Abstract
M.A.
In reviewing both the global and national statistical figures of people infected with HIV/AIDS,
there is no doubting the imperious status given to supplementary HIV/AIDS social research. It is
suggested that a probable missing link in many prior enquiries is the particular consideration
given to the role that communication plays in dyadic interactions. As a consequence, a simple
but comprehensive understanding of the perceptions and experiences attached to whether or not
dating couples discuss the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS in their relationship is invaluable. As a
result, this study was primarily involved in investigating the communication about STDs and
HIV/AIDS in the milieu of heterosexual, dating relationships. The chosen research design was
that of quantitative research which enabled the collection of data from a large number of
respondents (n = 153) by means of a self-administered questionnaire distributed among
sociology students at the University of Johannesburg. Overall it was found that just over half of
the respondents (52%; n = 79) in this study indicated that they do discuss the threats of STDs and
HIV/AIDS with their current boy/girlfriend. In addition, 42.5% (n = 65) of the respondents
indicated that the extent of such communication was one that occasionally occurred, as opposed
to frequent discussions about the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS. However, further examination
of the findings reveals that such an analysis into the communication about STDs and HIV/AIDS
in dating relationships is not one which produces a single-founded answer. Instead, the role that
various factors play in determining such communication is shown. Such factors, to name a few,
are the role of parent and peer communication; perception of risk of contracting the HI virus; role
of trust and honesty in the relationship; quality of sexual negotiation skills; power imbalances;
number of previous dating relationships; duration of the relationship; relationship quality; quality
of general communication; and the quality of communication about sexual matters in the
relationship.