HIV/AIDS information credibility and seeking among South African youth

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the credibility of HIV/AIDS sources of information among youth in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The sample consisted of eight focus groups and 98 participants (49 females and 49 males) for a survey. Results indicate that the sources of information frequently cited were radio and television. Television was considered to be the most used HIV/AIDS source of information, but parents were most preferred when coming to help with managing the disease. The results further indicate that factors contributing to the credibility of sources were also found to hold a strong point. TV was highly rated mainly because it showed pictures of people who have HIV/AIDS, meaning that participants need to see the practicality of the whole message. This study suggests the importance of using major sources cited among target groups concerned and that programme developers should take the attributes that make sources credible and emphasise on using them.