Barriers that impede the effectiveness of precautionary measures of combating the spread of HIV and AIDS: the case of the University of Zululand and Mangosuthu University of Technology

Abstract

This article explores and identifies the barriers that impede the effectiveness of precautionary measures of fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS in tertiary institutions in KwaZulu Natal, namely, University of Zululand and Mangosuthu University of Technology. This article is informed by the Satisfaction Theory which emphasises the importance of product or service marketing as it determines whether a customer will continue using a product or service or not. The theory indicates that if a customer is satisfied with the service offered by an organisation or a company, then the client may continue using the company’s product or service. However, if a client is dissatisfied with the service offered, he or she may decide to discontinue using the particular product or service. The research problem of this study is articulated through the following research questions: why is the pregnancy rate high in tertiary institutions, whereas condoms are freely available? Why is the spread of HIV escalating in tertiary institutions, whereas information on HIV and AIDS is available? And why are precautionary measures to scale down HIV and AIDS less effective? The study targeted only students in two purposively selected tertiary institutions. The quantitative method and stratified random sampling was used. Data was analysed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft excel. The study established that there are many barriers that impede the effectiveness of precautionary measures of fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS in these tertiary institutions. The study further established that precautionary measures of fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS such as condoms are freely available in these tertiary institutions. However, they are not easily accessible as they are only distributed at the clinics. This article recommends that condoms be distributed all over campus, more especially in students’ residences because that is where students spend most of their time. In addition, the clinics are not always opened as compared to students’ residences.

Keywords: HIV; AIDS; University of Zululand; Mangosuthu University of Technology