No abstract available. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of infant feeding choices and support provided in the current PMTCT programme in KwaZulu-Natal. A case study format was utilised. Follow-up was done over six months with ten HIV positive women enrolled in the PMTCT programme at St. Apollinaris Hospital. Transcripts of interviews were made, pattern-matching was done, and the process of replication was used to develop a cross-case report as the final analysis of the study. All of the women decided to and intended to exclusively breastfeed for between four and six months at the time of the first interview. There was a poor rate of return for follow-up interviews, therefore the actual feeding practice of half of the women after six weeks could not be determined. The case studies were developed with the information available, and thus conclusions were reached during cross-case analysis. Decision-making ability and the capacity to overcome the barriers to the maintenance of their original feeding choice were related to the women's educational levels, employment status, financial and social circumstances and support systems, knowledge and experience of HIV/AIDS, quality of PMTCT education and support, cultural beliefs, and parenting and family values. The age of respondents and differences in marital status had no obvious correlation to maintenance of feeding choice. Parity and level of education had only a limited effect on maintenance of feeding choice. Cues to mixed feeding included a fatalistic view and a loss of hope for preventing transmission of HIV to their infants. Some of the women did not seem to believe that maintaining a specific infant feeding regime was enough to prevent transmission of HIV to their infants. Fear of stigmatisation due to disclosure of their positive HIV status led to non-disclosure of many women, and this in turn led to a lack of support for their feeding choice. Cues to exclusive feeding included an internal pressure to succeed and so decrease the chances of HIV transmission to her infant. Those women who disclosed their HIV status to a significant other and established a good support system were more likely to maintain their original decision. Although none of the women enjoyed good social circumstances, those who were more financially secure, employed, and who had a stable home environment were more likely to maintain their exclusive feeding regime. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

This study examines the Professional nurses' knowledge and understanding of AIDS/HIV infection. The Professional nurses that participated in the study, are those working in a specialised institution which caters for tuberculosis and psychiatric patients, and those suffering from oesophageal and lung cancer; and the patients with orthopaedic problems. Knowledge explored is specifically related to AIDS/HIV infection, which includes the causes, mode of spread of infection, symptoms, diagnostic tests available, prevention, complications and identification of high risk groups. The sample was formed by 53 Professional nurses; 27 being those that have done the AIDS counselling course, and 26 who have not done the course. To collect data, questionnaires were sent to the participants. Apart from the questionnaires, focus group interviews (21 participants) were done to elicit any information that may not be obtained through the use of a questionnaire. The theoritical framework used is a combination of two theories, Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Fear of Contagion Theory. Cognitive Dissonance Theory assumes that people want to maintain consistency with their beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviour. People confronted with examples of their own inconsistency in these areas, will experience psychological discomfort and be motivated to eliminate the inconsistency. Fear of Contagion Theory developed as a response to perceived threat of catching the disease/infection. Three behaviours characterise this fear:- avoidance, taking extreme precautions, and verbal expression of fear regarding the disease. As a result, apart from looking at factual knowledge, one had to identify the behaviors that relate to this theoretical framework. These included fear, avoidance, taking extreme precautions and dissonance/discomfort. These areas are covered in the questionnaire as well as in the interview with the focus group. The results show high knowledge of general information, including the mode of spread. Lack of knowledge in identification of high risk groups, symptoms, diagnostic tests and use of universal precautions in specific areas was identified. Fears and dissonance are found to be caused by lack of knowledge, aggravated by the fact that the disease is incurable, as it was expressed by the focus groups. Uncertanty was marked with regard to the use of protective clothing. Some participants responded in a manner that showed the use of extreme precautions, while others were unsure in such a way that in the end they indentified different protective clothing for the similar situations. In areas where knowledge deficit was identified, it was discovered that the Trained AIDS Counsellors had better knowledge than those that have not done the course except for universal precautions. On looking at the programme it was discovered that the use of universal precautions was not included in the programme and this might be the cause for the uncertainty. The difference between the two groups might have been in the understanding gained from knowledge acquired during the counselling course, since both groups were exposed to the same enviroment, policies and circulars regarding caring for HIV infected patients. Although the results showed the numerical differences, it was surprising that in certain sections when these differences were tested statistically, no statistical difference was shown between the two groups. This might have been due to the small sample used. There are respondents that showed a negative attitude towards caring for AIDS/HIV infected patients; unfortunately no further questions were asked to explore this aspect. This is a shortfall of this study. It is clear that AIDS/HIV infection is a challenge to all professionals, since it has become one of the leading causes of death. It is then believed that nurses should be equipped with adequate knowledge so as to be able to care for those suffering from AIDS/HIV infection. In conclusion it was clear that AIDS/HIV infection is a challenge for all professionals. / Thesis (M.Cur.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1993.

The high rate of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies among the Cree adolescents indicate that this population frequently engages in unprotected sexual activities. AIDS is a critical health problem worldwide and AIDS contamination within a Cree community could be a threat to its survival. / A questionnaire was developed to survey attitudes, knowledge and behavior of Cree students in relation to AIDS. Further analysis included finding relationships between knowledge level, attitudes and behavior in order to guide future educational interventions. / A satisfactory level of knowledge about AIDS can be credited to the interventions of the clinic, the school, and the television. The level of knowledge is positively correlated with the level of tolerance of Cree students towards people infected by the HIV virus and of their perception of the danger of AIDS for the Cree population. While knowledge level and attitudes cannot be used to predict safer sexual behavior, alcohol consumption is highly related to risky sexual practices.

This study investigated the correlation between fear and knowledge of AIDS and changes in sexual behavior. A review of the literature showed students with more knowledge and fear of contracting AIDS made changes in their sexual behavior to help prevent becoming infected. Subjects who participated in this study were undergraduate student volunteers in the Counseling Psychology Research Pool. The subjects were given two questionnaires to complete. The first questionnaire consisted of thirty questions.It assessed their general knowledge of AIDS by asking them to respond with a "yes* or "no" to the statements. In the second questionnaire, the first eleven questions assessed their fear of contracting AIDS by asking the subjects to respond to an agree/disagree continuum from one through seven. The final four questions asked the subjects to respond to changes they have made in their sexual behavior because of the possibility of contracting AIDS. The continuum ranged from " not at all" through "a great deal." ThePearson product moment statistic was used to determine correlations.There was a significant correlation (.001) between fear of AIDS and changes in sexual behavior, but there was not a correlation between knowledge of AIDS and changes in sexual behavior. AIDS is not prevalent at this university, so the students were not as fearful of contracting the disease as students might have been in high incidence environments and as a result did not take necessary precautions. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The purpose of the study was to determine if perceived severity of the consequences of physical inactivity is an important component for exercise motivation in college students. The participants of the study were 581 college students who had enrolled in HSC 160, Fundamentals of Human Health, at Ball State University during the spring semester of 2001. Using a cross-sectional data collection process, participants completed a survey instrument consisting of the stages of change for exercise scale, the perceived severity of the consequences of physical inactivity scale, and demographic questions.The data were analyzed using both univariate and bivariate analyses. Specific descriptive and inferential statistic analyses were used to: 1) determine the degree of association between the participants' perceived severity and their identified stages of change for exercise, 2) examine the relationship between the stages of change for exercise and the participants' demographic characteristics, and 3) determine the difference between perceived severity of consequences of physical inactivity and the Participants' demographic characteristics.The results indicated that those who perceived the threat of a health condition as a result of not being physically active to be high were more likely to exercise regularly. Males and females differed in their exercise stage of change with males being more likely in the maintenance stage whereas females were more likely to be in the preparation stage. Also, perceived severity of the consequences from the lack of physical activity was greater in females than males, suggesting that those men who exercise regularly do so, but not exclusively for preventing negative health conditions.The results of this study should be useful to health and physical education instructors to assist them with organizing and tailoring appropriate physical activity lecture topics and emphasizing the severity of the consequences to those who are not physically active.Finally, additional research should be conducted in order to determine what factors affect perceived severity of a health threat as it relates to physical inactivity such as demographics, sociopsychological, and structural variables, to help identify all the possible factors that could impact future program planning efforts. / Department of Biology

The purpose of the study was to explore barriers hospital nurses perceive in the care of AIDS or HIV positive patients. According to the Center for Disease Control, the total number of AIDS cases reported in the United States as of December 1991 was 206,392. The Center for Disease Control reported of the known AIDS cases in the United States 59% have resulted in death.A grounded theory approach was used in the study of sixteen nurses working with AIDS patients in a medical surgical area of the hospital. Results of the study showed nurses had a need to maintain self integrity. All barriers found as a result of the study related to the nurses need to maintain self integrity. Barriers found as a result of the study include the following: fear of contagion, family concerns, fear of the unknown, issues in confidentiality, issues in universal precautions, and emotional and spiritual aspects. / School of Nursing

Thesis (M. Admin) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

This study focused on perceptions and experiences of pregnant women who opted in against those who opted out of voluntary antenatal HIV counseling and testing. The pregnant women's perceptions and experiences were assessed in order to gain insight into their views towards voluntary antenatal counseling and testing.

The aim of this research was to implement and evaluate guidelines that will be used by treatment support counsellors in an attempt to increase client adherence to antiretroviral treatment.