This study was concerned with the social construction of HIV/AIDS at the policy level in contemporary South Africa, and how such constructions shape the manner in which the epidemic is understood in popular discourse.

This study aimed at describing and interpreting the changing symbolic meanings of the Acquired Immunodefiency Syndrome (AIDS) which encountering a Human Immunodefiency Virus (HIV)-positive patient introduced into the personal and professional identities of six health care professionals in a subregion of the Eastern Cape. With the exponential increase of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, medical practitioners have become increasingly exposed to HIV infected patients. This study has considered the psychological structures developed by practitioners in an attempt to control and understand their situation in the context of HIV/AIDS. In order to describe these psychological structures the existential phenomenological approaches of L. Binswanger (in Needleman, 1963), A. Giorgi (1975) and F.J.Wertz (1985) were employed. Through these procedures, the structure of the experience of encountering an HIV infected patient was elucidated. This comprised the first goal of this study. The second goal focused on interpreting these descriptions by way of the symbolic meanings and definitions implicit in the structure of this experience. For this latter purpose the approach of symbo1ic interactionism was used, in particu1ar the understandings outlined by H. Blumer (1969). This theory was seen as appropriate in that the encounter between the practitioner and patient was primarily located in interpersonal parameters. The findings were discussed in terms of the two dominant metaphorical frameworks used by the subjects to comprehend the disease - namely the perspectives of society and the biomedical model. These two frameworks were critically evaluated in the context of HIV/AIDS, the needs of HIV infected individuals as well as the needs of the general practitioner. The process of the encounter was found to be very significant for practitioners in terms of their conceptualisations of HIV/AIDS. Old understandings were reinterpreted within the interpersonal context and replaced with more appropriate symbolic metaphors upon which to base practise. This study has revealed these new understandings were limited and constrained with regard to understanding and treating HIV/AIDS in that the subjects were still influenced by the metaphors of the biomedical model. These constraints were examined in the light of both personal and professional meanings and identities. This study concluded by making suggestions for modification of the medical practitioner's role in the context of HIV/AIDS.

M.A. (Psychology) / It is generally accepted that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is the most serious pandemic ever to threaten South Africa. Within the context of South Africa being an African country, this pandemic is dramatically increasing and establishing a pattern which will not only effect the health services in the future, but will also have a devastating effect on the economy of the country. The greatest impact of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is not only on the individual and his health condition, but also on the context within which the individual functions. Within this context, the family is affected and a reciprocal effect takes place, where the manner in which the family of the affected individual deals with his condition, may have a detrimental effect on his illness. To date limited research has been conducted to describe this condition and its impact on the family. This study was undertaken in order to deal with the problem. Two experimental groups were recruited, the reason being that these two experimental groups would largely cover the diversity of the field in which this condition occurs. The first experimental group consisted out of white homosexual males who were diagnosed as having AIDS and the second group consisted out of a group of black heterosexual males who were also diagnosed as having AIDS. Ten psychosocial variables were isolated in order to investigate the impact the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome has on family interaction. These were: depression, alienation, conflict within the family, cohesion within the family, meaningful interaction within the family, social interaction within the family, moral/religious emphasis within the family, impact of the disease on physical ability, the need for sleep and rest, and total sickness impact on the individual. An analysis of the data indicated that both white homosexual male subjects and black heterosexual male subjects displayed significantly more depression, less social interaction, a greater need for sleep and rest, and a decline in physical ability. Furthermore, the analysis also indicated a very serious impact on the individual's ability to function. Of exceptional importance was the fact that white homosexual subjects displayed significantly more alienation and increased conflict within their families than the black heterosexual subjects, while the black heterosexual subjects in turn experienced less significant interaction within their families

M.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Cur. (Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Care) / Free voluntary counselling and testing (VeT) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by the international community and many African states is the entry point into HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevention, care, treatment and support. It is therefore worrisome that despite the Botswana government' multiple HIV preventative strategies, of the 56% Batswana who tested for HIV in 2008, only 34% know their status (National AIDS Coordinating Agency, Central Statistics Office & Ministry of Health, 2009:4). Among those who were tested, women outnumbered men, but even these women only had their HIV-status tested when they were already pregnant or when one of their children was suspected to have contracted AIDS, an observation that Hamblin and Reid (1991:4) has made years ago. Ethical standards were followed to conduct a study, the purpose of which was to explore and describe the reasons why women in Gaborone only volunteered to go for vcr of HIV when they were already pregnant, instead ofdoing so before they conceived. An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative and contextual design was used. Participants who met the sampling criteria were interviewed and data was audio-taped before transcription and analysis. An independent coder was involved to confirm the themes and sub-themes before relevant literature was searched. Strategies of trustworthiness were adhered to in the study (Lincoln & Guba, 1985:289-331). Findings revealed that the most significant reason for participants not testing for HIV prior to pregnancy was fear of consequences of an HIV-positive result, such as stigma and discrimination against them by their partners, families and communities should they test HIV-positive, Another reason was the socio-cultural beliefs, norms and values expressed in different forms. However, once they fell pregnant, they had themselves tested because their fear of losing their babies to HIV overruled their fear ofbeing ostracised by anybody else. Based on the findings, guidelines were formulated to assist midwives and HIV and AIDS counsellors to facilitate uptake of vcr of HIV prior to pregnancy among childbearing women and men from as young as +-15 years. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations made concerning midwifery practice, education and possible further research on this topic on a larger scale.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has had massive detrimental impacts on rural communities across Africa including in Zimbabwe. In response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic, the government of Zimbabwe has developed and adopted comprehensive programmes to address HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support. One of the critical components of these programmes relates specifically to treatment of the HIV infected given that HIV and AIDS is increasingly seen as a manageable threatening disease. However the success and effectiveness of the treatment regimen (involving antiretroviral drugs or ARVs) is dependent heavily on complete adherence to the rigid and complex regimens. It is against this background that this thesis studies a particular rural community in Zimbabwe called Chivanhu (in Masvingo Province) in terms of the relationship between rural livelihoods and HIV and AIDS (particularly HIV treatment and treatment adherence). Unlike other rural communities (notably in communal areas), Chivanhu is an informal and unstable community with a turbulent history. Most rural studies of HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in the region have focused on well-established and stable communities in which agricultural production is still of some significance. In such communities, the impact of HIV and AIDS on livelihoods is severe but, in more informal settlements, the vulnerability of households to the epidemic (and challenges pertaining to treatment adherence) is even more pronounced. Using a rural livelihoods framework, this thesis seeks to identify, understand and analyse the conditions which shape levels of adherence to HIV and AIDS in the informalsettlement of Chivanhu in Zimbabwe.

This dissertation is a critical, theoretical study focussing is on the contribution that popular music makes towards raising awareness and promoting the prevention of HIV/Aids in Nairobi, Kenya. Towards this end, an analysis of the lyrics and musical gestures of four Kenyan pop music songs is undertaken in order to highlight their communicative capabilities in this regard. These songs, namely, are Lulumbe by Wasike wa Musungu, Juala by Circute and Jo-el, Vuta Pumz by The Longombas, and Dunia Mbaya Chunguze by Princess Jully. The context in which these musical analyses occur is provided in: - An overview of the Kenya of today, in particular that of the diverse and hybrid ethnic, linguistic, musical and cultural practices of Nairobi, and of the various youth cultures in that city, as well as in an overview of the extent of the HIV/Aids pandemic in Kenya, especially amongst the youth of Nairobi, with some reflection on existing interventions. - An overview of current trends in popular music analysis and an explanation of the author’s own eclectic semiotic analytical methodology within this context. The study concludes that a repeating strategy may be discerned on the part of the composers and performers in question, namely, to first engage audiences through language and music with which they are familiar, and then to encourage audiences to confront the unknown and unfamiliar in music and language, but also ultimately in terms of their social practices. The known and the familiar is highlighted both in the lyrics and in the music itself. It includes use of commonlyspoken languages and dialects, popular musical styles typical of the particular sub-culture, and references to the day-to-day experiences of the ordinary person.

Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome communication remains one of the most significant tools in the fight against HIV/AIDS given the absence of the cure to fight the growth and spread of the global pandemic. Through the use of information, HIV/AIDS communication seeks to empower recipients or societies with skills that will help reduce their risk of infection. South Africa has seen a high visibility of HIV/AIDS communication programmes or campaigns aimed at empowering different audiences, whilst paying particular emphasis on the most vulnerable. Young people, in particular young women, have a higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. This has prompted the development of many youth focused communication campaigns which have sought to address factors that increase young people`s vulnerability to HIV infection. However, despite the high visibility of HIV/AIDS communication campaigns targeting young people, high risk behaviours are still being seen among young women. Important to note are the high teenage pregnancy rates, growing abuse of substances and even the premature engagement of sexual activities among female youths. This, therefore, raises questions on the effect of HIV/AIDS communication programmes in encouraging protective behaviour against risky behavioural practices amongst young women. Using both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to this study, an investigation was conducted into whether current HIV/AIDS communication campaigns have been limited (in terms of effectiveness) when it comes to communicating with young women on issues relating to HIV/AIDS. Awareness of HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS communication programmes, relevance of HIV/AIDS communication programmes, the factors that influence the use and understanding of HIV/AIDS messages and the impact of HIV/AIDS communication on attitude and behaviour change amongst female youths is measured. A total of 350 questionnaire copies were self-administered to 350 participants, with a 100 percent response rate. From the 350 participants, seventy five took part in focus group discussions. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS (for descriptive statistics), and the grounded theory. The results of the study indicate that all participants were aware of HIV/AIDS with at least 60% of the participants aware of at least three HIV/AIDS communication campaigns. When measuring the relevance of HIV/AIDS communication campaigns, participants (58%) indicate that issues discussed in most HIV/AIDS communication campaigns increased the relevance of HIV/AIDS messages to young women although such relevance was, for some respondents, affected by limited access to communication campaigns. Results also show that levels of knowledge and understanding of factors that expose young women to HIV infections differed amongst participants in as much as the factors that hinder the use of advice contained in HIV/AIDS messages also differed. Sixty-nine percent of the participants have knowledge and a better understanding of factors that expose young females to HIV infections. Twenty-five percent of the participants identified peer pressure, whilst 23% identified limited access to HIV/AIDS communication campaigns and another 18% identified a disregard of HIV/AIDS messages as significant factors that limit the ability of individuals to implement advice contained in HIV/AIDS messages. The results also indicate that although HIV/AIDS communication campaigns seem to have played a role in empowering some participants, there is still a significant minority whom communication has not effectively communicated with. Based on these findings, the study suggests, amongst other things, the need to intensify current HIV/AIDS communication campaigns through the provision of consistent messages on appropriate condom use, the identification of easily accessible communication channels and the development of thought provoking and attention grabbing campaigns as well as the need to continue to directly involve young women in the processes of their own development.

The following study is a phenomenological inquiry into five white, middle classwomen's experiences living with HIV and AIDS in British Columbia. The purpose, rather than describing AIDS as a medical phenomenon, is to document how being diagnosed HIV positive has affected the women's lives, health, relationships and livelihoods. A context for the women's stories is provided through a critical review of the biomedical model, as well as biomedical and community organizing perspectives on women and AIDS. Mostly verbatim accounts drawn from taped interviews conducted with the five women describes their lives with HIV and AIDS. Experiences surrounding their diagnosis, sources of information about their illness, strategies for coping, management of health, and management of personal and social identities are the themes explored. The women's participation, the role of the researcher, and the work produced are considered parts of an interactive process, demonstrating shared authority between the researcher and participants in the ethnographic process. Documentation of the women's experiences leads to a discussion of the ways in which they successfully manage and control their own health care and well being within the context of larger social forces of sexism, medical bias and stigma. The women are given the last word in the study. In conclusion, a review oftheir situations three years after their initial interviews contributes a significant emotional and descriptive time-depth to the study. / Arts, Faculty of / Sociology, Department of / Graduate

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / The present study explores the personal narratives of eight gay South African men regarding testing for the human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) which causes AIDS. The narratives are described within a social constructionist perspective. Two tape-recorded conversations were held with each of the participants in this study, all .of whom had never tested HIV positive. The elicited narratives are related to the men's ideas about HIV, AIDS and gay..sexual identity, and are situated in the South African context. In addition, a reflexive approach is used, farina as the narratives are related to the reflections of the research participants, the researcher and the supervisor about the research process. The narratives suggest that the gay men in the study see decision making regarding HIV testing as involving personal choice and individual responsibility. The participants seem well informed of safe-sex precautions necessary to prevent the transmission of HIV. However, in accordance with the research literature, they appear to employ individual heuristics which allow for unsafe sexual practices, usually in the context of long-term relationships. Empirical research is required in order to determine whether or not these findings can be generalized to the general population of gay South African men. The need for safe-sex education to take account of such individual heuristics is emphasized. In addition, it is suggested that gay men may benefit from assertiveness training which empowers them to decline engaging in sexual behavior which puts them at risk of contracting HIV.