THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENROLMENT IN BIOLOGY, HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE AND RELATED BEHAVIOUR AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLGIRLS

Abstract

In spite of integrating HIV/AIDS education in South African curricula the prevalence of HIV in 2016 was the highest since 2002. HIV infection rate is particularly high among schoolgirls compared with boys. Using a closed-ended questionnaire, this quantitative survey research compared Biology and non-Biology schoolgirls’ (n=291) behavioural intention, Health Literacy and HIV/AIDS Literacy to determine if enrolling for Biology, and subsequently learning about the scientific nature of HIV/AIDS would reduce risk behaviour among schoolgirls. Results indicate that Biology students have higher Health Literacy and HIV/AIDS Literacy than non-Biology students. The behavioural intentions of both groups were not significantly different. Health Literacy and HIV/AIDS Literacy did not correlate significantly with behavioural intention, which were indicative of risk behaviour. These findings suggest that enrolling for Biology and other science subjects and subsequently learning about HIV/AIDS may not reduce risk behaviour among schoolgirls. Keywords: behavioural intention, biology students, health literacy, HIV/AIDS literacy, South African schoolgirls.