A pre- and post-test study on the knowledge of grade 6 to 9 learners on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections

In 1981, a number of reports of death from immune system failure began to cause alarm in medical circles. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was identified as the cause of a condition known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). To date, there is no cure for AIDS, and as a result it is perceived as the deadliest medical condition of the century. While intensive research remains focused on development of a vaccine, there has been a strong move toward a more preventative approach that is holistic in nature, and encompasses behavioural and social components as being of equal importance. Going hand in hand with HIV/AIDS are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). STIs are increasing around the world and in South Africa at a remarkable rate. Like HIV/AIDS, STIs are also transmitted during sex, more specifically through body contact during sex. Research has identified adolescents as a group that is particularly vulnerable to HIV and STI infection. Life-skills programmes use experiential learning to engage learners and are particularly popular because they empower individuals to make responsible, well thought out decisions based on well developed values and beliefs. There are however, various variables and agents that impact upon the success of HIV/AIDS and STI education. It is therefore suitable to adopt a biopsychosocial approach to underlie a HIV/AIDS and STI life-skills programme. Health models, such as the AIDS Risk Reduction Model, based on this approach should take into consideration important psychological variables to cope with changes in behaviour, as well as prepatory behaviours inclined towards preventing risky behaviour. The Ubuntu Education Fund is a non-government, international organisation that offered a life skills programme in HIV/AIDS, STIs, Rape and Child Abuse to learners in Grades 6 - 9. This study focused on HIV/AIDS and STIs. The sample size was 260 learners from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Region. A quasiexperimental one group pre-and post-test design was used to determine if there was a difference between the knowledge of these learners pre- and post- the life skills programme. The results of the study indicate that there was a small increase in knowledge after the life-skills programme intervention. In some schools there was even a decrease in knowledge. This study suggests that the life-skills programme was flawed and that it needs to be reviewed. The implications of these findings are discussed with suggestions for future interventions