National cross sectional study of views on sexual violence and risk of HIV infection and AIDS among South African school pupils.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate the views of school pupils on sexual violence and on the risk of HIV infection and AIDS and their experiences of sexual violence.

Design

National cross sectional study.

Setting

5162 classes in 1418 South African schools.

Participants

269,705 school pupils aged 10-19 years in grades 6-11.

Main outcome measure

Answers to questions about sexual violence and about the risk of HIV infection and AIDS.

Results

Misconceptions about sexual violence were common among both sexes, but more females held views that would put them at high risk of HIV infection. One third of the respondents thought they might be HIV positive. This was associated with misconceptions about sexual violence and about the risk of HIV infection and AIDS. Around

SUBMITTER: Andersson N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC524107 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature