Amongst all kinds of wonderful and exciting happenings we are still continuing our research in Khayelitsha .
I estimate we have about 1200 questionnaires in at the moment and I have received an electronic tool to capture all the data.
I guess the next exciting announcement will be when we start to see the reults of the questionnaires.
Then we will set up our focus groups and our interviews...
I hope to complete the whole exercise by end of may.
For now we march on bravely!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
OH dear!
Well, it could have been avoided!
We realized yesterday that we had sent out our guys with half-questionnaires!
Only the front side had been copied. So this led to an obvious quality assurance measure being put in place where we check each single questionnaire before it goes out!
We had a very useful meeting about the obstacles and challenges the field - guys are encountering in the township as they do the work.
Mostly they encountered the difficulty of asking questions about HIV and Male circumcision to men older than themselves. The two men in the group who had the most success were the two oldest men. They also commented that the negotiation of the process of entering an interview was essential. All in all I believe just our conversation about this was a powerful peer learning opportunity for the whole group.
When we did an estimate of successful complete questionnaires vs refusals we came up with 8 people agreeing to do a questionnaire to 1 person refusing. This was also very encouraging.
In the office I did a re-training of our team to take on the dispensation and collection of questionnaires and calendars.
We are also working hard on our data-analysis software, starting with a spreadsheet just to capture the data.
So far so good!
We realized yesterday that we had sent out our guys with half-questionnaires!
Only the front side had been copied. So this led to an obvious quality assurance measure being put in place where we check each single questionnaire before it goes out!
We had a very useful meeting about the obstacles and challenges the field - guys are encountering in the township as they do the work.
Mostly they encountered the difficulty of asking questions about HIV and Male circumcision to men older than themselves. The two men in the group who had the most success were the two oldest men. They also commented that the negotiation of the process of entering an interview was essential. All in all I believe just our conversation about this was a powerful peer learning opportunity for the whole group.
When we did an estimate of successful complete questionnaires vs refusals we came up with 8 people agreeing to do a questionnaire to 1 person refusing. This was also very encouraging.
In the office I did a re-training of our team to take on the dispensation and collection of questionnaires and calendars.
We are also working hard on our data-analysis software, starting with a spreadsheet just to capture the data.
So far so good!
Thursday, March 1, 2007
A picture of our progress
This is how far we have come with our research so far, if you are familiar with Khayelitsha you will see this is Makhaya, Makhaza and Kuyasa
Watch this space!
collecting data and some more bits
We have collected questionnaires from 4 days of fieldwork so far, that means we have just over one hundred in so far.
I suddenly realized that we have not yet put a system in place for data capturing! To me 1000 questionnaires consisting of about 40 questions each is quite a bit! Especially since we want to ask field related questions like for example:
One question asks about the experience of men at a clinic, another asks about the area where they had a HIV test and another checks their age category.
I would like to ask a question like: How do younger men aged 25-30 get treated at clinics in Makhaza?
So the data software needs to cross check all three fields.
I'm not familiar enough with access or other database stuff, so I've put out a request for help!
Thank you for those who have made such useful suggestions so far,
I am also depending on our M + E department, our manager mentioned he might be able to design something.
Then I will dedicate one of my office staff to the task of capturing 60 questionnaires a day!
The survey questionnaires coming in so far reflect fascinating answers, a man would admit he does not know the difference between HIV and AIDS, He has never been tested, but he knows his HIV status.
Some of the MC answers are also incredibly useful in showing us how traditional initiation can assist in prevention of HIV.
I can't wait to collate and look at the final data!
I suddenly realized that we have not yet put a system in place for data capturing! To me 1000 questionnaires consisting of about 40 questions each is quite a bit! Especially since we want to ask field related questions like for example:
One question asks about the experience of men at a clinic, another asks about the area where they had a HIV test and another checks their age category.
I would like to ask a question like: How do younger men aged 25-30 get treated at clinics in Makhaza?
So the data software needs to cross check all three fields.
I'm not familiar enough with access or other database stuff, so I've put out a request for help!
Thank you for those who have made such useful suggestions so far,
I am also depending on our M + E department, our manager mentioned he might be able to design something.
Then I will dedicate one of my office staff to the task of capturing 60 questionnaires a day!
The survey questionnaires coming in so far reflect fascinating answers, a man would admit he does not know the difference between HIV and AIDS, He has never been tested, but he knows his HIV status.
Some of the MC answers are also incredibly useful in showing us how traditional initiation can assist in prevention of HIV.
I can't wait to collate and look at the final data!
Monday, February 26, 2007
tomorrow we launch the final questionnaire
This morning we had our preview meeting before the crew sets out tomorrow. We went through the final version and had a few comments about the latest format.
We briefly debated the potential benefit of including men from outside the Xhosa culture but decided against it since our specific interest in Male Circumcision is related to the traditional use of circumcision as initiation into manhood by Xhosas.
To widen the scope would have been expensive in terms of time and work! It would require questions aimed at men circumcised outside the Xhosa tradition which includes a very diverse and wide group.
I have also received and incorporated feedback from a group of research specialists experienced in surveys about VCT and MC.
Thank you so much for your input! I believe it has sharpened our instrument considerably and will ease our analysis process after the fieldwork.
Dean also sent me the article in the lancet which he co-authored, some interesting facts arising!
Have a look at www.thelancet.com volume 369 feb 2007
I also include the email which has interesting facts about circumcision increasing risk of HIV infection.
Written by Dean Peacock:
A report by Brewer et al in the Annals of Epidemiology just released indicates that, in Lesotho, Kenya and Tanzania, "HIV transmission may occur through circumcision related blood exposures in eastern and southern Africa" with significantly higher HIV infection rates for self reported virgins. According to the report: "Circumcised male and female virgins were substantially more likely to be HIV infected than uncircumcised virgins (Kenyan females: 3.2% vs. 1.4%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.38; Kenyan males: 1.8% vs. 0%, OR undefined; Lesothoan males: 6.1% vs. 1.9%, OR 3.36; Tanzanian males: 2.9% vs. 1.0%, OR 2.99; weighted mean phi correlation = .07, 95% confidence interval .03 to .11)."
I put together the following response and would love your feedback on it.
Working with traditional leaders and circumcisors critical to effective role out of male circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy.
Dean Peacock and Bafana Khumalo[1]
This week, the prestigious British public health journal, the Lancet, features a number of articles on male circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy. Summarising research done by Wiliams et al a team from the University of California Los Angeles, Columbia University and South African NGO Sonke Gender Justice write “that large-scale implementation of male circumcision has the potential to avert about 2 million new HIV infections and 300 000 deaths over the next 10 years. Over the subsequent 10 years, an additional 3·7 million HIV infections and 2·7 million deaths could be averted.”[i]
Sawires et al go on to say, “Male circumcision is the most compelling evidence-based prevention strategy to emerge since the results from mother-to-child transmission clinical trials. We encourage multilateral, bilateral, and government agencies, along with non-governmental organisations, to make this life-saving strategy affordable and safely available to relevant populations bearing the heaviest burden of HIV infection”.
In discussions following the release of the Kenya and Uganda circumcision trials, not enough attention has been paid to the role of traditional circumcision providers.
Where growing demand already outstrips the ability of health systems to provide clinical circumcision, it seems likely that people will turn to traditional providers in greater numbers rather than wait many months for a public sector procedure or pay large amounts in the private sector. IrinPlus reports that "requests for male circumcision have tripled in western Kenya since studies found the procedure reduces the risk of contracting HIV by more than half[ii] ." Health personnel in Lesotho and Swaziland confirm similar increases in demand there and report that there are now waiting lists as long as 6 months in some government facilities.
Recently released research on traditional circumcision in Tanzania, Kenya and Lesotho, however, shows that traditional circumcision practices are related to increased rates of HIV infection.
A report by Brewer et al in the Annals of Epidemiology just released indicates that, in Lesotho, Kenya and Tanzania, "HIV transmission may occur through circumcision related blood exposures in eastern and southern Africa" with significantly higher HIV infection rates for self reported virgins. According to the report: "Circumcised male and female virgins were substantially more likely to be HIV infected than uncircumcised virgins.”[iii]
The implications of this require urgent action from government and civil society to make sure that traditional circumcision is made as safe as possible and that capacity within the public health sector to provide MC be rapidly expanded.
Given this, and given the relative lack of attention paid to the role of traditional circumcisors by international bodies following the randomized controlled trial findings, it seems critical that government and civil society put in place strategies to educate, monitor and where necessary hold accountable traditional providers.
As a starting point, in South Africa research should be conducted to determine whether relevant legislation intended to promote safe traditional circumcisions is being used. Of particular relevance here are three pieces of legislation: the Northern Province Circumcision Schools Act No. 6 of 1996; Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act No. 6 of 2001 (Eastern Cape); the Free State Initiation School Health Act No. 1 of 2004.
According to the British Medical Journal (BMJ 2001;323:1090), the Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act: "provides for the observation of health standards in traditional circumcisions with penalties of up to 10 000 rands (about £800; $1200) and 10 years in jail." The BMJ article describes the ambit of the act: 'It provides for the regulation of people qualified to perform the ritual and regulates the circumcision "schools." The law makes it compulsory for parents or guardians to give permission and requires that in all but exceptional circumstances the young men cannot be younger than 18. Only recognised traditional practitioners may perform the operation, and they must have the permission of a medical officer designated in the area who also has to give permission for each circumcision school.'
At the time of its passage, the Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act was roundly condemned by the Congress of Traditional Leaders (Contralesa), who called the law "an insult to our tradition." Chief Nonkonyana derided it as a "load of rubbish and we reject it with the contempt it deserves."
Despite frequently made assumptions about the inflexibility of traditionalists, it would appear that the conversation has since moved on and that at least some traditional leaders now hold more nuanced positions.
At a recent conference on traditional circumcisions jointly convened by the Human Rights Commission and the Commission for the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities held in Johannesburg in October 2006, 'Prince Zukisile Makaula, a senior royal member of AmaBacha was the first to criticise opportunists who have introduced a moneymaking practice by charging a price – money and two goats. “Strangely only one goat would be needed”, he said. However, it turned out that the opportunists take the second goat to their own flocks[iv] .’
Similarly, at a speech by the Eastern Cape Minister of Health, at the 2nd Initiation Schools Conference held in October 2006, Nomsa Jajula spoke critically of the ways in which circumcision as a cultural practice is being abused by people intent on making money from it, "the infestation of our people by greed has drawn this great practice to be used for self enrichment, which is very much against our cultural roots"[v] .
At the Traditional Initiation Schools Conference held in Johannesburg in May of 2004, Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sidney Mufamadi indicated that action had been taken in the Eastern Cape to enforce the Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act. He reported that: "42 traditional surgeons and nurses have been arrested since the Traditional Circumcision Act was introduced. Of these, 18 were convicted" and went on to say that "20 Pondoland initiation schools closed down and approximately 150 boys rescued from these schools and referred to hospitals in the region"[vi] .
While Government has put in place legislative frameworks intended to make traditional circumcisions safer and to curb the use of traditional circumcision as a money making venture, statistics released by the Eastern Cape MEC of Health suggest that not enough has changed.
In June 2002 there were 291 admissions to health facilities due to complications, 14 mutilations and 33 deaths. In June 2006, there were 283 admissions, 5 mutilations and 23 deaths[vii] .
The report by Brewer et al that traditional circumcision is associated with higher levels of HIV infection amongst young men who have not yet had sex should increase the urgency of our efforts to ensure that traditional circumcision is safe and that relevant legislation requiring this is rigorously enforced.
The coming months are likely to see demand increase for male circumcision in South African and across the region. Governments, civil society groups and multilateral bodies such as UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation have a responsibility to address the reality of widespread traditional circumcision practices--which research now shows can increase. Research is needed to understand the impediments to the application of existing legislation on traditional circumcision.
Traditional practices are often assumed to be far more inflexible than they turn out to be. Indeed resistance from traditional leaders is very often not about tradition itself but instead about a perceived lack of genuine consultation or respect. There is already evidence that traditional leaders are eager to ensure the safety of traditional circumcision practices. It’s worth reiterating the point we made in the Lancet, “Male circumcision offers the opportunity to re-engage with religious and ethnic groups in HIV prevention
Our collective task is now to make sure that circumcision is made available as part of an HIV prevention package and that it is offered in a manner that is safe. This is the task of AIDS activists, health personnel, civil society organisations, governments, donors and of traditional leaders. This will require visible advocacy, rigorous research, strong political leadership and an unwavering commitment to implementation from all groups involved.

[1] Dean Peacock and Bafana Khumalo are Co-Directors of Sonke Gender Justice, a South African NGO focused on gender equality, HIV/AIDS and human rights. Dean Peacock is co-author of a February 24 Lancet article entitled Male circumcision and HIV/AIDS: challenges and opportunities. Both authors have attended WHO and UNAIDS global and regional consultations and are involved in research on male circumcision.

[i] Sharif R Sawires, Shari L Dworkin, Agnès Fiamma, Dean Peacock, Greg Szekeres, Thomas J Coates (2007) Male circumcision and HIV/AIDS: challenges and opportunities; The Lancet, Vol 369 February 24, 2007
[ii] Circumcision Demand Increases, But Guidance Crucial. UN Integrated Regional Information Networks February 23, 2007. http://allafrica.com/stories/200702230859.html
[iii] Brewer, D. D., Potterat, J. J., Roberts, J. M., Jr., & Brody, S. (2007). Male and female circumcision associated with prevalent HIV infection in virgins and adolescents in Kenya, Lesotho, and Tanzania. Annals of Epidemiology, 17: 217-226.
[iv] Human Rights Commission report, “Anger at public hearings on koma/ulwaluko/lebollo (initiation schools)”, Oct 3, 2006 http://www.sahrc.org.za/sahrc_cms/publish/article_225.shtml).
[v] Speech by MEC for Eastern Cape Department of Health, Ms Nomsa Jajula at the 2nd Initiation Schools Conference held at Griffiths Mxenge College of Education, Zwelitsha from 24 - 27 October 2006
[vi] Opening address by Minister FS Mufamadi, Minister for Provincial and Local Government, at the Traditional Initiation Schools Conference, Fourways, Johannesburg 24 May 2004 retrieved from http://www.thedplg.gov.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120&Itemid=36 on February 25, 2007.
[vii] Speech by MEC for Eastern Cape Department of Health, Ms Nomsa Jajula at the 2nd Initiation Schools Conference held at Griffiths Mxenge College of Education, Zwelitsha from 24 - 27 October 2006.
We briefly debated the potential benefit of including men from outside the Xhosa culture but decided against it since our specific interest in Male Circumcision is related to the traditional use of circumcision as initiation into manhood by Xhosas.
To widen the scope would have been expensive in terms of time and work! It would require questions aimed at men circumcised outside the Xhosa tradition which includes a very diverse and wide group.
I have also received and incorporated feedback from a group of research specialists experienced in surveys about VCT and MC.
Thank you so much for your input! I believe it has sharpened our instrument considerably and will ease our analysis process after the fieldwork.
Dean also sent me the article in the lancet which he co-authored, some interesting facts arising!
Have a look at www.thelancet.com volume 369 feb 2007
I also include the email which has interesting facts about circumcision increasing risk of HIV infection.
Written by Dean Peacock:
A report by Brewer et al in the Annals of Epidemiology just released indicates that, in Lesotho, Kenya and Tanzania, "HIV transmission may occur through circumcision related blood exposures in eastern and southern Africa" with significantly higher HIV infection rates for self reported virgins. According to the report: "Circumcised male and female virgins were substantially more likely to be HIV infected than uncircumcised virgins (Kenyan females: 3.2% vs. 1.4%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.38; Kenyan males: 1.8% vs. 0%, OR undefined; Lesothoan males: 6.1% vs. 1.9%, OR 3.36; Tanzanian males: 2.9% vs. 1.0%, OR 2.99; weighted mean phi correlation = .07, 95% confidence interval .03 to .11)."
I put together the following response and would love your feedback on it.
Working with traditional leaders and circumcisors critical to effective role out of male circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy.
Dean Peacock and Bafana Khumalo[1]
This week, the prestigious British public health journal, the Lancet, features a number of articles on male circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy. Summarising research done by Wiliams et al a team from the University of California Los Angeles, Columbia University and South African NGO Sonke Gender Justice write “that large-scale implementation of male circumcision has the potential to avert about 2 million new HIV infections and 300 000 deaths over the next 10 years. Over the subsequent 10 years, an additional 3·7 million HIV infections and 2·7 million deaths could be averted.”[i]
Sawires et al go on to say, “Male circumcision is the most compelling evidence-based prevention strategy to emerge since the results from mother-to-child transmission clinical trials. We encourage multilateral, bilateral, and government agencies, along with non-governmental organisations, to make this life-saving strategy affordable and safely available to relevant populations bearing the heaviest burden of HIV infection”.
In discussions following the release of the Kenya and Uganda circumcision trials, not enough attention has been paid to the role of traditional circumcision providers.
Where growing demand already outstrips the ability of health systems to provide clinical circumcision, it seems likely that people will turn to traditional providers in greater numbers rather than wait many months for a public sector procedure or pay large amounts in the private sector. IrinPlus reports that "requests for male circumcision have tripled in western Kenya since studies found the procedure reduces the risk of contracting HIV by more than half[ii] ." Health personnel in Lesotho and Swaziland confirm similar increases in demand there and report that there are now waiting lists as long as 6 months in some government facilities.
Recently released research on traditional circumcision in Tanzania, Kenya and Lesotho, however, shows that traditional circumcision practices are related to increased rates of HIV infection.
A report by Brewer et al in the Annals of Epidemiology just released indicates that, in Lesotho, Kenya and Tanzania, "HIV transmission may occur through circumcision related blood exposures in eastern and southern Africa" with significantly higher HIV infection rates for self reported virgins. According to the report: "Circumcised male and female virgins were substantially more likely to be HIV infected than uncircumcised virgins.”[iii]
The implications of this require urgent action from government and civil society to make sure that traditional circumcision is made as safe as possible and that capacity within the public health sector to provide MC be rapidly expanded.
Given this, and given the relative lack of attention paid to the role of traditional circumcisors by international bodies following the randomized controlled trial findings, it seems critical that government and civil society put in place strategies to educate, monitor and where necessary hold accountable traditional providers.
As a starting point, in South Africa research should be conducted to determine whether relevant legislation intended to promote safe traditional circumcisions is being used. Of particular relevance here are three pieces of legislation: the Northern Province Circumcision Schools Act No. 6 of 1996; Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act No. 6 of 2001 (Eastern Cape); the Free State Initiation School Health Act No. 1 of 2004.
According to the British Medical Journal (BMJ 2001;323:1090), the Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act: "provides for the observation of health standards in traditional circumcisions with penalties of up to 10 000 rands (about £800; $1200) and 10 years in jail." The BMJ article describes the ambit of the act: 'It provides for the regulation of people qualified to perform the ritual and regulates the circumcision "schools." The law makes it compulsory for parents or guardians to give permission and requires that in all but exceptional circumstances the young men cannot be younger than 18. Only recognised traditional practitioners may perform the operation, and they must have the permission of a medical officer designated in the area who also has to give permission for each circumcision school.'
At the time of its passage, the Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act was roundly condemned by the Congress of Traditional Leaders (Contralesa), who called the law "an insult to our tradition." Chief Nonkonyana derided it as a "load of rubbish and we reject it with the contempt it deserves."
Despite frequently made assumptions about the inflexibility of traditionalists, it would appear that the conversation has since moved on and that at least some traditional leaders now hold more nuanced positions.
At a recent conference on traditional circumcisions jointly convened by the Human Rights Commission and the Commission for the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities held in Johannesburg in October 2006, 'Prince Zukisile Makaula, a senior royal member of AmaBacha was the first to criticise opportunists who have introduced a moneymaking practice by charging a price – money and two goats. “Strangely only one goat would be needed”, he said. However, it turned out that the opportunists take the second goat to their own flocks[iv] .’
Similarly, at a speech by the Eastern Cape Minister of Health, at the 2nd Initiation Schools Conference held in October 2006, Nomsa Jajula spoke critically of the ways in which circumcision as a cultural practice is being abused by people intent on making money from it, "the infestation of our people by greed has drawn this great practice to be used for self enrichment, which is very much against our cultural roots"[v] .
At the Traditional Initiation Schools Conference held in Johannesburg in May of 2004, Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sidney Mufamadi indicated that action had been taken in the Eastern Cape to enforce the Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act. He reported that: "42 traditional surgeons and nurses have been arrested since the Traditional Circumcision Act was introduced. Of these, 18 were convicted" and went on to say that "20 Pondoland initiation schools closed down and approximately 150 boys rescued from these schools and referred to hospitals in the region"[vi] .
While Government has put in place legislative frameworks intended to make traditional circumcisions safer and to curb the use of traditional circumcision as a money making venture, statistics released by the Eastern Cape MEC of Health suggest that not enough has changed.
In June 2002 there were 291 admissions to health facilities due to complications, 14 mutilations and 33 deaths. In June 2006, there were 283 admissions, 5 mutilations and 23 deaths[vii] .
The report by Brewer et al that traditional circumcision is associated with higher levels of HIV infection amongst young men who have not yet had sex should increase the urgency of our efforts to ensure that traditional circumcision is safe and that relevant legislation requiring this is rigorously enforced.
The coming months are likely to see demand increase for male circumcision in South African and across the region. Governments, civil society groups and multilateral bodies such as UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation have a responsibility to address the reality of widespread traditional circumcision practices--which research now shows can increase. Research is needed to understand the impediments to the application of existing legislation on traditional circumcision.
Traditional practices are often assumed to be far more inflexible than they turn out to be. Indeed resistance from traditional leaders is very often not about tradition itself but instead about a perceived lack of genuine consultation or respect. There is already evidence that traditional leaders are eager to ensure the safety of traditional circumcision practices. It’s worth reiterating the point we made in the Lancet, “Male circumcision offers the opportunity to re-engage with religious and ethnic groups in HIV prevention
Our collective task is now to make sure that circumcision is made available as part of an HIV prevention package and that it is offered in a manner that is safe. This is the task of AIDS activists, health personnel, civil society organisations, governments, donors and of traditional leaders. This will require visible advocacy, rigorous research, strong political leadership and an unwavering commitment to implementation from all groups involved.

[1] Dean Peacock and Bafana Khumalo are Co-Directors of Sonke Gender Justice, a South African NGO focused on gender equality, HIV/AIDS and human rights. Dean Peacock is co-author of a February 24 Lancet article entitled Male circumcision and HIV/AIDS: challenges and opportunities. Both authors have attended WHO and UNAIDS global and regional consultations and are involved in research on male circumcision.

[i] Sharif R Sawires, Shari L Dworkin, Agnès Fiamma, Dean Peacock, Greg Szekeres, Thomas J Coates (2007) Male circumcision and HIV/AIDS: challenges and opportunities; The Lancet, Vol 369 February 24, 2007
[ii] Circumcision Demand Increases, But Guidance Crucial. UN Integrated Regional Information Networks February 23, 2007. http://allafrica.com/stories/200702230859.html
[iii] Brewer, D. D., Potterat, J. J., Roberts, J. M., Jr., & Brody, S. (2007). Male and female circumcision associated with prevalent HIV infection in virgins and adolescents in Kenya, Lesotho, and Tanzania. Annals of Epidemiology, 17: 217-226.
[iv] Human Rights Commission report, “Anger at public hearings on koma/ulwaluko/lebollo (initiation schools)”, Oct 3, 2006 http://www.sahrc.org.za/sahrc_cms/publish/article_225.shtml).
[v] Speech by MEC for Eastern Cape Department of Health, Ms Nomsa Jajula at the 2nd Initiation Schools Conference held at Griffiths Mxenge College of Education, Zwelitsha from 24 - 27 October 2006
[vi] Opening address by Minister FS Mufamadi, Minister for Provincial and Local Government, at the Traditional Initiation Schools Conference, Fourways, Johannesburg 24 May 2004 retrieved from http://www.thedplg.gov.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120&Itemid=36
[vii] Speech by MEC for Eastern Cape Department of Health, Ms Nomsa Jajula at the 2nd Initiation Schools Conference held at Griffiths Mxenge College of Education, Zwelitsha from 24 - 27 October 2006.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Working on the questionnaire
We had our Focus group discussion this morning with the filedworkers.
I am also working throught the comments from a variety of colleagues on the questionnaire.
It is wonderful to have so much interest and support for finalizing this instrument. Thank you to all who have contributed!
Our discussion this morning raised a few glitches in the questionnaire and also highlighted a strong need for education.
Participants often responded: I don't know any of this, please educate me!
A suggestion was made to take along basic HIV - informative pamphlets with the posters...
If anybody would like to have a look at our survey I would be happy to share it, as soon as we have finalized it I can send it along.
I am also working throught the comments from a variety of colleagues on the questionnaire.
It is wonderful to have so much interest and support for finalizing this instrument. Thank you to all who have contributed!
Our discussion this morning raised a few glitches in the questionnaire and also highlighted a strong need for education.
Participants often responded: I don't know any of this, please educate me!
A suggestion was made to take along basic HIV - informative pamphlets with the posters...
If anybody would like to have a look at our survey I would be happy to share it, as soon as we have finalized it I can send it along.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Day two of field test
The first set of questionnaires returned today. We have received 48 questionnaires back from men living in Khayelitsha.
Today is our second day of field testing, and I can see the incredible benefit we will gain from testing the questionnaire and having it reviewed by experienced researchers.
Our fieldworkers made some comments this morning which are already quite interesting:
“People don’t know about HIV!”
“Actually most men don’t mind speaking about their initiation process.”
“When we approach men to participate they respond by saying we should be educating them, not asking these questions! They want to know more, they want to be educated.”
We will get the second day of field test results in tomorrow and on Friday we are going to have a focused session on finalizing the questionnaire from the field perspective, hopefully our assistance from colleagues at universities will also be consolidated by then.
Today is our second day of field testing, and I can see the incredible benefit we will gain from testing the questionnaire and having it reviewed by experienced researchers.
Our fieldworkers made some comments this morning which are already quite interesting:
“People don’t know about HIV!”
“Actually most men don’t mind speaking about their initiation process.”
“When we approach men to participate they respond by saying we should be educating them, not asking these questions! They want to know more, they want to be educated.”
We will get the second day of field test results in tomorrow and on Friday we are going to have a focused session on finalizing the questionnaire from the field perspective, hopefully our assistance from colleagues at universities will also be consolidated by then.
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