Beliefs and Practices regarding HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among service providers for adults with Intellectual Disability in Gauteng

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the beliefs and practices regarding HIV/Aids awareness and prevention among service providers working in the field of intellectual disability. In order to investigate this aim, a cross-sectional survey research design was employed which incorporated a purposive sampel that consisted of 28 participants representing 21 organizations catering for adults with intellectual disability in Gauteng. These participants were interviewed using a structured interview schedule and the data were analysed using both descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results indicated that the majority of participants perceived that their organization had a role to play in raising awareness and preventing the spread of HIV/Aids and considered adults with intellectual disability to be a risk for contracting HIV.