This research focused on the legal response to the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in South Africa. The response adopted by the South African legislators embraces the protective model of the law. The philosophy underpinning this legislation is to engender respect for individuals and to promote human rights and in the context of HIV/AIDS, reduce the presence of stigmas and discrimination. Such an approach is commendable however in South Africa given the nature and extent of the crisis a more proactive legal response is required. Such a response is encapsulated within the empowerment model of legislation. The aim of this research was to demonstrate the need for such an approach in a work environment. In order to do so, a study of the Durban Metropolitan Unicity Municipality was undertaken. As a public institution such an entity is obliged to follow all employment laws and guidelines. This characteristic ensures that problems and advantages that arise regarding the implementation of protective legislation can be easily ascertained. The research was conducted by using a case study approach within a qualitative research methodology. The snowball method of sampling was relied on for obtaining respondents and the data collection technique adopted was interviewing specifically, semi-structured interviewing. Members of the Durban Metropolitan Unicity Municipality were interviewed on the primary aspects of its workplace policy on HIV/AlDS, which is based on the guiding principles of the protective employment laws of South Africa. The main findings of this research suggest that the protective model of legislation has not achieved a noteworthy level of success in the workplace of the Durban Metropolitan Unicity Municipality. This finding is derived from the Iow levels of awareness of employment legislation and the workplace policy, high incidence of discrimination prevalent and stigmas still attached to one's HIV/AlDS status, and general dissatisfaction with specific provisions of the workplace policy that are based on the principles of protective employment legislation. An alternative legal response was advocated namely, the empowerment model of legislation which is much more proactive in its application. This model of law focuses on the legal empowerment of people and is conducive to stimulating positive social changes. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

The current South African labour laws have evolved through decades of transitions. It originated from an autocratic employment relationship to the fight for worker rights and finally, to the equal rights and freedom of workers. However the rights of workers were always regulated by the idiosyncrasies and oppression of the political fabric of this country. One of the greatest contributing factors that enhanced worker confidence is the introduction of the previous Interim Constitution and the now, Final Constitution, which provided for equality for all South African citizens. All such laws have impacted intensely on the South African labour framework. Currently, we exist in a country where there are laws that ensure worker protection. On the face of it, the labour laws are clearly democratic. However, in practice, there exist many gaps in the law. This study is primarily based on identifying the areas of the labour laws where such laws do not adequately cater for the South African population and its diversities, and where it is not consistent with the International Labour standards. Major emphasis will be placed on the application of the law and the intention behind the drafters of such legislation. One area of focus is the application of the law to the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa. HIV/AIDS is seen as an epidemic that is adversely penetrating the workforce and a company's productivity. The disease itself is growing at an enormous pace and already, a small percentage of the population is affected by it. The disease inevitably leads to a drop in a company's output through the increase in employee absenteeism and deaths, and it also obligates employers to re-arrange their staff or hire new staff. Companies have been forced to change their policies and to create awareness in the workplace to adequately cater for workers who suffer from this epidemic. The laws itself have not made sufficient provision for applying itself to the growth in the percentage of AIDS employees. With a large percentage of the workforce having the disease, there has not been sufficient protection of such persons and their families. There are three stages in the HIV/AIDS cycle and the last stage weakens employees to the extent that they are unable to work. And with medical costs being as high as it is today, it won't be long before such employees lack the financial means to survive. Hence there is little protection to workers after contracting the AIDS virus. This is merely one of the areas of the HIV/AIDS crisis that requires review of the current labour laws. The labour laws are new to providing protection to workers. Inevitably, it is the responsibility of workers to protect themselves, either through saving on their own or entering into endowment or similar policies. However, with the instability in our current economic climate, it is difficult for employees to invest or to save. Employment Equity has been another area that requires development within the South African labour framework. Such equity is based on rectifying the political ravages of the past, where previously disadvantaged persons were prejudiced in various areas of the employment arena. Affirmative Action has been one area of change that many companies and corporations were forced to deal with. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has always attempted to diversify its laws to cater for the diversities of the world population. South Africa adopted many of its laws, specifically with regards to the HIV/AIDS crisis. However, considering that the labour laws are seen as a rapidly-changing area in the world economy, such areas are making it difficult for the current laws to be consistent with such changes. Emphasis is now placed on the application of the laws to such changes. This study is a very much theoretical to the extent that it identifies the areas of applicable law and the areas that require improvement or change in order to satisfy the "democracy" in a democratic country. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The first two official AIDS cases were diagnosed in South Africa in 1982. During the same period of the 1980s, the black/African population was experiencing an accelerated fertility decline, following a period of accelerated mortality decline. Demographers invoked the demographic transition theory to explain the observed mortality and fertility decline. According to the demographic transition theory, mortality and fertility rates would continue declining to low, post transitional levels with increasing modernization. The relatively higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS estimated among black/African South Africans is expected to alter their demographic transition. This research investigated the impact of HIV/AIDS on the demographic transition of black/Africans by 2021.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to measure the level of HIV and Aids knowledge, attitudes and safer sex practices among student men who have sex with men (MSM) at a higher education institution in the Western Cape. The study served to recommend guidelines for effective and enhanced targeted intervention response for MSM student community. A total of 36 MSM students aged between 19 and 36 (of which most were South African, black and Xhosa speaking) were recruited to take part in the study. Selection was done via snowball sampling. Respondents completed questionnaires upon consenting to participate in the study. The study found moderately high levels of basic HIV knowledge among the sampled MSM population. There were, however, lower levels of knowledge reported regarding the associated risk and effective prevention strategies of anal sex when compared to similar information about vaginal sex and oral sex. Findings also show that participants had very positive attitudes towards HIV testing, condom use and a non-discriminating environment. Respondents lacked confidence in both management and student leadership with regards to their responsibility in mitigating homophobia/discrimination against MSM student population. Furthermore, a high number of respondents reported having sex with men and women as well as multiple sexual partnerships. Self-reported alcohol and drug use were found to be very low, with the majority of participants indicating non-use. Participants stated little challenges accessing health care services. However, respondents felt MSM specific information about health care related rights and needs were lacking. Recommendations from this study include current HIV and Aids policy reform, mainstreaming MSM-friendly health care services, introducing combination HIV prevention programmes such as Mpowerment and addressing the human rights needs of MSM. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die vlakke van MIV en Vigs kennis, houdings en veilige seksuele praktyke onder manlike studente wat seks het met mans (MSM) by 'n hoër onderwys instansie in die Wes-Kaap te meet. Die studie het gepoog om riglyne daar te stel vir die bewerkstelling van effektiewe en verbeterde geteikende intervensies vir die MSM studente gemeenskap. Daar was 36 MSM studente tussen die ouderdomme van 19 en 36 (meestal Suid-Afrikaans, swart en Xhosa-sprekend) gewerf vir die studie. Seleksie is gedoen deur middel van die sneeubal steekproef-metode. Deelnemers het 'n vraelys voltooi nadat hulle ingewillig het om deel te neem aan die studie. Deelnemers het matig tot hoë vlakke van basiese MIV en Vigs kennis getoon. Daar was egter laer vlakke van kennis oor gepaardgaande risiko’s en effektiewe voorkoming strategieë ten opsigte van anale seks in vergelyking met dieselfde informasie oor vaginale en orale seks. Die studie het verder bevind dat deelnemers baie positiewe houdings gehad het teenoor MIV-toetsing, die gebruik van kondome en 'n nie-diskriminerende omgewing. Verder het hulle min vertroue getoon in beide die bestuur en studente leierskap se vermoë om sake wat verband hou met homofobie en/of diskriminasie teen die MSM studente bevolking, effektief te hanteer. Daar is gevind dat baie respondente seks het met mans en vroue en ook verskeie seksuele maats het. Self-gerapporteerde alkohol- en dwelmgebruik was relatief laag onder respondente met die meerderheid wat aangedui het hulle glad nie alkohol of dwelms gebruik nie. Deelnemers het ook rapporteer dat gesondheidsdienste vir hulle maklik toeganklik is. Respondente het ook gevoel dat MSM spesifieke informasie oor gesondheidsverwante regte en behoeftes tans ontbreek. Aanbevelings wat voortspruit uit hierdie studie sluit in die hersien van die huidige MIV en Vigs beleid, die skepping van MSM-vriendelike dienste, die implementering van MIV-voorkomingsprogramme soos Mpowerment en die bevordering van menseregte wat verband hou met MSM.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study investigated implementation of HIV/AIDS policy by senior management in Youngsfield military base. Some of the aspects evaluated included training concerning HIV, campaigns, allocation of budget to manage HIV and knowledge of policy by management. Self-administered questionnaires were used as a method of collecting data. The respondents included in the study ages ranged between 25-59 years. The majority of the respondents did not have any problem in completing questionnaires. Results revealed that involvement of headquarters in allocating funds to acquire training aids, distribution of pamphlets and other information educating personnel insufficient, poor implementation of workplace HIV/AIDS policy by management on all levels, lack of programs dealing with HIV/AIDS and lack of HIV/AIDS policy knowledge by management to lesser extent. Recommendations of this study includes aspects dealing with HIV/AIDS workplace programs, importance of occupational health and safety, addressing stigma and discrimination, absenteeism, HIV/AIDS training and most importantly campaigns throughout the year. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die implementering van die beleidsdokument wat handel oor MIV/Vigs in die werksplek deur die senior bestuur in Youngsfield militere basis te ondersoek. Van die aspekte wat die navorser ondersoek het is MIV/Vigs bewusmakingveldtogte, beskikbaarheid van fondse en kennis van die Suid Afrikaanse Nationale Weermag beleidsdocument wat handel oor MIV/Vigs in die werksplek. Studievraelyste is aan respondente uitgedeel. Respondente wat aan die studie deelgeneem het se ouderdome wissel tussen 25 en 59 jaar. Die grootste getal deelnemers het geen beswaar aangeteken om die vraelyste te voltooi nie. Die grootste getal van respondente het aangedui dat die fondse wat beskikbaar gestel word onvoldoende is om die boodskap oor die gevare van MIV/Vigs te versprei. Daar is verder bevind dat belangrike aspekte soos biljette, pamflette, video opnames en getikte material nie versprei kan as gevolg van tekort aan fondse. MIV/Vigs beleid is beskikbaar in militere basisse van die Suid Afrikaanse Nationale Weermag. Die enigste tekort is die implementering daarvan. Die aanbevelings wat bevind is deur die studie sluit in MIV/Vigs programme in die werkplek, die aanspreek van stigma en diskriminasie, afwesigheid weens kroniese siektes wat MIV/Vigs insluit en hantering van ongevalle in die werkplek.

Recognizing that a parent is a key role player in fighting HIV/AIDS, the researcher conducted a study to examine and describe the knowledge parents have of this disease and its virus. The study was conducted among a sample of 100 parents/guardians, using a questionnaire to examine the respondents' conceptual, episodic, descriptive, procedural and declarative knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The study found that the respondents lacked especially conceptual and declarative knowledge and that the main factor contributing to knowledge is the level of education. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The ongoing urgency of addressing AIDS in South Africa has kept academics and activists focussed primarily on the immediate crises of AIDS ‘in the present’. This thesis, covering the period 1980 – 1995, examines narratives about, and responses to, AIDS ‘in the past’ and explores the interplay between these narratives and elites in medical and political communities trying to address AIDS during a period of political transition. The thesis begins by examining the hegemonic medico-scientific narratives about AIDS that featured in the South African Medical Journal, an important site of enquiry as AIDS was primarily conceived of as a ‘medical issue’. The SAMJ narratives, which often relied on constructed ‘AIDS avatars’, framed understandings of the syndrome and influenced responses to it by medical and political communities. The first community that the thesis explores is the African National Congress (ANC) in exile, which had to address AIDS in exile communities and prepare health strategies for ‘the new South Africa’. Secondly, the thesis analyses government responses to AIDS and argues that four phases of response can be identified. These phases were characterised by minimum concerns about obtaining information and providing health advice; efforts to gather infection data while exploiting political and public fear; attempts to extend health education and (belatedly) encourage broader engagement; and finally, consultative, democratic ideals. The thesis then examines the National Medical and Dental Association (NAMDA) a progressive medical organisation that worked with the ANC on influential health (and AIDS) strategies. NAMDA members ‘crossed over’ between various medical and political communities and both reinforced and challenged hegemonic AIDS narratives. Finally, the thesis moves from the abstract, via the practical, to the personal and concludes with a detailed account of the experiences of two sexuality activists at the intersections of these communities and narratives. By focussing on these medical and political communities, and analysing the relationships between these communities, the existing AIDS narratives, and individuals, the thesis also reveals the constructions of morality, ‘race’, gender, and sexuality that infused them. In doing this it shows how polemic and politics combined to influence practical responses to, and personal experiences of, AIDS.

South Africa is burdened with tuberculosis (TB) which is aggravated by the concurrent epidemic of HIV as well as the emergence of drug resistance. In most developed countries molecular techniques have been used to look at the dynamics of the TB epidemic however, despite the prevalence that is high in sub-Saharan Africa, there is little data on strain types that are available in Port Elizabeth. This study aims to find the major clades of M. tuberculosis that are circulating in Port Elizabeth. Two hundred MDR-TB DNA samples were obtained from the National Health Laboratory Services TB laboratory in Port Elizabeth. Spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR were used to genotype the strains. Two hundred strains were sent to the University of Stellenbosch for spoligotyping and 179 of those were typed. Spoligotype defined families were further typed by MIRU-VNTR typing, so as to further differentiate and assess clonal diversity within the spoligotype families. The Beijing family was the dominant family and the MANU family being the least dominant, with percentages of 71 percent and 0.5 percent respectively. A comparison of spoligotyping results with the international spoligotyping database (SITVIT2) showed a total of 15 shared international types. Forty four percent (44 percent) of the isolates that were typed by MIRU-VNTR showed similarities, suggesting epidemiological relatedness. Thirty eight percent of isolates from spoligotyping were from the same family, the Beijing family, with the same shared international type STI1, but when typed by 12 MIRU-VNTR they showed no epidemiological relatedness and 18 percent of the isolates showed no relatedness when typed by 12 MIRU-VNTR but spoligotyping showed that they were from the LAM family. Results from our study illustrate the effectiveness of MIRU-VNTR typing together with spoligotyping in epidemiological studies in the region of Port Elizabeth.

The scourge of HIV and AIDS can no longer be underestimated. Its devastating effects have been translated into immeasurable monetary and human costs. Women and children, particularly among the rural communities, have borne most of the brunt accruing from the devastating socio-economic consequences of the disease. PURPOSE This study is intended to highlight the plight of rural communities who are constantly besieged by the demand and supply disequilibrium in the provision of primary health care and preventive interventions. OBJECTIVES To describe, compare and analyse HIV / AIDS health care services provided by fixed and mobile clinics in the Madibeng Sub-District of the North West Province. POPULATION The sampled participants were selected from a universal population among pregnant women. SAMPLING A sample of 100 pregnant women from the fixed and mobile clinics participated in answering the questionnaires during their antenatal care visits. RESEARCH SETTING The Madibeng Sub-District in the North West Province been selected as a suitable research site, as it met most of the selection criteria developed by the researcher's judgement sampling. RESEARCH DESIGN The data recorded on the questionnaires by the participants was used to compare and analyse the pregnant women's feelings about HIV / AIDS services of fixed and mobile clinics. Group discussions were also held prior self completion of questionnaires. Questionnaires were administered by the researcher and the two health promoters. FINDINGS It was found that participants in both mobile and fixed clinic have attended HIV / AIDS health care services. Fixed clinic and mobile clinic are respectively viewed as offering better health care services to pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS The research results from this study indicate that HIV / AIDS services provided at both the fixed clinic and mobile service points, including antenatal or prenatal care, are almost similar. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended for improving HIV / AIDS health care services that health care providers at Jericho mobile clinic and Jericho fixed clinic intervene by slowing the progression of HIV infection because it has a negative impact on the lives of women. The Jericho clinic and mobile clinic staff should be encouraged to adopt the perspective that HIV / AIDS is not a death sentence, but a preventable disease, not withstanding its deadly consequences on families and communities. The staff at these clinics is also to be motivated to adopt co-operative health care and psycho-social strategies, in which team work and the involvement and participation of all relevant stakeholders is viewed as an integral part of the struggle against HIV / AIDS and its devastating spread. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study explores the multiple ways in which Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) functioned through concrete biomedical institutions, namely, the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the World Health Organization (WHO). AIDS is viewed as a product of the full range of institutional practices in which it became embedded and in which it was set within the boundaries of Louis Pasteur's germ theory of disease (see the Preface section). This biomedical model of disease was materialized through journalistic practices and sold as news. Within these operative terms can be understood another analytical strategy that also designates the main domain of my study of this contemporary social form: I argue in this thesis that knowledge about AIDS was by no means dependent solely on the objective, scientifically determined, "received narrative" of biomedicine; what is today known as AIDS is also a product of a wide range of social practices produced and reproduced over time and space. AIDS is also an outcome of the resolutions, judgements and decisions that working journalists made over time in terms of what they generated or covered as news; the disease is also product of a large assortment of representational mirrors that I call `authentic voices', to take as good examples, the "narrative of moral protest", the narrative of a "homosexual disease", the narrative of a "heterosexual disease," and the narrative of a "modern-day Black Death" (plague). The story of AIDS in the media can also be seen to be defined by the proliferation of these authentic voices. From this reading, the distinctive trait of AIDS in the media lies in the fact that it is a constructed object, a disease framed through a specific structure of meanings. When we look at these structure of meanings we find that their moral and cultural assumptions and stereotypical connotations embody certain aspects of the organism of the society within which they were created and nourished over a much longer history. / Sociology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)