Exploring University Students' Gender Role Attitudes and their Effects on Sexuality and Behaviour Towards HIV/AIDS Prevention: A Case Study

Abstract

The paper investigated the effects of gender attitudes and the extent to which they impact on the sexuality of third year Bachelor Degree students in a Zimbabwean university. The goal of the study was to establish their level of awareness to the existing HIV/AIDS preventive measures. The study used a total sample size of 80 participants selected from four faculties in the university through the gender stratified random sampling technique. The design adopted was a quantitative case study and data were elicited by means of questionnaires, focus group interviews and observations of co-curricular activities. The analysis of findings followed the use of descriptive and inferential statistics, with statistical models such as the chi-square test of significance being adopted to establish the students’ differential gender attitudes towards sexuality and awareness to the existence of HIV/AIDS preventive measures. The major findings indicated that the students’ attitudes towards sexuality were gender based while their awareness to HIV/AIDS preventive strategies was mainly influenced by gender stereotypes and cultural beliefs about femininity and masculinity. The study concluded that there is an imperative need for social structures to help deconstruct the gender biases, stigmas, stereotypes and prejudices that render girls and women vulnerable. This can be done through the use of gender neutral discourses and advocacy activities by their lecturers, parents, teachers as significant others in their society.