Southern Africa has the worst HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world. In some states the HIV prevalence is close to 40% of the adult population. This thesis shows that, in spite of the formal commitment of Southern African governments to follow the international guidelines for fighting the epidemic and the financial and technical support of powerful donors, three regional states - Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa - presented significant variations in the domestic assimilation of internationally-devised prescriptions for HIV/AIDS action. These international policy guidelines are based on an innovative conceptualisation of security that proclaims the global epidemic a threat to international peace and stability. Drawing upon a new theoretical synthesis between the constructivist literature on international norms and the securitisation scholarship, the study provides an analytical framework for understanding the global securitisation of HIV/AIDS as an international norm. The HIV/AIDS securitisation norm (HASN) is an attempt by the present work to combine in a single concept the myriad of ideas and international prescriptions about HIV/AIDS interventions. By analysing the incorporation of HASN in these three Southern African states, which are highly impacted by HIV/AIDS, the study demonstrates that pre-existing political cultures and social practices have defined quite different policy outcomes and domestic interpretations of transnational (security) understandings of the epidemic.

Ever since the seminal Marienthal studies during the Great Depression of the 1930s, studies have linked employment to health and well-being of individuals. However, employment participation for people living with HIV (PLHIV) may not necessarily provide positive health outcomes given negative social responses to HIV infection, particularly stigma and discrimination. Using causal steps approach, the study examines the extent to which the linkage between formal employment status and health-related quality of life is affected by both social capital and HIV-related stigma among PLHIV. Quantitative data were obtained from 554 male and female adults on HIV treatment for at least two years in South Africa. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured using the validated Medical Outcomes Short Form (SF-36) (Quality Metric, USA) and is represented by physical and mental component summary scores. Formally employed study participants experienced superior HRQoL in comparison to those not formally employed. Both employment status and physical and mental component summary scores were unrelated to objective measures of HIV disease status – CD4 count and viral load. Levels of social capital did not vary significantly by formal employment status. Perceived HIV-related stigma was significantly lower among formally employed study participants than those who were not formally employed, but only in the dimension of personalised stigma, after controlling for potential confounders. Social capital indicators were significantly positively associated with mental but were unrelated to physical component summary scores. All HIV-related stigma scale scores were inversely associated with social capital indicators and with physical and mental component summary scores, after controlling for potential confounders. These results provide little support for mediation of the relationship between formal employment status and HRQoL among PLHIV by social capital and HIV-related stigma. Both social capital and HIV-related stigma have independent relevance to, but formal employment accounts for the largest effect on the health and well-being of PLHIV.

This study was motivated by the commitment of the researcher to contribute towards the agenda for the development of women, in particular women affected and infected with HIV/Aids, through a better understanding and improved knowledge of the national and international legal and policy framework aimed at empowering women in South Africa. This study builds on countless efforts which have been implemented internationally to transform the world and create a peaceful and liveable world for women who have been historically oppressed, unrecognised and, in the case of women affected and infected with HIV, stigmatised. An increasing trend towards recognising the need to advance women and acknowledge their status in the community on the part of the international community was observed and then explored in the literature review which was conducted for the purposes of the study. The development of women is dependent on an enabling environment which is free from all forms of discrimination. Poverty, gender-based violence, cultural perceptions, as well as traditional and religious practices, all contribute to the challenges facing women. In addition, HIV/Aids is a continuous threat and impacts greatly on the lives of both women and their families. The aim of the study was to explore the contribution that the Commission of Gender Equality (CGE) makes towards a better quality of life for women and also to contribute to the development of a strategy to optimise the integration of HIV/Aids issues into the mandate of the CGE. The requisite data was collected through an extensive literature study of the research field, a document analysis and personal interviews with Commissioners of the CGE. The data were complemented and supported by the inputs of focus groups in which community members provided inputs about their experiences of the role played by the CGE at a community level. ii Data revealed limitations in the effective functioning and the measurable impact of the CGE. These were subsequently addressed in the design of a suggested strategic plan. The limitations included aspects relating to CGE organisational structure; the knowledge and skills of personnel, the lack of role clarification; the lack of a coordinated strategy; as well as a deficient working plan which, in its current format, shows a lack of continuity as a result of high staff turnover, a weak continuity strategy when commissioners’ term of office ends, limitations in terms of financial resources, and the absence of monitoring and control systems. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Awareness and knowledge of the different transmission modes of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) serves as a vital component of the efforts to prevent the spread of HIV. This quantitative descriptive cross sectional study was conducted with 99 learners from three public schools for learners with hearing impairment in KwaZulu- Natal (KZN). Data was collected via a self-designed questionnaire and analysed via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Recommendations based on the findings of poor levels of knowledge of transmission modes of HIV were made to motivate for greater awareness amongst these vulnerable learners / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Awareness and knowledge of the different transmission modes of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) serves as a vital component of the efforts to prevent the spread of HIV. This quantitative descriptive cross sectional study was conducted with 99 learners from three public schools for learners with hearing impairment in KwaZulu- Natal (KZN). Data was collected via a self-designed questionnaire and analysed via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Recommendations based on the findings of poor levels of knowledge of transmission modes of HIV were made to motivate for greater awareness amongst these vulnerable learners / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

This ethnography was undertaken in an AIDS hospice with the objective of understanding the functioning of the Centre holistically, including the experiences of the patients and the role of the Centre in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Organisational anthropology in a clinical setting involved gaining entry and rapport with the staff and patients. The methodology included interviewing and observation. The personnel structure and leadership of the Centre were explored, revealing communication, power and management relations that shape the organisational culture. The staff’s attitude towards their jobs and their commitment to assisting those suffering from AIDS revealed the underpinnings of the organisation. The care that patients receive at the Centre was examined along with adoption of the children and the effects of stigmatisation surrounding HIV/AIDS and its impact on patients and their families. The meaning of illness for patients and their sick role as well as the impact of death from HIV/AIDS are exposed. / Anthropology and Archaeology / M.A. (Anthropology)

South Africa is grappling with the AIDS pandemic that increases the numbers of vulnerable orphans, whose resilience is threatened. Little is known about the processes that enable resilience among these orphans. This qualitative study explored the roots of resilience among 23 AIDS-orphans. The Draw-and-write technique was used to collect data. The participants were asked to make drawings of what enabled them to cope resiliently and to write short narratives explaining their drawings. The drawings were grouped according to the dominant themes. A content analysis of the drawings and narratives was done. Eight themes relating to the roots of resilience among the participants emerged, namely, the participants had active support systems, participants received religious and/or spiritual support, participants had access to social services, books and school attendance changed the participants’ lives, having access to safe a home enhanced resilience, receiving inspiration, having a positive self-image and personal dreams, and physical activity was used to achieve catharsis. These findings have implications for theory and practice / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

South African palliative care volunteer caregivers play a crucial role in caring for people living with HIV and Aids, but frequently do not receive the support and respect that they deserve. The current study explored the psychosocial challenges and coping mechanisms of palliative care volunteer caregivers for people living with HIV and Aids. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 24 participants who also filled in questionnaires. The aim was to explore their experiences, their challenges, and coping mechanisms. Although these volunteer caregivers shared many positive experiences, they also faced multiple challenges in the workplace, their personal lives, financial challenges as well as psychological and emotional ones. Despite these challenges, the caregivers showed only moderate levels of stress on the stress scale. Recommendations for overcoming these challenges were provided to caregivers, organisations and the Department of Health / Psychology / M. Sc. (Psychology)

Many poor households in South Africa rely on social grants for their survival, forcing the government to spend on the programme, to the detriment of other socioeconomic programmes necessary for poverty alleviation and economy growth. This study investigated the impact of the South African social assistance policies and programmes on the human capacity development of beneficiaries, especially households affected by HIV/AIDS, residing in informal settlements. Following a qualitative approach, exploratory and case study techniques were used to collect and analyse data. In-depth interviews and observations at research sites uncovered rich data elucidated by social capital theory and the capability approach. The thesis commenced with social assistance as implemented in OECD and BRICS countries, including South Africa. The notion of human capacity development, as linked to social assistance, poverty alleviation and economic growth, was presented. Conditional social programmes directed at human capacity development via educational assistance were contrasted with universal social assistance systems. Findings revealed that South Africa, despite its low level of economic growth, has a welldeveloped, selective social assistance system. Social grants assist beneficiaries to meet urgent needs, such as food and transport to hospital and for job seeking. It is insufficient to meet other basic needs, including capacity development. There is a shortage of educational facilities and training programmes in poor communities, which sometimes exclude adult men and youth without Grade 12. There is no guarantee of a job or business opportunities for graduates from skills development centres. Many who have completed their training are placed in entry-level jobs that earn salaries below the social grant exit requirements. Recommendations to increase the array of social grant instruments and to introduce conditional grants for vulnerable adults were made. In particular, the provision of scholarships to needy youths and adults was recommended, augmented by more educational facilities in poor communities, more training programmes, and the establishment of structures that will provide decent job placement and business opportunities for graduates. Urgent provision of decent housing for the poor and improvements in public health infrastructure, roads, water and electricity, in order to facilitate the human development of needy people is further needed. / Development Studies / Ph. D. (Development Studies)

The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention among adolescents aged between 14 and 16 years at the Tshwane West District. A qualitative exploratory descriptive contextual study was conducted. The World Café approach was used to obtain data from participants in this research. A questionnaire served as the data collection tool to extract data from participants. The study consisted of 37 participants and content analysis was done to analyse data gathered from participants during the World Café. Conclusions were drawn from the study and the findings revealed that the knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention among adolescents in the Tshwane West District is poor. / Health Studies / M.P.H.