Assessment of the role of sports in fighting HIV/Aids in Bugulumbya sub-county, Kamuli Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Although sports has been widely used and believed to help in HIV/AIDS prevention to date its impact in fighting HIV/AIDS has not been thoroughly investigated. Because sports tend to conjoin many people of all walks of life either as participants or as spectators, the use of the power of sports in tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic may be worthy studying hence this study. The study aimed at assessing the role of sports in fighting HIV/AIDS among the youth of Bugulumbya sub-county in Kamuli District.
Methods: The researcher employed a Descriptive cross-sectional study design that used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The methods included; questionnaires, interviews, observations as well as documentary analysis. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique to meet part of the population like the head-teachers and teachers whereas stratified random sampling was employed to select the students. Convenience sampling was used to select the parents of the students depending on their accessibility and availability. Part of the data collected was analyzed using content analysis while the quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The analyzed results were presented in form of tables, pie-charts, graphs and narratives.
Results: The results of the study indicate that majority of the youth who participated in various sports activities in their various schools had something to learn from the sports events where HIV/AIDS messages are conveyed to masses. This helped them to make informed decisions after participating in the above sports events hence leading to an overall positive behavioral change. They all recommended the strategy of using the power of sport in tackling HIV/AIDSnamong the youth as being an effective tool in fighting HIV/AIDS and as well as being a learning experience with fun. Most teachers, parents and head-teachers contended the strategy of using the power of sport to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic as being effective in creating awareness among the youth and reinforcing what the youth had already known about the HIV/AIDS scourge.