Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Background: The introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has shown a tremendous reduction in HIV-related mortality and morbidity in people living with HIV / AIDS. Adherence to ART is the key to a successful treatment outcome. This study investigates the adherence of people living with HIV who are on ART. Since high levels of adherence of more than 95% are required to achieve effective suppression of the viral load, the researcher finds it very important to establish whether the people are pursuing what is expected of them. While the use of ART has brought much excitement and hope to both patients and medical practitioners in the world, it has also brought many new questions and challenges, including adherence issues. Adherence is, therefore, essential to achieve the success of ART. Aim: The main objective was to determine which factors influence adherence to ART among HIV and AIDS patients. Methods: This study utilised a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design that was conducted at the Kwa-Thema Clinic, Ekurhuleni District, Gauteng Province. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions where a total of 290 respondents were interviewed. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 22 and the analysed data was presented by means of charts, graphs, and frequency tables. Results: The findings indicated that the adherence to ART at the Kwa-Thema Clinic was 77%. Factors that were significantly associated with adherence were gender ((χ2 = 3.78, df = 1, p < 0.05).), level of education ((χ2 = 3.52, df = 3, p = 0.032), co-treatment of HIV and other infections (χ2 = 5.46, df = 4, p = 0.019).), ability to follow ART ((χ2 = 12.82, df = 1, p = 0.000 < 0.05), and types of ARV drugs. Recommendation: To enhance ART adherence the study recommends intensification of health education campaign against stigma and gender discrimination. Providing feedback to the patients by the healthcare providers regarding the benefits of ART is important. ix Conclusion: It was concluded that the adherence to ART at the Kwa-Thema Clinic was sub-optimal (less than 95%) at 77% but comparable to the adherence levels in other developing countries.

International aid organizations and wealthy nations have contributed billions to combat the spread and treatment of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa; however, these programs have been critiqued for not addressing the socioeconomic and cultural context of the epidemic, instead relying upon generalized approaches. The prevalence rate in Zanzibar, Tanzania is low in the general population, but high among vulnerable segments of Zanzibari society, resulting in interventions focusing on particular groups (e.g. sex workers, drug users, and men who have sex with men). Through interviews with government agencies, non-profit organizations, medical professionals, vulnerable populations, and HIV/AIDS patients, this paper examines how local realities inform and challenge HIV/AIDS programming in Zanzibar.

The purpose of this research was to highlight the benefits of a Memory Box Programme on the social and emotional developmental functioning of orphaned children. The study focused on the memory box approach used by Sinomlando Centre with orphaned children. The Sinomlando Memory Box Programme has been in existence since 2000. The overall objective of this Memory Box Programme is to enhance resilience in vulnerable children and orphans affected by HIV and AIDS through the methodology of memory boxes In contributing to the discourse on memory work, an interpretive method of data collection and analysis in the form of a focus group discussion and thematic analysis was utilized in this study. Three focus groups were conducted with 26 orphaned children between the ages of 12 years to 15 years. Sampling of the children was based on a purposive sample, targeting children orphaned by AIDS who attended a 5-day camp conducted through a local NGO. The results of the study indicate that children who attended the Sinomlando Memory Box Programme had benefited from their involvement in the programme in diverse ways. They felt that being involved in a Memory Box Programme equipped them with better coping mechanisms and skills. These included the appropriate expression of feelings, the ability to talk about their parent’s death, and overcoming their sense of alienation so they could better cope with their difficult circumstances. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Child Welfare organisations in South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal, are being faced with various challenges. Since 1994, after the first democratic elections in South Africa, a major shift toward the developmental welfare approach was advocated in the White Paper for Social Welfare (Department of Welfare, 1997), in the provision of welfare services and programmes. The South African AIDS epidemic shows no signs of halting. At present, South Africa has the largest number of individuals living with the virus in a single country, with an estimated 5.3 million infections (UNAIDS, 2005). KwaZulu-Natal is ranked fourth. South Africa is facing an unprecedented AIDS crisis. The increasing numbers of HIV infected adults and children are having a devastating impact on child welfare organisations. Child Welfare organisations were already under-resourced, overstretched and overburdened, even before the AIDS epidemic emerged. The consequences of apartheid, especially in terms of mass poverty and HIV/AIDS add a further problem on an already divided and somewhat 'abnormal' society. In addition, the shift from the welfarist tradition of social work practice to the developmental paradigm has serious implications on the functioning of child welfare organisations, which are unable to cope with the existing caseloads. Hence there is a need to address the challenges and for specialised services in the arena of HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the responses of child welfare organisations in KwaZulu-Natal to the challenges of HIV/AIDS. The ecosystems perspective provided the theoretical framework within which the study was conducted. This perspective guided the selection of the study samples and the analysis of data. The study adopted a descriptive design, and the triangulated research paradigm incorporating both the quantitative and qualitative methods, as this was the most appropriate approach for the study's focus, objectives and research questions. By combining these two methods, a general overall audit was achieved in addition to obtaining rich, in-depth information. Fifty-five child welfare organisations in KwaZulu-Natal constituted the main sample for the quantitative study. Personal in-depth interviews were conducted with 5 senior social work personnel from the child welfare organisations. There were conclusive findings in this study that indicated that overall, child welfare organisations in the KwaZulu-Natal region are making concerted efforts to respond to the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the broad areas of policy implementation and modification, specific programmes for children, special facilities for children affected by HIV/AIDS, awareness and prevention programmes and community projects. However difficulties in these areas were also experienced in the specific areas of providing adequate care, support and counselling with regard to children and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, staff inadequacy and training and facilities for pre and post test counselling. Some of the factors that have been responsible for impeding the overall success can be attributed to: high staff turnover, high caseloads, burnout and stress, lack of adequate resources, inadequate funding, lack of government support, poverty and inefficiency in the social security system. Recommendations for further research and for policy and practice are detailed. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

<p>This study aimed to explore the gender imbalances that exist in access to education and participation in schooling of the female orphans and vulnerable children, and also how this relates to the continuing feminisation of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Zambia. The study was based on the premise that the girl child is disadvantaged in this area, and the HIV and AIDS pandemic in worsening the situation for female orphans and vulnerable children.</p>

The study was aimed at investigating the effectiveness of social support mechanisms provided to HIV and AIDS orphans in Tembisa, Gauteng Province. An interview guide was designed and it guided the in-depth interviews with HIV and AIDS affected and infected orphans. In addition, a focus group was run with the social workers and the children‟s caregivers. Empirical findings gathered were based on the qualitative information from the participants. The findings indicated that social support systems were effective although there were various challenges facing their smooth running. Firstly social support provided to orphans is mainly provided by caregivers, social workers, schools and the government. Secondly for some, the support is not entirely enough to help them cope with life. The minority of the orphans indicated that they were not even aware that they were orphaned. The study therefore recommends that social workers and caregivers be trained on how to be effective social support systems for HIV and AIDS orphans. Furthermore psycho-social support groups need to be more informational and inclusive of HIV and AIDS orphans.

No description available.

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.

Research has identified the important role that effective parent-adolescent communication about sex and relationships signifies in reducing the chances of adolescents engaging in risky sexual behaviour. However, many parents find it difficult to discuss issues related to HIV prevention at family level because HIV prevention is inherently linked to sex, which is still regarded as a taboo in some countries, including the country of the study, Swaziland. In addition to cultural barriers related to effective parent-adolescent communication, parents seem to lack the knowledge, approach as well as the confidence regarding communication about sex and relationships. The purpose of the study was to use appreciative inquiry (AI) to engage parents of adolescents in the design of interventions to prevent HIV among adolescents in Swaziland. Non-probability, purposive sampling was used to select parents of adolescent children (10-19 years) attending school at the two purposively selected high schools in Manzini. Twenty-four (24), 23 female and 1 male parents took part in AI. Participatory action research was conducted to involve participants actively in the process of initiating interventions for preventing HIV among adolescents. The process was guided by appreciative inquiry. Data was collected by means of appreciative interviews, comprising paired and focus group interviews according to different phases of the 4-D cycle of AI. Thematic analysis of data was done throughout the 4-D cycle of AI. The themes that emerged from appreciative stories of exceptional experiences shared during the discovery phase were perceived gains and open communication. The findings of the dream phase included expressed wishes for open parent-adolescent sexual health communication, support for parents and a community of HIV free adolescents. In the design phase, parents constructed and initiated interventions for effective parent-adolescent sexual health communication and parental comfort with communication about sex. In the destiny phase, parents made statements, which were based on what they committed to do to prevent HIV among adolescents. / Lucwaningo lukhombisa bumcoka bekukhumisana kahle kwemtali nemtfwana loyinsha ngetindzaba tebundlelwane bebantfu labatsandzanako netekulalana kuze kutsi kunciphe kutsi intsha ingabi sengotini yekutfola ligciwane HIV. Kodvwa kubatali labanyenti kulukhuni kukhulumisana nentsha ngetindzaba tekutivikela kuHIV emakhaya ngoba kukhuluma ngalendzaba kufaka ekhatsi tekulalana lokuselichilo kukhuluma ngako emaveni lamanyeti lokufaka ekhatsi leSwatini lapho kwetiwa khona lolucwaningo. Lokunye lokuvimbela kutsi batali bangakhulumi ngalendzaba ngaphandle kwekutsi kulichilo, kutsi batali baswele lwati nekutsi abati kutsi bangayingena njani intsha, kanye nekutsi abatetsembi kutsi bangakhona kukhuluma ngebudlelwane bebantfu labatsandanako kanye nekulalana. Injongo yalolucwaningo bekukusebentisa indlela yekubuketa lokuhle kubatali labakwentako mayelana nekukhulumisana nentsha kuze kutsi bakhe tindlela letingito tokutivikela intsha kuHIV Eswatini. Indlela labakhetfwe ngayo batali labangene lolucwaningo bakhetfwe ngokutsi banebantfwana bentsha labaneminyaka lelishumi kuya kulabo labanelishumi nemfica labafundza etikolweni letimbili letiphakeme letikhetsiwe kaManzini. Babangemashumi lamabili nesine batali labatfolakala kungenela lolucwaningo. Batali babamdzibi munye nebacwaningi kuloluhlelo lokuhlela tindlela tekuvikela iHIV kubantfwana labayintsha. Kwakusetjentiswa tindlela letibuka lokuhle lokwetiwe batali. Imibuto beyihlose kubuta ngalokuhle kodvwa. Imivo yebatali yatfolakala nekutsi bacale babutana bodvwana besebakhulunyiswa baticagogwana ngekwehlukana kwaletigaba letine talolucwaningo. Kuhlanganisa kwemivo kwentiwa ngekutsi kubuketwe tingcikitsi kutotonkhe tigaba talolucwaningo. Tingcikitsi letaphuma kuletingcoco esigabeni sekucala lapho bebakhuluma ngetikhatsi letinhle letabayimphumelelo lapho bebakhumisana nentsha ngekulalana nangeHIV, batsi bevakunemphumelelo nekubhobokelana ekhatsi kwebatali nebantfwana. Ngalesikhatsi sesigaba sekubeka emaphupho abo basho batsi bafisa kube nekubhobokelana phakatsi kwebatali nentsha mayelana nekulhulumisana ngekulalana. Lokunye labakufisile kutsi basekelwe basitwe ngekutsi intsha ikhulunyiswa njani. Ngesikhatsi sesigaba sesitsatfu sekubuketwa kutsi kungentiwani kutsi batali nebantfwana bakhulumisana ngetindzaba tekutsandzana kanye nekulalana batali babhala imivo labo. Ngemuva kwaloko benta tivumelwano tekutsi batakwentanjani uma sebabuyela emakhaya kuze bakhone kuvikela bantfwana bentsha kuHIV. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)