Young people, HIV / AIDS, and intervention: barriers and gateways to behaviour change
Varga, C.A.
Development Bulletin 2000(52): 67-70
2000
PMID: 12179458 Document Number: 523701
This paper reports on selected results from a completed study that explored sexual dynamics and decision-making among young people aged 11-24 years in KwaZulu/Natal Province. Data were collected in three phases: 1) a series of focus group discussions; 2) narrative research component; and 3) in-depth follow-up interviews with selected questionnaire participants. Two aspects of the youths' sexual behavior were discussed: condom use and abstinence as responses to HIV/AIDS. It is noted that as young people have begun to re-evaluate their beliefs and standards concerning appropriate sexual behavior for fear of HIV infection, significant barriers to behavior modification remain. Such obstacles are a reflection of an adaptation to historical, political, and sociocultural factors in their environment. Moreover, factors such as poor communication and negotiation skills, gender stereotypes, and gender power imbalances all hamper sexual dynamics of young people. In view of such, strategies for HIV intervention programs, such as: life skills improvement, acceptability and destigmatization of condom use, consistent condom use, and responsible sexual practice, should be incorporated.