HIV/AIDS situational analysis among tertiary institutions in the Eastern Cape

An exploratory-descriptive study was conducted to assess the prevailing HIV/AIDS situation among 14 tertiary institutions in the Eastern Cape. The study involved a purposive sample of 182 institutional representatives with whom 14 group interviews were conducted. The situational analysis was organised into sections dealing with SWOT analysis, risk analysis, management strategies, prevention activities and partnerships. The SWOT and risk analyses showed some notable activities on how the institutions have responded to HIV/AIDS. The institutions had implemented HIV/AIDS management strategies, prevention activities and partnerships, though their quality was generally rated as average/poor. The study provides an excellent basis to map out what has been done so far and to spell out what the difficulties and the opportunities are in dealing with HIV/AIDS. It is hoped that the findings will help individual tertiary institutions to customize their HIV/AIDS responses to suit their own circumstances.