Dissemination of HIV and AIDS Information to Students in Tertiary Institutions in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Given the issue of the high prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) among youths, the study sought to investigate how HIV and AIDS information is disseminated to students at Mkoba Teachers College (MTC) in Zimbabwe. The researchers assumed that the high HIV prevalence among the youths may be attributed to a lack of adequate information on HIV and AIDS. Given this background, the researchers chose to target students in tertiary institutions because most of the active youths in Zimbabwe are absorbed there. According to past studies, the response of most tertiary institutions across Southern Africa to HIV and AIDS is passive. The survey descriptive research method was employed to conduct the study, whereby questionnaires were administered to twenty randomly selected students at the institution. Interviews were also conducted with two administrators, who were responsible for the Health and Life Sills department. It appeared that there were some HIV and AIDS programmes at MTC, mainly in the form of formal lectures and peer education programmes. It also seemed that most students acknowledge the need for HIV and AIDS information respectively. These include limited formats of information dissemination as well as lack of funding for information dissemination programmes. In order to counter these loopholes, it is recommended that MTC strengthens its partnerships with influential Non Governmental organisations (NGOs). The project gave referrals to NGOs which could assist the institution boost its HIV and AIDS information dissemination programme.