The lives and experiences of HIV positive teenage learners : a case study of Intshanga schools of KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is acknowledged as a disease that has harmful impacts on the social and economic development of developing countries. Much of the research on the pandemic has not, until recently concentrated on its impact on the education sector and on teenagers as people living with HIV. This study investigates the lives and experiences of HIV positive teenage learners (main participants) in some Intshanga schools in KwaZulu-Natal. As teenagers are essentially minors, and would be under the care of parents or other caregivers, it was necessary to learn more about the lives of the teenagers from caregivers in the community and from family members within families where there are individuals living with HIV. The study provides some insight into how other people like family members and caregivers understand the pandemic as well as the role they play in the lives of those infected by the HIV virus. Empirical data was collected over a period of a year (2004-2005) and yielded the following main findings: * Fear about disclosing one's status: HIV and AIDS are still not accepted as one of the significant realities of the lives of learners. It is regarded as a shameful disease which most members of the community prefer not to talk openly about. * Effects on affected learners: Social, economic and cultural circumstances and perspectives impact negatively on relationships in general and on relationships significant to learners themselves, i.e. parent-child and adult. * Persons living with HIV are called names by those who are seemingly not affected. * Teenagers report that they avoid using local healthcare services because they have on occasion experienced being verbally abused at these health care centres. * Teenagers are not assisted in dealing with peer pressure. * Teenagers are vulnerable to making disastrous choices.