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Perceived vulnerability to aids among rural Black South African children: a pilot study
Abstract
The aim of
the study was to examine Black primary school age children's perception of
vulnerability to AIDS in rural South Africa. Data were collected from 100
children chosen by two-stage cluster sampling in a rural community in the
central region of the Northern Province, in the age range between 6–11 years:
ages 6–8, 45 (23 boys and 22 girls) and ages 9–11, 55 (24 boys and 31 girls).
Results indicate that a minority of children (30%) overall felt that anyone
can get AIDS and that they themselves (17%) can get AIDS. When asked to identify
who gets AIDS, most children believed that people with specific group membership
such as sick people, homosexuals or strangers get AIDS, and especially older
children associated behaviours or actions such as multiple partners or unsafe
sex with getting AIDS. When the children were asked why they could get AIDS
most, especially older, children excluded themselves as vulnerable to contracting
AIDS due to avoiding risky behaviour and group membership. However, some,
especially younger, children included themselves as vulnerable to contracting
AIDS. Fear of possibly having AIDS was equally prevalent across the different
age groups but it was more prevalent in girls than boys, especially in the
older age group, yet few children in the younger age group thought they had
AIDS. Almost a third (30%) worried about getting AIDS and even more (40%)
thought they will get AIDS. There were important age- and gender-related
differences regarding vulnerability and fears about AIDS, which have relevant
implications for AIDS education addressing developmentally appropriate concerns.
Journal of Child and
Adolescent Mental Health 2003, 15(1): 65-72
the study was to examine Black primary school age children's perception of
vulnerability to AIDS in rural South Africa. Data were collected from 100
children chosen by two-stage cluster sampling in a rural community in the
central region of the Northern Province, in the age range between 6–11 years:
ages 6–8, 45 (23 boys and 22 girls) and ages 9–11, 55 (24 boys and 31 girls).
Results indicate that a minority of children (30%) overall felt that anyone
can get AIDS and that they themselves (17%) can get AIDS. When asked to identify
who gets AIDS, most children believed that people with specific group membership
such as sick people, homosexuals or strangers get AIDS, and especially older
children associated behaviours or actions such as multiple partners or unsafe
sex with getting AIDS. When the children were asked why they could get AIDS
most, especially older, children excluded themselves as vulnerable to contracting
AIDS due to avoiding risky behaviour and group membership. However, some,
especially younger, children included themselves as vulnerable to contracting
AIDS. Fear of possibly having AIDS was equally prevalent across the different
age groups but it was more prevalent in girls than boys, especially in the
older age group, yet few children in the younger age group thought they had
AIDS. Almost a third (30%) worried about getting AIDS and even more (40%)
thought they will get AIDS. There were important age- and gender-related
differences regarding vulnerability and fears about AIDS, which have relevant
implications for AIDS education addressing developmentally appropriate concerns.
Journal of Child and
Adolescent Mental Health 2003, 15(1): 65-72
