I would tell no one because it is for me to know... no one! whom do out-of-school youth talk to about decisions regarding voluntary counselling and testing?

Francis, D. (2011) I would tell no one because it is for me to know... no one! whom do out-of-school youth talk to about decisions regarding voluntary counselling and testing? Indian Journal of Social Work, 72(1), pp. 55-70.

Abstract

This article arises out of research conducted with out-of-school youth in the Shongweni area and explores whom they would involve when making decisions about seeking Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). Four out-of-school youths, trained as peer researchers, interviewed 32 other out-of-school youths in the Shongweni area of KwaZulu-Natal in order to explore who they talked to about VCT, as well as who they did not. A single method of data collection, structured interviews, was used. Gossip and lack of trust among friends emerged as barriers to youth seeking VCT. As a result, friends were the least likely to be told about or involved in decisions regarding VCT. Somewhat more likely were sex partners, and most likely family members, who were seen as most trustworthy. Even though they were more trusted than friends, partners were not likely to be told VCT results. This revealed high levels of stigma and prejudice which still surrounded HIV/AIDS and VCT in this community. This translated into a lack of trust among friends and suspicions about fidelity in love relationships, which both negatively affected openness about VCT. However, families - in particular mothers - were trusted and involved in decision-making. This highlights a shift in how families are used as sites of coping in the crisis of HIV/AIDS as well as the potential for building on these relationships as a network of support.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Francis, Professor Dennis
• Authors: Francis, D.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: Indian Journal of Social Work
• ISSN: 0019-5634

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