Discussing HIV/AIDS : the perceptions and experiences of young heterosexual university adults in dating relationships

M.A.In reviewing both the global and national statistical figures of people infected with HIV/AIDS, there is no doubting the imperious status given to supplementary HIV/AIDS social research. It is suggested that a probable missing link in many prior enquiries is the particular consideration given to the role that communication plays in dyadic interactions. As a consequence, a simple but comprehensive understanding of the perceptions and experiences attached to whether or not dating couples discuss the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS in their relationship is invaluable. As a result, this study was primarily involved in investigating the communication about STDs and HIV/AIDS in the milieu of heterosexual, dating relationships. The chosen research design was that of quantitative research which enabled the collection of data from a large number of respondents (n = 153) by means of a self-administered questionnaire distributed among sociology students at the University of Johannesburg. Overall it was found that just over half of the respondents (52%; n = 79) in this study indicated that they do discuss the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS with their current boy/girlfriend. In addition, 42.5% (n = 65) of the respondents indicated that the extent of such communication was one that occasionally occurred, as opposed to frequent discussions about the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS. However, further examination of the findings reveals that such an analysis into the communication about STDs and HIV/AIDS in dating relationships is not one which produces a single-founded answer. Instead, the role that various factors play in determining such communication is shown. Such factors, to name a few, are the role of parent and peer communication; perception of risk of contracting the HI virus; role of trust and honesty in the relationship; quality of sexual negotiation skills; power imbalances; number of previous dating relationships; duration of the relationship; relationship quality; quality of general communication; and the quality of communication about sexual matters in the relationship