HIV/AIDS prevention support resourcing with family and peers: University student perspectives

Abstract

This study explored how students construct family and peers as resources for their HIV prevention The participants were 20 education students from a South African technology education university (female = 60%, black = 85%; age range = 18 to 24) They completed a semi-structured interview on their access to family and peers talking about HIV/AIDS prevention in the context of perceived cultural influences The data was thematically analysed using open-coding Findings suggest that students shared information about HIV/AIDS prevention with peers, and less so with family They perceived cultural taboos around sex talk to be a barrier to open discussion of HIV/ADS Students may need to acquire strategies to negotiate HIV/AIDS prevention approaches with family in the context of culture.