TITLE:
Partnering with Batswana Youth and Families for HIV and AIDS Prevention
AUTHORS:
Esther Seloilwe, Mabel Magowe, Kefalotse Dithole, Billy Kgosikwena, Elijah Kokoro, Dipuo Lesaane, Janet S. St. Lawrence
KEYWORDS:
Sexual Risks; HIV and AIDS Prevention Program; Families; Adolescents
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of AIDS,
Vol.3 No.2,
June
11,
2013
ABSTRACT: Introduction: This qualitative study
triangulated data from adolescents, parents, and key informants in Gaborone,
Botswana on adolescents’ risks for HIV infection, STIs and pregnancy, the types
of relationships they get into, and preventive measures they use to protect
themselves against HIV infection. The goal of this qualitative research is to
inform adaptation of an intervention originally developed, implemented, and
evaluated in the US that was effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection
and early pregnancy by delaying initiation of sexual relationships of abstinent
adolescents and lowering sexual risk behaviours of
adolescents who were already sexually active. The objectives of this study were
to conduct in-depth interviews with
youth, key informants and parents; determine the behavioural risks that young
people face; Assess youth and parents’ attitudes toward providing a risk
reduction programme for adolescents and Use the data to adapt an evidence-based
programme for Botswana. Methodology: In-depth qualitative interviews with 40 youth, 20 key informants and 40 parents
elicited information on the risks and relationships that youth engaged in and
their suggestions how their risky behaviours could be minimized or
counteracted. Findings: Youth of
both sexes engage in risky sexual behaviours that could predispose them to
contracting HIV and STI infections or unplanned pregnancies. Risks were
associated with use of alcohol and drugs: commonly marijuana, and engaging in
unsafe sexual relations. Youth, key informants and parents showed a high level
of acceptability for offering a primary prevention intervention program for adolescents. In addition, all groups of
participants concurred on the importance of offering a separate program for
parents to equip them with skills that can enable to them to guide their
adolescents to safely transit into adulthood through education and family
communication skills. Other risks confronting adolescents included sexual
initiations from either older men or women (sugar daddy and mummy syndrome) in
exchange for material and financial gains. Conclusion: Informants endorsed the need for primary prevention programs addressing
adolescents and their families to reduce risk behaviours among Batswana youth
to provide them with skills and minimise the risk of HIV infection among adolescents.