Communicating for Action: A Contextual Evaluation of Youth Responses to HIV/AIDS

This research project was conducted by Dr Kevin Kelly, a social psychologist based at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. Sentinel site data gathering was conducted by locally based,qualified site facilitators. Research design was developed in collaboration with Warren Parker and Professor Lynn Dalrymple of the Beyond Awareness Campaign, HIV/AIDS and STD Directorate of the national Department of Health.

In conceptualising this research two important aspects were considered.

Firstly, there is a considerable lack of behavioural research in South Africa. Furthermore, few studies have been conceptualised to give insight into sexual behaviours and practices of adolescents and young adults as they apply to a range of contexts. Such research is vital to the development of HIV/AIDS communication and other strategies.

Secondly, it is recognised that HIV/AIDS information reaches target audiences through diverse sources and it is more important to understand the impact of this diversity, than it is to attempt to extract the impact of specific campaigns. This research therefore sets out to provide a vital cornerstone to the understanding of adolescents and young adults with regard to behaviours and practices that are relevant to HIV/AIDS strategy development, with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS communication.

This research represents the first stage of a three stage study. This first stage involved primary data collection through a questionnaire and was supplemented with qualitative cross-checking of data and trends. The second stage, set to take place in mid-2000, involves deeper qualitative research and will allow for further analysis of trends emerging in the first stage. A further quantitative study will be conducted within the forthcoming 18-months.

In general the results of this first stage are extremely affirming of activities that have taken place to date. There is strong evidence that a range of key messages have been internalised, and that the sexual behaviour and practices of a large proportion of respondents have been developed in relation to their perceptions of HIV/AIDS. This research also provides vital insights into the direction HIV/AIDS communication and other activities should be taking in future. Readers are urged to review the final section of this report which provides insight into future research directions.The research was undertaken between June and August 1999 at six sentinel sites in South Africa.

The sites range from deep rural to urban and draw on samples of some 100 adolescents and young adults (15-30 years of age) in each site. The sites are:

• Eastern Cape: A cluster of villages in the Amatole Basin, a deep rural area near Alice in the former Ciskei area
• KwaZulu-Natal: A ward in the Macambini area, a rural site just north of the mouth of the Tugela River
• Western Cape: Rocklands suburb in Mitchell's Plain, a low to middle income residential area on the outskirts of Cape Town
• Northern Cape: Galashewe, an urban township of Kimberley
• Northern Province: A tertiary institution
• Gauteng: A mixed race upper-income high school in Johannesburg

The research focuses on contextual factors influencing youth responses to HIV/AIDS within specific sites. In this report province names are used as descriptors for each site. It must be noted,however, that the differences between sites are not specific to the provinces where they are located. Rather, these differences relate to the specific socio-economic conditions and cultural contexts at each site.

Youth responses with respect to both HIV prevention practices and 'care' are reviewed. The latter refers to attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS and social network mobilisation and advocacy around HIV/AIDS issues.

The data reported on in this report was drawn from a comprehensive questionnaire administered to a total of 618 respondents administered across six sentinel sites. Focus groups were also run with groups of 8-10 youth in each site and contextual information gathered through interviews with health workers and other relevant people in those communities.

This study will be followed by a qualitative study in early 2000 to explore in greater detail,themes that have emerged as requiring fuller investigation.