Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is to identity whether condoms are being stigmatized, and to investigate the current perceptions, attitudes and beliefs about condom use in relation to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Through the use of Richard Osmer’s model for research in Practical Theology, the study starts off with a Descriptive-Empirical task to investigate what is going on regarding the impact of society’s perceptions on condom use. The second part of the study commences the Interpretive task investigating why the perceptions about condoms exist, exploring the impact and dynamics of stigmatization; looking at sex, sexuality, sin and taboos relative to stigmatization. The Normative task explores what ought to be the perceptions of condom use by using Louw’s (2008) theory, an integrative Christian spiritual approach to Sexual Ethics, to explore the sacred space of sexuality, evaluating human sexuality and the human body, also looking at marriage and sexuality. Lastly, the Pragmatic task looks at the possible ways that we might respond to stigmatization, recommending certain practical conclusions within a pastoral counselling view to move towards de-stigmatization. These approaches include discussion on relevant HIV education and awareness programmes, pastoral care and counselling methods and programmes for people living with HIV and AIDS, and a pastoral approach with a Jesus as model for pastoral counselling. These collectively and conclusively explain the paradigm shift of letting the theology of the resurrection state a theological critique on stigmatization. In conclusion, the thesis argues that people do hold stigmatized perceptions about condoms and HIV and AIDS and these perceptions are grounded in attitudes and beliefs that are products of cultural and religious societal processes. The study proved that educational interventions need to be adapted to be more contextually relevant in order to be effective as a practical approach to stigmatization, as the study proved that having medical, educational knowledge about HIV and AIDS and prevention interventions do not necessarily result in saver sexual practice. Ultimately, pastoral approaches should be implemented in the hope to offer a movement towards destigmatization, not only of condoms, but HIV and AIDS and people living with HIV and AIDS. Thus, the proposal for a pastoral spiritual approach in process of destigmatization based upon a theological model. In this regard, the theological model is based on the notion of the theologia resurrectionis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om te identifiseer of kondome gestigmatiseer word en om die huidige persepsies, houdings en oortuigings oor die gebruik van kondome, met betrekking tot die MIV- en VIGS-epidemie, te ondersoek. Deur die gebruik van Richard Osmer se model vir navorsing in Praktiese Teologie, begin die studie begin met 'n beskrywende-empiriese taak om te ondersoek wat die impak van die gemeenskap se persepsies is oor die gebruik van kondome. Die tweede deel van die studie, die interpretatiewe taak, ondersoek waarom die persepsies oor kondome bestaan. Dit ondersoek ook die impak en dinamika van stigmatisering deur te kyk na seks, seksualiteit, sonde en die taboes relatief tot stigmatisering. Die normatiewe taak ondersoek wat die persepsies van kondom gebruik behoort te wees deur Louw se (2008) se teorie, 'n geïntegreerde Christelike geestelike benadering tot seksuele etiek, te raadpleeg. Daardeur kyk die studie na die sakrale ruimte van seksualiteit en evalueer menslike seksualiteit en die menslike liggaam asook die huwelik en sexualiteit daarvolgens. Laastens in die pragmatiese taak kyk die study na die moontlike maniere waarop ons kan reageer op stigmatisering. Die pragmatiese taak beveel sekere praktiese gevolgtrekkings binne 'n pastorale beradings oogpunt aan, as ‘n moontlike kopskuif na ‘de’-stigmatisering. Hierdie benaderings sluit in; bespreking van relevante MIV opvoeding en bewusmaking programme, pastorale sorg en berading metodes en programme vir mense wat lewe met MIV en VIGS en ook 'n pastorale benadering met Jesus as model vir pastorale berading. Gesamentlik verduidelik hierdie moontlike benaderings die paradigmaskuif na die opstandingsteologie en 'n teologiese kritiek op stigmatisering.

The purpose of the study was to explore the role of spirituality in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, which was aimed at exploring the different spiritual beliefs held by that group of people and the importance of those beliefs in helping them to live with HIV/AIDS. A qualitative approach, using an exploratory research design was undertaken using twenty-five purposefully selected participants from the support group of people living with HIV/AIDS at Philani Clinic in King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban. Data were collected by utilizing focus-group interviews followed by one-on-one individual interviews. An audio tape recorder was used to record the interviews. Field notes and memos were also kept to strengthen the data and to ensure trustworthiness. The socio-demographic characteristics of participants were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 11.5) for Windows; the results are displayed in the form of tables, graphs, percentages and presented in the methodology section of chapter three. The qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed manually by assembling the transcript from each interview and utilized to form major themes, sub-themes, categories and sub-categories that emerged from the data. In this study spirituality was described as a four-dimensional cognitive (mental) relationship with the transcendent being/higher power/ultimate reality, a relationship of love, forgiveness and connectedness that is reinforced by one's belief system. The result of this relationship is the achievement of inner peace, which produced a general sense of wellness that is usually subjective. General wellness could be physical health, mental health, acceptance of things that one cannot change and quality of life. Common themes identified from the sample included spirituality, defined as a personal relationship with God or a higher power that facilitates love, forgivingness and connectedness; taking precaution, respecting the elders and believing in God for everything. HIV/AIDS was found not to be a curse from God, but an ordinary illness, even though other participants believed that it was God's plan to bring humanity back to Him, while others believed that it was a blessing. The study also found that HIV/AIDS could be prevented through the continuous use of condoms, faithfulness in marriage and abstinence, but some believed that its cure could only come from God after the accomplishment of the purpose for which He allowed the infection. However some study participants believed that the cure would be discovered through research. The benefit of the spiritual belief that helped participants to cope with the infection was the achievement of inner peace, which was achieved through restoration of relationships. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2004. / The present research investigated the attitudes and perceptions on condom-use among male and female students of the University of Zululand (main campus). The sample (N=100) consisted of male (N=68) and female (N=32) students, whose ages ranged from 17 to 44 years. The sample consisted of English, Sothor Tsonga, Swazi, Ndebele, and mainly Zulu speaking students (74%). Although a significant difference was found in perceptions of male and. female students on condom use on some items on sexual satisfaction, no significant differences were found in their perceptions on condom use in relation to health hazards and sexual interest.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

This study examines the experiences of HIV/AIDS prevention workers whose clients include injection drug users (IDUs). Via a mixed methods approach (survey questionnaire and interview) the specifics of workers' practices were documented, along with their perspectives on a variety of IDU, addiction and HIV/AIDS-related issues. Foucault's writings on knowledge and power were used as the theoretical framework for this analysis. Thirty-six workers completed a self-administered questionnaire, from which preliminary analyses were conducted to identify emergent themes for exploration during qualitative interviews. Sixteen participants subsequently discussed themes such as treatment options, social marginalization, and the workers' approaches to working with IDUs. The findings reveal that the workers share some common beliefs. They are convinced their IDU clients would be able to practice better self care if they had access to safe and affordable housing. In terms of addictions services, the continued broadening of needle exchange programs (NEPs) is good, but that NEP itself should not be the only harm reduction strategy in place. With regards to abstinence-based services, none of the participants found satisfactory the existing meagre services accesible to their clients who want to stop using drugs. They were ambivalent towards methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), once used as an initial stage towards total abstinence, now more commonly used as a harm reduction instrument, by eliminating opiate use (and injection), or reducing the frequency of opiate injection. Workers emphasized the substanial gaps between the services available and what is needed, in terms of harm reduction or (particularly) abstinence. These workers use their own, local knowledge about IDUs and addiction, and navigate their clients through the limited services available. As hundreds of IDUs continue to become infected with HIV each year in Vancouver, a dramatic increase in access to abstinence-based services, and a more explicit gradiation between "pure" abstinence-based programs and NEPs, could be put in place. Most workers support a more nuanced spectrum of treatment options for IDUs.

This study examines the experiences of HIV/AIDS prevention workers whose clients include injection drug users (IDUs). Via a mixed methods approach (survey questionnaire and interview) the specifics of workers' practices were documented, along with their perspectives on a variety of IDU, addiction and HIV/AIDS-related issues. Foucault's writings on knowledge and power were used as the theoretical framework for this analysis. Thirty-six workers completed a self-administered questionnaire, from which preliminary analyses were conducted to identify emergent themes for exploration during qualitative interviews. Sixteen participants subsequently discussed themes such as treatment options, social marginalization, and the workers' approaches to working with IDUs. The findings reveal that the workers share some common beliefs. They are convinced their IDU clients would be able to practice better self care if they had access to safe and affordable housing. In terms of addictions services, the continued broadening of needle exchange programs (NEPs) is good, but that NEP itself should not be the only harm reduction strategy in place. With regards to abstinence-based services, none of the participants found satisfactory the existing meagre services accesible to their clients who want to stop using drugs. They were ambivalent towards methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), once used as an initial stage towards total abstinence, now more commonly used as a harm reduction instrument, by eliminating opiate use (and injection), or reducing the frequency of opiate injection. Workers emphasized the substanial gaps between the services available and what is needed, in terms of harm reduction or (particularly) abstinence. These workers use their own, local knowledge about IDUs and addiction, and navigate their clients through the limited services available. As hundreds of IDUs continue to become infected with HIV each year in Vancouver, a dramatic increase in access to abstinence-based services, and a more explicit gradiation between "pure" abstinence-based programs and NEPs, could be put in place. Most workers support a more nuanced spectrum of treatment options for IDUs. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

M.Phil. / AIDS is regarded as the most disastrous health threat in the world. The impact of HIV/AIDS goes beyond the physical well being of the individual: it affects the world's economic, social and political functioning. The greatest number of people living in sub-Saharan Africa, are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.HIV/AIDS related issues amongst adolescents were neglected due to the visible impact of this pandemic on babies and adults. Adolescents' behaviour is regarded as high-risk because of their involvement in sexual activities at a young age. Presently there is no cure or vaccine for AIDS. The only effective way to prevent or reduce HIV transmission is through changing the behaviour that leads to HIV infection. The National and Provincial Departments of Health, Education and Welfare implemented various AIDS prevention programmes, focussing on promoting the practice of safer sex amongst adolescents. Unfortunately, these AIDS prevention programmes did not result in the behavioural changes of adolescents. The dissatisfying outcome questions the efficacy of the development and implementation of these programmes, although they have adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Most AIDS prevention programmes do not ·focus, nor accommodate the specific needs of adolescents, especially adolescent boys. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe adolescent boys' views about sexual activities and their specific needs in terms of an AIDS prevention programme. Guidelines would then be presented to developers of AIDS prevention programmes, based on the identified views and needs. The research design was based on qualitative research because of its exploratory, descriptive and contextual nature. The collection of the data was done by means of focus group interviews and field notes reflecting the observation done during the interviews. The analysis of the data was done according to Tesch's approach of data reduction. Literature was used to compare and complement the results. Applying Guba' s model on trustworthiness ensured the trustworthiness ofthe research. The results of the fieldwork indicated the following themes: • Most adolescents are sexually active. • Different roles and motives exist for adolescent boys and girls in terms of sex. • Adolescents externalise the risks HIV presents. • Three categories of views exist toward the acceptability of involvement in sexual activity, ranging from unacceptable to acceptable. • Adolescents' experience underlying feelings of fear in terms of issues related to sex. • Adolescents' needs in terms of AIDS prevention programmes mainly focus on the functionality of the information that is provided as well as the presentation of these programmes. • The importance of ongoing sex education, including HIV/ AIDS related 1ssues, were stressed by adolescents and confirmed by literature. Based on these findings, guidelines were presented to inform developers of HIV/AIDS programmes, of the specific needs adolescent boys need to be addressed.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: AIDS is a killer disease which is spreading like wildfire in all sectors of the population of Southern Africa, in spite of AIDS prevention programmes that are implemented in these communities. Why does this state of affairs exist? Conflicting views exist about the origin of AIDS and about the knowledge of different racial groups with regard to the disease. A number of researchers have argued that knowledge or information dissemination is not a necessary condition for behavioural change, as is evident from historical efforts to combat sexually transmitted disease. However, this thesis shows that knowledge is a variable or component that has frequently been used in almost all studies done on AIDS in Southern Africa. The present author thus searches for the rationale for the phenomenon that knowledge of AIDS does not necessarily result in preventative behavioural change. In this regard the importance of effective communication strategies and cognisance of the nature of target groups are highlighted, because negligence regarding these factors can serve as an impediment to behavioural change. The whole social fabric of the target community and basic individual needs are important elements that should also be major considerations before preventative programmes are implemented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: VIGS is 'n dodelike siekte wat snel versprei in aile sektore van die bevolking van Suider- Afrika, ten spyte van VIGS-verkomingsprogramme wat in hierdie gemeenskappe qermplementeer word, Waarom gebeur dit? Botsende menings bestaan oor die oorsprong van VIGS en oor die kennis van die verkillende rassegroepe ten opsigte van die siekte. 'n Aantal navorsers is van mening dat kennis of informasieverspreiding nie 'n noodsaaklike vereiste is om gedrag te verander nie, soos blyk uit die geskiedenis van vorige pogings om seksueel oordraagbare siektes te beveg, In hierdie tesis word egter ge'illustreer dat kennis 'n veranderlike of komponent is wat dikwels gebruik is in byna aile vorige studies oor VIGS in Suider-Afrika. Die huidige skrywer ondersoek dus die rasionaal vir die verskynsel dat kennis van VIGS nie noodwendig tot voorkomende gedragsverandering lei nie. In hierdie verband word die belangrikheid van effektiewe kommunikasiestrategiee en kennis van die aard van die teikengroep beklemtoon, aangesien verwaarlosing van hierdie faktore as struikelblok in gedragsverandering kan dien Die totale sosiale struktuur van die teikengemeenskap en basiese individuele behoeftes is belangrike elemente wat ook in ag geneem moet word voordat voorkomingsprogramme ge'implemeteer word,

M.Cur

This thesis reports on a formative evaluation study conducted, firstly, to inform an adaptation of the Collaborative HIV Prevention and Adolescent Mental Health Program (CHAMP) so as to strengthen the adult protective shield in order to prevent high risk behaviour and HIV among children in the targeted community in Embo, Kwadedangendlale, KwaZulu-Natal (Study 1); and secondly, after a pilot intervention, to evaluate the adapted programme in order to understand the processes involved in strengthening the adult protective shield (Study 2). The research design for both Study 1 and Study 2 was qualitative in nature. More specifically, the two studies used a focused ethnographic case study approach. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data from both studies and three theoretical approaches facilitated the understanding of the data: Joffe’s psychoanalytic extension of social representation theory, Carpiano’s integrative theory of social capital, and Campbell and Murray’s critical approach to community health psychology. The participants in the first study were a volunteer convenience sample of parents of children aged 9-12 years from a school in the targeted community. Focus groups and in depth follow up interviews were conducted with the parents. Interviews were also conducted with key members of the community. At the community level, lack of containment emerged as an overarching theme, with splitting and lack of trust as subthemes interpreted as emerging to deal with anxiety. Anxiety was also linked to stigmatization of people suspected of being HIV positive or having AIDS. Coping mechanisms used to deal with stigmatization were silence and denial. Linked to the issue of stigmatization was that of death and bereavement. At the family level, disempowerment of caregivers emerged as an overarching theme creating anxiety for parents, one of the sources of which was the generational knowledge gap, with parents being generally less educated than their children. This was linked to two issues: that of children’s rights; and parents’ attempts to resort to severe forms of authoritarian parenting. In the second study, in-depth semi-structured interviews, based on the themes that had emerged from the pre-intervention focused ethnographic study, were conducted with a volunteer convenience sample of nine mothers who had been part of the CHAMPSA intervention. Two broad themes emerged: Individual empowerment, including the subthemes parental empowerment, women empowerment, and social support and social leverage; and collective empowerment, including the subthemes informal social control and community organisation, and HIV/AIDS stigma. The findings of the second study contributed to the development of a model showing how improved parent child communication and parental HIV knowledge at the individual level as well as renegotiated, empowered parental identities facilitated through the group process restored parental authority at the individual level as well as collectively, strengthening social capital and restoring the adult and community protective shields. / Theses (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.