Adolescence is a significant period of change in physical and psychosocial development of human beings. Being HIV positive and growing up on a dynamically multifaceted HAART treatment, adds to the complexity of adolescence. This study was aimed at exploring the nature of experiences of adolescents who are on long-term Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in Tembisa, Gauteng province. The study is based on a qualitative research method using in-depth semi-structured open-ended interviews and a focus group for data collection. The sample consisted of seven individual adolescent participants, three parents, guardians and caregivers, as well as 11 health care professionals. The thematic data analysis and the phenomelogical analysis methods were used to analyse data qualitative data while descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative biographical data. The study findings cover the negative and positive experiences and the perceived role of HAART treatment over a long period of time. The predominant themes identified from adolescent participants were disclosure of HIV positive status and the stigma surrounding a positive status, early childhood experience of parental death, challenges of taking HAART treatment, factors influencing adherence and non-adherence to HAART treatment, and lastly, the impact of religion on HAART treatment adherence. The findings suggest that adolescents who are on HAART treatment over an extended period of time experience drug fatigue. Drug fatigue has far-reaching implications for the health of an adolescent, as it has a higher likelihood that poor adherence or even complete refusal to take HAART treatment will occur. Poor adherence or refusal to take HAART treatment will most likely lead to cross infection and further spread of HIV and AIDS. A recommendation was made to include the establishment of a youth and adolescent-friendly centre by the hospital – one that is designated for the provision of tailored adolescent services and sensitive to adolescent developmental stages so as to minimise the likelihood of infected adolescents falling through the health care cracks. The introduction of a hospital-based school, an education unit run by dedicated and qualified facilitators focusing on aiding hospitalised learners with catch-up scholarly programmes, was a further recommendation. It was further recommended that reproductive health care needs of adolescents who grow up on HAART treatment be given attention in further research. / Psychology / Ph.D. (Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of orphanhood on the life world of an adolescent orphaned by AIDS, thereby improving the knowledge base and insight of all those who are involved in helping the orphans. This qualitative study endeavoured to answer the following research question: “What is the impact of orphanhood on the life world of an adolescent orphaned by AIDS, in Ratanda area?”. A literature study was done to give a theoretical overview about AIDS orphans specifically adolescents. A semi-structured interview was conducted from five different schools. Findings from the interviews was discussed and integrated with reference to the literature. A qualitative approach was used as this helped the researcher in understanding the functioning of the AIDS orphan in his natural environment. The researcher aimed at documenting these impacts of orphanhood on the life world and to improve the helping professions’ understanding of the phenomenon. This may lead to more successful intervention strategies for these adolescents. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

HIV and AIDS related deaths have left numerous children heading households as the number of adults dying from this pandemic increased significantly. The goal of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences, challenges and coping resources of AIDS-orphans heading households in an urban area in Free State using a qualitative study. The research revealed that the level of suffering faced by these children began with their parents’ illness. This was further worsened by the death of the parents. These children are in most instances not absorbed by their extended families as the traditional safety nets are stretched to their limits. Children heading households were forced to take up adult responsibilities prematurely and as such encounter challenges on daily basis. The study concluded that the child headed families are a reality in South Africa and need lots of support from the government and local communities. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have many devastating impacts, including the growing number of AIDS-orphans left without care. In the study, semi-structured interviews, incomplete sentences and Kinetic family drawings were used to explore the life-experiences and perceptions of AIDS-orphans living in kinship foster care, from a Gestalt perspective. The study revealed that the majority of the AIDS-orphans included were making good contact at the contact boundary and all the respondents were not familiar with the term 'foster care'. The researcher therefore recommended that children are educated about foster care at school, thus possibly increasing the awareness of foster care in South Africa, thus possibly increasing the provision of homes for the vastly growing numbers of AIDS-orphans in our country and perhaps make a difference in society. / Sociology / M. Diac. (Play therapy)

Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have many devastating impacts, including the growing number of AIDS-orphans left without care. In the study, semi-structured interviews, incomplete sentences and Kinetic family drawings were used to explore the life-experiences and perceptions of AIDS-orphans living in kinship foster care, from a Gestalt perspective. The study revealed that the majority of the AIDS-orphans included were making good contact at the contact boundary and all the respondents were not familiar with the term 'foster care'. The researcher therefore recommended that children are educated about foster care at school, thus possibly increasing the awareness of foster care in South Africa, thus possibly increasing the provision of homes for the vastly growing numbers of AIDS-orphans in our country and perhaps make a difference in society. / Sociology / M. Diac. (Play therapy)

Social Work / M. A. (Social Science)

Social Work / M. A. (Social Science)