WOMEN IN ACTION

In South Africa, HIV is spread mainly through sexual contact between men and women (Department of Education, 1999). An estimated 7 million South Africans are HIV-positive with the highest prevalence rates among young people, especially teenage girls (Department of Education, 1999, 2001; Coombe, 2002). Findings of a HIV/AIDS survey by the South African Department of Health among pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics show that the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS among pregnant women under the age of 20 years has risen 65.4% from 1997 to 1998 (Department of Education, 1999).

The scale of the AIDS epidemic among youth in South Africa is enormous and HIV/AIDS continues its deadly course. Throughout South Africa, the AIDS epidemic is affecting large number of adolescents, leading to serious psychological, social, economic, and educational problems (Department of Education, 2001; Coombe, 2002).

When it is considered that 40% of the South African population is less than 15 years of age and that 15.64% of the South African youth between the ages of 15-24 is infected with HIV, one recognizes that HIV/AIDS represents a devastating pandemic among the youth of South Africa (Coombe, 2002; Department of Education, 2001). This points to the need for research on the sexual behavior of this group. Information on existing knowledge about the sexual behavior among adolescents can provide an important base for educational interventions aimed at reducing further transmission. What is being written could be crucial in informing the course and impact of the disease, and how its effects can be systematically addressed. This is especially the case with respect to educational research and publications. It is therefore important to have a clear sense of what is being researched and published (however limited) on this subject (sexual behavior of adolescents) in South Africa today.

Source: bnet talkback