite several interventions made. The article utilized Weiner’s attribution theory which determines why people do what they do. I collected data through journal entries used as field texts in the OR Tambo District with ten Higher Education students. Data was analysed by transcribing narratives from journal entries in order to determine and understand their lived experience. Results were attributed to socio-economic factors. Data revealed multiple causal inferences that students suffer from resentment because of their living conditions, low-self-esteem and victimisation. Finally, practical suggestions on how such psychological and emotional conflict and misery could be avoided are proffered.

Keywords: HIV and AIDS, Teenage girls, Higher Education, students