HIV/AIDS communication in South Africa: A reflection on the experiences of female high school students in Amathole District in the Eastern Cape Province

Abstract

The HIV and AIDS epidemic has negatively impacted upon the general well-being of young women, globally, and in South Africa, in particular. Young women constitute a significantly higher percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS in comparison to their male counterparts. Although statistical evidence suggests a decline in the number of young women living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, the degree of decline has been described as 'fragile' and as requiring ongoing monitoring and interventions. Despite a range of highly visible HIV/AIDS campaigns, high rates of new infections amongst young women continue to occur. This, in the main, has been attributed to an existing gap between knowledge acquisition and the translation of knowledge into action, bringing into serious question the effect of HIV/AIDS campaigns on recipients. This study focuses on female high school students in the Amathole District, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and their experiences with HIV/AIDS communication. It aims to discuss how these young women receive and interpret HIV/AIDS communication. It further investigates what influences their reaction to HIV/AIDS messages. This could provide insight into whether or not such messages are meaningful to the targeted audience. If not, the implication is that alternative approaches would have to be adopted to ensure effective HIV/AIDS communication.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS Communication, Young Women, Adolescents, Perceptions, South Africa