Experiences and Perceptions of Sexuality and HIV/AIDS among Young People with Physical Disabilities in a South African Township: a Case Study

Abstract

This study explored the experiences and perceptions of sexuality and HIV/ AIDS among 15-24 year-old young people with physical disabilities in a South African Township characterised by high unemployment rates and lack of social services. Ten young people and ten parents participated in multiple individual interviews as well as in focus group discussions. The analysis of audio taped and transcribed responses identified common experiences and perceptions among participants. The results indicate that disabled young people have limited factual knowledge about sexuality and HIV/AIDS. The decisions and choices they make about sexual behaviour are not informed by what they know; rather, they are part of the whole life situation in Nyanga. Their need to be loved and accepted, need for job security and family life, were more important than practicing 'safe sex'. Therefore, there is need for HIV/AIDS programme developers to take into account the experiences and perceptions of the target population.

HIV issues and people with disabilities: A review and agenda for research

“…Surveys and interview studies of people with disabilities and staff or key informants suggest generally low levels of HIV knowledge for people with disabilities (Bat-Chava et al, 2005;Chopra et al, 1998;Chuang & Atkinson, 1996;Dawood et al, 2006;de Andrade & Baloyi B, 2010;Doyle, 1995;Enwereji & Enwereji, 2008;Goldstein et al, 2010;Gordon et al, 1999;Hughes & Gray, 2009;Luckner & Gonzales, 1993;Melo et al, 2010;Otto-Salaj et al, 1998;Philander & Swartz, 2006;Strauss et al, 2006;Wazakili et al, 2006;Wazakili et al, 2009;Yousafzai et al, 2005), however, few of these studies involved control groups against which levels of knowledge could be compared. In studies that did compare people with disabilities to a sample of non-disabled peers, results indicated significantly lower levels of HIV knowledge (Bisol et al, 2008;Grassi et al, 1999a;Groce et al, 2006;Groce et al, 2007;Heuttel & Rothstein, 2001;Katz et al, 1994;Koen et al, 2007a;McGillivray, 1999;Ogunsemi et al, 2006;Otte et al, 2008;Rurangirwa et al, 2006;Yousafzai et al, 2004).…”

Challenges to providing HIV prevention education to youth with disabilities in South Africa

“…In South Africa, the few studies which have been F o r P e e r R e v i e w 4 conducted suggest that knowledge about HIV/AIDS among people with disabilities is low [8][9]. Findings from other parts of the world suggest that people with disabilities have lower levels of HIV-related knowledge compared to the general population [10][11].…”

Voices from the periphery: A narrative study of the experiences of sexuality of disabled women in Zimbabwe

“…As previously noted, a study carried out by Wazakili, Mpofu, and Devlieger (2006) in a South African township revealed that in some instances the desire of disabled people to be accepted and to be loved may supersede the importance of engaging in safe sexual practices.…”

“…However, Wazakili, Mpofu, and Devlieger (2006) better to have the information and to decide not to use it than not to have it at all. The idea is to ensure that sexuality and HIV information and services are accessible to all human beings in order to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV, which I discuss in the following sub-theme.…”

“…The above narrative brings to the fore an assertion made by Wazakili, Mpofu, and Devlieger (2006), which as previously mentioned, states that there is no guarantee that when people are informed of the risk of acquiring HIV, such people will make efforts to avoid such risks.…”