MPH / Department of Public Health / The main entry point for the HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment is through HIV Testing Services (HTS). Despite undeniable benefits and increased availability of HIV Testing Services, uptake remains low among students. The aim of this study was to investigate factors contributing to low HIV Testing Services (HTS) among Health Sciences students. Quantitative research method was used to conduct this study. Descriptive quantitative research design was employed. 306 respondents determined by the sample formula were selected through Probability, Systematic sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents. Validity was ensured through content and face validity. Reliability in the form of test-retest reliability were ensured through pre-testing the instrument using 31 respondents from the target population. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 24. Ethical considerations were ensured throughout the study. The findings of the study showed that out of 306 respondents, 44,1% (n=135) of respondents, comprising 30,7% (n=94) of females and 13,4% (n=41) of males had gone for HIV testing. Respondents had adequate knowledge about HIV Testing Services (HTS) and their attitude towards HIV Testing Services (HTS) was favourable. HIV/AIDS-related stigma, fear of potential HIV positive diagnosis, low perception of HIV infection risk and negative attitude of healthcare service providers were attributed to low uptake of HIV Testing Services (HTS) among respondents. There were recommendations for HIV Testing Services (HTS) workshops, education and awareness campaigns emphasizing the benefits and importance of HIV Testing Services (HTS). The use of various forms of media including campus radio and newsletters to promote the uptake of HIV Testing Services (HTS) among university students was also recommended. / NRF

PhDPH / Department of Public Health / There is a growing concern over the rising cases of adolescent pregnancy, drug and substance abuse, poor academic performance, violence, high school dropout rate and HIV/AIDS prevalence among secondary school students. The grounds of these problems are considered to be related to inadequate Life Orientation Education which should equip the learners with psychosocial competencies, but the ability to make informed decision, solve problems, think creatively and critically, communicate effectively, build healthy interpersonal relationships is lacking among the youths (Dash, 2018). The purpose of the study was to develop strategies to facilitate the implementation of existing Life orientation curriculum in secondary schools of Limpopo province, South Africa. An exploratory sequential design was used in this study. This research design had three stages. In the first stage (1a) the researcher collected and analysed quantitative data. Based on the quantitative results, the researcher will then engage a second stage (1b), the qualitative phase, to test and make the general view of the initial findings. This was followed by phase 3, which was the development of the coping strategies and validation of the strategies as outlined. Purposive sampling was employed to select two districts and then four circuits. Phase 1a identified factors influencing implementation of existing Life Orientation curriculum. Eight schools were selected using stratified random sampling. Simple random sampling was used to select 521 grade 10, 11 and 12 adolescent girls. Data was collected through a self-designed and self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed descriptively using statistical software Stata/IC version 15.0. of the computer program. Validity and reliability were ensured. Phase 1b identified the predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors that can affect the behaviours, attitudes, and environmental factors contributing to the implementation of Life skills programmes in schools. A qualitative approach, and explorative, descriptive and contextual designs were applied. The population were all guardians and school teachers. Purposive sampling was used to select guardians for the focus groups discussions and teachers for in-depth interviews. Data analysis employed Tesch open coding method. Phase 2 was the development strategies to facilitate the implementation of existing LO programme in Limpopo province. Results from Structured Interviews, Focused group, Questionnaires were fused together with the use of the Precede Proceed Model. Phase 3 was to validate the developed strategies. The aim of validation was to collect and evaluate data, from the process design stage, the consistency and quality of the product or outcome of the strategies. The objectives to validate the strategies were to: determine the credibility of the strategies. The researcher used the non–experimental, intervention validation design to validated the credibility of the developed strategies. The developed strategies were given to the learners, guardians and Life Orientation teachers Vhembe and Mopani district. To collect data, the researcher used a checklist with 6 questions as outlined by Chin and Kramer (refer to table 6.4). Simple descriptive statistics was use where the data was summarized using the frequency distribution. / NRF

MSc (Microbiology) / Department of Microbiology

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / Extensive resources and information are available on HIV/AIDS, but there remain disparities between what is known and actual behavior, particularly among students at tertiary institutions. A lot has been done to create HIV awareness and prevent further infections among male and female students in Higher Education Institutions of South Africa. Despite the availability of information, awareness education and campaigns, free condoms and treatment, the HIV infections continue to increase in South Africa especially amongst the youth. The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of male and female students at the University of Venda towards the “ABC” strategy for HIV prevention, and how these consequently influence their sexual behavior. Data was obtained from 32 students using a semistructured questionnaire. A non-probability, haphazard sampling technique was used to randomly select the participants. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used for data analysis. The study findings contend that knowledge of HIV and its prevention measures always translates to positive sexual behaviour, as university students were found to be knowledgeable enough, but their attitudes and sexual behaviour were found not to be consistent enough. The researcher recommends future researchers to focus on the factors that hinder sexual abstinence, fidelity in sexual relationships, and condom use amongst Higher Education students, towards creating safer environments for them.

MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

DCur / Departmet of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

MSc (Microbiology) / Department of Microbiology / See the attached abstract below

MPH / Department of Public Health / Background: Young people in sub-Saharan Africa are most-at risk of HIV infection. This elevated risk in the young black population may be explained by the lack of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes towards the epidemic and risky sexual behaviours. Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and behaviour among youth towards HIV infection and to explore the possible aetiological factors associated with the youth’s vulnerability to HIV infection. Methods and materials: This survey adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional design and a quantitative approach.The survey population comprised of all youth aged 15-24 years visiting two Namakgale clinics. An expected sample of (n=152) youths was recruited through convenience sampling. Pretesting of the questionnaire was conducted on 15 youths at Mashishimale Clinic. Data was collected using self-completed questionnaire. The data was captured using Microsoft Excel and then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 22. Results: Knowledge on HIV: The majority (77%) of the respondents could distinguish HIV and AIDS and had knowledge that HIV could cause AIDS. The majority of respondents (80%) had knowledge of how HIV was transmitted. The majority of the respondents, (84.9%) knew that HIV/AIDS could not be cured. However, misconceptions about HIV transmission still exist for example, 13.2 % of youth stated that mosquito bites could transmit HIV and whilst 22.4% believed that witchcraft could cause HIV. The main source of HIV information was television (89%). Attitudes towards PLHIV: About 82.9% disagreed that all PLHIV should live away from Namakgale while 72. 4% stated that if their relative had HIV they would care for them. Overall, Namakgale youth held positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Risky sexual behaviours: About 61.8% of females, compared to their male counterparts (38.2%) ever had sex. 61.8% of females compared to 50.0% of males have had sex before their 15th birthday. 36.5% have had 3-5 lifetime sexual partners in comparison to 29.6% of their female counterparts. 44.2% of males did not use condoms at last sex compared to their female counterparts (33.3%). iv Recommendations: There is an urgent need for intensifying awareness campaigns on HIV and AIDS as well as school-based interventions for youths who still harbour myths and misconceptions about HIV transmission. Policy makers and the media should focus more on late adolescents (15- 19 years) risky sexual practices such as intergeneration sex (age group between sexual partners is 10 years or more), transactional sex etc.

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / The aim of the study was to explore the psycho-social experiences of children living with vertically transmitted HIV/AIDS in Messina Hospital, South Africa. The study utilised the qualitative approach, in particular the exploratory research design. The population of the study comprised both male and female children between the ages of 12-17 years, who are receiving care and support at Fountain of Hope Clinic in Messina Hospital. Non-probability sampling, in particular its sub-type, purposive sampling, was used to select the children who participated in the study. Eleven participants (11) were interviewed, and the sample size of the study was guided by data saturation during data collection. Semi-structured, open-ended face to face interviews were used to collect data. In order to analyse data, the researcher adopted thematic content analysis, following Tech’s eight steps of qualitative data analysis. Three main themes emerged from the raw data, namely living with HIV/AIDS infection; challenges of living with HIV/AIDS infection; and coping with HIV/AIDS. Sub-themes emerged from the main themes. Ethical considerations were observed and trustworthiness was ensured in the study. The study results were analysed and recommendations based on the results were formulated to enhance the experiences of children living with vertically transmitted HIV/AIDS. / NRF

PhD (Health Sciences) / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / Background: Family-centred approaches to Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) interventions present an important direction for sustainability and prevention of pediatric infections while improving overall family health. Despite numerous opportunities to sustain and expand the existing PMTCT interventions, Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) still occurs. This is evidenced by the number of under-five children who are admitted in hospital being infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) between the ages of 6 weeks to 18 months, whereas the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results was non-reactive at six weeks. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a strategy to enhance family-centered interventions for PMTCT sustainability in the selected districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Phase 1: The study was conducted in phases. In Phase 1, which was empirical, the following objectives: to explore the risks that contribute to MTCT between the ages of 6 weeks and 18 months; to explore the perceptions of family members regarding family support in PMTCT interventions; and to explore the factors that affect the provision of family support in PMTCT interventions. Phase 2: was development of the strategy and validation of the strategy. Methods: The exploratory sequential mixed method was used to conduct the study, where qualitative data were collected and analyzed first; followed by collecting, analyzing and interpreting the quantitative data. The population comprised the following groups: mothers of babies between 6 weeks and 18 months who are living with HIV/AIDS, family members were represented by male partners, grandmothers or mother’s in_-law and health care professionals working at the PHC Heath Centers v or clinics rendering PMTCT services. In the qualitative design, participants were selected by non-probability purposive sampling and data were collected through one-to-one interview and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed utilizing the open-coding method. In the quantitative design, participants were selected by using simple random sampling and data were collected by means of self-administered survey questionnaires with structured close-and open-ended questions. The population were midwives from Capricorn, Mopani and Vhembe districts PHC clinic. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 22 and descriptive statistics. In Phase 2, findings from the data were used to develop an intervention strategy. The strategy was developed through the use of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The developed strategy was validated by using a quantitative design. / NRF