This descriptive survey was carried out to gather information that could be used to assist in the development of an HIV/AIDS educational program as a way to promote adolescents' health and prevent diseases in the United Arab Emirates. The study examines the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and sources of information of high school students in Sharjah city regarding HIV/AIDS. Anonymous questionnaire with five sections: demographics, HIV/AIDS knowledge, sources of information, attitudes and beliefs was administered to 12th grade high school students from four schools in Sharjah. Analysis of findings showed that 87 percent of students knew that AIDS affects the body's immune system and 68 .5 percent knew that it is not inherited .The majority of students were aware of relationship between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. However, students lacked information in some areas as HIV/AIDS transmission routes. There was generally a negative attitude towards HIV/AIDS infected people. This was shown in students' responses to some statements that AIDS was "a punishment for those infected for their immoral acts". Moreover, students expressed unwillingness to live with HIV/AIDS infected people. Students were positive in applying prevention, facilitating proper treatment for the diseased and believed that HIV/AIDS education in schools is a necessity. Their HIV/AIDS sources of information were mainly from written materials (journals, newspapers and books). It was concluded that, generally, students in this study had a good knowledge, and some positive attitudes about AIDS. However, the concerns they expressed in relation to their fears of sharing, or living with HIV/AIDS infected individuals, and some of their beliefs, need to be addressed more in the education prevention programs. Students need to be more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS prevention. They indicated desires for more knowledge, especially as they become aware of the increasing risk of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in the Emirates. / Thesis (M.Cur.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University,2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of HIV/AIDS among different organizations in Lesotho and how they respond to the challenge; and to determine whether these organizations respond positively/effectively to the challenge of the pandemic in their respective organizations and whether they have developed workplace programmes and policies which address the issue, and if they do exist, whether they are effective. Lesotho is one of the countries in the world with a very severe HIV/AIDS infection rate. It is estimated that 28.9% of the entire population was living with HIV/AIDS as of December 2003 (UNAIDS, 2004). The increasing number of HIV/AIDS infectees in the country is affecting the entire labour force; therefore to effectively respond to the pandemic, the government of Lesotho and its development partners and civil society organizations are doing everything within their means to control it. Therefore, work place programmes that deal with HIV/AIDS on the work environment should be an answer to the social capital issue; the most valuable resource being human capital, since the programmes would promote prevention, information, education and training. It would also promote the rights of staff members and their dependants living with and/or affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The population where the investigation was done is made up of corporate places of work stratified into five types of organizations found in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho: o Non-governmental organizations o Private sector o Development partners ( Diplomatic Missions/Donors) o Parastatals o Government The results of the study indicated that the majority of these organizations have workplace programmes and policies which are effective and appreciated by the employees, while others are in the process of drawing up their policies or already have them in draft form. Despite all the efforts being put in place, the feeling among some of the organizations is that HIV infection in Africa will continue to increase because of the way it is being addressed; what they call ‘The Western way’. They feel that if it is addressed situationally, not academically, there will be a slight difference. For example, they claim that Africans do not feel comfortable about bringing their private behaviours in the open; for instance, speaking about sex and sexuality. The belief systems of the Basotho are also identified as great influencers in the pandemic. These include the culture/traditions, relations with the family and pressure from peers, people whom we trust and the fulfilment of women's sexual desires. The conclusion reached is that the different organizations in Lesotho address the challenge of HIV/AIDS positively and in others effectively, and with more effort the pandemic could be brought under control in the near future. The recommendation after viewing the findings, is that the issue of care and support, stigma and discrimination are still issues that need to be worked on, since employees are scared to know their status due to fear of being stigmatized. Therefore, the above cannot be addressed properly unless they are seen in practice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is 'n ondersoek na die impak van MIV/Vigs op, en reaksie van verskillende ondernemings in Lesotho. Volgens beraming is die infeksiekoers van Lesotho 28.9% en is die invloed daarvan op die werkersmag beduidend; dit kan selfs katastofies raak indien dit nie doeltreffend aangespreek en bestuur word nie.. Data is versamel by by vyf kategorië van ondernemings in Maseru ten einde te verseker dat al die belangrikste sektore deur die studie betrek word.. Resultate toon aan dat die meeste ondernemings wel werksplekprogramme en MIV/Vigs-beleid in plek het. Die persepsie van werkers binne die ondernemings wat in die ondersoek gebruik is toon egter 'n negatiewe prognose ten opsigte van die doelteffende bestuur van die pandemie. Die gevoel is dat die benadering te reglynig en "Westers" is en dat die metafore en tradisies van Afrika meer effektief in voorkomingsprogramme sal wees. Voorstelle in hierdie verband word gemaak. Voorstelle vir meer doeltreffende voorkomingsprogramme word gemaak en voorstelle vir verdere studies in Lesotho word aan die hand gedoen.

In the absence of a cure and/or vaccine, the best approach to HIV is to focus on prevention. However, preventative measures that are presently available in Nigeria do not target persons with intellectual disability despite their vulnerability to HIV infection. This study sought to compare the HIV knowledge, attitudes, and sexual practices of mildly/moderately intellectually impaired learners (IIL) and mainstream learners (ML) in Nigeria; to explore the contextual factors informing these, as well as both groups‗ exposure to HIV education. It also tested the relevance of the I-Change Model in predicting sexual abstinence among learners with intellectual disability. Findings can assist in developing tailored HIV prevention education for Nigerian learners with intellectual impairment. This cross-sectional, comparative study utilised mixed methods to investigate HIV knowledge, attitudes, and sexual practices among mildly/moderately IIL and ML in Nigeria. Mildly/moderately IIL (300) and ML (300) within the age range of 12-19 years in special and regular schools completed a questionnaire based on the I-Change Model. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used with learners to explore contextual factors informing their HIV knowledge, risk perception, sexual behaviours and access to HIV education and services. Key informant interviews were used as independent sources of the same information with their teachers. Learners with intellectual impairment were less aware of HIV/AIDS than their non-disabled peers (p < 0.001), had lower HIV knowledge scores (p < 0.001) and lower HIV risk perception scores (p < 0.001). Sexual experience was reported by 79 (26.3%) of the IIL sample compared to 48 (16.0%) of the ML sample (p = 0.002). Girls with intellectual disability were 3.71 times more likely to report a history of sexual abuse than non-disabled girls (p = 0.041). Inconsistent condom use with casual partners (p < 0.001) and non-use of condoms during the last sexual activity (p < 0.001) was higher in IIL. The I-Change Model was most effective in predicting sexual abstinence among IIL, particularly regarding factors related to motivation and intention. Intellectually impaired learners were more vulnerable to HIV infection due to neglect, poverty, sexual abuse/exploitation, stigmatisation, pressure from non-disabled peers, denial of HIV education, and inaccessible HIV-related services. Teachers only provided them with sexuality and HIV education when sexual activity was suspected and/or from age 18. The content of such education comprised mainly warnings, misinformation and corporal punishment to instil fear and desexualise them. Thus, this group of learners was limited in the way they experienced and expressed their sexuality. Unlike with their non-disabled peers, teachers attributed sexual activity among IIL solely to natural urges without emotional involvement. Contrary to teachers‘ opinions, some IIL were involved in symbiotic, loving relationships with their II peers. In addition, those that were not yet in such relationships expressed the desire to find non-discriminatory partners in the future. They explored their sexuality through intimate relationships, sexual intercourse, peeping at the opposite sex, pornography, and masturbation. Condoms were less available to IIL than ML, and they lacked the self-efficacy to use them. They were also less available to II girls than II boys. Female learners with intellectual impairment often had older sexual partners due to sexual abuse/exploitation, unlike their non-disabled peers, who embarked on such relationships for financial/material gains. The findings of this study indicated that IIL were sexual beings, just like their non-disabled peers, and at higher risk of HIV infection than the latter. Stigma and discrimination are the root causes of all the disadvantages/barriers that IIL experience in accessing HIV information, education and related services. Therefore, there is the need to put stigma reduction strategies in HIV response to safeguard the health of IIL. In addition, there is a need for the development of a gender-sensitive, tailored sexuality and HIV/AIDS educational format for learners with intellectual disability in Nigeria. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is qualitative research that aims to identify the effect of corruption on HIV/AIDS donor funds in Namibia in order to provide guidelines to policy makers in relations to the regulation of HIV/IDS donor funding. Henceforth, in–depth interviews with open ended questions were used with Government, civil society and donor agencies’ senior officials to obtain data. Additionally, institutional permission was granted from the identified institutions who participated in the research. An inductive analysis was used which required data to be categorised and developing themes from the data. Respondents reported lack of national donor specifications in the field of HIV/AIDS as a serious problem to donor funds in Namibia. However, respondents indicated their organisations had proper management systems in place which included, annual audits, sufficient personnel and monitoring and evaluation. Withdrawal of donor funding has been on the increase due to corrupt practices in some funded organisation and this is mostly affecting people living with HIV/AIDS. Respondent reported there is a need to strengthen the existing umbrella body and improve accountability. The findings of the study show the effect of corruption on HIV/AIDS donor funds in Namibia is the withdrawal of HIV/AIDS donor supports by several donor agencies which has led to numerous donor funded institutions closing down and a number of employee losing their employment. Lack of national HIV/AIDS donor specifications is viewed as a loophole for corruption for many funded organisations as there are no national accountability systems in place in relation to HIV/AIDS donor funds in Namibia. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nie beskikbaar.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work provides a comprehensive overview of the South African HIV/AIDS epidemic. It examines the historical and social background of the HIV/AIDS situation and looks at the importance of the media and science communication in combating the effects of the epidemic on society. This research explores the different forms of health communication and the varied benefits of each. Overall, it highlights positive media efforts that have helped redirect the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the social and political context of the HIV epidemic in South Africa. The second half of this work covers the challenges experienced in gaining publicsector antiretroviral treatment and the roles the media have played in informing and mobilizing society for these efforts. Through a community clinic ethnographic case study this work explores the current state of treatment clinics, social challenges experienced in the Usapho Lwethu Clinic of Gugulethu and the future of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werk verskaf ‘n omvattende oorsig van die Suid-Afrikaanse HIV/VIGS epidemie. Dit ondersoek die historiese en sosiale agtergrond van die HIV/VIGS toestand en belig die belangrikheid van media en wetenskaplike kommunikasie in die bestryding van die effek van hierdie epidemie op die samelewing. Hierdie navorsing verken die verskillende vorms van gesondheidskommunikasie en die onderskeie voordele van elk. In sy geheel beklemtoon dit die positiewe pogings van die media wat gehelp het met die herkanalisering van die HIV/VIGS epidemie binne die sosiale en politieke konteks in Suid-Afrika. Die tweede helfte van die werk gee 'n oorsig van die rol wat die media speel in die beskikbaarstelling van inligting en die mobilisasie van die publiek en die stryd rondom die verkryging van antiretrovirale behandeling vir die algemene publiek. ‘n Etnies-grafiese gevallestudie van ‘n plaaslike gemeenskapskliniek word gebruik om die huidige toestand in behandelingsklinieke toe te lig asook die sosiale uitdagings in die Usapho Lwethu Kliniek in Gugulethu en die toekoms rondom die HIV/VIGS epidemie in Suid-Afrika.

No description available.

This study is a qualitative ethnographic investigation of how teenagers in Kampala, Uganda, who read the HIV/AIDS publication aimed at adolescents, Straight Talk, negotiate HIV/AIDS messages. It seeks to establish to what extent these secondary school teenagers accept the key messages (known as ABC; Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom) and understand the factual aspects of the messages about HIV/AIDS, its process of transmission and prevention. It also seeks to probe how the lived realities of the teenagers affect their particular negotiations of the HIV/AIDS messages. It includes a focus on how proximity to HIV/AIDS, gender and family economic disposition might affect teenagers, negotiation of the HIV/AIDS meanings. To investigate the respondents’ reception of HIV/AIDS messages, the study employed focus groups that consisted of two stages, namely the ‘news game’ and group discussions. In the ‘news game’ stage (Philo, 1990; Kitzinger, 1993) the teenage participants were required to produce a version of a one-page copy of an HIV/AIDS newspaper targeting teenagers. In the second stage of the focus group a structured discussion probed the teenagers’ negotiation of the HIV/AIDS media messages. In the news game, the teenagers on the whole reproduced the key Straight Talk HIV/AIDS messages ‘Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom’ and also images showing the effects of HIV/AIDS but featured fewer images depicting the factual aspects of HIV/AIDS process of transmission and risky behaviour. In the structured discussion that followed the news game, it was evident that not all the teenagers necessarily believed the messages they produced. In spite of producing the ABC Straight Talk messages, some of them were uncertain and confused about the absolute safety of the condom because of fears that they were either porous, expired or would interfere with sexual pleasure. Secondly, though many of the teenagers in the study reproduced images that showed that they consider marriage as desirable and talked about their desire to abstain from sex till marriage, a considerable number think abstinence is not achievable due to competing values. Thirdly, the participant teenagers could differentiate between HIV and AIDS but many did not realise that with the advent of anti-retroviral drugs even people who have AIDS can look normal. In spite of repeating the Straight Talk message that “no one was safe” and being aware of the risky behaviour that their fellow teenagers get involved in, the teenagers seemed to think that their age cohort is safe from HIV and it is the adults who are likely to infect them. The study findings further indicate that the teenagers’ lived experience at times influence their negotiation of HIV/AIDS media messages. This was probed in terms of economic standing, gender and proximity to HIV/AIDS. In relation to gender one surprising discovery was that certain girls in the study feared getting pregnant more than getting HIV/AIDS. The study finally suggests that these findings are of significance for designing future media initiatives in relation to HIV/AIDS.

The study investigated the role of churches in HIV prevention among young adults in the Polokwane Municipality of the Limpopo Province. Qualitative research method was followed. Data was obtained and tape-recorded during the in-depth face-to-face interviews. Fourteen churches are affiliated with the Limpopo South African Council of Churches, seven of which run HIV/AIDS programmes and services. They were the target of this study, which investigated how churches could give more support to people infected with HIV. Results show that churches are determined to assist in the prevention of HIV. They have already contributed to supporting those with HIV and those affected by HIV and AIDS. The findings / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

M.Cur. / Statistics prove that the monster called HIV/AIDS invades our country. More women are said to be HIV positive in comparison to men. The midwives are the frontline health workers who have to care for these pregnant HIV positive women and therefore are at occupational risk of HIV infection because of their caring role. The experience of midwives regarding the delivery of the babies of HIV positive women was not well addressed before as limited studies have been undertaken about the experiences of midwives, therefore inspiring the researcher to undertake this study. The purpose of this study was to: • Explore and describe how midwives experienced the delivery of the babies of HIV positive women. • Describe the guidelines for health professionals to support midwives in order for them to render good midwifery care. The paradigmatic perspective of this study was guided by the Theory for Health Promotion in Nursing (Rand Afrikaans University, Department of Nursing Science, 1992:2-15), which reflects the focus on the whole person.

This study captures the process and methods used in selecting and organising content for an ontology. In the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field ontology refers to a way of organising and storing information and facilitating interaction between the system and its users. Ontologies are being used more frequently to provide services that deal with complex information. In this study, I record my experience of developing content for an HIV and AIDS ontology for Rhodes University students. Using several different methods, I started the process of selecting and organising HIV and AIDS information, free of scientific jargon and prescriptive language, and consisting only of relevant information. I used data derived from interviews with six HIV and AIDS experts to develop questions for a survey that was open to all Rhodes University students. The 689 people who responded to the survey indicated that they needed more information on testing, treatment and living with HIV. Responses also showed that students had a lot of information on HIV prevention and transmission. Four focus group discussions revealed that students were tired of repetitions of the „same‟ information on HIV and AIDS and wanted to know more about life after contracting HIV. Using this data, I propose some guidelines to populate HIV and AIDS ontology. Ontologies can be customized for particular groups of users, for example according to gender, race, year of study etc. Another advantage of the ontology is that it can be expanded or contracted depending on the scope of one‟s intervention.