Submitted in fulfillment of requirements for the Degree of Masters in Technology: Nursing, Durban University of Technology. 2013 / This study investigated the factors that impact on the utilisation of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) service at a wellness centre in a higher education institution. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify factors that impact on the utilisation of VCT service in a higher education institution. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive survey research design was used to describe the phenomenon and to establish relationships between variables. Participants were selected randomly in order to obtain a broad representative sample in three strata. A formal structured close-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was designed to focus on variables such as demographic data, environmental factors, enabling factors, predisposing and behavioural factors. Findings: No significant relationship was identified between knowledge of HIV, AIDS and VCT and high school attended in rural, township and urban areas. There was no significant relationship between environmental factors and utilisation of VCT. There was no association between predisposing factors such as risk of VCT and perceived benefits of VCT utilisation. There was no relationship between knowledge and consistency of condom use and utilisation of VCT. The majority of respondents stated that the VCT service was not user friendly and the attitude of the staff toward students was poor. There was no significant relationship between accessibility of VCT service and utilisation of VCT. There was a lack of utilisation of campus VCT services and the majority of respondents utilised other services. Conclusion: The study showed that respondents who knew about availability of VCT were likely to have used the facility. Respondents who showed positive / Durban University of Technology

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Recent research in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention suggests that for more effective interventions to be developed, it is necessary to understand, consider, and address the social context in which high risk sexual behaviours occur, and particularly to understand how issues of gender are implicated in the perpetuation of these behaviours. Based on the broad theoretical premise that social discourses play an integral role in the production and maintenance of gender and sexual identity, and in line with research suggesting that more attention needs to be paid to the role that men and masculinity play in HIV transmission through sex, this pilot study employed a social constructionist framework to explore constructions of masculine sexuality, high risk sexual behaviours, HIV/AIDS and the relationships between these, amongst a small sample of 10 young adult Xhosa speaking males that reside in or around Cape Town in the Western Cape, South Africa. The findings of this study indicate that the participants generally construct their gender and sexual identities in ways that are highly consistent with social discourses that construct men as dominant over women. There was also strong evidence that, for the participants, their sexual identity represented a primary source of their identity as men. This sexual identity appeared in itself to be constructed primarily along patriarchal lines, and maintained by pervasive reference to what is normative for men within their social contexts, thereby setting up a self perpetuating loop. The data revealed a number of dimensions to this sexual identity, such as the role that sexual success and prowess plays in maintaining and enhancing a sense of self and public esteem, that provided participants with logical motivations for engaging in high risk sexual behaviours (although participants did not necessarily construct them as such) such as having multiple sexual partners, casual sex, non-use of condoms and, importantly, sexual coercion: 70% of the participants indicated that they either do not use condoms consistently or don’t use them at all while 80% reported having sexually coerced at least one partner. There is strong evidence to support the suggestion that the content of the participants’ masculine sexual identity is inextricably linked both to the social gender discourses present in the social context, and their sexual behaviour. There was also evidence to suggest that this link represents a psychological motivation for behaviour that is often more powerful than the participants’ cognitive awareness of the risk of contracting HIV and their own personal morality put together.

Thesis (M. Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In September 2002, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa authorised a set of liturgical material for use in the church in an attempt to make congregations aware of the extent of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the church and the community in the nations in Southern Africa in which the CPSA is active. This research explores the relationship between Worship and Pastoral Care in the context of HIV/AIDS by examining the development of this liturgical material and offering a critique of it in the light of the impact it had on a number of parishes. A general review of published material found little with a specific focus on the relationship between Worship and Pastoral Care, and the search was extended to approach this relationship from a number of directions in an attempt to find factors that had a bearing on the hypothesis that the community at worship is the primary point of pastoral care. The hypothesis was examined from two directions. The first considered a biblical perspective. This approach considered the images of God presented in the Old Testament, a number of the healings of Jesus in the gospels, and Paul’s comments on the celebration of the Eucharist in 1 Corinthians 11 against the social background of meals shared within the community. The imperative that worship should be inclusive, with a particular emphasis on the poor and marginalized was established. The second direction considered a theological reflection on AIDS and established a number of criteria against which the liturgical material could be critiqued. An important section of this work considered the impact of prejudice and discrimination that has led to the stigmatisation of those living with HIV/AIDS and their reluctance to disclose their status and needs. This remains an important obstacle to the ability of the church to provide appropriate hospitality and care. Interviews were conducted with the Rectors and leaders of the Parish AIDS Task Teams in six parishes within the Diocese of Cape Town to look at the ways in which the material was used, and the impact that it had on the pastoral work of those congregations. The liturgical material is then examined in the light of the theological criteria established, and against the impact that it had on the pastoral work of the parishes. Particular issues recognised in this section were the use of inclusive language and the absence of any emphasis on Repentance and Confession. The importance to Worship and Pastoral Care of compassion, personal contact with persons living with AIDS, grace and hospitality are some of the conclusions made. Suggestions were made for further research and development in terms of stigmatisation, language and appropriate liturgical formation and training. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In September 2002 het die Anglikaanse Kerk in Suider Afrika ‘n stel liturgiese materiaal gemagtig vir gebruik in die kerk in ‘n poging om gemeentes bewus to maak van die gevolge van VIGS op die kerk en die gemeenskap in die lande waarin die Anglikaanse Kerk in Suider Afrika werk. Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die verhouding tussen Aanbidding en Pastorale Sorg in die konteks van VIGS deur die ontwikkeling van die liturgiese materiaal te ondersoek en ‘n kritiek voor te gee in die lig van die gebruik van die materiaal in verskeie parogies. Die algemene oorsig van die gepubliseerde materiaal het min gevind met ‘n spesifieke fokus op die verhouding tussen Aanbidding en Pastorale Sorg. Die ondersoek is toe uitgebrei om die verhouding te nader van verskeie rigtings in ‘n poging om faktore te vind wat ‘n houding het op die voorstel dat die gemeente by aanbidding die primêre punt van pastorale sorg is. Die onderstelling is ondersoek uit twee rigtings. Eerstens is dit genader uit ‘n bybelse perspektief. Hierdie benadering het die verskillende beelde van God soos dit in die Ou Testament voorkom, verskeie genesings van Jesus in die evangelies, en Paulus se kommentaar oor die viering van die nagmaal in 1 Korienthiërs 11 teenoor die agtergrond van die maaltye in die gemeenskap in aanmerking geneeem. Die imperatief van inklusiewe aanbidding, met ‘n besondere klem op die armes en ander wat dikwels oor die hoof gesien word, is hierdeur gevestig. Tweedens is VIGS teologies oorweeg en verskeie kriteria gevestig waarteen die liturgiese materiaal gemeet kon word. ‘n Belangrike deel van hierdie werk het die gevolge van vooroordeling en onderskeiding wat gelei het tot die bestempeling van mense wat met VIGS leef en hul huiwerigheid om hul status te openbaar, en dus hul nood te laat weet. Dit bly nog ‘n belangrike hindernis vir die kerk om die geskikte gasvryheid en sorg te kan verskaf. Onderhoude is met predikante and die lede leiers van die VIGS Spanne in ses parogies in die Bisdom van Kaapstad gehou om te sien hoe die materiaal gebruik is in eredienste, en die uitwerking daarvan in die pastorale sorg wat die gemeentes aangebied het. Die liturgiese materiaal is dan beoordeel in die lig van die teologiese maatstawe gevestig, en die uitwerking van die materiaal in die pastorele sorg van die gemeentes. Die gebruik van inklusiewe taal en die afwesigheid van spesifieke materiaal in verband met Skuldbelyding is besondere sake wat in hierdie deel erken was. Die belangrikheid vir Aanbidding en Pastorale Sorg van medelye, persoonlike kontak met persone wat met VIGS lewe, genade en gasvryheid is gevolgtrekkings wat gemaak is. Voorstelle vir verdere navorsing en ontwikkeling in terme van bestempeling, taal en passende liturgiese formasie en opleiding is gemaak.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is about the missional challenge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic to the leadership of the Kwazakhele congregation in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. This undertaking should be dealt with from the premise of a practical theological point of view. In this context, the HIV/AIDS pandemic aggravates the plight of those in the community with the least resources, i.e. orphans and the destitute. Very limited resources, for example financial, psychological and spiritual, are available to them. This has severely impacted on the lives of South Africans across the country. And, this impact of HIV/AIDS is being felt at all levels of the society with its ever-increasing cases of infections, deaths, rejections, stigmatization, number of orphans and households headed by children. This social reality poses a burden on ministerial health budgets, thus a dilemma for health resources. Through her leadership, the Church, as an instrument and field for the Triune God‟s missional praxis, is called to respond and act upon this plight. In that sense, a clear understanding of the missional Church is central in this theological and practical undertaking. The Kwazakhele leadership's empowerment will enable them to lead the congregation in a faithful response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic while taking cognizance of appropriate theological reflections that relate to the Triune God's salvific work. In essence, the researcher intends to investigate how the congregation of the Kwazakhele Uniting Reformed Church of South Africa (URCSA) can combat and deal with HIV/AIDS in a compassionate Christian manner while taking cognizance of biblical imperatives. In that respect, the researcher has been engaged with interviews of families in the Kwazakhele congregation, members of whom had died of AIDS. The objective was to shed light on their experiences and to determine whether the Church is doing enough to support their members regarding this pandemic. Furthermore, this research also challenges the Kwazakhele congregation, in particular, whether she fulfills her calling, that is, crosses the boundaries to take care of the plight that the community faces regarding HIV/AIDS. In actual fact, the discernment of God's will is possible by a critical and sensitive leadership who should determine whether the congregation whom they serve is competent enough to deal with this HIV/AIDS pandemic, or not. This, indeed, challenges their Christian consciences. The researcher believes that the information and the resource material, as well as the institution to which he referred, will be of assistance to the Christian leadership of the Kwazakhele congregation and also the entire URCSA congregation at large. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van hierdie studie is die missionêre uitdaging van die MIV/VIGS pandemie aan die leierskap van die Kwazakhele gemeente in Port Elizabeth. Die studie word onderneem vanuit die gesigspunt van die Praktiese Teologie. Binne hierdie konteks, vererger die MIV/VIGS pandemie die lot van diegene in die gemeenskap met die minste bronne, naamlik die weeskinders en hulpbehoewendes. Baie min bronne (sielkundig, finansieel en spiritueel) is beskikbaar vir hulle. Die impak op die lewens van Suid-Afrikaners landswyd is drasties. Daar is toenemende sterftes, verwerping, stigmatisering en weeskinders, asook kinders aan die hoof van huishoudings. Hierdie maatskaplike werklikheid plaas groot druk op die nasionale gesondheidsbegroting. Die kerk, as instrument en lokus vir die missionêre praksis van die drieënige God, is geroepe om op te tree en hierdie haglike toedrag van sake aan te spreek deur haar leiers. 'n Duidelike verstaan van wat 'n missionêre kerk is, staan sentraal in hierdie teologiese en praktiese onderneming. Bemagtiging van die leierskap in die Kwazakhele gemeente sal hulle in staat stel om die gemeente te lei om getrou te wees aan hulle roeping om die MIV/VIGS pandemie aan te spreek. Terselfdertyd moet hulle ook bewus wees van toepaslike teologiese nadenke oor die drieënige God se ingrype om Sy reddened genade te laat realiseer. Die navorser poog dus om te ondersoek hoe die Kwazakhele Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk (VGK) die MIV/VIGS pandemie kan teëwerk en daarmee op 'n barmhartige Christelike wyse kan handel, en voortdurend bewus wees van Bybelse imperatiewe in hierdie verband. Die navorser het ook onderhoude gevoer met familielede van persone wat as gevolg van VIGS gesterf het ten einde, aan die hand van hulle ondervindinge, vas te stel of die Kerk genoeg doen om lidmate te ondersteun ten tyde van hierdie pandemie. Hierdie navorsing is ook 'n uitdaging aan die Kwazakhele gemeente om te bepaal of sy haar roeping vervul, grense oorsteek, en omgee vir 'n gemeenskap in nood. Onderskeiding van God se wil is moontlik deur kritiese en sensitiewe leierskap wat moet bepaal of die gemeente, waarin hulle dien, in staat is om genoegsaam aandag aan die MIV/VIGS pandemie te skenk. Hierdie oefening daag hul Christelike gewete uit. Die navorser is van mening dat die inligting en navorsingsmateriaal, asook die instelling waarna verwys word, die Christelike leierskap van die Kwazakhele gemeente, sowel as hele VGKSA, van hulp kan wees.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A research study was conducted in the form of a literature review to explore the situation of HIV and AIDS stigma in Khayelitsha in order to propose a Pastoral Approach for church leaders in that township. In this regard, the research study established that HIV and AIDS related stigma is the main barrier to any effort in fighting the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The aims of the research were to understand the causes and the effects of HIV and AIDS stigma, examine the Church as a healing community, construct a biblical and theological reflection on HIV and AIDS stigma, and make recommendations useful for the church in dealing with HIV and AIDS stigma. The research indicated that 'stigma‘ is a term that was used throughout history to mean a mark put on people who are regarded as different from others. In terms of HIV and AIDS, stigma is seen as an attitude shaping the way PLWHA are treated in the community. Among the causes of stigma related to HIV and AIDS are the fear of HIV and AIDS as a dangerous and infectious disease, the link between HIV and AIDS and sexual immorality, lack or distortion of information about HIV and AIDS, lack or withdrawal of resources from PLWHA, gender imbalance, and gossip and insults directed at PLWHA. According to research, the effects that come from HIV and AIDS stigma are devastating. They include fear of disclosure of HIV and AIDS status, difficulty in providing care and support for PLWHA, and acceleration of death for PLWHA. As for the biblical and theological reflection on HIV and AIDS stigma, it has been established that leprosy was the biblical disease compared to HIV and AIDS. While the OT model isolated people living with leprosy, Jesus accepted them and healed them in the NT. The OT model has often been used by the church to marginalise PLWHA on the grounds that it is God‘s punishment for sexual sin. The research does not deny the fact that God punishes sin through disease, but it is important to note that disease is not found to be the only form of God‘s punishment, and, in fact, one may not conclude that every disease is a consequence of sin. After all, God dealt with sin by punishing Jesus, who died on the cross to pay for the debts of sinners, and they are now allowed to enter God‘s kingdom freely. The Church is thus meant to be a community where holistic healing takes place through activities such as the teaching and preaching of God‘s word, koinōnia and diakōnia, as well as through prayer. In that sense, PLWHA are also included in the Body of Christ as charismatic beings, and should receive care spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and physically just as they also contribute uniquely to the wellbeing of the Church. The research suggests that in Khayelitsha, church leaders should join hands against HIV and AIDS stigma. They first of all need to confess any former failure to take action, and then work on a paradigm shift in order to change the way they have been dealing with PLWHA in their churches. In obedience to the mission of Jesus Christ, the Bible should be interpreted in a way that does not stigmatize PLWHA, but rather stimulates church leaders in Khayelitsha to stand up and take care of those who are suffering. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die konteks van die studie is die situasie van MIV en VIGS binne die Township van Khayelitsha. Dit fokus op die vraagstuk van stigma ten einde 'n pastorale benadering vir kerkleiers in Khayelitsha te ontwerp. Alhoewel die faktor van deelnemende waarneming 'n rol sal speel, is die navorsing hoofsaaklik 'n literatuurstudie. Die voorveronderstelling van die navorsingsontwerp is dat stigmatisering binne die spesifieke kultuursituasie van Khayelitsha een van die groot stremmende faktore is om die epidemie doeltreffend te bestuur. Die verdere doel van die navorsing is om die oorsaaklike faktore asook die effek van stigmatisering binne hierdie Township te verken; om te bepaal wat word pastoraal verstaan onder die term "Die Kerk as 'n Helende Gemeenskap"; om vanuit 'n Bybelse perspektief teologies na te dink oor stigma binne die epidemie asook om voorstelle te maak vir doeltreffende kerklike leierskap. Die term 'stigma‘ in die geskiedenis is gebruik om mense te etiketteer as verskillend en hul sodoende van 'n bepaalde gemeenskap te isoleer. Stigmatisering dui dan op 'n bepaaldelewenstyl en houding wa tmense watleef met MIV & VIGS binne 'n bepaalde sosiale konteks te hanteer. Daar bestaan 'n noue verband tussen vrees en stigmatisering. Dit is die vrees om deur die virus geïnfekteer te raak. MIV & VIGS is inderdaad gekoppel aan die vrees vir dood en sterwe. Daarbestaanook die assosiasie van seksuele immoraliteit. Voorts is daar die faktor van ontoepaslike inligting oor die toestand en die gevaar van onvoldoende medikasie en ondersteuningstelsels. Die virus dring die gender-vraagstuk binne en gee aanleidng tot skinder en suspisie. Dit is bevind dat een van die groot stremmende faktore is die vrees om te ontsluit. Mense wil nie hul status weet nie. Daar is dikwels probleme rakende ondersteuningstelsels in die Township wat nie doeltreffend is nie. Toepaslike sorg ontbreek ook. 'n Bybelse en teologiese refleksie sien dikwelsm elaatsheid as 'n ekwivalent van die virus. In die OT is mense dikwels vanuit die gemeenskap geban. Daarteenoor het Jesus melaatses aanvaar en genees. Die verband met melaatsheid gee dikwels daartoe aanleiding dat mense wat met MIV & VIGS leef, gemarginaliseer word en dat MIV & VIGS as 'n straf van God op seksuele sonde gesien word. Die navorsing erken die verband tussen sonde en straf. Die verband sonde-siekte kan egter nie kousaal oorsaaklik gesien word as 'n verklaringsbeginsel nie. Die verband is nie logies-reglynig nie. Die feit is dat Jesus ons straf gedra het en dat sy plaasvervangende lyding 'n ander teologiese dinamika in die verband sonde-siekte-straf inbring. Sondaars is bevry en kan die koninkryk van God binnekom. Die kerk is dus die gemeenskap waarbinne holistiese heling kan plaasvind deur middel van lering en prediking van God se woord. Koinonia, diakonia en gebed speel ook in dié verband 'n rol. Mense watleef met MIV & VIGS moet as integraal in die gemeenskap van gelowiges gesien word. Hulle is geregtig op sorg. Hulle moet spiritueel, emosioneel, relasioneel en fisiek versorg word. Hulle kan 'n rol speel in die welsyn van die kerk en deel ook in die charisma van die Gees. Die navorsing stel voor dat kerkleiers in Khayalitsha saam hande moet vat in die stryd teen MIV & VIGS. Die kerk moet bewus wees van mislukte pogings in die verlede. Die kerk benodig 'n paradigma skuif ten opsigte van bedieningsbenaderings. In die lig van die sending van Christus moet die Bybel nie geïnterpreteer word om te stigmatiseer nie, maar om mense te versorg en kerkleiers te motiveer om toepaslike strategieë te ontwikkel om mense wat ly pastoraal te hanteer.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has the world’s highest adult HIV infection rate in the world. Experts estimate that over 1 500 people are being infected with the HIV virus per day in South Africa. The virus is undoubtedly having a negative impact on the labour population of the country and will ultimately affect the productivity of South Africa. The Constitution of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, firmly denounces any form of unfair discrimination. The White Paper on Defence charges the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to be an operationally ready force. The potentially crippling effect HIV and AIDS can have on the effectiveness of SANDF is an area that needs to be researched. The military environment is unique in that it is considered to be a high-risk organisation in terms of HIV infection. Overseas deployment, male-dominated environments, risk-taking ethos and monthly income are all elements that accelerate the spread of HIV within the SANDF. The SANDF is a dominant member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and is involved in Peace Support Operations (PSO) throughout the African continent. This military intervention is predicted to increase with time. HIV in sub-Saharan Africa has infected over 30 million people – many with little or no primary health care. The South African coastline is nearly 3 000km in length with six world-class harbours. These are strategic points that contribute to South Africa’s economic prosperity on the African continent. It is the SA Navy’s role to ensure that these harbours are well-guarded. The personnel responsible for patrolling the waters of the South African coastline need to be exposed to the proper training to be competent at this task. Military training needs to prepare learners in the event of combat. This simulation of the combat environment may lead to injuries that heighten the threat of HIV transmission. SANDF training units traditionally discharge those members who are medically unable to complete the mental and physical requirements of the course. The Military Training for Officers Part One (MTO1) course of the SA Navy is no different. HIV has created a new dynamic in that medical confidentiality protects the status of those people who are infected. Current SANDF policy does not offer sufficient guidelines to training units when dealing with learners who are infected with HIV. Human rights are constitutionally protected and unfair discrimination of any form is prohibited. The SANDF still needs to be operationally deployable and uniform members with HIV hinder this requirement. The question really is: is it fair discrimination to disallow/remove uniform members from the MTO1 course if they are HIV positive? The purpose of this research is to establish what the best practises would be in managing HIV positive learners in the military training environment. The work environment would have to be researched to determine whether or not the threat of HIV transmission exists. Learners would be approached to determine if they felt they were at risk during training exercises. The training staff who execute the training exercises would need to be asked if they felt endangered or exposed to HIV infection during these exercises. Military medical personnel who deal with either training or HIV in their everyday jobs would then review this data. The social stigma surrounding HIV is one of the challenges within this research design. The ethics and legality of mandatory HIV testing in the SANDF is an area that has sparked reaction from human rights movements. The compromising of human rights for the sake national security is an area of proportionality that raises new debates with the advent of HIV. There are various alternatives of managing HIV within the SANDF that should be considered. The current SANDF HIV policy is, at best, vague when dealing with specific training issues. This research intends on making policy-makers within the SANDF aware of the need to make definitive policy decisions to ensure that HIV does not compromise the effectiveness of the SANDF. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoogste volwasse HIV infeksie in die wêreld, kom tans in Suid Afrika voor. Deskundiges is van mening dat daar daagliks in Suid Afrika meer as 1500 mense met die virus besmet word. Die virus het ‘n definitiewe negatiewe impak op die Suid Afrikaanse arbeidsmark, en sal onomwonde die produktiwiteit van Suid Afrika beinvloed. Die Suid Afrikaanse Grondwet, Wet 108 van 1996 verbied onomwende enige vorm van onbillike diskriminasie. Die Witskrif ten opsigte van Verdediging verwag van die Suid Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag (SANW) om 'n operasioneel voorbereide mag te wees. Die potensiële krippelende effek wat HIV/VIGS op die effektiwiteit van die SANW kan hê is ‘n area wat indiringende navorsing benodig. Die militere omgewing is uniek in die opsig dat dit beskou word as ‘n hoë risisko organisasie in terme van HIV infeksie. Internationale ontplooiings, manlik-georiënteerde omgewings, risiko-bepalende faktore, en maandelikse inkomste is almal elemente wat die verspreiding van HIV binne die SANW verhoog. Die SANW is die dominante lid van die Suider Afrikaanse Ontwikkelings Gemeenskap en is betrokke in vredes ondersteunnings operasies binne Afrika. Die word in die vooruitsig gesien dat die bogenoemde intervensies met tyd sal toeneem. In die Sub-Saharastreek het die HIV virus reeds 30 miljoen mense geïnfekteer – baie met min, of geen primêre gesondheidsorg tot hul beskikking. Die Suid Afrikaanse kuslyn is bykans 3 000 km in lengte, met ses wereldstandaard hawens, geleë langs die kuslyn. Laasgenoemde is strategiese punte wat bydra tot die ekonomiese vooruitgang binne die Afrika kontinent. Dit is die SA Vloot se verantwoordelikheid om toe te sien dat die hawens goed bewaak word. Die personeel verantwoordelik vir die patrolering van die waters langs die Suid Afrikaanse kuslyn moet blootstelling kry aan voldoende opleiding om die taak te kan verrig. Militêre opleiding moet leerders voorberei vir die moontlikheid van konflik. Hierdie simulering van die gevegs/konflik omgewing mag lei tot beserings wat die risiko ten opsigte van HIV verspreiding mag verhoog. Die SANW opleidingseenhede, het tradisioneel lede ontslaan wat nie aan die fisiese en geestelike vereistes van die kursus kon voldoen nie. Die Militêre opleiding vir Offisiere Deel Een kursus (MOO1) binne die SA Vloot is presies dieselfde. HIV het ‘n nuwe dinamika veroorsaak naamlik, mediese vertroulikheid, wat die status van geaffekteerde lede beskerm. Huidige SANW beleid verskaf onvoldoende riglyne aan opleidingseenhede vir die hantering van leerders wat die HIV virus onder hande het. Mense-regte word konstitusioneel beskerm en enige vorm van diskriminasie word verbied. Daar word egter steeds van die SANW verwag om operasioneel ontplooibaar te wees, en uniform lede met HIV verhinder hierdie bepaling. Die vraag is: Is dit billike diskriminasie om lede wat HIV positief is van die MOO1 kursus te verwyder? Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te bepaal wat die beste praktyke sou wees in die bestuur van HIV-positiewe leerders in die militêre opleidings omgewing. Die werksomgewing sal nagevors moet word om te bepaal of die bedreiging van HIV-verspreiding bestaan aldan nie. Leerders sal genader moet word om te bepaal of hul ter eniger tyd gedurende opleidingsoefeninge gevoel het dat die risisko van blootstelling te hoog was. Die opleidings staflede wat die opleidings oefeninge oorsien sal gevra moet word of hul ter enige tyd bedreig of blootgestel gevoel het tot HIV infeksie. Militêre mediese personeel wat daagliks met opleiding of deur middel van hul daaglikse werk met HIV te doen het sal die data hersien. Die sosiale stigma ten opsigte van HIV-toetsing is een van die uitdagings binne hierdie navorsings onderwerp. Die etiek en regsgeldigheid van verpligte HIVtoetsing binne die SANW is ‘n area wat geweldige reakise ontlok het van menseresgte bewegings. Die kompromittering van menseregte ten gunste van nasionale sekuriteit is ‘n area van proportionaliteit wat nuwe debatering openbaar in die koms van HIV. Daar is verskeie alternatiewe vir die bestuur van HIV binne die SANW, wat oorweeg kan word. Die huidige SANW HIV beleid is, ten beste, uiters vaag met die hantering van spesiefieke opleidingsgeleenthede. Die navorsing beoog om beleidsmakers binne die SANW bewus te maak van die behoefte om definitiewe besluite te verseker dat HIV nie die effektiwitet van die SANW beinvloed nie.

<p>This study investigated the societal perception of refugee men as being a risk group, being polluted and the consequent risk of HIV infection they might face. It also determined the factors that could expose them to the risk of HIV infection while living in exile in South Africa.</p>

<p>This study explored the perceptions of black South African women residing in Khayelitsha, Site B, about thinness, HIV./AIDS and body image. Obesity is a major public health problem in developed as well as developing countries. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been escalating in Sub-Saharan Africa and has been said to be the leading cause of death in South Africa.</p>

The aim of this study was to establish a new understanding of the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS at the municipal level, but at the same time upholding the anonymity of the HIV infected and AIDS sufferers. Innovative research techniques such as the use of GIS (geographic information systems) as a research tool contributed to disclosing the patterns of the HIV pandemic in the Nelson Mandela Metropole that were not obvious or visible before. GIS involved geographic maps that detect the spatial relationship between HIV prevalence rates and vectors that drive the pandemic.

The World Health Organisation Commission for the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH, 2008) report calls upon the need to consider the social determinants of health, including migration in health planning. Unfortunately, the introduction of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in South Africa is being framed as a stand-alone intervention without incorporating the social determinants of health i.e. migration and structural drivers of HIV, despite numerous evidence of failure of one-dimensional HIV approaches. The study aimed to explore the attitudes and knowledge (s) of HIV prevention amongst young, internal migrant, Black self-identifying gay men and its implications for PrEP. This study used an interpretive qualitative approach by conducting 12 in-depth interviews with both men who have sex with men (MSM) who self-identify as gay individuals and experts working in the field of HIV. Social determinants of health like migration and homophobic attitudes both within the health care system and beyond could impact the uptake of PrEP and continuity access for PrEP among MSM who self-identity as gay within the context of circular migration. Likewise, the study highlights structural drivers of HIV that if left unaddressed could also have a bearing on PrEP as an HIV intervention vis-à-vis PrEP uptake and continuity to PrEP access within a context of circular migration. Using Weiss (1979) interactive model, the study points out the need for all actors involved in policy making to take into account evidence, such as empirical data, best practices, insights from various stakeholders as a basis upon which South Africa’s PrEP policy/programme can be based on. / A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Development Studies), November 2017 / GR2018