The implementation of HIV and AIDS prevention programmes in three Universities in Zimbabwe

Muzenda, Denias https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6552-7319

Title: The implementation of HIV and AIDS prevention programmes in three Universities in Zimbabwe
Creator: Muzenda, Denias https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6552-7319
Subject: Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services
Subject: AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention
Date Issued: 2012-12
Date: 2012-12
Type: Doctoral theses
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25022
Identifier: vital:63891
Description: Given the nature and devastating effects of HIV and AIDS and its impact on society, the universities in Zimbabwe have affirmed the need to define their institutional policy aimed at managing and mitigating the effects of HIV and AIDS. In this regard they have also put in place programmes to address the epidemic. Among the programmes are HIV and AIDS prevention programmes which are being implemented. However, there have been concerns that despite the fact that the programmes are being implemented as planned they have not met their objectives as HIV and AIDS infections have not decreased as expected. Hence this study assesses the implementation of HIV and AIDS prevention programmes in three universities in Zimbabwe. To achieve these objectives, the researcher opted for the mixed method methodology which is embedded in the post-positivist research paradigm. Post-positivist research paradigm attempts to increase our understanding of the way things are and that objectivity is an ideal that can never be achieved, and research is conducted with greater awareness of subjectivity. The researcher had to opt for questionnaires, interviews, document analysis and observations as data collecting instruments. From the Data presented the study found that universities lack adequately professionally qualified HIV and AIDS lecturers. Results on capacity of implementers in the study revealed that an insignificant number of lecturers have the capacity while the majority significant number lacked the capacity to implement the programmes. HIV and AIDS prevention is being implemented by unqualified lecturers who lack training and prerequisite skills for the programme. Furthermore, the study found that Lecturers do not get the necessary professional and institutional support to implement successfully HIV and AIDS programmes in universities. HIV and AIDS Coordinators and NGOs expressed concern over the inadequacy of learning and teaching support material. Funding and lack of resources such as specialist rooms and learning materials are a major impediment to successful implementation of HIV and AIDS. Implementation of HIV and AIDS programmes suffers from inadequate supervision by the relevant stakeholders due to unavailability of transport and financial cost. It also emerged that Human resource is also a major problem since there is a great staff turnover as specialist lecturers leave the system for better paid opportunities in the private sector. Most university lecturer respondents cited staff turnover as long-established and skilled lecturers look for greener pastures within and outside the country. The dominant methods used to implement HIV and AIDS programmes do not give enough room for group work discussions to effect behaviour change in students. Rather, more emphasis is on factual knowledge for assignments and examination purposes. On monitoring and evaluation of HIV and AIDS programmes, the study found that lecturers and students are unaware of their programmes progress bench marks. Universities have not been carrying out internal audits over the past years. This implies that the universities are divorced from Ministry of Higher Education Policy on monitoring and evaluation. Also, less people are involved in the monitoring process of HIV and AIDS programmes. The study found from the universities records that an HIV and AIDS Policy document exists at each university. However, the implementation of HIV and AIDS prevention programmes seemed to have a number of controversies and challenges. The study made the following recommendations against each major finding: Within the organisation, university works continually to equip staff with the knowledge, skills and tools required to analyse programme, implement and monitor interventions for HIV prevention. Capacity to support innovations includes aspects which hinder or support the implementation of new practices and ideas in the new curriculum. Universities should have trained HIV and AIDS Peer educators. For a lecturer to be considered as professionally qualified personnel in universities, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education should stipulate possession of a Master‟s degree or a Doctorate. The researcher provided a section on contribution of the study to new knowledge whereby the researcher proposed an alternative model for HIV and AIDS implementation for universities in Zimbabwe. This model was derived after a thorough analysis of the findings from the study as well as an extensive literature review on the subject. Areas for further research have been suggested in this study.
Description: Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2012
Format: computer
Format: online resource
Format: application/pdf
Format: 1 online resource (301 leaves)
Format: pdf
Publisher: University of Fort Hare
Publisher: Faculty of Education
Language: English
Rights: University of Fort Hare
Rights: All Rights Reserved
Rights: Open Access

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