The present study sought to understand the relationship between attitudes and prevention knowledge of HIV I AIDS among matriculation students. HIV infection rates has reached epidemic proportions in South Africa and has serious consequences for individuals, particularly for adoiescellts as they make up the largest percentage of the vulnerable age group aged between 15 and 29. Given the high risks that adolescents are faced with, many awareness and prevention programmes have been implemented. These programmes have focused particularly on attitudinal and behavioural change towards HIV I AIDS prevention. The reason for this is that all sexual behaviour is mediated, facilitated and or justified by cognitions and beliefs (Vanwesenbeeck, Bekker & Van Lenning 1998). The sample was selected from a boys school, which chose to remain anonymous and a girls high school in Westville, Durban. Questionnaires aimed at assessing knowledge regarding the spread and prevention of HIV/AIDS were administered. Questionnaires aimed at assessing their attitudes towards prevention of HIV/AIDS were also administered to learners. Learners had been exposed to awareness and life skills programmes as part of their curriculum. Festinger's (1957) theory of cognitive dissonance was used as a framework to understand the relationship between one's attitudes and behaviour. The findings indicated that most respondents had adequate knowledge regarding HIV I AIDS spread and prevention. The results also indicated that there was a correlation between knowledge and attitudes but it was not a strong relationship suggesting that there may have been external factors that may have impacted on the relationship thus placing adolescents at a relatively high risk to the HIV infection. This according to Festinger's (1957) theory suggests that there is some inconsistency between attitudes and behaviour towards HIV I AIDS prevention amongst learners. The findings of the study also highlight the need for future research in this area, which would better inform and improve intervention programmes that have been targeted at adolescents in high schools. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

A group of 21 HIV-positive gay or bisexual men was compared with a matched group of 22 HIV-negative individuals. All subjects were sexually active gay or bisexual males matched for age, as well as age at first intercourse with males. Subjects completed a detailed sexual history questionnaire as well as a series of standardized measures of psychosocial functioning. Results indicated that subjects engaged in a wide range of unsafe sexual behaviours, and frequently combined drugs with sex. Scores on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) were significantly correlated with lifetime condom use. Social support was also found to be significantly associated with the lifetime number of homosexual partners. Regression analysis revealed a significant negative association between MAST scores and social support and a positive relationship between social support and CD-4 cell count. The groups were found to be similar in terms of clinical levels of anxiety and depression, self-esteem in interpersonal situations, and risk-taking personality.

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, 2000.

The way gender relations influence access to care and treatment particularly access to antiretroviral medicines is a challenge to HIV/AIDS programmes and to the individuals and families with HIV. Gender norms that push women and men to adhere to dominant ideals of femininity and masculinity may restrict women's access to economic resources, health care and fuel the spread of HIV. The aim of this study was to determine the role of gender relations in influencing decision-making for access to antiretroviral medicines between partners and in the family.

People who have been diagnosed HIV positive often experience distress and anxiety due to uncertainties pertaining to the implications of an HIV positive status. Research has shown that support groups have always been a way for people to cope with the distress and stressful circumstances associated with health conditions such as HIV. This research investigated the role of face to face support groups in the lives of those living with HIV. The primary focus of this research project is to provide an in-depth exploration of HIV positive individuals‟ experiences of being in a support group. The study aims to explore the positive and negative experiences of being in an HIV support group and aims to gain an understanding of the role support plays in the lives of those living with HIV. A qualitative research design was used to explore the above mentioned aim. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five individuals, (three women and two men) who had experienced HIV support groups. The interviews were transcribed and then analysed according to the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The findings of this study revealed five super-ordinate themes, which revealed not only the positive and negative experiences of being in a support group, but also the challenges that the participants‟ experienced before joining the group. Getting a sense of the participants‟ experience before joining the group allowed the researcher to get a better understanding of how useful or not the support group has been in helping them deal with the challenges of living with HIV. The themes included: „struggling to survive after diagnosis‟, „struggling to cope: adopting negative coping skills‟, „experiencing a turning-point: a will to survive‟, „attending support group: a sweet experience‟ and lastly, „attending support groups: a bitter experience‟. Findings suggest that for these participants, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages of being in a support group. Therefore this study suggests that face to face support groups are a viable and even necessary option for support. These findings support previous research and literature in regards to the importance of social support in the form of support groups in effectively assisting HIV positive people in their journey to adjust to the consequence of living with HIV.

M.A. / The human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), a virus which causes an illness known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is spreading at an alarming rate in South Africa. The exact number of people already infected by this virus is unknown, since the epidemic can only be measured by the number of reported incidents of AIDS cases. Van Bilj on (1994:7) believes that the most accurate prediction is perhaps the result of estimations based on preventative studies, projections and mathematical models. hi short, HIV/AIDS is today widely regarded as a serious problem, which affects people economically, politically, ethically and socially. Lachman (undated) considered the ethical and social implications of HIV/AIDS as follows: the first is to protect the public's health; the second is to protect the inherent rights of AIDS patients and HIV-positive people who, although they seem to be healthy, are in actual fact sufferers; the third involves consideration of the allocation of scarce resources to people with HIV/AIDS and other groups in need of health care. The seventh national annual survey of women attending antenatal clinics, conducted by the Department of Health during October/November 1996 indicated that more than 2.4 million South Africans were HIV positive at that stage. More specifically, the level of HIV infection amongst the total population in the provinces was estimated as follows: Western Cape - 3,09%, Northern Cape - 6,47%, Northern Province - 7,96%, Eastern Cape - 8,10%, Gauteng - 15,49%, Free State - 17,49%, Mpumalanga - 15,77%, KwaZulu Natal - 19,90% and North West - 25,13%. According to this survey, North West has the highest level of HIV infection, and Western Cape the lowest. Initially this epidemic mainly involved white homosexual men. Today it is mostly found among heterosexuals and is increasing among mothers and children. The development and intensive utilization of HIV testing of blood transfusion resulted in better control of blood donation in South Africa and it is still being improved. Van Biljon (1994:8) believes that over the last few years the disease became more prevalent in black communities. Most of the reported AIDS cases fall in the age group 20 to 39 which represents the largest portion of the economically active population. From the results of some research projects conducted in the work situation it can be stated that many of the potential work-place problems associated with AIDS may stem from a lack of understanding of how the virus is passed on. Employers can help to promote understanding by providing information and encouraging thorough informed discussion of the issues. Trade union leaders should also play an important part in assisting employers to develop policies which will make the life of HIV infected people better. This is an essential feature of any company's AIDS policy.

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No description available.

No description available.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters in Public Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / South Africa is facing a universe challenge in managing HIV/AIDS epidemic as it is the worst affected country in the world with the largest number of people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. While significant numbers of stakeholders have come on board to help the South African government fight the disease, the setting up of effective and efficient Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems has been a challenge. The study focussed on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) managing HIV/AIDS in the uMngeni Local Municipality. NGOs normally operate using resources from funders who in turn requires robust accountability of their fund utilisation. Robust accountability can only be achieved by reporting with the aid of an effective and efficient M&E system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the current M&E systems of NGOs implementing HIV/AIDS programs in the uMngeni Local Municipality; investigate the reporting mechanism of NGOs implementing HIV/AIDS programmes; identify monitoring and evaluation challenges faced by NGOs implementing HIV/AIDS programmes in the uMngeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu Natal; and to make recommendations for the improvement of M&E implemented by NGOs. A questionnaire was distributed to senior managers at NGO’s in the uMngeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The data collected were analysed with SPSS version 22.0.The results were presented in the form of graphs and cross tabulations, with other figures being used for data collected from open ended questions. The study revealed that NGOs managing HIV/AIDS in the uMngeni Local Municipality face a number of challenges including a lack of statistical skills; a shortage of qualified staff; a lack of M&E knowledge; a dearth of M&E systems within organisations; inadequate resources; a lack of commitment by staff members; poor stakeholder involvement; poor quality data; and a lack of appropriate M&E tools. The results of the study also revealed that NGOs managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the uMngeni Local Municipality were not referring to best practices when managing M&E systems for their programmes. Recommendations were drafted using the findings of the research, literature reviewed and best practices for monitoring and evaluating HIV/AIDS programmes. It is highly recommended that through more effective capacity building, NGOs managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the uMngeni Local Municipality will be able to improve existing M&E systems. Designing of the M&E plan along with stakeholder involvement is also crucial in managing HIV/AIDS M&E systems. The allocation of adequate resources for M&E activities should be prioritised for approximately ten percent of the total programme budget. Indicators should be carefully selected and aligned to collect relevant data. NGOs managing HIV/AIDS in the uMngeni Local Municipality could also monitor and evaluate programme activities on a regular basis. They should also have a standard of operation procedure (SOP) for data quality management. Emphasis on programme data quality could also be an action point for effective management of HIV/AIDS M&E system and this can be further strengthened by conducting data quality audits. Finally, NGOs managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the uMngeni Local Municipality should disseminate M&E findings to stakeholders and use data to make informed programme decisions. / M