American and African Adolescents’ Claim to HIV/AIDS Invulnerability

Tuntufye Selemani Mwamwenda

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 50 Holzner Road Pinetown 3610 South Africa

Email: tsmwamwenda@yahoo.com

Accepted 25 November, 2014

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to examine African and American  adolescents’ claim to HIV/AIDS invulnerability frequently expressed stance that they are not susceptible to the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Participants were selected from diverse countries comprising USA, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. The method of data analysis consisted of frequency, percentage, chi-square and probability. The measuring instrument was a questionnaire dealing with HIV/AIDS transmission, infection and prevention. The results showed that the majority of participants held the perception and belief that indeed they were invulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection, even though some of them engaged in behaviour that predisposed them to contracting HIV/AIDS. In conclusion, it was argued that HIV/AIDS public education ought to underscore this misconception to advance the cause against HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Keywords: Adolescents in denial, HIV/AIDS transmission, low HIV perception, HIV/AIDS invulnerability, existence of HIV/AIDS, university students.