Education is fundamental in the healthcare field. In fact, it is needed in various aspects of life. The value of education is taken for granted around the world, while staggering numbers of people do not have access to basic education. Educating people in areas with high rates of HIV has always been at the top of the list right next to finding a cure. Obtaining proper knowledge can lead to developing a cure, preventing further infections and even help the millions currently living with this virus. Not only is it important for healthcare professionals to receive proper education, but also just as important that the public is also informed on health issues in order to prevent unnecessary complications. The term “social vaccine” has been used
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Being aware of how HIV is contracted and transmitted is a necessity along with understanding various preventative methods in order to implement safer sexual behaviour (Jukes, 2008). A study done in South Africa in the year 2003 consisted of 11,904 women between the ages of 15-24 showed that 77.5% had not completed high school (Pettifor, 2008). Education has proven to raise the status of women in Africa and decrease their vulnerability compared to their uneducated counterparts. Educated women tend to delay marriage, which also delays childbearing, have fewer children and sustain higher incomes which decreases the power gap within a relationship as the issue of power was previously discussed (Pettifor, 2008). There are many reasons why young girls do not have access to education in South Africa and many other nations, one reasoning being the financial aspect of attending school. The cost of books, uniforms and transportation is just too much for families to afford. In South Africa the primary reason why women are unable to receive education is financial complications while pregnancy is the second most common reason (Pettifor,
Being aware of how HIV is contracted and transmitted is a necessity along with understanding various preventative methods in order to implement safer sexual behaviour (Jukes, 2008). A study done in South Africa in the year 2003 consisted of 11,904 women between the ages of 15-24 showed that 77.5% had not completed high school (Pettifor, 2008). Education has proven to raise the status of women in Africa and decrease their vulnerability compared to their uneducated counterparts. Educated women tend to delay marriage, which also delays childbearing, have fewer children and sustain higher incomes which decreases the power gap within a relationship as the issue of power was previously discussed (Pettifor, 2008). There are many reasons why young girls do not have access to education in South Africa and many other nations, one reasoning being the financial aspect of attending school. The cost of books, uniforms and transportation is just too much for families to afford. In South Africa the primary reason why women are unable to receive education is financial complications while pregnancy is the second most common reason (Pettifor,