The study sought to identify factors motivating young people aged 14-25 years to use voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV in Malawi by interviewing 145 young people. The study identified barriers affecting and strategies promoting young people's access to VCT. The research results indicate that young people go for VCT mainly to know their HIV status. The availability of VCT services, and the provision of VCT services by peers motivate young people to access VCT. Some young people do not access VCT services due to fears of being found HIV+ve and because of the poor attitudes of the health service providers. Providing more information about VCT, involving young people as VCT providers, using youth friendly health service providers, providing VCT in a separate room for young people and through mobile services will increase young people's access to VCT services in Malawi. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The study sought to identify factors motivating young people aged 14-25 years to use voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV in Malawi by interviewing 145 young people. The study identified barriers affecting and strategies promoting young people's access to VCT. The research results indicate that young people go for VCT mainly to know their HIV status. The availability of VCT services, and the provision of VCT services by peers motivate young people to access VCT. Some young people do not access VCT services due to fears of being found HIV+ve and because of the poor attitudes of the health service providers. Providing more information about VCT, involving young people as VCT providers, using youth friendly health service providers, providing VCT in a separate room for young people and through mobile services will increase young people's access to VCT services in Malawi. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The purpose of the study was to explore factors that influenced safer sex practices in Malawi. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive study was conducted to determine why the prevalence of new HIV infections was still high in Malawi despite. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Sexually active men, women, boys and girls that participated in the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation community awareness activities participated in this study. The study found that demographic, socio-economic and knowledge-related factors influence safer sex practices in Malawi. Various modifying factors played a role in influencing the individuals’ perception of susceptibility, severity, barriers and benefits of practising safer sex. The findings indicated that individuals generally had a broad knowledge of the spread and prevention of HIV. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework for the study / Health Studies

The purpose of the study was to explore factors that influenced safer sex practices in Malawi. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive study was conducted to determine why the prevalence of new HIV infections was still high in Malawi despite. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Sexually active men, women, boys and girls that participated in the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation community awareness activities participated in this study. The study found that demographic, socio-economic and knowledge-related factors influence safer sex practices in Malawi. Various modifying factors played a role in influencing the individuals’ perception of susceptibility, severity, barriers and benefits of practising safer sex. The findings indicated that individuals generally had a broad knowledge of the spread and prevention of HIV. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework for the study / Health Studies

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences that HIV and AIDS patients who are on Community Home Based Care Programme have in the Lilongwe district of Malawi. Finally; concrete propositions were developed for the implementation of quality community and home based care programmes in Malawi. A qualitative research design using an interpretive phenomenology was used. The study took place in semi-rural and urban areas of Lilongwe district using patients from 3 major organizations dealing with people living with HIV and AIDS. Purposive sampling technique was used to choose the sample and a total of 15 in-depth interviews were conducted. Data was analyzed using ATLAS ti version 5. Findings revealed that the majority of the participants were concerned that they were living with HIV and AIDS. Most of them expressed anxiety, worries and fears of death. Another majority complained about the burden of opportunistic infections. Almost half of the participants felt guilty bringing misery to their families and complained of stigma and discrimination. However, a minority group of participants felt that to live with HIV and AIDS is not the end of life. Relatives were mentioned as the main care providers to HIV and AIDS patients. However, they were also cited high as a source of stigma. Conclusions were made that women and girls are at the highest risk as they bear the burden of care. It was therefore recommended that the Government of Malawi and all Non Governmental Organizations should develop women social economic status through promotion of education, provision of loans and provision of Gender Sensitive trainings. Formal training for care of HIV and AIDS patients should be introduced to all primary caregivers to render quality care in the homes and therefore this study has developed and pre-tested an educational program for this group. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences that HIV and AIDS patients who are on Community Home Based Care Programme have in the Lilongwe district of Malawi. Finally; concrete propositions were developed for the implementation of quality community and home based care programmes in Malawi. A qualitative research design using an interpretive phenomenology was used. The study took place in semi-rural and urban areas of Lilongwe district using patients from 3 major organizations dealing with people living with HIV and AIDS. Purposive sampling technique was used to choose the sample and a total of 15 in-depth interviews were conducted. Data was analyzed using ATLAS ti version 5. Findings revealed that the majority of the participants were concerned that they were living with HIV and AIDS. Most of them expressed anxiety, worries and fears of death. Another majority complained about the burden of opportunistic infections. Almost half of the participants felt guilty bringing misery to their families and complained of stigma and discrimination. However, a minority group of participants felt that to live with HIV and AIDS is not the end of life. Relatives were mentioned as the main care providers to HIV and AIDS patients. However, they were also cited high as a source of stigma. Conclusions were made that women and girls are at the highest risk as they bear the burden of care. It was therefore recommended that the Government of Malawi and all Non Governmental Organizations should develop women social economic status through promotion of education, provision of loans and provision of Gender Sensitive trainings. Formal training for care of HIV and AIDS patients should be introduced to all primary caregivers to render quality care in the homes and therefore this study has developed and pre-tested an educational program for this group. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Certain individual and institutional factors such as knowledge about stigma and discrimination, fear of infection, social judgement, legal and policy environment act as actionable drivers and facilitators of HIV-related stigma and discrimination. These factors may hinder the utilisation and quality of care provided to people living with HIV. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the actionable drivers and facilitators that determine the different forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination among healthcare professionals at a district hospital in Malawi. Methods: The study used a descriptive correlational study. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPPS and STATA 12. Fisher's Exact Test was used to conclude the association and binary logistic regression was used to model the degree of the statistical relationships. Results: The results showed statistically significant relationship between knowledge of stigma and discrimination, social judgement and awareness of workplace policy and HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Recommendations: Interventions aimed at increasing knowledge about HIV-related stigma, reducing social judgement, reinforcing HIV-related workplace policies are needed to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. / Health Studies / M. Ph. (Health Studies)