HIV/AIDS/STD Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviours in a Rural South African Adult Population

The aim of the study was to evaluate data on behavioural indicators in relation to HIV/AIDS/STD prevention and occurrence in a rural adult population in South Africa. A representative community sample of adults (n=398) using a three-stage cluster sampling method was chosen for a household survey, and qualitative data were obtained from adults using ten focus group discussions. The survey sample included 398 adults: 155 (38.9%) male and 243 (61.1%) female, whose ages ranged from 25 to 49 years ( M=37.1 years, SD=12.6). The questionnaire included 71 items on HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. The results indicated a mean HIV/AIDS knowledge score of 6.77 (range: 0 to 9), indicating a moderately adequate knowledge. HIV/AIDS knowledge was identified as a predictor for HIV-risk behaviour. Forty-six percent of the men and 21.4% of the women indicated that they had had a non-regular sexual partner in the last 12 months, and 53.4% of the women and 45.6% men said that they had never used a condom with their non-regular, non-commercial partner during the preceding 12 months. Among female adult women, 15.4% reported having been victims of enforced sex during the last 12 months. There was a high incidence of self-reported genital discharge/ulcers/sores within the preceding 12 months among the participants (19.7% in men and 11% in women). The study's findings are discussed in relation to implications for health education.