High school students’ experiences attending HIV and AIDS services at Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality

Abstract

Background: Globally, the spread of HIV and AIDS among the youth is a widespread public health concern. In the South African context, there has been a realisation of high school learners’ poor access and usage of HIV and AIDS services, despite the provision of HIV and AIDS services in schools. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe experiences of high students attending HIV and AIDS at eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Methodology: The study adopted the qualitative research approach and its explorative and descriptive research designs in the investigation of high school students’ experiences concerning HIV and AIDS services in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Data was collected by means of in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with the thirty participants chosen from two high schools by means of the non-probability purposive sampling strategy or technique. Participant observation and field notes were also applied to complement the interview-based data. Thematic data analysis was applied for the purpose of organising, categorising and converting the collected data into meaningful findings. Findings: The findings showed that most participants were aware of the HIV and AIDS services provided at schools, and that reasons for not attending to these services included: the presumption of being sexually active; fear of stigmatization and being judged if the result is positive; and lack of time. Based on its findings, the study recommends, amongst others, the allocation of a mobile clinic in order to enhance the provision of other on-site services to students; addressing the inconsistency of school health nurses in schools; and private rooms for nurses in schools for conducting HIV tests to students.