A Case Study of Teacher Preparation for Dealing With
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MIAMI UNIVERSITY The Graduate School Certificate for Approving the Dissertation We hereby approve the Dissertation of MOSES B. RUMANO Candidate for the Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Director Dr. Frances C. Fowler Reader Dr. Michael E. Dantley Reader Dr. Richard Quantz Graduate School Representative Dr. Abdoulaye S. Saine ABSTRACT Africa University‟s Approach to Zimbabwe‟s HIV/AIDS Epidemic: A Case Study of Teacher Preparation by Moses B. Rumano This study investigated the causes of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe as perceived by students and faculty at Africa University, a pan African international private institution situated in Mutare, the third-largest city in Zimbabwe. The main purpose of the study was three- fold; 1) to investigate the perceived causes of the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, the worst affected country in Southern Africa; 2) to examine the role of teacher preparation programs in dealing with the HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe; and 3) to explore the role of sex education in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe. A phenomenological theoretical framework provided the scope and dimension of a qualitative research approach formulated to collect data on the perceived causes of the HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe among students and faculty at Africa University. The case study design chosen used detailed semi-structured interviews, observations and documentary evidence and employed questioning strategies of a “how” and “why” nature. It did not require control over behavioral events and is a commonly used approach among studies focusing on present-day events in their real-life context. The case study design was chosen as a particularly good means of educational investigation because of its ability to explain the causal links in real-life interventions that are too complex for survey or experimental strategies. I observed a total of eight two-hour lessons in a range of classes made up of senior students preparing to be either high school teachers or health educators. All the classes that I observed were large and ranged from forty students to one hundred. In none of the classes that I observed were there HIV/AIDS materials displayed in the classrooms or lecture halls. However, well-illustrated billboards about HIV/AIDS were erected on all the entrances to the university campus. I interviewed eight senior students and eight faculty members. Initial data analysis took place through analyzing responses on observation notes that I compiled in the eight lessons that I observed. Different colors of markings were used to identify common themes. The themes that emerged from the observations were basically similar to those that came from the analysis of the semi-structured interviews. AFRICA UNIVERSITY‟S APPROACH TO ZIMBABWE‟S HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC: A CASE STUDY OF TEACHER PREPARATION A DISSERTATION Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Educational Leadership by Moses B. Rumano Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2009 Dissertation Director: Dr. Frances Fowler TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents .................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. v Dedication ............................................................................................................................... vii Map of Zimbabwe ................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 – Overview of the Study .......................................................................................... 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 2 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................ 2 The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Zimbabwe ....................................................................... 3 Current Student Teacher Training in HIV/AIDS Education in Zimbabwe .................... 6 HIV/AIDS Action Programs for Schools ..................................................................... 7 The Problem and the Purpose of the Study ................................................................... 10 Limitations and Delimitations of the Study .................................................................. 11 Definitions of Key Terms ............................................................................................ 12 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 12 Methods and Procedures .............................................................................................. 13 The Research Design ................................................................................................... 15 Interviews .................................................................................................................... 15 Observation ................................................................................................................. 17 Documents .................................................................................................................. 18 The Organizational Plan of the Dissertation ................................................................. 19 Chapter 2 – Literature Review ................................................................................................. 19 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 19 A Brief Historical Context of Zimbabwe since the Attainment of Independence .......... 19 The Economic Impact on Sexuality ............................................................................. 20 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................ 21 Preparation of Teachers to Teach Sex Education in Zimbabwe .................................... 24 In-Service Training ...................................................................................................... 26 Broad View of Training Importance ............................................................................ 27 Challenges of Teaching Sexuality in an African Context.............................................. 27 Policies, Practices and Community Norms ................................................................... 28 Teacher Attrition Due to AIDS .................................................................................... 28 Sex Education Programs in the United States ............................................................... 29 The Kinsey Reports ..................................................................................................... 29 Selected Case Studies of Effective Sex Education Programs ........................................ 30 Sex Education Programs in Asia .................................................................................. 36 The Effectiveness of Sex Education in Thailand .......................................................... 36 Sub-Saharan Africa in the Context of HIV/AIDS ......................................................... 39 A Brief Historical Context of Uganda and HIV/AIDS.................................................. 39 Sexuality Research Studies Conducted in Uganda........................................................ 43 Effectiveness of the, “Let‟s Talk About Sex, Baby” Program in Zimbabwe ................. 42 Sources of Information about HIV/AIDS ..................................................................... 43 ii Selected Ineffective Sex Education Programs .............................................................. 43 Translations into Behavior ........................................................................................... 43 An Abstinence-Only Sex Education Curriculum .......................................................... 45 The Failure of Sexuality Education Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa ........................... 46 HIV-Related Stigmatization and Discrimination in Sub-Saharan Africa ....................... 47 The Concept of Stigma in the Context of HIV/AIDS ................................................... 48 Sources of Stigmatization, Discrimination and Denial in the Context of HIV ............... 50 HIV-Related Stigmatization, Discrimination and Denial at a Societal Level………………51 The Individual Experience of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination in Zimbabwe................................................................................................................ 50 Denial Associated with the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Zimbabwe.................................... 51 Stigmatization, Discrimination in Families and the Community ................................... 53 HIV/AIDS and Property Grabbing in Zimbabwe ......................................................... 54 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 55 Chapter 3 – Methods and Procedures....................................................................................... 55 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 55