Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which kissing is associated with the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), based on literature review and respondents’ to the questionnaire. The sample used was a diverse one, as participants were Americans and Africans drawn from universities in America, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania, comprising a total of 424 respondents. Descriptive statistics consisting of frequency, percentage, chi-square and level of probability were used for determining the extent to which participants felt, regarding the association of HIV/AIDS and kissing, as a social and romantic manner reflecting affection and love. The analysis of data showed that university students based in America, South Africa and Tanzania did not think that there was any association between HIV/AIDS and kissing, whereas Kenya university students took the stance, which states that kissing is one of the modes by which HIV transmission occurs. The two positions are but a reflection of what was presented in the literature review. In conclusion, it was argued that the two divergent views call for a revisit, whether it is not in the interest of all concerned to take heed that indeed kissing has the potential of transmitting HIV, and that for this reason, it should be avoided as recommended by the American Center for the Control of Diseases and Prevention.

Key words: Deep kissing, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, university students, saliva, divergent views, African and American students.