Cultural Practices and the HIV Epidemic in Swaziland: Student\'s Perspectives and Challenges for School Counsellors

HIV/AIDS is the most devastating experience that Swaziland has had to face in her history. Since the first HIV/AIDS cases were reported in the early 80s, this epidemic has been expanding relentlessly, destroying peoples lives and seriously impacting negatively on the very fabric of society. Time and resources have been expended in trying to slow down the fast advancing epidemic and yet recent statistics indicate that 42.6% of the nation is infected and that the infection rate is expected to increase (UNAIDS 2004). This study examined student\'s views on Swazi cultural beliefs and practices and how these impact on behaviour change in the light of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Using focus group discussions with high school and teacher training students this study reports their views on what they believe is contributing to the high infection rate among youths. The paper goes on to discuss the implication of the findings for school counsellor training programmes. Keywords: Cultural Practices, HIV Epidemic; Behaviour Change. International Journal of Educational Research Vol. 3 (2) 2007 pp. 173-18