In South Africa, adolescents are one of the groups most likely to contract HIV. Yet young people don’t have enough access to accurate information about sexual health, there are cultural taboos against talking about sex and structural barriers in rural communities. This study assessed the level of HIV/Aids knowledge among rural schoolgoing adolescents in Kokomeng village in North-West, using the health belief model as a theoretical framework.

A qualitative exploratory design was used to gain an in-depth understanding of adolescents’ perceptions, beliefs and knowledge regarding HIV/Aids. Data was collected through private interviews using a semi-structured guide aligned with health belief model constructs.

The results were interpreted using the health belief model’s six key themes and revealed specific knowledge patterns. Participants identified schools and clinics as primary sources of information but criticised communication for being unclear and not conducive to youth engagement. Their perceived vulnerability was associated with both sexual conduct and wider socio-economic determinants, including poverty and substance abuse. A critical finding was the near-total absence of treatment literacy, with only two participants having heard of biomedical prevention or U=U (undetectable = untransmittable).

The study underscores the need for a context-specific, integrated curriculum that addresses both knowledge deficits and misconceptions. It highlights the gap between what people know and how they act, which is made worse by contextual barriers like stigma. Strengthening school-based programmes, enhancing parent-child communication and improving access to youth-friendly healthcare are crucial for achieving HIV prevention goals.

March 2026

March 2026