The Identification of Student Opinion Leaders for An HIV Prevention Programme in Cape Town High Schools

Abstract

Opinion leaders are influential members of their social networks, strategically selected for their ability to sway community norms. The aims of the study were to assess: 1) whether it is feasible to identify student opinion leaders (SOLs) and their social networks among Grade 11 students at two high schools in Cape Town, South Africa; and 2) whether these opinion leaders would be willing to be involved in an HIV/AIDS prevention program in their school. The students (N = 412) completed a semi-structured, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. We conducted key informant interviews among the students and teachers. Students in both schools provided a wide range of characteristics that define social networks, which were generally consistent with those that emerged in the key informant interviews. Using information from the survey and key informant interviews, we identified 44 and 42 SOLs at the two schools respectively. Of these, all but two at each school were willing and available to participate in a HIV/AIDS prevention program.