M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS) / This study sought to investigate factors that influence adherence to treatment amongst rural people living with HIV and accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Shongwe hospital in Mpumalanga. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. From patients’ case files, a sample of twenty-eight respondents was recruited for the completion of questionnaires. A focus group discussion with nine participants was held, followed by qualitative interviews with three key informants. Findings indicated that a complex web of factors unique to each patient’s social context plays a role in determining whether or not patients adhere to their regimens. Obstacles to adherence are poor social support, problems relating to disclosure, unemployment and economic hardship, traditional and religious beliefs, the quality and nature of adherence counselling and treatment side effects. / Sociology

This study sought to investigate factors that influence adherence to treatment amongst rural people living with HIV and accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Shongwe hospital in Mpumalanga. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. From patients’ case files, a sample of twenty-eight respondents was recruited for the completion of questionnaires. A focus group discussion with nine participants was held, followed by qualitative interviews with three key informants. Findings indicated that a complex web of factors unique to each patient’s social context plays a role in determining whether or not patients adhere to their regimens. Obstacles to adherence are poor social support, problems relating to disclosure, unemployment and economic hardship, traditional and religious beliefs, the quality and nature of adherence counselling and treatment side effects. / Sociology / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Text in English / This study sought to evaluate the implementation of an HIV and AIDS workplace policy at Sappi-Ngodwana mill. Employing process evaluation, and adopting a qualitative approach, the study evaluated the intervention process, the perceptions of the policy implementers, the strengths and weaknesses of the policy implementation, and suggests possible strategies for addressing the challenges. A systems approach was the theoretical point of departure and guiding framework of the research study. Research data was gathered through in-depth interviews with key informants and theory-driven and data-driven inductive reasoning was adopted in analysing the data. The general findings were that although the Sappi-Ngodwana mill implements a comprehensive HIV and AIDS programme that are in line with national and international benchmarks, there were challenges identified. Recommendations are that the company redesign the HIV and AIDS policy implementation plan with a specific focus on improving the peer educators` system. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Text in English / This study sought to evaluate the implementation of an HIV and AIDS workplace policy at Sappi-Ngodwana mill. Employing process evaluation, and adopting a qualitative approach, the study evaluated the intervention process, the perceptions of the policy implementers, the strengths and weaknesses of the policy implementation, and suggests possible strategies for addressing the challenges. A systems approach was the theoretical point of departure and guiding framework of the research study. Research data was gathered through in-depth interviews with key informants and theory-driven and data-driven inductive reasoning was adopted in analysing the data. The general findings were that although the Sappi-Ngodwana mill implements a comprehensive HIV and AIDS programme that are in line with national and international benchmarks, there were challenges identified. Recommendations are that the company redesign the HIV and AIDS policy implementation plan with a specific focus on improving the peer educators` system. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)