The effect of a peer education programme on peer educators of the HIV/AIDS unit of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Abstract

Currently, the world faces many challenges such as a food shortages, fossil fuel depletion, floods, earthquakes, recession, wars, and climate change. It also faces diseases such as Human Immune Deficiency Virus /Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome /Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis (HIV/AIDS /STI and TB). This study focused on HIV/AIDS/STI and TB, and the impact of changes in sexual behaviours of student peer educators as a result of peer education programmes offered by the HIV/AIDS Unit at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Although young people today have a better understanding of risky sexual behaviours, HIV remains a health problem among the youth in South Africa. HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects all sectors of the population- rich and poor, young and adult, educated and uneducated. Tertiary institutions are places where many young female and male students live independently, unsupervised by their parents or guardians, in either private accommodation or student residences. Under these circumstances it may be expected that some students will explore and experience intimacy in their relationships. Hence, universities could play a vital role in shaping students’ attitudes and behaviours towards relationships, safer practices, and respect for others. Given the current absence of a cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS, peer education should appear as an important tool in HIV prevention strategy. It draws on several well-known behavioural theories and many researchers view peer education as an effective behavioural change strategy. A formal structured Peer Education Programme was initiated and implemented at the HIV/AIDS Unit at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) since 2004. This initiative was in line with one of the twelve strategic objectives of the HIV/AIDS Unit at the CPUT. This study therefore, aimed to assess the reflexive effect that the Peer Education Programme had on student peer educators who volunteer their services at the HIV/AIDS Unit at CPUT. It further attempted to assess the effect of the Peer Education Programme on changes in sexual behaviours that could occur amongst student peer educators. The purpose of this programme was to explore peer educators who were based in the HIV/AIDS Unit applying their acquired knowledge and skills; so that they may become role models for their peers by practising what they taught, and not taught what they proposed to practice. The study furthermore, forms on how effective the Peer Education Programme of CPUT’s HIV/AIDS Unit is in changing sexual behaviours of the student peer educators.