Comparative Analysis of Gender Based Violence Knowledge and Attitudes among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Youths in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study sought to investigate Knowledge and attitudes of gender based violence among HIV-positive and HIV-negative youths in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional mixed method research design was employed in the study. This study used random sampling approach to select respondents. The general youth population was sampled from the general population, while Youths living with HIV (YLHIV) was sampled from clinic records. This study was conducted in three provinces in Zimbabwe that are Matabeleland South, Harare and Manicaland. The study administered 600 questionnaires, conducted four focus group discussions. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25) was used to analyse quantitative information while, FGD data was analysed using content analysis and Nvivo Version 11 software. The study shows moderate levels of knowledge about GBV with approximately 65% of the youths reported ever hearing of gender-based violence. The study findings show that YLHIV were more likely to have ever heard of gender-based violence, 71%, compared to HIV negative youths, 53%. The study shows that the majority of youths, 80%, reported radio as the major source of information about gender-based violence. Results show that Youths are more knowledgeable about physical-type violence such as sexual and physical, than soft violence such as emotional and economic. It is however encouraging to note that experience of physical abuse, albeit with some grueling reports of it, is quite low. A handful of youths, 9%, reported ever been physically abused in the past year. The study concludes that knowledge about GBV is moderate among the youth with YLHIV more likely to have ever heard of gender-based violence than HIV negative youths. Qualitative findings show that reporting on GBV was not encouraged largely on cultural grounds. Furthermore, reporting on sexual abuse for both HIV positive and negative youths was extremely hard.