HIV/AIDS-Anxiety among Adolescent Students in Botswana

Abstract

This research investigated the incidence of HIV/AIDS anxiety among students in Botswana. The sample comprised 240 randomly selected students from six schools in three districts in Botswana, with data collected via a questionnaire. Percentages and Chi-square were used to analyze the extent to which the students were anxious about HIV/AIDS and if there was a significant gender difference in this regard. Findings showed that the students were anxious on several fronts about HIV/AIDS; specifically that they and their relations might contract the virus and that they might lose family members. There was gender difference in terms of anxiety about the possibility that relations might become infected. The role of the counsellor in reducing HIV/AIDS anxiety among students in communities living with HIV/AIDS is discussed.

Prevalence, Distribution and Attributable Risks of Cannabis Use in Young Adults with Generalised Anxiety Disorder at a University in Botswana

“…Even though these contextual factors are linked to anxiety disorders, few studies have been conducted to assess the extent to which anxiety disorders predispose to cannabis use among young adults in Botswana, particularly those in institutions of higher learning. The few studies conducted on anxiety were on people living with HIV/ AIDS (Lawler et al, 2011;Onyewadume, 2008;Wang et al, 2020) and the elderly (Mutepfa et al, 2020). Particularly among young adults in colleges and universities, social stressors such as high academic demands, relationship problems with peers, parents and lecturers, financial difficulties, and worries about the future, especially in these times of COVID-19 pandemic, are all fertile grounds for anxiety problems to thrive (Machell et al, 2016;Othman et al, 2019;Pisarik et al, 2017;Syed & Nemeroff, 2017;Worfel et al, 2016).…”

Cross-Cultural Adaptation of an Adolescent HIV Prevention Program: Social Validation of Social Contexts and Behavior Among Botswana Adolescents

“…Botswana is one of the two countries in the world hardest hit by HIV and AIDS (Botswana Ministry of Health, 1998, 2000Mogobe et al, 2007;Onyewadume, 2008;Stover, Fidzani, Molomo, Moeti, & Musuka, 2008;UNAIDS, 2010) with adult prevalence that peaks at 40.2% in 30-to 34-year-olds (Botswana Central Statistics Office, 2009). An estimated 37%-39% of Botswanans between the ages of 15 and 49 are HIV-infected (Susman, 2004;Vardavas & Blower, 2007;Velayati et al, 2007) in contrast to the sub-Saharan average of 5.0% (Kilmarx, 2009).…”