Richard Mkandawire

A shocking new study has revealed that young South Africans between the ages of 18 and 30 deal with the problem of HIV/AIDS by denying its existence. A survey commissioned by the University of Venda and the Centre for Political and Economic Studies says denial of the very existence of HIV/AIDS was detected among many adolescents. The survey, involving eight schools in the Northern Province and seven in the Free State, showed that eight percent and five percent of respondents respectively contended there was no such thing as HIV/AIDS, or that AIDS waslike any other disease. Co-ordinator of the survey Professor Richard Mkandawire concluded denial was an attempt by the sexually active youth to come to terms with the pandemic. The survey comes in the light of the growing belief in many communities that sleeping with a virgin can cure a person who has contracted the disease. In some communities there is a belief that a person suffering from AIDS is bewitched and can be cured by muthi. The study also shows 61% of the youth surveyed in the Northern Province and 47% from Free State assume AIDS is not on the increase. Authors of the study hope the report will help to address the shortcomings of existing education programmes. (Source: The Citizen, 28 November 2001)