Abstract

Personal responsibility for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection led to the aim of this study by investigating the belief that those who live with HIV/AIDS have only themselves to blame for their calamity. Participants were drawn from high school and university students in America, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. The method used in the analysis of data was quantitative and qualitative in the form of descriptive statistics, comprising frequency, percentage, Chi-square and probability. The results showed that majority of participants rejected the statement that HIV/AIDS persons have only themselves to blame. This was in contrast with what most researchers have reported in the recent past. It was concluded that taking the position that HIV/AIDS infected persons are not to blame is dangerous, irresponsible and flawed, given its implications.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), infection, blame, accountability, defence mechanism, personal responsibility.