“If you are a plus you should wear a raincoat”. Behavioral determinant analyses among the Ndlovu Aids Awareness Program (NAAP) members and their target groups.

Abstract

It is increasingly recognized that HIV/AIDS education should focus more on the underlying cultural and social issues contributing to risky sexual behavior. The present study into the NAAP, active in Elandsdoorn South Africa, explored secondary school students’ perceptions and behavior regarding four cultural rules leading to risky sexual behavior. Focus Group Discussions, the qualitative measurement, were held with students and NAAP members to assess their perceptions on risky sexual behavior. A quantitative measurement of both groups’ behavior was executed by means of a Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices (KABP) survey. A behavioral determinant analyses using the ASE-model was performed in order to see how risky sexual behavior arises. Results confirmed the importance of social and cultural issues such as gender inequality, social expectations and the influence of peers regarding risky sexual behavior. These factors are predominantly present in the social influence determinant, ultimately impeding students’ to perform safe sexual behavior. It is concluded that for NAAP, and other similar programs, to be effective students should be made aware of the influence these issues have on their behavior. Then, students will gain a critical understanding of their situation which will facilitate behavioral change more effectively.