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Part 2 of the paper: SWAZILAND SECONDARY/HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ RISKS THAT MAY PROMOTE HIV INFECTION AND THE SPREAD OF AIDS by NOZIPHO EUGENIA MNDEBELE, NATIONAL CURRICULUM CENTREClick here for Part 1 of this paper SECTION 2 SEXUAL ATTITUDE OF THE SCHOOL GOING YOUTH The objectives of this section of the study were: 1) to find out what proportion of secondary/high school students feel that abstinence from sex is an acceptable option. 2) To find out what proportion of secondary/high school students feel that abstinence from sex is a practical option 3) To find out What proportion of students would be comfortable with talking to their parents about sex 4) To find out if students consider parents to be an acceptable source of information about sex 5) to find out if students believe in the reality of AIDS. 6) To find out if the majority of students consider AIDS to be the most serious health problem in Swaziland. 7) To find out how students would respond to infected fellow student, friends, relatives and people in general. 8) to determine if students think that sexual relationships between adults and teenagers are common. 9) To determine if students think that sexual relationships between adults and students are acceptable. 10) To find out if family planning by teenagers is acceptable among students. 11) To determine if abortion is an acceptable family planning method among students. 12) To find out if the use of drug and alcohol by teenagers is acceptable among students. 13) To find out if the superiority of men is acceptable among students. 14) To find out the proportion of students who will be willing to take a pre-marital HIV test. 15) To determine the willingness of students to be blood donors. 16) To determine the health seeking behaviour of students. 17) To determine if polygamy is an acceptable practice among students. 18) To determine the popularity of having multiple sexual partners among students. 19) To find out if students believe in the reality of homosexuality. 20) To find out if relationships which occur between teenager and married persons are acceptable among students. 21) To find out if relationships between teenagers and sugar-daddies/mummies are acceptable among students. Q1. Aids Exists or not Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1629 72.1% of total sample size No Responses 629 27.9% of total sample size "Exists" Response 1389 85.3% of total responses "Does not exist" Response 240 14.7% of total responses An overwhelming 83.3% said that AIDS exists and only 14.7% indicated it does not exist. A further 29.9% did not respond Q2 Youth were requested to rate in order of importance several national problems, some of which are highlighted below. Ranking was to be done for each problem from 1 to 11, one (1) being the most important and eleven (11) the least important. Some of the problems which directly relate to the objectives of the KAP survey have been analysed.
According to the findings, different weights were attributed to the above problems.
AIDS The majority of the respondents did not rate the problem of AIDS. Over 673 out of 2258 responded. For those who responded there was, some consensus by the youth on the seriousness of the problem. About 56% considered it a number one priority problem. Over 67.4% per cent rated the problem between 1 to 3. Single Parenthood Only 498 pupils responded out of 2258. Compared to AIDS, there seemed to be little consensus on seriousness of the problem. Only 22.7% rated the problem as number one. Only 25% ranked the problem 1-3. It si important to note that 26 percent rated single parenthood as the least problem (ranked it number 11)
Teenage Pregnancy 546 youth rated teenage pregnancy problem. 38 percent rated it as number one problem. Over a half of those who responded rated it in the first three categories 1,2 and 3. A significant percentage (15%) rated teenage pregnancy in the lowest three categories. Rape 531 out of 2258 rated the problem of rape. 33 percent rated it as a priority problem. 48 percent rated it as a between 1-3 while 22.2% ranked it in the category of three lowest (9,10 and 11). Q3. What do you consider to be the most serious health problem in Swaziland today? Respondents were asked to indicate what they considered the most serious health problem in Swaziland today. The frequently mentioned response by 1600( 92.3%) out of 1733 was AIDS. A further 3.3% said it was T.B., 2.3% Malaria, 1.3% Bilharzia and 0.7% Measles. Five hundred and twenty five (525) students did not respond. This finding shows that the students are very much aware of this deadly disease. Table A-1
Total Sample Size 2258 Q4. Young people should abstain from sexual intercourse until after they get married
Young people were asked to indicate whether abstinence from sex until they get married was a good idea or not. Out if the 1773 responses, 1573 (88.60%) indicated that it was a good idea, whereas 203 (11.40%) responded that it was a bad idea. Thus an overwhelming majority showed that it was appropriate to abstain from sexual activities until such a time when it considered the right time when one is married. Total Sample Size 2258 Q5. Should young people be encouraged to abstain from Sexual Intercourse? On the question as to whether young people should be encouraged to abstain from sexual encounters, 1340 (77.8%) were "yes" responses and 383 (22.2%) were "no" responses. There is some consistency in this finding with regard to sexual activities. Young people consider it wrong to engage in any sexual encounters before marriage. Total Sample Size 2258 Q6. Personally, are you willing to abstain from sexual intercourse until after your marriage? On a personal level respondents were asked if they were willing to abstain from sexual intercourse until after marriage. Most of the young people (1315 or 80.4%) responded with a "yes" and 320 (16.6%) said "no". This finding shows that even on an individual level young people are prepared to shelve their sexual encounters until they become adults or married. Total Responses 1635 Q7. Parents should talk to their children about sex. When asked to indicate whether parents should talk to their children about sex. Out of 1748 responses, 851 ( 48.7% ) strongly agreed, followed by 627 (35.9%) who also agreed. Those who strongly disagreed and disagreed accounted for 7.0% (123) and 8.4% (147) respectively. Five hundred and ten (510) did not respond to the question. From this finding it clearly shows that young people are yearning to talk to their parents about sex issues. In Swazi context this can be problematic because it is a taboo for ones parents to discuss sex with ones own children. Educators should seriously begin to enlighten parents about the importance of sex education to their own children. Table A-2
Total Sample Size 2258 Q8. I would like my parents to talk to me about sex. On the statement: "I would like my parents to talk to me about sex", out of 1703 responses 736 (43.2%) strongly agreed, a further 656 (38,5%) agreed. Only 149 (8.7%) strongly disagreed and another 162 (9.5%) disagreed. The finding echoes the preceding comments made in for question 7. Table A-3
Total Sample Size 2258 Q10. If you wanted information about sex, who would you prefer to talk to given the list below? When asked to show their preference in terms of who they would consult on sex information. Out of 1622 responses the majority 629 (38.8%) indicated that they would discuss sex matters with their mothers, followed by 313 (19.3%) who said they would approach the teacher, 166 (10.2%) a friend and 120 (7.4%) father. Another 88 (5.4%) brother, 82 (5.1%) sister and 107 (6.6%) said other. Negligible responses included pastor, grandmother, grandfather and aunt. In the traditional setup the most likely people to consult would have been aunts and grandparents. With the social changes that have come about the pendulum has swung to appreciating the role ones parents have to play in society. For the parents it goes without saying that their children need their input into issues affecting their growing up especially sex issues. For the educational authorities it means that there is need to consider having more counsellors in Schools to ensure that such issues are well taken care of when raised by young people. Table A-4
Totals Sample Size 2258 Q11. HIV positive persons or those who have AIDS must be isolated. Respondents were the asked whether HIV persons or those who have AIDS should be isolated. Of the 1582 responses, 474 (30.)%) strongly disagreed and 565 (35.7%) disagreed, indicating that young people were of the idea that HIV and AIDS persons should be part and parcel of the communities. Those who strongly agreed and agreed accounted for 11.6% and 22.6% respectively. The total number of responses was 1582. Table A-5
Total Sample Size 2258 Q12. HIV positive relatives or those who have AIDS must be isolated. Respondents were further asked whether the HIV positive relatives or those with AIDS must be isolated. 1582 responses were recorded and these were identical as those in preceding question. The only difference is the where reference is made to relative in this question whereas it mentions persons in the former. Table A-6
Total Sample Size 2258
Q13. Names of HIV positive persons or those who have AIDS must be made known to the public On whether names of persons who are HIV positive or who have AIDS should be known to the public, 1593 responded and 665 did not. Of those who responded 498 (31.2%) disagreed and 475 (29.8%) strongly disagreed and 361 (22.7%) agreed and another 259 (16.3%) strongly agreed. Thus the majority are inculcating confidentiality to be kept at all costs. It is imperative for those involved in counselling the HIV positive and AIDS persons to properly be trained and to ensure that information pertaining to persons with HIV and AIDS is not leaked out. Table A-7
Total Sample Size 2258 Q14. HIV positive persons or those who have AIDS should be encouraged to tell the public about their condition. On the question of HIV persons and those with AIDS going public about their condition, of those who responded (1719), 27.7% (476) strongly agreed, 38.9% (668) agreed, whereas 13.9% (239) strongly disagreed and a further 19.5% (336) disagreed. Table A-9
Total Sample Size 2258 Number of Responses 1719 76.1% of total sample size No Responses 539 23.9% of total sample size.
Q15. How would you feel if you were to know that one of the students in your school is HIV positive or has AIDS?
Respondents were asked how they would feel if they knew that one of the students in the school was HIV positive or had AIDS. Over half of the students (53.40%) indicated that they would support and give their love, 11.50% said they would not even go near them and 35.10% did not know how they would feel.
Although the number of responses of those who did not know how they would feel is lower than those who would give love, these results are indicative of the uncertainty by the students to accept people who are HIV positive and those with AIDS. More education is required for young people so that people with these conditions are equally and fairly treated and that they need a lot of compassion. Table A-10
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1744 77.2% of total sample size No Response 514 22.8% of total sample size
Q16. Knowing someone who is HIV positive or who has AIDS would help me to accept responsible sexual behaviour.
On the question of whether knowing someone with HIV positive or with AIDS would help towards adoption of responsible sexual behaviour. A total of 452 (27.8%) strongly agreed, 634 (39.0%) agreed; whereas 201 (12.4%) strongly disagreed and 339 (20.8%) disagreed.
The result shows that youth are only prepared to adopt responsible behaviour as long as they were aware of its existence through some one. Without such knowledge their reckless sexual behaviour would continue. This is a dangerous attitude which calls for more education to the young people about the effects of irresponsible sexual behaviour which could include early pregnancies, HIV infection and AIDS Table A-11
Total sample size 2258 Responses 1626 72% of total sample size No Response 632 28% of total sample size.
Q17. HIV infected students or those who have AIDS should continue to go to school until they become sick or die.
On the statement " HIV infected students or those who have AIDS should continue to go to school until they become sick or die", those who disagreed with the statement accounted for 436 (25.4%) and strongly disagreed 302 (17.6%). And those who strongly agreed they were 325 (18.9%) and 655 (38.1%) agreed.
By implication it means that slightly over half of those who responded favoured the idea of the inclusion of persons with HIV and AIDS into the school system. Another half were for exclusion of these persons. Without proper information the numbers of those who would favour discriminating against these persons would increase, yet given proper attention people with HIV and AIDS can prolong their lives. Table A-12
Total Sample Size 2258
Q18. Educating students who are HIV positive or those who have AIDS is a waist of money
Students were asked " educating students who are HIV positive or those who have AIDS is a waste of money", of those who responded, 587 (33.9%) disagreed and 287 (16.6%) strongly disagreed. Those who agreed and strongly disagreed accounted for 515( 29.7%) and 344 (19.8%) of the respondents respectively. When percentages are taken together and compared: those who said it was a waste of money with those who did not think so, there are no marked differences.
What is the implication of this for policy makers and people working with these people? Table A-13
Total Sample Size 2258 Number of Responses 1733 76.7% of total sample size No Response 525 23.3% of total sample size
Q19. Do you know a fellow student who has a sexual relationship with an adult?
Respondents were asked if they knew a fellow student who had a sexual relationship with an adult. Out of 2258 --------- on 1649 responded to the question and 609 did not. Those who knew of fellow students involve din sexual relationship with adult accounted for 37.9% and 62.1% did not know.
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1649 73% of total sample size No responses 609 27% of total sample size "Yes" answers 625 37.9% of total responses "No" answers 1024 62.1% of total responses
Q20. Only "cool" students have sexual relationships with adults.
On the statement "only cool students have sexual have sexual relationships with adults"", 1661 out ------- responded with 43% (715) agreeing, 29.3% (486) agreeing, 17.8% (296)disagreed and 9.9% (164) strongly disagreed. Table A-14
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1661 73.6% of total sample size No Response 597 26.4% of total sample size
Q21. I consider the prevention of pregnancy through the use of family planning methods (contraception) by students a;
The majority of youth who responded 67.4% (1687) felt that it was a good idea for students to consider the prevention of pregnancy through the use of family planning methods. Whereas 32.6% said it was not a good idea.
Total Sample Size 2258 Total Responses 1687 74.7% of total sample size No Response 571 25.3% of total sample size
Q22. Using condoms for prevention of STD/HIV infection is a wise idea
On the statement "using condoms for the prevention of STD/HIV is a wise idea", only 1371 out of 2258 responded. Of those who responded 616 (44.9%) agreed and 424 strongly agreed. Only 199 (14.5%) and 132 (9.6%) disagreed and strongly disagreed. This shows that young people’s attitude towards use of condoms is being accepted as a mode of prevention of STDs and HIV Table A-15
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1371 60.7% of total sample size (2258) No Response 887 39.3% of total sample size (2258)
Q23. Would you encourage a sexually active friend to use condoms?
Students were asked if they would "encourage a sexually active friend to use condoms. An overwhelming majority of 1131 (82.4%) students said "yes". Only 242 (17.6%) gave a " No" response.
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1373 60.8% of total sample size No Response 885 39.2% of total sample size "Yes" Responses 1131 82.4% of total responses "No" Responses 242 17.6% of total responses
Q24. When you become sexually active do you plan to use condoms?
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1341 59.3% of total sample size No Response 917 40.6% of total sample size "Yes" Responses 1023 76.3% of total responses "No" Responses 318 23.7% of total responses
When further asked if they plan to use condoms when they become sexually active, slightly over half, 1341 (59.3%) out of 2258 responded. Out of those who answered 1023 (76.3%) said "yes" and 318 (23.7%) said "no".
Q25. Condoms provide good protection against HIV infections.
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1374 61.9% of total sample size No Response 884 39.1% of total sample size Table A-16
In response to "condoms provide good protection against HIV infections", half of the respondents 52.8% agreed with the statement, and another 30.1% strongly agreed. Only 175 disagreed.
Q26. Having children out of marriage is a :
On having children out of marriage 1400 responded with an overwhelming 93.8% not in favour of the idea. Only 6.2% indicated that it was a good idea.
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1400 62% of total sample size No response 858 38% of total sample size
Q27. Having an induced abortion is a :
Regarding the statement "having an induced abortion" 90.5% felt it was a bad idea with only 9.5% who were for the idea. Mostly they would advice their friends to have the baby and keep it. Fewer responses were recorded on those who would advice them to have an abortion, place the baby for adoption and abandon the baby.
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1320 58.5% of total sample size No Response 938 41.5% of total sample size
Q28. If I were to give advice to a pregnant friend I would encourage them
1305 responded to the statement regarding the advice and encouragement they would provide to a pregnant friend. Most responses, 1107 (84.8%) said they would advice their friends to have the baby and keep it. Fewer response were recorded on those who would advise them to have an abortion, place the baby for adoption and abandon the baby. Table A-17
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1305 57.8% of the total sample size No Response 950 42.1% of the total sample size
Q29. Abortion is murder:
On whether abortion was murder, 35.9% strongly agreed, whereas 18.7% disagreed and a further 7.4% strongly disagreed. Table A-18
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1277 56.6% of total sample size No Response 981 43.4% of total sample size
Q30. Using drugs is a:
On the use of drugs, 1406 responded and an overwhelming 97% indicated it was a bad idea, only 3% felt that it was a good idea.
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1406 62.3% of total sample size No Responses 852 37.7% of total sample size
Q31. Drinking alcohol is a:
Then further asked about drinking alcohol, 97.8% felt it was a bad idea and only 2.2% said it was a good idea
Total Sample size 2258 Response 1411 62.5% of the total sample size No Response 847 37.5% of the total sample size
Q32. Smoking is a:
On smoking the data in figure a-7 indicate that 1416 responded with 98.8% saying that smoking was a bad idea and only 1.2% approving it.
Total Sample Size 2258 Response 1416 62.7% of the total sample No Response 842 37.3% of the total sample
Q33. Men and women are equal partners in a relationship.
On whether men and women were equal partners in a relationship, table ----- showed that 49.7%agreed and 23.6% strongly agreed; whereas 17.8% disagreed and only 8.8% strongly disagreed. Table A-19
Total Sample Size 2258 Response 1385 61.3% No Response 873 38.7%
Q34. Women are superior than men in a relationship
When further asked whether "women are superior than men in relationships" the result show that 45.3% disagreed and 12.7% strongly disagreed, whereas 23.7% agreed and another 9.7% strongly agreed. This shows that students did not think women should be at par with their menfolk. This still perpetuates the attitude that men are superior to women. Table A-20
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1319 58.4% No Response 939 41.6% Q35. Men are superior than women in a relationship Respondents were asked if "men were superior than women in a relationship". Of those who responded, 33.4% agreed and 17.4% strongly agreed. About 36.5% disagreed and a further 12.7% strongly disagreed. When taking into account combined percentages of the above responses of those who agreed and disagreed separately, the result show that women are closer to being treated fairly because almost half (49.2%) of the respondents disagreed with the statement. Yet this finding contradicts the foregoing in which women were considered as inferior.
Table A-21
Total Responses 2258 Q36. Who do you think should propose the other between men and women?
In Response to the question "who do you think should propose the other between men and women?" About 67.5% indicated that men should propose women, followed by those who said either of the two could propose (26%) and only 6.5% mentioned women.
This means for young people it is still a man’s world because it is only them (men) who are expected to initiate love. This kind of attitude will be perpetuated in other spheres of life. Gender sensitive workshops for students are highly recommended. Also there is need to incorporate gender issues into the curriculum at an early stage to enable students to appreciate the importance of the other sex, particularly the female sex. Total Sample Size 2258 Q37. Given the choice would you like to know your HIV status? Respondents were asked if they would know their HIV status given the choice, an overwhelming 74.7% said "yes" and only 25.3% said "no". Total Sample size 2258 Q38. Donating blood to the blood bank is a good idea. On donating blood to the blood bank, 47.3% agreed and a further 30.5% strongly agreed, only 14% and 8.2% disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively. Thus most of them felt it was a good idea to donate blood to the blood bank. Table A-22
Total Sample Size 2258 Q39. Donating blood increases the donor’s chances of getting HIV infection. Responding to the statement "donating blood increases the donors chances of getting HIV infections", over half (52.9%) of the students disagreed with the statement and another 14.9% strongly disagreed. About 43.1% agreed and 31.3% strongly agreed.
Table A-23
Total Sample Size 2258 Q40. Joining an anti-AIDS club is a good idea Joining an anti-AIDS club was considered as a good idea by about 43.1% who agreed and another 31.3% who strongly agreed. a total of 15.7% did not think joining anti-AIDS was a good idea with another 9.9% strongly disagreed. Table A-24
To total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1340 59.3% of the total sample size No Response 918 40.7% of the total sample size
Q41. Members of anti-AIDS clubs are less likely to become infected with he AIDS virus
Respondents who showed that if one was a member of the anti -AIDS club she/he was less likely to become infected with the AIDS virus, 37.4% agreed, 16.35 strongly agreed ; whereas 26.% disagreed and another 19.7% strongly disagreed.
The percentages of responses agreeing with he statement are quite alarming in that there is a misconception that if one belonged tot he club then one would not become infected with the HIV virus. Although as members of the club, they would be more aware of the facts on AIDS and HIV, if responsible sexual behaviour is not followed even those who belong to such clubs would get infected.
More education is needed. Table A-25
Total Sample Size 2258
Q42. Having an HIV test before getting married is a bad idea On whether "having an HIV test before getting married is a bad idea", table ____ shows that 37.7% felt a measure of agreement with the statement. Most respondents (33.3% and 29%) disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively. Thus most young people preferred to have an HIV test before getting married.
Table A-26
Total Sample Size 2258 Responses 1715 76% of total sample size No Response 543 24% of total sample size
Q43. In case you become ill, who would you prefer to consult for medical services?
In terms of consulting medical services if they become ill, majority 85.9% indicated they would consult a nurse or doctor, 9.9% religious healers and ___% traditional healers. Total Sample Size 2258
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