Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / HIV patients face an array of social and psychological problems, such as depression, which can affect their quality of life. Moreover, HIV infection is also linked to psychological distress such as anxiety. In addition, avoidant emotion-focused strategies such as acceptance, wishful thinking and self-blame are associated with higher levels of psychological distress in persons with HIV. Current health services in the city of Cairo, Egypt, are not adapted to provide advice and psychological support to people living with HIV to aid in the development of problem-solving skills to cope with the stress of living with HIV. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between quality of life, psychological distress and the coping strategies of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Cairo, Egypt. A quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional correlational design was adopted in this study. Data collection entailed questionnaires that consisted of four sections: Demographics, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS) and the Cope Inventory. The sample consisted of 202 HIV/AIDS participants who access the National AIDS Program (NAP). The data were analysed using the Statistical Program for Social Science V23 (SPSS). The results are provided using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study show that in terms of the prevalence of psychological distress, the moderate scales were stress and depression, while the severe scale was anxiety. The most prevalent of coping styles was emotion-focused coping, specifically in terms of acceptance and religion. In terms of the prevalence of quality of life, the highest scores were for family and social relationships, while the lowest scores were for sexual drive and leisure time activities. The findings also show that psychological distress and certain coping styles such as substance use negatively predicted quality of life of patients with HIV/AIDS. Positive predictors included coping styles such as venting, positive reframing, humour, acceptance and religion.

This thesis examined the conditions under which taharrush (sexual harassment) has become normalized in Cairo, allowing acts once deemed unethical by Egyptians to become a daily experience. Experiences of taharrush were explored through an ethnographic study of three neighborhoods in Cairo and 20 semi-structured interviews with women from diverse backgrounds and age groups. Through the literature review of key themes and a historical analysis of the Egyptian context, this research explored the rise in sexual harassment over time and under different presidential regimes. The cross-generational aspect of this research highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment in the past three decades. Furthermore, through the participants’ voices, numerous themes emerged explaining the increase of taharrush, such as: economic difficulties, decline in akhle (sense of community), and violence against women perpetrated by security officials. The interviews showed women’s experiences of sexual harassment, the perceived causes behind the issue of harassment being trivialized and normalized, and ways in which women combat harassment and security issues within Cairo. / February 2016

The khanka or monastic mosque, was first established in Cairo by Saladin, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, in 1171. Prior to this time, residents of the khanka, better known as Sufis - the ascetics of Islam were a group of mobile mystics who travelled widely seeking knowledge and truth of divinity and creation. It was during the Mamluk period (1250-1517) however, that the khanka gained popularity. It was normally constructed as part of a larger complex which housed other pious functions. It became commonplace among Mamluk sultans to attach their mausoleums to these khanka complexes, thus giving the khanka ultimate social and religious significance.Due to this significance, khankas, were among the first building types to face destruction upon the downfall of Mamluk rule. Unfortunatley, the deterioration of the khanka, institution has continued to this present day. In fact the khanka, institution and its architecture are slowly disappearing.In an effort to help preserve the vanishing architecture of the khanka institution, the khanka, of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay, one of great architectural significance, was selected for the topic of this thesis. A reconstruction and restoration proposal is presented following complete historical, social and arcitectural research and documentaion. This proposal is based on a research methodology established for application to this and other historical buildings which may be approached for documentation and analysis.The reconstruction of the missing portions of the complex is important for the preservation of an almost extinct building type. The Khanka of Al-Ashraf Barsbay presents an interesting challenge in several repects: understanding the elements of Mamluk architecture as a distinct building style, identifying elements of islamic architecture, and finally applying this knowledge of architecture to the process of reconstruction within the framework of national and international preservation standards. / Department of Architecture

Die Studie widmet sich dem heutigen Musikleben in Ägypten und legt den Schwerpunkt auf die Stadt Alexandria. Obwohl alle großen Einzelereignisse, die im 20. Jahrhundert zur Entwicklung der ägyptischen Musik beigetragen haben, in Kairo stattfanden, besteht auch in Alexandria ein breitgefächertes Musikleben, das alle musikalischen Entwicklungen dieses Jahrhunderts aufgesogen und trotzdem eine individuelle Prägung entfaltet hat. Auf einen historischen Abriss zur Geschichte der ägyptischen Musik im 20. Jahrhundert folgt eine Bestandsaufnahme der Musikszenen in Alexandria, wie die Verfasserin sie ihm Jahre 2013 selbst erlebt hat. / The study deals with music in Egypt today with particular emphasis on the city of Alexandria. Even if the major events that contributed to the development of Egyptian music in the 20th century took place in Cairo, there is a wide range of musical life in Alexandria that has absorbed all the musical developments of the last century while retaining its individual character. A historical overview of Egyptian music in the 20th century is followed by a survey of the music scene in Alexandria as experienced by the author in 2013.