Worldwide millions of children are victims of neglect and physical and mental harm, including sexual abuse and exploitation. South Africa, however, is widely believed to have not only one of the highest incidences of rape in the world, but also one of the highest levels of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) transmission. With research findings showing that HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are rapidly increasing globally, young people are, and continue to be, at the forefront of the AIDS pandemic. Therefore, it is suggested that prevention programmes should be aimed particularly at the young. Schools have specifically been recognized as the setting for preventative Life Skills Programmes, having the potential to reach billions of children worldwide. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the perceptions of grade eight and nine learners with regard to the Life Skills Programme that focuses on HIV/AIDS and STI's, rape and child abuse education in the Port Elizabeth region. In order to fulfil the above aim, a qualitative study was undertaken within an exploratory descriptive approach. A non-probability sample of four schools was selected. Focus groups, utilising an unstructured interview, were used to gather qualitative data on the learners' perceptions of the Life Skills Programme. The focus groups consisted of 10 - 12 grade eight and nine learners who were selected using simple random sampling. The data was thematically analysed using Tesch's approach. The major findings of the present study, based on the six general themes, include the following: 1. Most of the learners perceived the educators, as well as the teaching methods utilised by the educators, positively. 2. Although the learners perceived the presenters of the Life Skills Programme positively, it was suggested that teachers, health care professionals, family members and peers should be involved in presenting the Life Skills Programme. 3. Learners reported various levels of comfort discussing different topics presented in the Life Skills Programme. 4. Learners of all the schools perceived the Life Skills Programme to be very relevant. 5. Learners recommended that more children, especially children from deprived communities, should be included in the programme. In addition, learners felt that counselling services should be available in conjunction with the Life Skills Programme. 6. Differences were noted in completing the first and the second questionnaire. Learners reported that they felt more comfortable completing the second questionnaire. They perceived the interviewing process positively.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:9854 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Lambert, Tania |
| Publisher | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MA |
| Format | 146 pages, pdf |
| Rights | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
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