Using HIV/AIDS interventionist research in a university context to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health awareness

Kidia, Nitasha

Title: Using HIV/AIDS interventionist research in a university context to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health awareness
Creator: Kidia, Nitasha
Subject: HIV infections -- Prevention -- South Africa
Subject: AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa
Subject: AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
Subject: Health education (Higher) -- South Africa
Subject: Sex instruction -- South Africa
Subject: College students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
Subject: Sex instruction for women -- South Africa
Subject: Women college students -- Psychology -- South Africa
Subject: Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa
Subject: Women -- Diseases -- Prevention -- South Africa
Date Issued: 2020
Date: 2020
Type: text
Type: Thesis
Type: Masters
Type: MA
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165743
Identifier: vital:41277
Description: Background: Young women in South Africa are a vulnerable group, with HIV prevalence almost twice that of men, limited preventive behaviour, and many challenges in negotiating sex. However, there is a paucity of in-depth research to understand how these challenges play out and what can be done to promote positive sexual and reproductive health in this population. Methods: To understand the effects of the Auntie Stella Activity card intervention (developed and used in Zimbabwe), this study used a mixed methods participatory action research design. Five focus group discussions among female Rhodes University students between the ages of 18- 23 were conducted with the activity cards as a basis for engagement. Additionally, pre-and postintervention sexual and reproductive health awareness levels were also measured by a customized questionnaire. Based on participants’ responses to the cards and post-exposure reflections on their learning, possible impacts on behaviour change were explored. Thematic analysis of transcripts was used to draw out major themes in the qualitative data. Results and conclusions: Themes that emerged were: 1) women’s self-esteem; 2) lack of knowledge; 3) peer pressure and male dominance; and 4) alcohol and substance use. Results of the pre- and post- intervention questionnaire found a positive change in knowledge and behaviour amongst the participants. However, the intervention in its current format focused too much on teenage rather than adult scenarios. To make it more useful for this population, further modifications that account for the target age group are needed. Overall, the challenges in sexual and reproductive health faced by university-aged women in South Africa are deeply concerning, but this study’s findings show that an intervention like the ASAC has the potential to be used widely in Southern Africa, if appropriately tailored.
Format: 144 pages
Format: pdf
Publisher: Rhodes University
Publisher: Faculty of Humanities, Psychology
Language: English
Rights: Kidia, Nitasha

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Gender Action Forum (GENACT)

RU Department of Psychology

SDG 05. Gender Equality

RU DST/NRF SARChI for Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproductions Research (CSSR) Programme

SDG 03. Good Health and Well-Being

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