MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / Background: An estimated 70% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa out of 25 million are living with HIV. HIV is a debilitating disease, however, antiretroviral treatment helps promote effective viral suppression, reduces the risk of transmission and prevents death (WHO, 2013). To ensure positive treatment outcomes, high levels of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) adherence, 95%, is necessary, however, research indicates that 23% of Africans are achieving less than 80% adherence, potentially impacting negatively on prognosis. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine adherence, explore perceptions and behaviour of patients on Antiretroviral Therapy attending Thohoyandou Health Centre, in Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa. Methodology: This was a mixed method which employed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. In quantitative, triangulation was utilised through a questionnaire and patients’ file, simple random sampling was used to select 105 male and female patients aged 18-60 who are on ART at Thohoyandou Health Centre; data were collected and SPSSversion 25 was used to analyse the data through descriptive, cross tabulation and inferential statistics using Chi-square.Qualitative phase – phenomelogical research design was utilised, twenty participants were purposively sampled and individually interviewed, ATLAS. ti program was used to analyse the data collected. Results: 67% of respondents were females, 34% of the respondents’ age range was 50-60 years, 44.8% were single, 48.6% had tertiary education and 69.5% were unemployed. The self-report of ART adherence of 87.6% among patients was indicated, with 19.6% who reported defaulting ART, 14.3% admitted to missing medical appointments. The reasons for missing medical appointments were: forgetfulness, not a convenient time, patient feeling better, transportation challenges and being too sick to attend. The objective evaluation of patients’ CD4 count at baseline revealed that 40.9% of patients had a CD4 count of <200c/mm3, out of 40.9% respondents (15.2%) were those aged between 41-50 years, 31.4% of respondents did not know their CD4 count for various reasons (defaulted on treatment, missed appointments). CD4 count follow-up data after six months revealed that 33% of patients had a CD4 count <200c/mm3 and 39% accounted for unknown CD4 count. vi Three themes emerged from the data, namely: Knowledge of HIV were respondents presented a negaitive and positive perception of ths diagnosis; barriers to ART adherence where sub-themes included discrimination, strigma, rejection, inadequate knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment, side effects; coping strategies where acceptance, religion and social support serve as corner stones for patients. Association was examined and findings did not reveal any significant association between gender, marital status, education, occupation; however, age was significantly associated with non-adherence to ART with X2 = 3.69, df = 1, p = < .002. Recommendations: The study recommends intensification of health education campaign against stigma, discrimination, rejection and other barriers to enhance positive attitude towards HIV patients that wil consequently stimulate adherence and alleviate the burden associated with taking treatment unswervingly. Given the high percentage of infected older respondents, government must also focus its resources to educate illiterate and older people about HIV, adherence and management in order to achieve the golden standardrate of 95% adherence. Strategies to facilitate and normalise adherence among males is indicated. / NRF

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / Background: Given that there is 57.7 million HIV-diagnosed people living in South Africa and the government has established the largest public antiretroviral programme in the whole world but only 53% are adhering. Adherence remains a challenge, due to presence of mental health issues among HIV diagnosed. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate adherence to antiretroviral therapy and mental health of HIV-diagnosed patients in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. Methods: This was a mixed method study using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches. In the quantitative approach, triangulation was utilised in the form of a questionnaire and patients records. Simple random sampling was used to select 134, descriptive analysis using SPSS version 25. For the qualitative approach, a phenomenological research designs was considered and convenience sampling was used to select fifteen participants (15). Data was collected using semi-structured interview; responses were analysed using a computer-aided program called, ATLAS ti. Results: The self-report of adherence was 94.8 %, objectively 39.6% of CD4 count <200c/mm3 at baseline and 34.3% CD4 count after six months was found. 16.5% of females and 2% of males defaulted treatment and 14.9% of missed medical appointments 1-6 times. This study also revealed the mental health issues that HIV-diagnosed patients are struggling with after the diagnosis include the stages of grief, stress, depression, anxiety, mistrust, shame, stigma and discrimination. Recommendation: Effective strategies need to be enhanced and tailor made in effort to encourage patients to take ART diligently. The healthcare providers, community members and the government should be made aware of mental health issues. / NRF

This ethnographic study explored and described practices and beliefs that may have an impact on the management of HIV and AIDS among Tsonga people in Bushbuckridge. Data was collected through face to face in-depth individual interviews with 19 key informants who are highly knowledgeable about the Tsonga culture. The researcher used ethnographic content analysis to analyse data. Findings indicated that language, rituals, beliefs related to the origin of diseases, traditional healers, and tattoos are among Tsonga cultural practices and beliefs that have an impact on management of HIV and AIDS. Some of the practices increase the risk of HIV infection while some assist in the reduction of the risk of HIV infection. Based on the findings of the study and literature, the researcher managed to develop a contextual, cultural approach model for HIV and AIDS management for Tsonga people in Bushbuckridge. The model development was guided by Leininger theory of culture, care, diversity, and universality. To organise the model, the researcher used CIPO model to guide the elements of the cultural approach model. Though the model takes into consideration global and national context, the main focus was the local context in particular Bushbuckridge. The success of this model is dependent on the availability of knowledgeable healthcare practitioners, relevant resources and engaged community structure. The process of the model includes Cultural Care Preservation, Cultural care Accommodation, and Cultural care Re-patterning. The expected output of the model is modification of HIV risky cultural practices, improved health-seeking behaviour, reduction of new HIV infections and reduction of HIV and AIDS-related deaths. Based on the study outcomes, the researcher makes several recommendations in relation to implementation of the model, Nursing Practice and Education, and further research. The study has contributed to the body of knowledge in relation to cultural practices and management of HIV and AIDS. The model can be utilised to enhance nursing education and practice and further research. / Health Studies / Ph. D. (Health Studies)

Summaries in English and Shona / Introduction Despite wide spread information and knowledge of HIV and AIDS transmission, High school teenage girls continued to engage in risky sexual behaviour in Tshwane, a District of Gauteng Province of South Africa. Age-parity relationships between High school teenage girls and older men known as “Sugar Daddies” or “Blessers”, who showered High school teenage girls with money and expensive gifts, were believed to be spreading HIV. High school teenage girls failed to negotiate condom use due to lack of autonomy, coupled with sexual violence, resulting in HIV transmission. Consequently, Tshwane became one of the highest HIV burdened cities in South Africa. Purpose of the study This study explored and described the High school teenage girls’ knowledge and perceptions of the risks of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Tshwane, a District of Gauteng Province of South Africa. Method The study used a quantitative approach. The data were collected using questionnaires. The population comprised of all girls aged 15 to 19 at a selected High school. The sample consisted of 109 girls. Systematic sampling was used. The study was conducted in the school hall of a selected High school. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 program. Results Generally, the High school teenage girls’ HIV knowledge was very high (84.4%) as compared to their knowledge on AIDS (3.7%). Only 10.1% of the High school teenage girls knew what the window period entailed. They were aware of HIV preventive measures evidenced by abstinence ranking first (1) and had the highest score of five (5). 17.4% of the High school teenage girls doubted the usefulness of the condom in combating HIV infection. Health care workers were easily accessible (30.3%). The television was the most available mass media (92%). The radio was most preferred (31%). High school teenage girls preferred to discuss HIV related information with their peers and friends (50%). 42% of the High school teenage girls preferred to discuss sex related topics with parents or guardians. Those who were below 18-years were 7.2 times less likely to have sex. 90% of the 19-year-old girls had had sex. Therefore, High school teenage girls’ perception of HIV risk was low because they continued to be involved in concurrent multiple relationships although 90% of those involved were using condoms. Conclusion Although High school teenage girls proved that they had knowledge of HIV and AIDS, they still had a low perception of HIV risk because they were involved in concurrent multiple sexual relationships with older men. / Habedi, Debbie Kgomotso / Kunyangwe vane ruzivo rwechirwere cheshura matongo, vasikana vane makore ari pakati pegumi nematatu negumi nemapfumbamwe vari kuenderera mberi nekuita unhu unoita kuti vabatwe nechirwere cheshuramatongo (AIDS). Vasikana ava vari kudanana nevarume vakuru kuvadarika vamwe masadzimba zvinoita kuti vatapurirwe utachiona hweHIV zvinoita kuti vasikana vane hutachiona uhwu vawandise muguta reTshwane, mudunhu reGauteng munyika yeSouth Africa. Vanasikana ava vanopuwa mari nekutengerwa mbozhanhre nenguvo zvinodhura nekudya tunonaka. Nekuda kwekuti varume vanesimba rehudzvinyiriri nekuvarwisa, muAfrica, vasikana ava havakwanisi kushandisa makondomu kuzvidzivirira kubva kuhutachiona hweHIV. Ndosaka guta reTshwane raita mukurumbira munyika yeSouth Africa nekuti vanasikana vane hutachiona hweHIV vari kuwandisa. Gwaro iri rinoongorora nekutsanangura ruzivo uye maonero evanasikana huipi hwechirwe cheshuramatongo muguta guru reTShwane, mudunhu reGauteng. Munyika yeSouth Africa. Mafambiro Egwaro Gwaro iri riri kuongorora nekutsanangura ruzivo nemaonerwo anoitwa hutachiona hweHIV nechirwere cheshuramatongo nevasikana vari pakati pemakore gumi nemakore matatu nevanegumi nemakore mapfumbamwe pachikoro chesekonari chakasarudzwa mugutu guru reTshwane, mudunhu reGauteng, munyika yeSouth Africa. Vasikana vaka pindura mibvunzo pamusoro peruzivo rwavaiva narwo uye zvakanyangara zvinoita kuti vabatwe nehutachiona hweHIV. Vasikana zana nevapfumbamwe ndivo vakapindura mibvunzo. Vasikana vakapindura mibvunza yaiva pamapepa muhoro yepachikoro pavo. Zvakabuda Muchidzidzo Zvakaonekwa kuti vasikana vane ruzivo rwechirwere cheshuramatongo asi vane zvimwe zvinhu zvavasinga nzwisisi pamusoro pechirwere ichi zvekuzvidzivirira. Vasikana havakwanisi kupa mutsauko wehutachiona (HIV) nechirwere cheshuramatongo (AIDS). Vanasikana vazhinji vanofunga kuti hutachiona hweHIV hunotapurirwana pakutsvodana uye pakushandisa zvimbuzi. Vasikana vazhinji havakwanisi kutsanangura nguva inogara hutachina hweHIV mumuviri hwusati hwaonekwa kuti hurimo. Vasikana havana chokwadi chekuti makondomu anogona kudzivirira hutachiona hweHIV kuti hwusapinda mumuviri nguva dzebonde. Vadzidzisi vechikoro ndivo vakasarudzwa kuti vane ruzivo rwechirwere cheshuramatongo. Vasikana havafariri kudzidziswa nezve chirwere cheshuramatongo nevabereki vavo. Vanofarira kukurukura nezvechirwere ichi nevanhu vezera ravo. Vasikana vasingagari nevabereki vavo vanoita bonde kudarika vanogara nevabereki vavo uye vanoita bonde nevadiwa vazhinji vamwe vacho varume vakuru madzisaimba. Vasikana vanotaridza kusatya kubatwa nechirwere chishuramatongo nemhaka yehunhu wawo hwakashata hweku danana nevarume vazhinji uye kusashandisa makondomu nguva dzebonde. Mhendero Zvidzidzo zvinopiwa vasikana zvinechekuita nezvepabonde zvinofanira kuongororwa zvipamhidzirwe kuti vasikana vagone kuzvidzivirira kuchirwere cheshuramatongo. Madzimudzangara netelevhizhoni zvino kurudzirwa kudzidzisa mitambo nedzimbo dzinodzidzisa pamusoro pekudzivirira chirwere cheshuramatongo. Vabereki vanofanira kudzidziswawo kuti vagone kudzidzisa vana vavo kuti vagone kuzvidzivirira kuti vasabatwa nechirwere ichi. Vanasikana vanofanirwa kudzidziswa kushandisa makondomu pese pavanoita bonde. Makondomu anofanira kuiswa pachena paano kwanisa kuwonekwa nevasikana. / Health Studies / M.P.H. (Health Studies)

The effects of HIV/AIDS and subsequent opportunistic infections and/or associated conditions on the development of infected children are substantial. Considerable delays and/or disorders in communication development have been noted in the HIV/AIDS infected child, as well as the need for Early Communication Intervention (ECI) services for this population. A dearth of locally relevant data regarding the speech, language and hearing development of HIV/AIDS infected children within the South African context currently exists. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of a group of HIV/AIDS infected children being managed at an outreach clinic of regional hospital in Gauteng. A cross-sectional, retrospective, non-experimental, descriptive, quantitative research design was used in this study. The main objective was achieved by analysing the clinic records of 203 children infected with HIV/AIDS between the ages of 0 – 5 years 11months through the use of a pre-designed checklist. A questionnaire completed by four medical doctors practicing at the HIV/AIDS clinic within the hospital was also used. This allowed for the perceptions and practices of the medical doctors to be described. Results revealed that the majority HIV/AIDS infected children being managed at the outreach clinic were significantly immunocompromised and diagnosed with Stage III or Stage IV HIV/AIDS infection. Furthermore, results indicated the presence of several opportunistic infections and HIV/AIDS associated conditions (such as Tuberculosis, Candidiasis and Encephalopathy). A positive finding was that 76% of the HIV/AIDS infected children (n=153) were receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) at the time of data collection. The most outstanding finding was that very few of the children with HIV/AIDS being managed at the outreach clinic were recorded as having speech, language and/or hearing delays and/or disorders. Similarly, referrals to other professionals as recorded in the children’s hospital records seemed to be limited to Social Workers and Dietitians, with only one child recorded as being referred to a Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist for further management. It was unclear whether more children were in fact referred for additional intervention by other professionals and this was simply not recorded in the children’s records, or whether these referrals were in fact not made. Results from the questionnaires completed by the medical doctors working with the pediatric HIV/AIDS population within the outreach clinic were significant. Findings indicated that the majority of the respondents believed that HIV/AIDS infected infants were more at risk for developmental and communicative delays and/or disorders than the general population, and that this population would likely benefit from Speech-Language Therapy and/or Audiology intervention services. Respondents indicated that medical doctors working with the pediatric HIV/AIDS population were often not adequately informed regarding the effects of HIV/AIDS on communication development and that they would benefit from further training in this regard. The need for further research regarding the characteristics of the pediatric HIV/AIDS population, particularly on a larger sample, was described. This would assist in the development of a guideline for ECI service delivery for children infected with HIV/AIDS. The need for further training of other professionals regarding the effects that HIV/AIDS has on the communication development of the infected child, to assist with necessary referrals and teamwork, was also highlighted. AFRIKAANS : Suid-Afrika is een van die lande ter wêreld, wat die hoogste voorkoms van Menslike Immuniteitsgebrekvirus/ Verworwe Immuniteitsgebreksindroom (MIV/VIGS), toon - met die pediatriese populasie op die voorfront van hierdie epidemie. Die effek wat MIV/VIGS en opeenvolgende opportunistiese infeksies en/of ander geassosieerde toestande op die ontwikkeling van kinders het, is verreikend. Internasionale literatuur beskryf agterstande en/of akwykings in die kommunikasie ontwikkeling van kinders wat met MIV/VIGS geinfekteer is. Die behoefte vir Vroeë Kommunikasie Intervensie (VKI) vir hierdie populasie word ook gemeld. Daar bestaan egter slegs ‘n beperkte hoeveelheid relevante, plaaslike literatuur met betrekking tot die spraak-, taal- en gehoorontwikkeling van kinders met MIV/VIGS binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om die kenmerke van ‘n groep kinders, wat met MIV/VIGS besmet is en by ‘n streekshospitaal in Gauteng behandel word, te beskryf. ‘n Kwantitatiewe, nie-eksperimentele, terugwerkende, dwarsdeurige, beskrywende navorsingsontwerp is gebruik. Die hoofdoelwit was bereik deur die kliniekrekords van kinders wat met MIV/VIGS besmet is, te analiseer deur van ‘n vooraf-ontwerpte merklys gebruik te maak. Data is ook ingesamel deur middel van vraelyste wat deur mediese dokters, wat by MIV/VIGS klinieke binne die hospitale werk, voltooi is. Dit het toegelaat dat die persepsies en praktyke van die mediese dokters ook beskryf kon word. Resultate het getoon dat die meerderheid kinders met MIV/VIGS, wat by klinieke behandel word, se immuunsisteme ernstig onderdruk was en dat hulle met stadium III of stadium IV van MIV/VIGS gediagnoseer was. Die resultate het verder ook die voorkoms van verskeie opportunistiese infeksies en MIV/VIGS geassosieerde toestande aangedui. ‘n Positiewe bevinding was dat 76% van die kinders (n=153), wat met MIV/VIGS geinfekteer was, tydens die proses van data-insameling reeds Hoogsaktiewe Antiretrovirale Terapie (HAART) ontvang het. Die mees uitstaande bevinding was dat slegs ‘n geringe hoeveelheid kinders met MIV/VIGS by die kliniek, as met ‘n agterstand en/of afwyking in spraak, taal en/of gehoor, aangeteken is. Beperkte verwysings na ander professionele persone is ook in die kliniekrekords opgemerk. Verwysings was beperk tot Maatskaplike Werkers en Dieëtkundiges. Daar was slegs een aantekening van ‘n kind wat vir behandeling na ‘n Spraak- en Taalterapeut en Oudioloog verwys is. Dit is egter onduidelik of daar werklik meer verwysings na ander professionele persone gemaak is, maar net nie in die kinders se kliniekrekords aangedui is nie, of dat daar werklik min verwysings na ander professionele dissiplines gemaak is. Bykomend, was die resultate van voltooide vraelyste deur mediese dokters, wat met die pediatriese MIV/VIGS populasie in die kliniek werk, insiggewend. Bevindings dui aan dat die meerderheid proefpersone, wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, van mening is dat kinders wat met MIV/VIGS besmet is wel ‘n hoër risiko toon vir ontwikkelings- en kommunikasie agterstande en/of afwykings in vergeleke met die algemene populasie. Die proefpersone is verder ook van mening dat hierdie populasie wel van spraak- en taalterapie en/of oudiologiese intervensie sal baatvind. Proefpersone het verder aangedui dat mediese dokters, wat met die pediatriese MIV/VIGS populasie werk, nie ten volle ingelig is omtrent die effek van MIV/VIGS op kommunikasie ontwikkeling en dat hulle van verdere opleiding sal baatvind. Die behoefte vir verdere navorsing in die veld van pediatriese MIV/VIGS en kommunikasie ontwikkeling, binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, word in hierdie studie beskryf. Dit sal as riglyn vir VKI dienslewering aan hierdie populasie dien. Daar is ook ‘n groot behoefte vir verdere opleiding van ander mediese professionele persone met betrekking tot pediatriese MIV/VIGS en die effek wat die op die kind se kommunikasie ontwikkeling het. / Dissertation (MCommunication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Vigs is 'n "sluipende moordenaar "_ Dit toon geen respek vir kultuur, status,ouderdom of geslag nie. Vigs veroorsaak 'n onnnatuurlike dood wat vriende en familie bedreig en vervreem, lank na die dood van die vigsslagoffer. Die navorsingsdoel van hierdie studie was om riglyne daar te stel vir die psigoterapeutiese hantering van die vigslyer en sy gesin. Die navorsing het getoon dat 'n stigma en skuldgevoelens rondom die vigslyer en sy gesin ontstaan het, en dat hulle direk verantwoordelik gehou word vir die siekte bloot omdat hulle betrokke is by mekaar. 'n Vraelys wat aspekte (soos dit uit die literatuurstudie geblyk het) inkorporeer, is opgestel en aan die vigslyer en sy gesin gegee om te voltooi. Van die belangrikste elemente wat na vore gekom het, is die vrees vir die onbekende, die stigma verbonde aan die siekte en die pad wat die siekte loop ten opsigte van naiwiteit en valse gerugte ten opsigte van die siekte. 'n Verdere hoofstuk fokus op die literatuur om die hoofaspekte van die probleem vas le stel, en sodoende riglyne vir 'n terapieprogram daar te stel om die vrese te onderskep en die familie te help om die siekte beter te begryp_ Die doel is om die samelewing te laat begryp dat vigs nie 'n kulturele of "klas" siekte is nie, maar dat dit alle lae van die samelewing kan tref. 'n Afdeling is gewy aan 'n wye verskeidenheid terapeutiese tegnieke wat geimplimenteer kan word tydens hulpverlening aan die vigslyer en sy gesinslede. Verder verskaf hierdie studie ook riglyne om ondersteuning en hulp aan die vigslyer en sy gesin te bied, om sodoende hulle selfkonsep te verbeter. / Aids is a "stalking killer''. It has no respect for culture, breeding, age or sex. It is an unnatural death which offends and alienates many friends and family, even after the victim has died. A questionnaire incorporating important aspects of the cause and effect of aids was compiled and given to the aids sufferers and family to complete. From the responses it was clearly evident that the fears of the unknown, the stigma attached to the victim's close associates and family, was a problem, and the route course of incredible naive and false rumours. A chapter of the research focused on literature to establish what was the major aspects of the problem expressed by the media. Guidelines were provided whereby therapy could address and allay these fears to assist the family to better understand the illness and it's effects. This chapter has in mind to provide the Psychologist with guidelines to provide therapy to both the victim and the family in this regard. This study confirms that the survivors are the actual victims. / Educational studies / M.Ed. (Voorligting)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Vigs is 'n "sluipende moordenaar "_ Dit toon geen respek vir kultuur, status,ouderdom of geslag nie. Vigs veroorsaak 'n onnnatuurlike dood wat vriende en familie bedreig en vervreem, lank na die dood van die vigsslagoffer. Die navorsingsdoel van hierdie studie was om riglyne daar te stel vir die psigoterapeutiese hantering van die vigslyer en sy gesin. Die navorsing het getoon dat 'n stigma en skuldgevoelens rondom die vigslyer en sy gesin ontstaan het, en dat hulle direk verantwoordelik gehou word vir die siekte bloot omdat hulle betrokke is by mekaar. 'n Vraelys wat aspekte (soos dit uit die literatuurstudie geblyk het) inkorporeer, is opgestel en aan die vigslyer en sy gesin gegee om te voltooi. Van die belangrikste elemente wat na vore gekom het, is die vrees vir die onbekende, die stigma verbonde aan die siekte en die pad wat die siekte loop ten opsigte van naiwiteit en valse gerugte ten opsigte van die siekte. 'n Verdere hoofstuk fokus op die literatuur om die hoofaspekte van die probleem vas le stel, en sodoende riglyne vir 'n terapieprogram daar te stel om die vrese te onderskep en die familie te help om die siekte beter te begryp_ Die doel is om die samelewing te laat begryp dat vigs nie 'n kulturele of "klas" siekte is nie, maar dat dit alle lae van die samelewing kan tref. 'n Afdeling is gewy aan 'n wye verskeidenheid terapeutiese tegnieke wat geimplimenteer kan word tydens hulpverlening aan die vigslyer en sy gesinslede. Verder verskaf hierdie studie ook riglyne om ondersteuning en hulp aan die vigslyer en sy gesin te bied, om sodoende hulle selfkonsep te verbeter. / Aids is a "stalking killer''. It has no respect for culture, breeding, age or sex. It is an unnatural death which offends and alienates many friends and family, even after the victim has died. A questionnaire incorporating important aspects of the cause and effect of aids was compiled and given to the aids sufferers and family to complete. From the responses it was clearly evident that the fears of the unknown, the stigma attached to the victim's close associates and family, was a problem, and the route course of incredible naive and false rumours. A chapter of the research focused on literature to establish what was the major aspects of the problem expressed by the media. Guidelines were provided whereby therapy could address and allay these fears to assist the family to better understand the illness and it's effects. This chapter has in mind to provide the Psychologist with guidelines to provide therapy to both the victim and the family in this regard. This study confirms that the survivors are the actual victims. / Educational studies / M.Ed. (Voorligting)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the services provided by the Bhambayi Drop-In Centre in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). Qualitative research design and in-depth interviews with key informants and foster parents of the OVCs were conducted. The study found that the services which are provided by the Centre enabled the orphans and vulnerable children to enjoy life as normally as possible and to experience life meaningfully. As beneficiaries of the Bhambayi Drop-In Centre the children had access to education and two meals per day. Beyond meeting such basic needs, the study also found that Centre instilled a sense of belonging and community in the children. Access to social grants enabled the children’s basic needs to be met. In addition foster parents played a crucial role in taking care of orphans and vulnerable children. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the services provided by the Bhambayi Drop-In Centre in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). Qualitative research design and in-depth interviews with key informants and foster parents of the OVCs were conducted. The study found that the services which are provided by the Centre enabled the orphans and vulnerable children to enjoy life as normally as possible and to experience life meaningfully. As beneficiaries of the Bhambayi Drop-In Centre the children had access to education and two meals per day. Beyond meeting such basic needs, the study also found that Centre instilled a sense of belonging and community in the children. Access to social grants enabled the children’s basic needs to be met. In addition foster parents played a crucial role in taking care of orphans and vulnerable children. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)