An Analysis of HIV Risky Behaviors of College Students in Malawi: A Case Study of Bunda and the Polytechnic

Robert Agunga , Ph. D., Assoc. Professor, Department of Agricultural Communication, Education & Leadership, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University

Cara E. Rice, doctoral student, College of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University

Carissa L. Batchelder,  Master’s student in Occupational Therapy,  School of Allied Medical Professions,  The Ohio State University

Fally Masambuka, Master’s Degree Student  in Agricultural Communication, Purdue University, USA & Graduate of Bunda College of Agriculture

Sarah Chilungo, Master’s Degree Student in Food Technology, Michigan State University, USA & Graduate of Bunda College of Agriculture

Charles Banda, District Development Officer for Salima, Malawi & Graduate of Bunda College of Agriculture

Corresponding author email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Abstract

Malawi’s first case of HIV was identified in 1985. Since then the Government, assisted by international aid organizations, has mounted campaign to promote HIV&AIDS awareness, offer Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), and to prevent the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. The 2010 UNAIDS Report on Malawi shows that the spread of the epidemic has stabilized and even may be declining. The concern, however, is whether young men and women, who constitute the high-risk population of contracting the disease, such as college students, are paying heed to the campaign.  This study of a small group of students at the Polytechnic and Bunda College campuses of the University of Malawi in  2008 examined the propensity  of the students to engage in behaviors likely to expose them to HIV & AIDS. The study found that at least 20 percent of those studied exposed themselves through risky behavior, such as high alcohol consumption, unprotected sex and use of drugs,  even though 80 percent were aware that such behaviors were likely to predispose them to the disease. Since the sample size was very small, we did not generalize our study to all university students in Malawi or even to all students on the campuses where the study was conducted. Furthermore, we recommend a broader study covering all constituent colleges of the University of Malawi, before significant recommendations can be made. The study, however, points to significant problems that need to be addressed before they get out of control, such as alcoholism and sex without condoms.

Key words: Malawi, AIDS, HIV, University of Malawi, college students

P.V. Sangeetha, doctoral student, Department of Media Sciences, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India
I. Arul Aram (Ph.D.), Associate Professor of Media Science, Department of Media Sciences, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India

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Abstract
This paper reports the findings of a study that examined the effectiveness of grassroots ICT projects in India. It was conducted in 2010 and  focused on the Akshaya ICT Project which was launched in 2002 by the  IT Mission and the Department of Science and Technology of  the State of Kerala, India with voluntary tie-up with some local bodies. The core aim of the project was to make Kerala the first fully e-literate state in India. Data were collected using qualitative and quantitative methods. One hundred respondents of the district were selected and recruited through a two stage sampling technique. The study found that although over half of the respondents had heard about the project, very few were aware of the project’s services. The few who accessed the services did so mainly e-payment purposes.

Key Words: ICT, Akshaya Project, Kerala, development, e-kendra (e-centre)

Journalism Practice in Malawi: History, Progress, and Prospects

Emmanuel Kondowe, Pascal Kishindo and Francis Mkandawire (eds.).

2011. 228 pages. Lilongwe: UNESCO Malawi.

ISBN: 978-99908-949-0-5.

Price: Free distribution to media training institutions in Malawi.
Distributor: UNESCO Malawi.

Human Rights and African Airwaves: Mediating Equality on the Chichewa Radio

Harri Englund, 2011, 294 pages. Bloomington & Indianapolis:

ISBN: 978-0-253-22347-0.
Price: US$24.95 (paperback); US$70.00.

Available at Kachere Publications, Malawi.

In reaction to the news that Dr. Harri Englud had published a study that concluded that Nkhani zam’maboma gave a voice to the voiceless or an opportunity for the average Malawian to question authorities on human rights, one journalist asked:
“Does Nkhani Zam'maboma (News about districts) take authorities to task? If so, in what way? Each time I listen to NKhani Zam'maboma, all I get are stories about scandals, witchcraft, sex and other weird happenings in villages. So far I have found nothing about Nkhani Za M’maboma that tackles human rights. Can I be corrected perhaps?”