The HIV/AIDS peer education (pe) programme of Youth for Christ Mpumalanga (YFCMPU) and its impact on young adults: an exploratory study

Abstract

The escalation of sexual and gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, high-risk sexual behaviour, substance abuse and subsequent HIV infections in our democratic developing South Africa needs urgent attention as it results in high mortality rates, negatively impacts on knowledge acquisition, attitudes, skills, behaviour, stigma, and discrimination in communities, especially amongst the youth from rural areas. The aim of the study is to explore the experiences amongst youth aged 18-35 in the rural areas of Mpumalanga, who underwent the Youth for Christ HIV/AIDS Peer Education programme. The Youth for Christ Mpumalanga (YFCMPU) HIV/AIDS Peer Education (PE) programme was evaluated by applying the Reaction, Learning, and Behaviour levels of Kirkpatrick’s model of evaluation and training. This study adopted an exploratory approach which included thematic analysis of the data. A purposive, convenience sample was drawn from participant facilitator mentors who formed part of the training programme. Programme outcomes suggest positive subjective opinions and feelings among most participants regarding HIV/AIDS. After the training, participants felt that they had gained a heightened understanding of certain key concepts of HIV/AIDS which promoted positive attitudes regarding HIV prevention by reducing stigmatism and discrimination amongst young adults. Moreover, changes in behaviour and skills were noted, and recommendations for the improvement of the implementation of the programme are provided.

Ku ya ehenhla ka ku xanisiwa hi swa masangu hi ku ya hi rimbewu, na ku tika emirini ka lavantshwa, na matikhomelo ya nghozi hi swa masangu na ku tirhisa swidzidziharisi hi ndlela yo biha, na ku ngheniwa hi HIV eka tiko ra hina ra Afrika Dzonga ra xidimokrasi leri ra ha hluvukaka, swi lava ku langutaniwa na swona hi xihatla hikuva swi vangela xiyenge xa le henhla xa ku fa ka vanhu, vuyelo byo biha eka ku kuma vutivi, mavonele, swikili, matikhomelo, ku xumbadziwa na xihlawuhlawu eka tindhawu ta vaaki ngopfu ngopfu exikarhi ka vantswa eka tindhawu ta matiko xikaya. Xikongomelo xa ku endla vulavisisi lebyi i ku valanga hi ntokoto exikarhi ka vantswa va malembe ya khume nhungu (18) ku fika eka makume nharhu ntlhanu (35), eka tindhawu ta matiko xikaya ya Mpumalanga, eka vantshwa lava va nghenela nongonoko wa dyondzo ya tintangha wa Vukreste hi HIV/AIDS ku nga Youth for Christ HIV/AIDS Peer Eduction (PE). Nongonoko wa dyondzo ya tintangha wa Youth for Christ Mpumalanga (YFCMPU), HIV/AIDS Peer Education, wu kambisisiwe hi ku tirhisa modlele wa nkambisiso na vuleteri wa Reaction, Learning, and Behaviour levels wa Kirkpatrick. Vulavisisi lebyi byi teke endlelo ro valanga leri ri katsaka nxopanxopo wa tinhlokomhaka ta vutivi. Ku tekiwe sampuli ya purposive eka lava a va dyondzisa va nga xiyenge xa nongonoko wa vuleteri. Mbele wax vulavisisi lebyi, wu ringanyeta leswaku vantshwa lavotala lava va nga va na xiavo mayelana na HIV/AIDS va nyikile mavonelo na matitwelo lamanene. Endzhaku ka vuleteri, vantshwa lava nga nghenela vuleteri, va titwile va ri na ku twisisa swinene hi minongoti ya HIV/AIDS, leswi endleke leswaku vantswa va na ku twisisa swinene na miehleketo leyinene loko swi ta eka ku sivela ku ngheniwa hi HIV, hi ku hunguta ku xumbadza na xihlawuhlawu exikarhi ka lavantshwa. Ku ve na ku cinca swinene hi matikhomelo na swikili, hikokwalaho ku bumabumeriwa leswaku ku fanele ku yisiwa emahlweni ku tirhisiwa ka nongongoko.