Learners awareness of HIV/AIDs and their attitudes towards peer educators in secondary schools
The main aim of the study was to investigate learners awareness of HIV/AIDS and their attitudes towards peer educators in secondary schools. The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal Province introduced peer education as one of the intervention programmes aimed at equipping secondary school learners with the knowledge and life skills on HIV/AiDS related issues. Three schools were selected with the total number of 130 learners who participated in the study. The formulated aims of the study were: • To determine whether peer education brings about knowledge on HIV/AIDS amongst learners in secondary schools. • To establish whether knowledge gained by peer educators is implemented in schools. • To determine the attitudes of other learners in schools towards peer educators. To collect data, a questionnaire which consisted of both closed-ended and open-ended questions was administered to learners. Analysis of results was done on the basis of responses on knowledge gained on HIV/AIDS, implementation of the programme by learners in schools and the attitude displayed by learners towards peer educators. The findings indicated that peer education brings about knowledge on HIV/AIDS amongst secondary school learners. With regard to implementation of the programme, learners who were trained as peer educators disseminated information gained during peer education training to their fellow learners with the support of Life Orientation educators. Peer educators were well accepted by their fellow learners. It was also noted that out of the programme learners showed a positive attitude towards people affected and/or infected by HIV/AIDS and thus indicated willingness to give care and support to them. The results of the study highlighted the plight and the support needed to all secondary schools for the sustainability of the programme. It was one of the recommendations that the Department of Education needed to provide support in terms of resources, training of both learners and educators, monitoring and evaluation of the programme for its sustainability.
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