Text in English / Breastfeeding is particularly important in resource-poor regions of the world, where limited access to clean water increases the risk of diarrhoeal disease if replacement feeding is used. However, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is transmitted through human milk. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study was to describe the determinants contributing to exclusive breastfeeding in HIV-infected mothers of infants aged 0 to 6 months who attend an NGO Health Centre in Elandsdoorn Village. Methods A quantitative research approach using a non-experimental cross-sectional study was undertaken to conduct this study. A self-reported study questionnaire was used to collect data from study participants. Purposive sampling was used to sample 75 mothers from 18 to 45 years of age who were HIV-positive. SPSS version 23 was used to analyse the data. Results The study results indicated that there are determinants contributing to exclusive breastfeeding and a need to establish a more comprehensive approach to educating pregnant women on reproductive health issues, and exclusive breastfeeding in particular. Factors contributing to low levels of exclusive breastfeeding included breast problems, societal influence, maternal health concerns, insufficient support, fear of stigmatisation, and babies’ health concerns. This caused mothers to discontinue exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions The intention of this study was to reveal the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding affecting mothers who are HIV-infected and breastfeeding their infants. / Health Studies / M.P.H.

The study aimed at assessing the factors influencing the low involvement of men in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programmes in the Mambwe district, Zambia. The factors studied were grouped as knowledge and awareness, socio-cultural, programmatic and demographic characteristics. A quantitative, exploratory study was used and 127 men were interviewed. The major findings were: Knowledge of PMTCT was the strongest factor which was positively associated with the level of men's involvement in PMTCT. Socio-cultural and programmatic factors were found to negatively influence men's involvement (although weakly); and among the demographic characteristics, age and level of education were positively associated with an increase in the level of involvement, while the duration of the relationship with the female partner was negatively associated with the level of men involvement. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Thesis in English, Annexure E: Consent form (leaf 81) as well as KABP Survey Questionnaire (leaves 87-91) in English and SiSwati. / The purpose of the study was to assess knowledge, explore attitudes and determine practices of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV regarding post-natal PMTCT interventions and services. The study was quantitative and descriptive in nature, utilising a retrospective cohort design. The study sample included breastfeeding mothers living with HIV, who attended the King Sobhuza II public health unit in the Manzini region of Swaziland. A written questionnaire was administered to a non-random sample of 90 consecutively selected mothers living with HIV attending the above-cited public health unit for post-natal health purposes. The overall study results revealed that the majority of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in the afore-mentioned region (77.8%) presented high levels of knowledge on PMTCT, and 90% demonstrated a positive attitude; while a further 90% also demonstrated positive behaviour towards PMTCT. However, stigma and discrimination among family members, non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners; as well as poverty and fear of future drug-resistance are the cause of non-adherence to ARV prophylaxis. Furthermore, inconsistent condom use, mixed-feeding methods and wet-nursing also emerged as other contributing factors to the increase of post-natal mother-to-child transmission of HIV among breastfeeding mothers living with HIV. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Text in English / This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study explored the experiences of HIV positive women utilising PMTCT services at a central hospital in Zimbabwe. Data was collected using in-depth interviews of fifteen participants. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis framework for data analysis, two super-ordinate themes emerged, namely resources for provision of PMTCT services and approaches and nature of PMTCT care. The study revealed challenges experienced by HIV positive women emanating from material, financial and human resource related constraints in the PMTCT setting. The resource challenges negatively affected access and utilisation of PMTCT services. A practice model, whose purpose is to enhance the quality and utilisation of PMTCT services, was developed and described. The model was evaluated using Chin and Krammer (2011) criteria plus a modified form of the Delphi technique. These findings have implications for effective PMTCT service provision. The key lessons learnt for programmatic improvement were that in order to provide quality and accessible PMTCT services the health care system will need to be well resourced. There is need to strengthen the health care system in line with HIV related programmatic changes. / Health Studies / D. L.itt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study sought to determine if ANC and PMTCT services are utilized within the first trimester of pregnancy by the women in East Ekurhuleni sub-district. Quantitative descriptive research was conducted on 390 eligible pregnant women and data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The results indicated that women start ANC late despite their knowledge of first trimester as the best time to start ANC. Actions that would motivate them to start ANC early were explored and barriers were identified. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Antiretroviral therapy is an important public health strategy to reduce the risk of HIV vertical transmission. Implementation of such therapy depends on the identification of HIV-infected pregnant women. This study investigated how the biographical characteristics of the pregnant women (16-45 years) influenced their health decision-making in Bulawayo clinics. The study was guided by the theories of health behaviour. The study assumed that the respondents’ demographic characteristics will influence their attitudes towards PMTCT programme. Using a structured questionnaire, forty pregnant women who visited the Bulawayo clinics to have prenatal checkups were interviewed. The majority of respondents came from a poor, high-density township. Most of the respondents were married, but about a third were not married at the time data collection and 5% were separated. The survey items were demographic characteristics, knowledge of PMTCT, HIV risk perceptions and service utilisation. The levels of literacy among the respondents were high; more than 80% had completed primary education. Overall the respondents’ demographic characteristics influenced their attitudes towards PMTCT. Majority of the women knew that a mother with HIV can pass the virus to her child, during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. The pregnant women’s health-seeking behaviour and their attitudes toward reproductive health services are influenced by their demographic situation. / Health Studies / (M.A. (Social Behavior Studies in HIV/AIDS))

Antiretroviral therapy is an important public health strategy to reduce the risk of HIV vertical transmission. Implementation of such therapy depends on the identification of HIV-infected pregnant women. This study investigated how the biographical characteristics of the pregnant women (16-45 years) influenced their health decision-making in Bulawayo clinics. The study was guided by the theories of health behaviour. The study assumed that the respondents’ demographic characteristics will influence their attitudes towards PMTCT programme. Using a structured questionnaire, forty pregnant women who visited the Bulawayo clinics to have prenatal checkups were interviewed. The majority of respondents came from a poor, high-density township. Most of the respondents were married, but about a third were not married at the time data collection and 5% were separated. The survey items were demographic characteristics, knowledge of PMTCT, HIV risk perceptions and service utilisation. The levels of literacy among the respondents were high; more than 80% had completed primary education. Overall the respondents’ demographic characteristics influenced their attitudes towards PMTCT. Majority of the women knew that a mother with HIV can pass the virus to her child, during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. The pregnant women’s health-seeking behaviour and their attitudes toward reproductive health services are influenced by their demographic situation. / Health Studies / (M.A. (Social Behavior Studies in HIV/AIDS))

Text in English / The study was conducted to determine the knowledge and to describe attitudes of HIV positive women on exclusive breastfeeding in Mopani District (the Greater Letaba Sub-District, Limpopo), South Africa. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive design was adopted in this study to describe the knowledge and attitudes of HIV positive women on exclusive breastfeeding. The researcher used a self-developed structured questionnaire to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe data. The SPSS software version 21.0 was used to analyse data and this were displayed in tables and figures. A total of 123 participants were included in the study. The study concluded that HIV positive women have good knowledge and positive attitude on exclusive breastfeeding. / Health Studies / M.P.H.

Social Work / M. A. (Social Science)

Social Work / M. A. (Social Science)