This exploratory qualitative study investigates possible barriers to HIV preventive behavior amongst
Zulu-speaking, black adolescent males, aged 15-23, in township secondary schools in Durban, South
Africa. Perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and practices concerning HIV prevention and transmission are
elicited using semi-structured focus groups and mixed open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires.
Thematic analysis of the data is used to identify possible barriers to protection. Issues specifically
investigated are condom use and multiple sexual partners. Belief in the ability to choose uninfected
girlfriends, a distrust of and misperceptions about condoms, the importance of trust to a sexual relationship,
false optimism engendered by fast-spreading myths about cures, and skewed risk perception engendered by
conspiracy theory narratives and overestimation of the severity of the epidemic were found to be possible
barriers to protection amongst males and controlling the spread of HIV. A discussion of these barriers
ensues the results. / Thesis (M.Dev.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/8999 |
| Date | 28 May 2013 |
| Creators | Tillotson, Jonathan D. |
| Contributors | Maharaj, Pranitha. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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