The effectiveness of the government's HIVAIDS programme and condom use among educators

Abstract

As South Africa is one of the countries with the highest HIV/Aids prevalence in the world, many South Africans are affected by the pandemic. The education system is one of the structures that cannot escape the effects of the pandemic. Educators are especially affected by the pandemic due to the fact that they not only have to cope with the infected colleagues who are often absent, but are also burdened with numerous orphans and vulnerable children at their schools because of the pandemic. Sometimes educators are infected themselves and still have to deal with the reality of witnessing the loved ones suffer or die of HIV related disease. The effects can be overwhelming and result in personal stress, such as depression and suicidal ideation, plus professional impairment such as through increased workload and staff negativity. Increased pressure also arises from societal expectations that educators are perceived as role models by their communities and by virtue of their profession, are expected to practise safer sex and behave responsibly. Current literature reveals that new infections are continuing to occur among educators hence the aims of this research were to determine knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of educators towards condoms. Condoms have been identified as the government's integral part of STI and HIV/Aids prevention which necessitates consistent use thereof. This study focuses on determining the factors hampering consistent use by female educators since literature attests to high vulnerability rate in women. A quantitative research design where female educators in the Dr J.C. Motaung circuit which is in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District (North-West) responded to the questionnaire was conducted. The investigation of the extent of attitudes towards condoms revealed that a high percentage of female educators do consider the consistent use of condoms very important and necessary. They display willingness and determination to adhere to its use, however there are defaults and factors causing such irresponsible behaviour are cited. The results of the empirical results led to the researcher making some recommendations which the government can adopt in order to increase condom use and consequently curb problems affecting effective teaching and learning to take place.