Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The success of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection through widespread and resounding has been limited by inadequate adherence to its unforgiving regimens especially over a long term. While health care professionals may not be able to predict adherence, they can help overcome barriers to adherence and take steps to improve it. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the strategies that are utilised by professional nurses in the primary health care facilities regarding adherence to antiretroviral therapy, Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used to describe the strategies that are utilised by professional nurses in the primary health care facilities in the Capricorn District Limpopo Province, referring to Mankweng Hospital. The descriptive qualitative design was used. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data until saturation was reached. Informed consent was obtained prior the data collection. The data was analysed qualitatively using Tesch’s open coding method. 18 (eighteen) professional nurses working in the primary health care facilities participated in the study. The findings revealed that the strategies utilised by professional nurses in the primary health care facilities to improve adherence to ART were described. Information and education, health worker and adherence guidelines, use of adherence partner or treatment buddy, addressing religious beliefs, communication skills, community mobilisation and continuous counselling, were the strategies that were utilised by professional nurses in the primary health care facilities to improve adherence of patients to ART.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / Exploring the lived experiences of People Living with HIV/AIDS in relation to stigma and discrimination was the purpose of this qualitative research underpinned by Jungian Phenomenology. The study was qualitative in nature with a non-probability sample of fifteen participants aged from twenty tree to sixty four years. The setting was a rural and the research took place at a designated HIV/AIDS clinic in Limpopo. Semi-structured interviews, in the vernacular, were constructed so that the in-depth, lived experience of the participants relating to stigmatisation and discrimination could be ascertained. The participants’ responses were organised through the application of the Jungian metaphors and presented as themes which were presented in English. The archetypes of the Self, Shadow and Persona were highlighted as dominant metaphors with the Animus playing an important. These were followed by archetypes which represented more marginal roles in the participants’ personality development namely, the Anima, Hero, Caregiver, Innocent and Orphan. Everyone has the desire to develop a well-rounded socially acceptable and fulfilling personality, whose development process is accompanied by the generation and maturation of various archetypal traits. Once this is achieved, the process of personal individuation is completed and an individual is able to experience their true Self and live a fulfilling and authentic (honest) life. HIV infection and HIV related stigma generate archetypal traits which tend to impede the personality development of individuals. As a result they were not able to merge their personality development into an integrated unit and emerge as spiritual and deep-thinking beings.

MPH / Department of Public Health

MSc (Microbiology) / Department of Microbiology

Department of Public Health / MCur

A Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, 2007. / The major aim of the study was to determine whether broad-based initiatives, such as community based stigma reduction intervention programmes (later) based on the findings of the study, could have an impact on the uptake of HIV-testing and disclosure rate. The total sample comprised of 15 females and 15 males that were chosen from one of the support groups based at one of the selected Hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal Province. With the assistance of the hospital officials, the researcher was able to use the purposive sampling technique in selecting the respondents. From the themes, it became evident that people living with HIV and AIDS are faced with an important dilemma regarding whether or not they should reveal the HIV-positive status to significant others, in-depth interviews with the focus groups produced the following themes as accounts of emotional observations: isolation, social stigma, anger, revenge and depression. In the light of the findings of the study, a need arose for the establishment of an intervention programme aimed at addressing the common barriers associated with HIV disclosure. Community Psychology in particular, played a major role in shaping this study because of its action focus on groups. / National Research Fund (NRF)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the management of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy at Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). This entailed an assessment of the levels of awareness amongst employees, and an assessment of employees’ knowledge of the policy and its implementation. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to randomly selected employees. It was found that the respondents’ level of awareness of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy at Stats SA was satisfactory. Although some differences were observed, overall it seems that Stats SA was successful in promoting general awareness of its policy and its contents. However, as far as the respondents’ attitudes and opinions relating to the implementation of the policy at Stats SA are concerned, several issues still need to be addressed. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Thesis (MPhil)-- University of Stellenbosch, 2000 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is a well-known fact that the sub-Saharan Africa is a continent most affected by HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has in other words become our disease. For many of us, this fact may be difficult to fully accept. There are elements of prejudice in our reactions. Ignorance and intolerance can be found around the world. Therefore, by presenting the facts about HIV/AIDS, this assignment challenges the misconceptions and focuses on the profound dilemmas confronting society. I think the success in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic could be found in President Thabo Mbeki's terminology "Partnership against HIV/AIDS". In his speech, the President appealed to both the private and public sectors and all South Africans to work together with greater determination than before to fight against HIV infection and AIDS. Arguably, this was the best speech President Thabo Mbeki ever made on HIV/AIDS on October 9, 1998. Back then, the government seems to have had a direction and led from the front in the battle against HIV/AIDS. The title of this thesis reads: "Ethical perspectives on surveillance and preventive strategies for HIV/AIDS in South Africa". Presently, the South African Government through the Ministry of Health is seriously considering making AIDS a notifiable medical condition. This is a serious and a controversial move that has serious ethical and legal implications that will be discussed. Should partners of HIV-infected individuals be informed? If the answer is on the affirmative, who should inform them? I am also looking at the ethical obligation of health care workers to treat HIV/AIDS patients despite the fear of being accidentally infected. Tough questions need to be asked. Should health workers be informed of the HIV status of every patients they treat? On the other hand, some patients have some fears too that HIV-infected health professionals may infect them. Again, the fundamental ethical concerns related to confidentiality, privacy, the right to treatment will also be discussed. The country is divided on this issue. Ethical principles are directly involved in such a decision, for instance, the principle of confidentiality, respect for autonomy and informed consent. How can the government go about implementing this without disregarding these fundamental ethical requirements?Another ethical issue that comes to mind regarding HIV/AIDS concerns AIDS vaccine trials, which are so far dominantly manufactured in 'developed countries' while subjects of these trials are from 'third world' or 'developing countries '. The ethical concerns here are: How will informed consent be protected, especially where subjects of the trials are not educated and do not understand the terms used? What are the cost-effects or benefits of such trials? What are the risks involved? Together with this, other issues include ethical debates concerning market prices of drugs, which are too expensive for poorer countries and affordable for richer countries. Finally, this work does not treat everything that needs to be dealt with insofar as HIV/AIDS is concerned. However, I hope that this thesis will contribute (in a small way) in making people appreciate the ethical dilemmas that are presented by HIV/AIDS. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is algemeen bekend dat Afrika suid van die Sahara die gebied is met die hoogste voorkoms van MIV/vIGS. Die MIV/VIGS-pandemie het dus ons siekte geword. Dit is vir baie van ons moeilik om hierdie feit te aanvaar, en ons reaksies is dikwels bevooroordeeld. Onkunde en onverdraagsaamheid oor MIV/vIGS word trouens wereldwyd aangetref. Hierdie verhandeling Ie klem op die feite van MIV/VIGS, en konfronteer sodoende hierdie wanopvattings terwyl daar gefokus word op die diepgaande dilemmas waarmee die samelewing gekonfronteer word. President Thabo Mbeki se woorde "Vennootskap teen MIV/VIGS" verwoord myns insiens die enigste oplossing vir die MIV/VIGS-pandemie. Die President doen in sy toespraak 'n beroep op al1e Suid-Afrikaners, in private en openbare sektore, om met groter determinasie saam te veg teen MIV-infeksie en VIGS; Hierdie toespraak, gelewer op 9 Oktober 1998, toe die regering klaarblyklik nog rigting gehad het en op die voorfront was in die styd teen MIV/VIGS, was moontlik President Thabo Mbeki se beste ooit oor die onderwerp MIV/VIGS. Die titel van hierdie verhandeling is "Etiese perspektiewe ten opsigte van waarnemende en voorkomende strategiee vir MIV/VIGS in Suid-Afrika". Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering, by monde van die Ministerie van Gesondheid, oorweeg dit tans sterk om VIGS 'n aanmeldbare mediese kondisie te verklaar. Die ernstige etiese en regsimplikasies van so 'n daadwerklike en kontroversiele stap sal in die verhandeling bespreek word. Behoort die rnetgesel1e van MIV-positiewe persone ingelig te word? Indien wei, wie moet hulle in kennis stel? Daar sal ook gekyk word na die etiese verpligting van gesondheidsorgwerkers om MIV/VIGS-pasiente te behandel ten spyte van hul1e vrees om per ongeluk besmet te word. Indringende vrae moet gevra word. Behoort gesondheidsorgwerkers ingelig te word oor die MIV-status van elke pasient wat hul1e behandel? Aan die ander kant vrees sornmige pasiente dat hul1e deur MIV-positiewe gesondheisorgwerkers besmet kan word. Die fundamentele etiese aangeleenthede rakende vertroulikheid, privaatheid en die reg tot mediese behandeling sal ook bespreek word. Suid-Afrika is verdeeld oor hierdie kwessies. Etiese waardes, soos die beginsel van vertroulikheid, respek vir outonomie en ingeligte goedkeuring is direk betrokke by besluite oor etiese kwessies. Die regering kan nie hierdie aangeleenthede implementeer sonder om die fundamentele etiese vereistes in ag te neem nie. VIGS-entstofproefnemings is'n verdere etiese kwessie wat ter sprake kom. Hierdie proefnemings word grotendeels deur "ontwikkelde" lande uitgevoer, tewyl die proefpersone van "derdewereldse" of "ontwikkelende" lande afkomstig is. Die etiese kwessies hierby betrokke is: hoe sal ingeligte goedkeuring beskerm word, veral wanneer proefpersone onopgevoed is en nie die tersaaklike terme verstaan nie? Wat is die kosteeffektiwiteit of voordele van hierdie proefnemings? Watter risiko's is betrokke? Die etiese debat oor die markprys van medisyne, wat heel bekostigbaar vir ryk lande, maar duur vir armer lande is, word ook aangeraak. Hierdie verhandeling dek nie alle relevante kwessies wat betref MIV/VIGS nie. Tog hoop ek dat dit 'n bydrae sal lewer tot mense se bewuswording van die etiese dilemmas wat MIV/VIGS inhou.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mineworkers in South Africa are in abundance as mining is the main occupation especially in the former black homeland. These mineworkers retrenched or retire, and returned to their homeland. Transkei is a former black homeland where abundant retired mineworkers reside to their destiny. Migrancy, which for century has been such a conspicuous feature of the South African labour system, and thought to be a significant contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS (Lurie M, 2000). The migrant labour system in Transkei region was attributed very extensively to contagious disease especially related with sexually transmitted diseases (STI) like HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that 2 million of the 5 million black mineworkers in South Africa at the time were migrant labourers. Majority of them are from the Transkei region. The ex-mineworkers in this study group are between 41 and 78 years of age (mean 55 years). They have serviced in the mines from 5 to 48 years (mean 20 years). All are married, and having children between 1 and 10 ((mean 6). Fifty seven percent ex-mineworkers did not answer about their number of sexpartners. Only 43% mentioned that they have one partner. Only 31% mineworkers were consuming alcohol. Of them 9% were consuming everyday, and 18% twice in a week. In this study, HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of exmineworkers, living in the remote rural areas of Transkei region of Eastern Cape, were elicited by sending questionnaires to them. Only 19.9% have replied back. There is absolute lack of knowledge in 13.6%, and negative attitude in 27% of the ex-mineworkers. Risks of unsafe sex have been observed among 69%. Of them, 48% have mentioned that they have trust in their wives. Urinary tract symptoms were indicated by 18%, and HIV positivity was reported by 4.5% of mineworkers. There is suicidal tendency (life is not worth living) was found in 22.7% of ex-mineworkers, and a majority (16%) mentioned that it is related with their sickness. Majority of ex-mineworkers have good knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and positive attitude for the survivals. They have also been practicing sex without condoms, but they have provided reasoning to be a faithful to their partners. There is a high level of awareness and a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS individuals. It was observed that there is less risk taking sexual behaviour among exmineworkers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Groot gedeelte van Suid-Afrikaanse mynwerkers is uit die Transkei gebied afkomstig. Daar word konserwatief beraam dat tussen twee en vyf miljoen mynwerkers jaarliks tussen hulle werkplek en die myne migreer en dat hierdie migrasie ingrypende inplikasies vir die verspreiding van die MI-virus het. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die kennis, houding en gedrag van mynwerkers ten opsigte van MIV/Vigs by 'n steekproef van 198 voormalige mynwerkers in die Transkei te toets. Die inligting is deur middel van 'n vraelys en onderhoude gedoen en daar word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die kennis van Vigs en die voorkoming daarvan besonder goed is by hierdie steekproef. Die implikasies van die bevindinge van die studie word uitgespel en voorstelle vir verdere studies word aan die hand gedoen.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is very common to talk about or refer to people as “People Living with HIV/AIDS” but never “A Church with Aids”. Responding to HIV/AIDS has earned the JL Zwane Memorial Church this name or rather this label. Members of the congregation, many of them young, were dying and remaining silent, not doing anything, would have meant contributing to the disaster that had struck. Something drastic had to be done to respond to the pandemic or else the whole community would have perished. This was not easy as it meant risking losing those already in the church. To many people, HIV/AIDS was seen as a punishment from God to those who have sinned. For this reason many did not want to have anything to do with People Living with HIV/AIDS. The whole response is driven by the needs of the community i.e. those infected and those affected. This means listening to people tell their stories and then respond accordingly. Listening is the key in the response as the whole response revolves around people and their experiences. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die kerk, of geloofsgebaseerde organisasies , is dikwels die eerste om te weet dat iemand MIV positief is. Dit is ook die eerste persoon of organisasie wat deur die geïnfekteerde in vertroue geneem word. Die Kerk, as organisasie, kan dus 'n deurslaggewende rol vervul in die voorkoming, maar ook by die versorging van diegene wat MIV positief is of aan Vigsverwante siektes ly. Hierdie studie beskryf, in die vorm van 'n gevallestudie, die rol wat die Presbiteriaanse Kerk in Guguleto in die voorkoming van MIV/Vigs vervul. Die gevallestudie bespreek die probleem; die ontleding van die probleem en die uiteindelike program(me) wat daargestel is. Riglyne vir die betrokkenheid van Kerke (en geloofsgebasserde organisasies) word uitgespel en voorstelle vir verdere studie word gemaak.