Submiltted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg • Johannesburg 1993. / The roles of the highly conserved aspartic acid residues found at positions 443 and 498 within the RNase H domain of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 reverse transcription were investigated by the defined substitution of these residues using site-directed mutagenesis. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / MT2016

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is currently the most challenging public health matter that faces third world countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia, in East Africa, with a generalised and highly heterogeneous epidemic, is no exception, with HIV/AIDS affecting most sectors of the economy. The first case of HIV in Ethiopia was reported in 1984. Since then, HIV/AIDS has become a major public health con cern, leading the Government of Ethiopia to declare a public health emergency in 2002. In 2011, the adult HIV/AIDS prevalence in Ethiopia was estimated at 1.5%. Approximately 1.2 million Ethiopians were living with HIV/AIDS in 2010. Surveys are an important and popular tool for collecting data. Analytical use of survey data especially health survey data has become very common, with a focus on the association of particular outcome variables with explanatory variables at the population level. In this study we used the data from the 2005 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, (EDHS 2005), and identified key demographic, socioeconomic, sociocultural, behavioral and proximate determinants of HIV/AIDS risk factor. Usually most survey analysts ignore the complex survey design issues like clustering, stratification and unequal probability of selection (weights). This study deals with complex survey design and takes the design aspect into account, because failure to do so leads to bias parameters estimates and standard error, wide confidence intervals and statistical tests will be incorrect. In this study, three statistical approaches were used to analyse the complex survey data. The first approach was a survey logistic regression used to model the binary outcome (HIV serostatus) and set of explanatory variables (the dependence of the HIV risk factors). The difference between survey logistic regression and the ordinary logistic regression is that survey logistic regression approach takes the study design into account during analysis. The second approach was a multilevel logistic regression model, that assumed that the data structure in the population was hierarchical, and that individual within household was selected from clusters that were randomly selected from a national sampling frame. We considered a three-level model for our analysis. This second approach considered the results from Frequentist and a Bayesian multilevel models. Bayesian methods can provide accurate estimates of the parameters and the uncertainty associated with them. The third approach used was a Spatial models approach where model parameters were estimated under the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) paradigm. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

AIDS has had a negative impact on developing countries. Because most developing countries cannot afford the new antiretroviral drug therapies, it has been suggested that preventive vaccines might reduce the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (Bloom, 1998). The clinical trials of AIDS vaccines do, however, present with complex ethical issues such as informed consent. Informed consent is primarily grounded on the Western principle of respect for individuals as autonomous agents. This may be at variance, however, with African societies' emphasis on the social embeddedness of the individual. The current study forms part of the HIVNET vaccine trials to be conducted in Hlabisa, in Northern Zululand, under the auspices of the South African Medical Research Council. The main aim of the study was to explore key informants' cultural conceptions of research and informed consent in order to facilitate community consultation and cultural sensitivity. Maximum variation sampling was used to select twenty-three key informants, who are in leadership positions within Hlabisa. An interview guide was used to facilitate narrative disclosure of cultural conceptions of research and informed consent. Perceptions of research, conceptions of the informed consent process, and projected motivations for why individuals agree to participate in studies were explored during interviews. Results suggest that members of the Hlabisa community have a limited understanding of the Western research process. Community education about research is therefore warranted. Informants indicated that community members would value the establishment of a relationship characterised by mutual respect for cultural differences between researchers and participants. This was perceived as likely to facilitate shared decision-making, and the reduction of the power differentials that exist between researchers and participants. While the involvement of key community leaders and family members was recommended by most informants, a few informants felt that participants could also make individual decisions about participation. The theoretical implications of the study are considered last. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how rural Ugandan women engage with discussions of HIV and AIDS on community radio. It explored how this audience may relate such broadcast discussions to their own lived experience of HIV and AIDS. It is explained in the study that, while the Uganda government has an official policy of openly discussing matters of HIV and AIDS, health communication strategies still operate within a context where there is an underlying "culture of silence" that discourages openness about sexual matters. It is also pointed out that there are widespread gender disparities among rural communities, which severely limit women's ability to make use of health communication initiatives aimed at educating them. Against this backdrop, the study sets out to explore audience responses to a particular example of Speak Out and Listen, a weekly programme broadcast on Mama FM, a Kampala-based radio station managed by the Uganda Media Women's Association (UMWA). The study maps out responses to the programme by a particular group of rural women. It is argued that these research participants' comments confirm the importance, noted in literature dealing with health education, of drawing for content on what members of an audience have to say about their own lived context. It is proposed that, despite the existence of a 'culture of silence', the women's comments demonstrate an ability to speak with confidence about their experience of living with HIV and AIDS. Thcy are able, more particularly to discuss the constraints placed by gendered power relations on women's ability to draw on the educational content of programming that targets people living with HIV and AIDS. As such, the comments that such women offer represent a valuable resource for HIV and AIDS related programming. The principal conclusion of the study is that health communication initiatives such as Speak Out and Listen would benefit from facilitating conversations with their target audience about their lived experience of HIV and AIDS, and incorporating such discussion into their programmes

M.A. / AIDS, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, has become a serious public health concern in most cities in countries worldwide. Since the discovery of AIDS there have been impressive advances in the understanding of the AIDS virus, its routes of transmission and its methods of prevention. But even these hard-won-discoveries have not yet led to a drug that can cure this deadly disease or to a vaccine that can prevent it. In the light of this it would appear that a different approach to the management of AIDS is currently of utmost necessity. AIDS can be prevented by empowering individuals with the knowledge of AIDS transmission and prevention, thereby eliminating their ignorance and increasing their understanding, empathy and compassion for those currently involved in dealing with this struggle. The implications of AIDS and the HI-virus (human immunodeficiency virus) range far beyond the AIDS/HIV patients themselves. The affects of HIV and AIDS are felt by family members, partners and friends whose relationships are placed under immense strain, co-workers who are confronted with their own fear and compassion and by those at high risk for the disorder who are continually faced with ridicule and discrimination. This study focused specifically on the workforce of South Africa whose economic productivity is essential for South Africa's continual development and existence. In the absence of a fully developed and integrated social infrastructure, South Africa is reliant on its workforce for its monetary contribution in support of the unemployed, underprivileged, disabled and desolate of this country. The aim of this study was to obtain a better level of understanding of the workforce's knowledge regarding HIV and AIDS, to become aware of misunderstandings and myths which could hamper prevention and to review current methods of public education in order to enhance future methods of knowledge empowerment. A healthy workforce can constitute a strong support network, and thereby not place further strain on an already overwhelmed economy and government.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The government has identified the need to transform the South African economy from one that is primarily resource based to one that is knowledge-based and has formulated a 10 year plan in order to accomplish this objective. The plan involves the creation and funding of five theme-specific consortium-based centres of competence that focus on the five top national health priorities, linked to the growth of the local pharmaceutical industry. This research study proposed that if collaboration and communication between academic researchers and the biotechnology industry in South Africa was improved it would lead to an increase in the development of innovative products for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The objective of the study was the development of a strategy for a centre of competence for HIV research and development that brings together academic researchers and industry in a public private partnership and that will enable the proposal to be tested. Centre of competence programmes in both developed and developing countries, including Sweden, Austria and Estonia, were reviewed. The success factors for the various programmes were discussed. The strategic planning analysis began by considering the mandate of the CoC for HIV R&D. The requirements and expectations of the DST in establishment of the centres of competence were examined. An analysis of the external environment relevant to the South African biotechnology industry was then performed. This involved a detailed macro-environmental analysis in which political, economic, social, technological and environmental factors were considered. It was followed by an analysis of the current biotechnology industry in South Africa. The industry’s dominant economic features were identified as were its future driving forces. In a competitive environment analysis the South African biotechnology industry was found to be extremely competitive. Two industry issues, price controls and access to capital, were identified and discussed. The industry key success factors identified included access to large and sustained capital, attracting and retaining talented employees, an efficient and high quality regulatory authority, continued government support, productive and appropriate partnerships and skilled intellectual property management. An internal environment analysis was performed which identified competencies and resource strengths of the CoC for HIV R&D, including the high level of academic research in the HIV/AIDS field and expertise in clinical trials of HIV/AIDS products. Competitive deficiencies and resource weaknesses identified included shortages of skills and talent and the lack of co-ordination for funding of HIV/AIDS research. The analysis of the internal environment continued with the examination of the internal value chain of the CoC for HIV R&D. This consisted of discovery, pre-clinical development and clinical development stages. Gaps in the value chain were identified, including the lack of facilities for high-throughput screening of compounds for anti-HIV activity, lack of pre-clinical testing facilities and lack of manufacturing plants capable of producing products for use in clinical trials. The results of the external and internal environment analysis were used in a SWOC analysis and a number of strategies were identified to capitalise on opportunities and to address challenges. A subsequent competitive strength assessment identified a competitive advantage in the formation of the CoC for HIV R&D. In addition a number of strategic issues facing the centre were identified and ways to address or manage the issues were proposed. The strategic planning process was completed by the selection of a strategic approach for the CoC for HIV R&D. The study concluded that a PPP of public and private organisations operating under a corporate strategy of related diversification developed and implemented by the CoC for HIV R&D, would be suitable for testing the Proposal. The study’s conclusion also highlighted the need to ensure that the CoC for HIV R&D receives a long term commitment of funding from public sources, and that is managed by an experienced team with strong leadership skills. Important strategies emerging from the study and specifically from the SWOC analysis were development of a national HIV research plan and funding of the highest priority projects; focusing research funding on research with greatest potential for generation of HIV/AIDS products; and establishment of new technology platforms to fill gaps in the value chain. Finally, a number of recommendations were made for implementation of the results of this study or as the basis for further study.