M.Phil. / AIDS is regarded as the most disastrous health threat in the world. The impact of HIV/AIDS goes beyond the physical well being of the individual: it affects the world's economic, social and political functioning. The greatest number of people living in sub-Saharan Africa, are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.HIV/AIDS related issues amongst adolescents were neglected due to the visible impact of this pandemic on babies and adults. Adolescents' behaviour is regarded as high-risk because of their involvement in sexual activities at a young age. Presently there is no cure or vaccine for AIDS. The only effective way to prevent or reduce HIV transmission is through changing the behaviour that leads to HIV infection. The National and Provincial Departments of Health, Education and Welfare implemented various AIDS prevention programmes, focussing on promoting the practice of safer sex amongst adolescents. Unfortunately, these AIDS prevention programmes did not result in the behavioural changes of adolescents. The dissatisfying outcome questions the efficacy of the development and implementation of these programmes, although they have adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Most AIDS prevention programmes do not ·focus, nor accommodate the specific needs of adolescents, especially adolescent boys. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe adolescent boys' views about sexual activities and their specific needs in terms of an AIDS prevention programme. Guidelines would then be presented to developers of AIDS prevention programmes, based on the identified views and needs. The research design was based on qualitative research because of its exploratory, descriptive and contextual nature. The collection of the data was done by means of focus group interviews and field notes reflecting the observation done during the interviews. The analysis of the data was done according to Tesch's approach of data reduction. Literature was used to compare and complement the results. Applying Guba' s model on trustworthiness ensured the trustworthiness ofthe research. The results of the fieldwork indicated the following themes: • Most adolescents are sexually active. • Different roles and motives exist for adolescent boys and girls in terms of sex. • Adolescents externalise the risks HIV presents. • Three categories of views exist toward the acceptability of involvement in sexual activity, ranging from unacceptable to acceptable. • Adolescents' experience underlying feelings of fear in terms of issues related to sex. • Adolescents' needs in terms of AIDS prevention programmes mainly focus on the functionality of the information that is provided as well as the presentation of these programmes. • The importance of ongoing sex education, including HIV/ AIDS related 1ssues, were stressed by adolescents and confirmed by literature. Based on these findings, guidelines were presented to inform developers of HIV/AIDS programmes, of the specific needs adolescent boys need to be addressed.

This study is aimed at exploring the psychosocial needs and problems experienced by black African women with HIV/AIDS and their families. In order to address these needs and problems it is necessary to determine what HIV/AIDS is, how it is transmitted and what the reasons may be for African women’s vulnerability to acquire HIV. Since the family members of the African woman with HIV/AIDS is also affected by the appearance of the illness it is important to look at needs and problems that may arise in the family. Addressing both the needs of the African woman with HIV/AIDS and that of the family members is of great importance, since these problems cannot be separated and addressed individually. The research methodology applied in this study was firstly defined, after which the various literature chapters followed with descriptions of important concepts and the discussion of HIV/AIDS related aspects. The above-mentioned provide the necessary background and knowledge whereby insight of the needs and problems experienced by African women with HIV/AIDS and their families is possible, as well as how these needs can be addressed. Research findings were schematically r4epresented and thoroughly discussed to determine if there were any comparisons with the assumptions of the study that indicate that African women with HIV/AIDS and their families experience financial- and psychosocial problems because of HIV/AIDS, and serious pressure is placed on them because of these problems. Some guidelines for HIV-counselling were also compiled by integrating the literature study, the research findings and experience in practice. These guidelines show that there are various problems in the different phases of HIV-counselling, that demand specific knowledge and insight from the counsellor in addressing these needs. Lastly a general summary, conclusions and recommendations were made with reference to relevant findings of the study. It was found that specific sexual behaviour among African men and women promote the rapid spread of HIV, and that African men and women should be empowered to prevent the spreading of HIV through relevant information. It also seemed that social welfare organisations are not visible in affected communities and should promote the services they deliver by introducing these services into the affected communities. / Dissertation (MA (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

It is an accepted practice in any business organisation that the opportunities and threats facing organisations must be examined and plans drawn up to take advantage of the opportunities and to deal effectively with the treats. Surely HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest threats and challenges that organisations in South Africa are facing. The study is an exploratory research into an important issue facing many organisations today and is adequately supported by a proper and detailed literature study supported by an empirical study on the relevant research topic. A number of interviews were also conducted to determine what specific viewpoints, suggestions and limitations there were, or could be, toward the evaluation of existing structures and strategies and what alternative actions could be used and implemented, to effectively manage as well as control the disease and its various impacts within the workplace. The literature review within the scope and limitations of the study, therefore, concentrated on the specific nature and various impacts of AIDS as a starting point, followed by a detailed investigation why organisations need to implement sufficient action programmes, policies and strategies. The reality is that AIDS know no gender, race or class boundaries but is actually influenced by socio-economical factors such as poverty, violence and rapid urbanisation, with the potential to disrupt economic stability and growth for the country. The empirical part of the study consisted of a questionnaire that was completed by various respondents (organisations) which included a minimum number of 500 employees and more within the area of study. The objective was to establish if current structures within organisations, are effective and suitable enough or lacking. The research finding clearly indicated the various impacts that organisations are currently facing and what specific action programmes, policies and strategies needs to be implemented. It was the intention of this study to cover a wide variety of aspects related to the impact of AIDS within the workplace, so that proper insight and clear understanding of the epidemic and its nature could be formulated with all its facets and various impacts on the organisation land its resources. / Thesis (DCom (Business Management))--University of Pretoria, 2001. / Business Management / unrestricted

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc Epidemiology (Infectious Disease Epidemiology), Johannesburg, November 2017 / Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death worldwide, causing more deaths than HIV/AIDS. A TB patient can have pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB or both. South Africa has a high incidence rate of TB, recording 834 cases per 100 000 population in 2015, compared to 142 per 100 000 globally. Loss to follow-up (LTFU) rates during TB treatment in South Africa have ranged from 7% to 30%. The factors associated with LTFU can be divided into four groups: socioeconomic factors, patient-related factors, treatment factors, and health system or programmatic factors. Socioeconomic factors include a lack of support and a low socioeconomic status. Patient related factors include substance abuse, beliefs and low TB knowledge, while treatment factors include side effects and a history of LTFU. Among health system or programmatic factors that contribute to LTFU are a poor relationship with the healthcare workers and large treatment programmes. Studies to determine the factors associated with LTFU in HIV-uninfected TB patients are few as most studies have focused on HIV/TB co-infected patients. Co-infected patients make up almost 60% of TB patients. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical factors associated with LTFU in HIV-uninfected TB patients who registered for TB treatment in Ekurhuleni North sub-district from 1st January 2011 to 30th June 2012. LTFU was defined as a lack of a documented treatment outcome among TB patients who should have completed TB treatment based on TB treatment start date. The study was a retrospective cohort study involving the secondary analysis of routine TB treatment data collected from 18 primary care clinics in Ekurhuleni North sub-district. The participants were described at the beginning of TB treatment using clinical and demographic data. The treatment duration and outcomes were also described. The burden of LTFU was determined. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to determine the factors associated with LTFU. In addition, survival analysis was conducted to determine if there was a difference in the time to LTFU among HIV uninfected TB patients based on clinical and demographic factors. Sensitivity analysis of the multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression was carried out to compare the results obtained when follow-up was restricted to 8 months to those obtained for 12 months of follow-up. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted around the definition of LTFU. The impact on the results of multivariate logistic regression after assuming that participants who had a missing treatment outcome in the primary study were not lost to follow up was determined. Five hundred and fifteen participants were included in the analysis. The median age of the participants was 33 years (IQR: 26-47). Fifty-eight percent of the participants were male. Pulmonary TB was the most common form of TB among the participants. The rate of treatment success was 77.67% and that of LTFU was 17.28%. Of those lost to follow-up, 60 had a missing treatment outcome and 29 had default as an outcome in the primary study. The median length of treatment was 6.39 months (IQR: 5.67-7.44), and the median time to LTFU was 3.67 months (IQR: 1.54-6.33). Eighty-two percent of the participants had a documented change of treatment phase. Clinics with a high patient burden had a similar proportion of poor outcomes (death, LTFU and treatment failure) to clinics with low patient burdens. Significant differences in change of treatment phase and length of treatment were observed between those lost to follow up and those not lost to follow-up. LTFU took place throughout TB treatment, with a steady increase in the probability of LTFU over the first 6 months of follow-up. None of the factors investigated had a significant effect on time to LTFU. Following logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, none of the factors assessed were significantly associated with LTFU. Sensitivity analysis showed that censoring the participants at 8 months did not change the results of the logistic regression analysis. For Cox proportional hazards regression, female participants had a 5% lower risk of LTFU compared to male participants in the 12-month analysis. In the 8 month analysis, female participants had a 5% higher risk of LTFU. When participants with a missing treatment outcome were not considered lost to follow-up, sex was found to be significantly associated with LTFU. Female participants had a 66% lower risk of LTFU compared to male participants. A limitation of the use of secondary data in this study was that the study question asked in this study was different from the question that was asked in the primary study. As a result, the variables collected in the primary study were different from the variables required in this study. Information on socioeconomic status, residence type, comorbidities, treatment clinics and health system factors was not available. None of the factors investigated in this study were significantly associated with LTFU in HIV uninfected TB patients in Ekurhuleni North sub-district. The factors influencing LTFU in Ekurhuleni North may not have been investigated in this study. More studies need to be conducted with a wide range of variables in Ekurhuleni North to determine the factors that influence LTFU among HIV-uninfected TB patients. / XL2018

Thesis (S.M. in Science Writing)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Humanities, Graduate Program in Science Writing, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-48). / In 2008, it will have been 25 years since HIV was first isolated from a patient with AIDS. In the early 1980s, when the mysterious disease of the immune system spread across the globe, scientists began a race to find the cause. Through the voices of the men and women involved, this thesis tracks the discovery of HIV from the early outbreak of a deadly epidemic to the design of therapies for a fully-defined disease. When the AIDS outbreak began, doctors and scientists had no idea what was making people sick, and the race to find a cause was a difficult and haphazard process. But it was also a successful one; scientists discovered a definite cause for the disease-the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. However, today there still remain AIDS denialists, people who do not believe HIV is the cause of AIDS. Their beliefs pose the question, why should we trust in science? This version of the history of HIV seeks to answer that question through a particular emphasis on achieving certainty in science, how the steps of the scientific process led to certainty that HIV is the cause of AIDS, through both experimental research and community acceptance. / by Megan R. Rulison. / S.M.in Science Writing

This thesis develops two semiparametric methods for censored survival data when the covariates involved are time-dependent. Respectively in the two parts of this thesis, we introduce an interquantile regression model and a censored quantile regression model that account for the commonly observed time-dependent covariates in survival analysis. The proposed quantile-based techniques offer a greater model flexibility comparing to the Cox proportional hazards model and the accelerated failure time model. The first half of this thesis introduces a censored interquantile regression model with time-dependent covariates. Conventionally, censored quantile regression stipulates a specific, pointwise conditional quantile of the survival time given covariates. Despite its model flexibility and straightforward interpretation, the pointwise formulation oftentimes yields rather unstable estimates across neighbouring quantile levels with large variances. In view of this phenomenon, we propose a new class of censored interquantile regression models with time-dependent covariates that can capture the relationship between the failure time and the covariate processes of a target population that falls within a specific quantile bracket. The pooling of information within a homogeneous neighbourhood facilitates more efficient estimates hence more consistent conclusion on statistical significances of the variables concerned. This new formulation can also be regarded as a generalization of the accelerated failure time model for survival data in the sense that it relaxes the assumption of global homogeneity for the error at all quantile levels. By introducing a class of weighted rank-based estimation procedure, our framework allows a quantile-based inference on the covariate effect with a less restrictive set of assumptions. Numerical studies demonstrate that the proposed estimator outperforms existing alternatives under various settings in terms of smaller empirical bias and standard deviation. A perturbation-based resampling method is also developed to reconcile the asymptotic distribution of the parameter estimates. Finally, consistency and weak convergence of the proposed estimator are established via empirical process theory. In the second half of this thesis, we propose a class of censored quantile regression models for right censored failure time data with time-dependent covariates that only requires a standard conditionally independent censorship. Upon a quantile based transformation, a system of functional estimating equations for the quantile parameters is derived based on the martingale construction. While time-dependent covariates naturally arise in time to event analysis, the few existing literature requires either an independent censoring mechanism or a fully observed covariate process even after the event has occured. The proposed formulation extends the existing censored quantile regression model so that only the covariate history up to the observed event time is required as in the Cox proportional hazards model for time-dependent covariates. A recursive algorithm is developed to evaluate the estimator numerically. Asymptotic properties including uniform consistency and weak convergence of the proposed estimator as a process of the quantile level is established. Monte Carlo simulations and numerical studies on the clinical trial data of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group is presented to illustrate the numerical performance of the proposed estimator.

Twenty-five gay men, 20 with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and 5 with either AIDS Related Complex (ARC) or who tested positive for the AIDS virus, were asked in semi-structured interviews whether they felt supported or isolated. Areas covered included society in general, employment, housing, health care, insurance, religion, families of origin, ex-wives, children, friends and lovers. Subjects indicated that fear of AIDS, homophobia, and death anxiety were all present in certain circumstances, but there was no attempt to differentiate between these three possible causes of social isolation in this exploratory study. / Master of Science

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globally as well as nationally, AIDS is politically contested. Since AIDS was first identified in 1981 there have been several responses to the pandemic, reflecting AIDS’ biomedical, political and social nature and implications. Although there are many ways to frame and approach AIDS, no single approach appears to be universally superior to any other, especially as these various approaches are essential for a comprehensive global response to the pandemic. However, these several responses can also represent contested constructs of how AIDS is inter-subjectively problematised based on different ontological understandings and epistemological preferences. The existence of such contested constructs suggests that multilateral AIDS governance is shaped by binaries and zero-sum games where the overall approach ought to be holistic. As such, some scholars claim that HIV is increasingly treated as something medical, and outside the context of overall development issues, sexual and reproductive health, human rights and structural violence. Recently, Vanwesenbeeck (2011) offered a simplified model of ‘high-road’ and ‘low-road’ solutions to the pandemic, problematising specifically the global policy/political response. Vanwesenbeeck’s model suggests that biomedical, vertically distributed and asexual high-road approaches are prioritised at the expense of the more community oriented, sexual and rights-based low-road approaches. This, Vanwesenbeeck argues, is because current ideas and norms of the market, moralism and medicalisation are more aligned with the de-contextual, de-sexual and quantifiable characteristics of high-road approaches. This study tests the analytical utility of Vanwesenbeeck’s model with a case study of the policy and political narratives emerging from the International AIDS Society’s nine International AIDS Conferences from 1996 until 2012. The research question this study investigates is thus: Can Vanwesenbeeck’s (2011) model of high-road and low-road solutions be identified in and illuminate the policy ideas, problem definitions and political binaries that play out in the discourse surrounding the biennial International AIDS Conferences between 1996 and 2012? This main research question is complemented by three sub-questions concerning 1) the strengths and limitations of Vanwesenbeeck’s model, 2) the general trends and developments in global AIDS policy/political responses during, before and after the biennial International AIDS Conferences and 3) the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the global AIDS response. Applying a qualitative methodology, the study finds that Vanwesenbeeck’s model can both be identified in and elucidate the political discourses, policy implementations and binaries surrounding the International AIDS Conferences between 1996 and 2012, albeit not all. The analytical utility of Vanwesenbeeck’s model is limited by oversimplification of the highroad/ low-road binary and the exclusion of alternative ideas for high-road prioritisation, such as humanitarianism, securitisation/sensationalism and the neoliberal ideological link between medicalisation and the market, as well as negligence of the impact of the Global Financial Crisis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vigs is internasionaal sowel as nasionaal polities omstrede. Sedert Vigs die eerste keer in 1981 geïdentifiseer is, was daar al verskeie reaksies op die pandemie wat die biomediese, politieke en maatskaplike aard en implikasies van die siekte weerspieël. Hoewel daar verskillende maniere is om Vigs te beskou en te benader, blyk geen enkele benadering universeel superieur te wees nie, veral aangesien al hierdie verskillende benaderinge noodsaaklik is vir ’n omvattende globale reaksie op die pandemie. Tog kan hierdie verskillende reaksies ook as betwiste konstrukte beskou word van hoe Vigs intersubjektief op grond van verskillende ontologiese begrippe en epistemologiese voorkeure geproblematiseer word. Die bestaan van sulke betwiste konstrukte gee te kenne dat multilaterale Vigsbestuur deur binêre en nulsombenaderinge gekenmerk word, terwyl die algehele benadering veronderstel is om holisties te wees. Sommige vakkundiges beweer dan ook dat MIV al hoe meer as ’n mediese probleem hanteer word, buite die konteks van oorkoepelende ontwikkelingskwessies, seksuele en voortplantingsgesondheid, menseregte en strukturele geweld. Vanwesenbeeck (2011) het onlangs ’n vereenvoudigde model van sogenaamde ‘grootpad-’ en ‘smalpadoplossings’ vir die pandemie aan die hand gedoen wat spesifiek die algehele beleids-/politieke reaksie problematiseer. Vanwesenbeeck se model voer aan dat biomediese, vertikaal verspreide en aseksuele grootpadbenaderinge dikwels ten koste van die meer gemeenskapsgerigte, seksuele en regtegebaseerde smalpadbenaderinge gekies word. Dít, reken Vanwesenbeeck, is omdat huidige denke en norme met betrekking tot die mark, moraliteit en medikalisasie eerder met die kontekslose, geslaglose en kwantifiseerbare kenmerke van grootpadbenaderinge strook. Hierdie studie het die analitiese nut van Vanwesenbeeck se model getoets met behulp van ’n gevallestudie van die beleids- en politieke narratiewe uit die Internasionale Vigsvereniging se nege internasionale vigskonferensies vanaf 1996 tot 2012. Die navorsingsvraag van hierdie studie was dus: Kan Vanwesenbeeck (2011) se model van grootpaden smalpadoplossings geïdentifiseer word in, en lig werp op, die beleidsidees, probleemomskrywings en politieke teenpole wat uit die diskoers by die tweejaarlikse internasionale vigskonferensies vanaf 1996 tot 2012 gespruit het? Hierdie hoofnavorsingsvraag is aangevul deur drie verdere vrae oor (i) die sterkpunte en beperkinge van Vanwesenbeeck se model, (ii) die algemene tendense en ontwikkelings in wêreldwye beleids-/politieke reaksies op Vigs gedurende, voor en na die tweejaarlikse internasionale Vigskonferensies, en (iii) die impak van die wêreldwye finansiële krisis op die wêreldwye Vigsreaksie. Met behulp van ’n kwalitatiewe metodologie het hierdie studie bevind dat Vanwesenbeeck se model wél geïdentifiseer kan word in, en lig werp op, sommige van die politieke diskoerse, beleidsinwerkingstelling en teenpole waartoe die internasionale vigskonferensies tussen 1996 en 2012 gelei het. Die analitiese nut van Vanwesenbeeck se model word egter beperk deur die oorvereenvoudiging van die grootpad-/smalpad-teenpole en die uitsluiting van alternatiewe idees oor die prioritisering van grootpadoplossings, soos filantropie, sekuritasie/sensasionalisme en die neoliberale ideologiese verband tussen medikalisasie en die mark, sowel as die verontagsaming van die impak van die wêreldwye finansiële krisis.

Thesis (MSc (Mathematical Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis takes into account the different levels of infectiousness of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals throughout their period of infection. Infectiousness depends on the time since infection. It is high shortly after the infection occurs and then much lower for several years, and thereafter a higher plateau is reached before the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) phase sets in. In line with this, we formulated a mathematical model which is structured according to the age of infection. To understand the dynamics of the disease, we first discuss and analyse a simple model in which the age of infection is not considered, but progression of the HIV-AIDS transmission is taken into consideration by introducing three stages of infection. Analysis of these models tells us that the disease can be eradicated from the population only if on average one infected individual infects less than one person in his or her infectious period, otherwise the disease persists. To investigate the reduction of the number of infections caused by a single infectious individual to less than one, we introduce different treatment strategies for a model which depends on the age of infection, and we analyse it numerically. Current strategies amount to introducing treatment only at a late stage of infection when the infected individual has already lived through most of the infectious period. From our numerical results, this strategy does not result in eradication of the disease, even though it does reduce the burden for the individual. To eradicate the disease from the population, everyone would need to be HIV tested regularly and undergo immediate treatment if found positive. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis hou rekening met die verskillende aansteeklikheidsvlakke van die menslike immuniteitsgebreksvirus (MIV) deur besmette individue gedurende hulle aansteeklikheidstydperk. Die graad van aansteeklikheid hang af van die tydperk sedert infeksie. Dit is hoog kort nadat die infeksie plaasvind en daarna heelwat laer vir etlike jare, en dan volg n hoer plato voordat uiteindelik die Verworwe-Immuniteitsgebreksindroom (VIGS) fase intree. In ooreenstemming hiermee, formuleer ons n wiskundige model van MIV-VIGSoordrag met n struktureer waarin die tydperk sedert infeksie bevat is. Om die dinamika van die siekte te verstaan, bespreek en analiseer ons eers n eenvoudige model sonder inagneming van die tydperk sedert infeksie, terwyl die progressie van MIV-VIGS-oordrag egter wel in ag geneem word deur die beskouing van drie stadiums van infeksie. Analise van die modelle wys dat die siekte in die bevolking slegs uitgeroei kan word as elke besmette mens gemiddeld minder as een ander individu aansteek gedurende die tydperk waarin hy of sy self besmet is, anders sal die siekte voortduur. Vir die ondersoek oor hoe om die aantal infeksies per besmette individu tot onder die waarde van een te verlaag, beskou ons verskeie behandelingsstrategiee binne die model, wat afhang van die tydperk sedert infeksie, en ondersoek hulle numeries. Die huidige behandelingstrategiee kom neer op behandeling slegs gedurende die laat sta- dium van infeksie, wanneer die besmette individu reeds die grootste deel van die aansteeklikheidsperiode deurleef het. Ons numeriese resultate toon dat hierdie strategie nie lei tot uitroeiing van die siekte nie, alhoewel dit wel die las van die siekte vir die individu verminder. Om die siekte binne die bevolking uit te roei, sou elkeen gereeld vir MIV getoets moes word en indien positief gevind, dadelik met behandeling moes begin.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: AIDS is a killer disease which is spreading like wildfire in all sectors of the population of Southern Africa, in spite of AIDS prevention programmes that are implemented in these communities. Why does this state of affairs exist? Conflicting views exist about the origin of AIDS and about the knowledge of different racial groups with regard to the disease. A number of researchers have argued that knowledge or information dissemination is not a necessary condition for behavioural change, as is evident from historical efforts to combat sexually transmitted disease. However, this thesis shows that knowledge is a variable or component that has frequently been used in almost all studies done on AIDS in Southern Africa. The present author thus searches for the rationale for the phenomenon that knowledge of AIDS does not necessarily result in preventative behavioural change. In this regard the importance of effective communication strategies and cognisance of the nature of target groups are highlighted, because negligence regarding these factors can serve as an impediment to behavioural change. The whole social fabric of the target community and basic individual needs are important elements that should also be major considerations before preventative programmes are implemented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: VIGS is 'n dodelike siekte wat snel versprei in aile sektore van die bevolking van Suider- Afrika, ten spyte van VIGS-verkomingsprogramme wat in hierdie gemeenskappe qermplementeer word, Waarom gebeur dit? Botsende menings bestaan oor die oorsprong van VIGS en oor die kennis van die verkillende rassegroepe ten opsigte van die siekte. 'n Aantal navorsers is van mening dat kennis of informasieverspreiding nie 'n noodsaaklike vereiste is om gedrag te verander nie, soos blyk uit die geskiedenis van vorige pogings om seksueel oordraagbare siektes te beveg, In hierdie tesis word egter ge'illustreer dat kennis 'n veranderlike of komponent is wat dikwels gebruik is in byna aile vorige studies oor VIGS in Suider-Afrika. Die huidige skrywer ondersoek dus die rasionaal vir die verskynsel dat kennis van VIGS nie noodwendig tot voorkomende gedragsverandering lei nie. In hierdie verband word die belangrikheid van effektiewe kommunikasiestrategiee en kennis van die aard van die teikengroep beklemtoon, aangesien verwaarlosing van hierdie faktore as struikelblok in gedragsverandering kan dien Die totale sosiale struktuur van die teikengemeenskap en basiese individuele behoeftes is belangrike elemente wat ook in ag geneem moet word voordat voorkomingsprogramme ge'implemeteer word,