Newly qualified educators in Botswana face many challenges not least of which occurs when they are posted to rural schools a distance from other teachers and information resources. The Government of Botswana has committed itself to enhancing the ICT infrastructure for use in both the economic and educational endeavours of the country. Research conducted in first world countries show that Communities of Practice can take place in a virtual environment and that these can facilitate knowledge sharing and management. This research was conducted to investigate if a Virtual Community of Practice (VCoP), guided by the educational theories of Constructivism and Connectivism, could facilitate information and knowledge sharing among art teachers in dispersed location in the Botswana context. Using Reeves and Hedberg’s (2003) Development Research model, 13 art teachers, who were located in different parts of the country, participated in knowledge sharing through a Virtual Community of Practice. This study analysed the specific needs of art educators, interrogated the literature for best practices, formed a VCoP, and analysed how participants used it and reports on their comments The research findings indicate that educators would be enthusiastic about the use of such a facility if there was a perceivable benefit especially in breaking down the geographical induced communication barriers that they face at the moment. The research does not propose the replacement of existing face-to-face workshops, meetings and other communication fora, but rather suggests a VCoP can complement them by allowing discussions to continue beyond such meetings. It is contended that a carefully structured and supported VCoP can improve information and knowledge sharing significantly among educators and other stakeholders in Botswana. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The purpose of this study was to determine factors affecting non-adherence to Anti-retroviral therapy among AIDS patients. A cross sectional quantitative survey, was used. Structured interviews were conducted with 300 ART patients. Data were analysed using SPSS version 13 and presented in charts, graphs and frequency tables. Motivators of good adherence were identified as disclosure of HIV positive status to more than one person, frequent adherence counselling, self-efficacy to adhere to ART, positive interactions between patients and healthcare providers; and using an adherence partner. Barriers to adherence were forgetfulness, transportation costs to and from the clinic, time away from work and side effects. There was a strong positive correlation between adherence, CD4 counts and viral load. Adherence was closely tied to immunologic and virologic improvements. Respondents with poor adherence were likely to have unsuppressed viral loads (OR 12.98, 95%, CI 4.9-34). / Health Studies / Masters of Public Health

The purpose of this study was to determine factors affecting non-adherence to Anti-retroviral therapy among AIDS patients. A cross sectional quantitative survey, was used. Structured interviews were conducted with 300 ART patients. Data were analysed using SPSS version 13 and presented in charts, graphs and frequency tables. Motivators of good adherence were identified as disclosure of HIV positive status to more than one person, frequent adherence counselling, self-efficacy to adhere to ART, positive interactions between patients and healthcare providers; and using an adherence partner. Barriers to adherence were forgetfulness, transportation costs to and from the clinic, time away from work and side effects. There was a strong positive correlation between adherence, CD4 counts and viral load. Adherence was closely tied to immunologic and virologic improvements. Respondents with poor adherence were likely to have unsuppressed viral loads (OR 12.98, 95%, CI 4.9-34). / Health Studies / Masters of Public Health