The link between drug use and HIV/AIDS among young people in ...

• From the onset of primary socialization, occurring at birth, children are prone to imitate the
behaviors and activities of their parents and others who directly impact their lives. The lack of
proper socialization and inadequate parental guidance and nurturing resulted in the identity
crisis and low self-esteem problems among young people. The initial implication is a desire to
seek a ‘family’ outside of the natural family or home for love, acceptance and support; thus
increasing young people’s risk of engaging in negative activities. Therefore, the natural need
for expression of love and care from parents seems to be a key issue/factor contributing to
negative behavior by youth.
• It appears that unattached youth and ‘guys on the block’ are alienated and isolated, hence one
of their reasons for ‘liming on the block’ with persons of commonality. This sense of alienation
or isolation is a result of poor socio-economic situations and the tendency to become ‘adults’
prematurely.
• From the findings of focus groups, it appears that some males are willing to use a condoms
when having sex with girls who were not their girlfriends but these girls would decline the use
of condoms in some instances. It appears that most females rarely use condom for one reason
or the other, particularly with their main boy. There is the perception amongst youth that
sexual intercourse without the use of a condom is more pleasurable.
• The study reveals that there are no set characteristics of persons taking drugs or engaging in
risky sexual behavior. Subsequently, it may be fair to state that each case that presents itself is
unique in terms of socio-economic, sub-cultural and psychological factors. This further
complicates prevention strategies and finding broad-based solutions to the issues at hand.
• It is further safe to assume that unemployment and underemployment, that is persons in lower
income bracket or rather the poor are more vulnerable to engaging in risky behavior since they
appear to have more economic problems which appear to link to so many other social issues/
problems. A change of socio-economic situations may result in behavior modification.
Knowledge about HIV/AIDS – myths and perceptions
Generally, young persons seem to be well informed as to how HIV/AIDS is contracted. Nonetheless, a
few misconceptions and myths were reported as follows:
• HIV/AIDS can be contracted through normal kissing;
• There is a cure for HIV/AIDS – sexual intercourse with a young child or virgin can cure the
disease;
• HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted through lesbian relations since there is no penetration; and
• HIV/AIDS is an adult disease.
Risky Behavior and HIV/AIDS
From the study the general consensus was that contraceptives are used not for the purposes of
protection against sexually transmitted diseases but mainly for protection against pregnancy.
It appears that the males are generally responsible for condom use and that the purpose of
contraceptives seems to be mainly for protection against pregnancy since it was stated in many focus
groups that the male is to show self-control and engage in coitus interruptus. Otherwise, the other
form of contraception was the pill.
The role and influences of adults in the lives of young persons are significant in spite of the high level
of peer influence. The general perception and belief of young persons is that adults though married,
generally do not engage in monogamous relations, particularly when adult males seem to offer and
entice young girls into sexual activity promising material wealth. A sense of uncertainty and possible
anxiety as to their future result in a lack of faith in marriage or monogamous relationships among
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