Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity International University, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-196).

Swaziland is one of the countries most affected by HN and AIDS on the entire globe. The impact of the pandemic on the country is enormous with a prevalence of 42.6%. This has been so far the highest in Africa and possibly in the whole world. Due to this unbearable situation, a number of organizations, Church bodies, government and some individuals in the country are trying hard to counter the pandemic. This dissertation therefore seeks to outline the HIV epidemic in Swaziland and understand particularly the response of the Methodist Church to the epidemic. In dealing with the problem, the Methodist Church of Swaziland is using the Methodist Church of Southern Africa's (MCSA) HIV and AIDS policy document. In evaluating the MCSA HN and AIDS policy document, the thesis seeks to investigate the impact of the MCSA's response to HIV and AIDS. It also seeks to reflect theologically on the content of the policy document of the MCSA and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the document and to establish whether it is relevant to the Swaziland context or not. In general the thesis looks at the HIV and AIDS situation in Swaziland, the Shalom concept as well-being, the document summary and also presents a critical analysis in which it discovers that there are good things in the policy document. However due to the theological gaps in the document, there is need for a solid theological foundation for it to be used as a necessary tool or a sine qua non instrument. Conclusively, to strengthen the policy document the thesis recommends a number of things which include also a more solid theological base. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

The study examines the role religious institutions play in responding to health crises in the community with particular focus on mV/AIDS. The thesis argues for the importance of focusing on health outcomes rather than the traditional "economic" models for assessing health sector in time of AIDS crisis. Health outcomes measures: good practice, increases accountability of services, quantifies the values of interventions where traditional research data may be impractical or lacking. It even assists in determining resource allocations and help to monitor and improve standards of care. This opens the door to focus on religious institutions, where selecting and measuring outcomes could be deeply connected to a community's or institution's mission and be able to describe a specific desirable result or quality of institution's services. The role of religious institutions has not been well recognized in dealing with health issues, and in particular within the religious community itself. Religious communities have not recognized their enormous assets, which they could mobilize in an effort to create good health conditions while facing the challenges of the HIV / AIDS pandemic and other diseases. The study examines the involvement of a local Anglican Church, St Paul's in health in the urban context of Pietermartzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The asset-based approach guides the study in capturing the basic notion that assets carry value and may be used to create greater value. The research findings show that the worshippers of St Paul's Anglican Church seem to have little understanding of their religious asset portfolio, which can be used effectively to improve the health conditions and health prospects of those in need in order to build healthy communities. The study argues that religious congregations and other faith-based organizations can play a vital role in local public health systems and community-based health improvements initiatives. In addition, faith communities can act as conveners and mobilizers of community residents and other faith-based groups around issues of health policy and interventions for health promotion and disease prevention (e.g. nutrition, care, VCT, etc.). / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The onset and rapid spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa has challenged and continues to challenge the church in its doctrine as well as its practical ministries. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia has been no exception. The disease challenges the theological and pastoral disciplines, especially in the area of contextuality. This thesis is developed at the very site of the struggle to care for the infected and affected individuals and families in the ten Evangelical Lutheran Church parishes in the Oshana Region, Namibia. Healing and caring for the sick is the primary mission of this church. Therefore, the quest of this study is to investigate how ELCIN through pastoral care and counselling helps HIV/AIDS infected and affected family members cope with their situation. The study concentrated mainly on ten ELCIN parishes in the Oshana Region, Namibia. Chapter one is an introduction to the whole thesis. Included is the statement of the problem, the methodology used to collect data and the literature review. Chapter two deals with pastoral care and counselling of HIV/AIDS infected and affected families. The African understanding of heath and illness is also considered as well. Chapter three is about the Church and HIV/AIDS in the Oshana Region, Namibia. This chapter investigates the responses of ELCIN's pastors towards HIV/AIDS affected families in the Oshana Region, and how they understand HIV/AIDS biblically. Chapter four deals with the impact of HIV/AIDS on affected families in Oshana Region, Namibia. This chapter discusses how HIV/AIDS affects the family members, nurses, and community ministers and how pastoral care and counselling help the widowers, widows, orphans, caregivers of orphans and nurses to take care of orphans. This is the main chapter of this thesis. Chapter five is about data analysis, recommendations and research findings using the Christian theoretical framework of Mwaura, van Dyk, Msomi, Snidle and Welsh, and Dube. Chapter six is the conclusion of the whole thesis. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The dissertation seeks to investigate, examine, and critically analyse the reasons why Pietermaritzburg churches lack gender sensitivity in combating HIV/AIDS. The dissertation's focus is on Springs of Hope Support Group Project (SOH) - a support group that seeks to meet the felt needs amongst the HTV positive people around Pietermaritzburg. Amongst other motivations, the dissertation was undertaken as a contribution to the church in its fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The methodology that was used involved field and library research as well as observations of other HIV/AIDS support groups. The primary source of this dissertation consists of interviews that were conducted among SOH members, NGOs workers, and Church ministers. Chapter one is an introduction to the whole dissertation and includes an introduction to chapter one, experiences of African women, the story of Ann Ntombela, the background of the study, statements of the problems and motivations, objectives of the study, research hypothesis/promises, significance of the study, the theoretical frameworks, critical reviews of existing literature, research methodology, research ethics, expected results, limitation of the study and a summary and conclusion. Chapter two deals with the negative effects of colonialism and failure of development on African women. Its objective is to unearth the factors behind the deplorable social, political, and economic position of African women before HIV was reported. It seeks to find out why the plight of African women has worsened since the coming of colonialism and the start of development efforts. Chapter three deals with gender. It relates the effects of development failure to the plight of African women. Matters of marginalization, exploitation and oppression of African women are dealt with at length. Chapter four focuses on HIV/AIDS infection, transmission, prevention, cure and treatment. It also tackles the matter of the vulnerability of African women to HIV/AIDS at length by relating chapter two to the realities that facilitates the infection of the virus especially on women. Chapter five deals with the field research and formulation of a gender sensitive approach to combating HIV/AIDS. It also seeks to formulate 'a church based gender sensitive approach' as the way forward in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst African women in Pietermaritzburg. This chapter elaborates on how the church should reposition itself in order to be relevant and effective to women who are HIV positive. Chapter six is the conclusion of this dissertation. It includes a summary, a theological reflection and conclusion of the whole dissertation. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, PIetermaritzburg, 2004.

Healing has long been considered part of the Church's pastoral and diaconal calling. For Christians the ministry of healing is grounded in the Word, sacraments and prayer. Based on this understanding some of the Pentecostal churches in Namibia proclaim that HIV and AIDS can be cured through divine healing. It was revealed through interviews with both the practitioners of healing and recipients of healing that the claims of healing HIV and AIDS are not conclusive. It has been established through this study that the implications of a failed healing for the recipients include; lost of faith, hatred towards the practitioners, church, substance abuse and attempts at suicide. A close study of the available literature substantiates the fact that healing of HIV and AIDS in Namibia remains only a claim. The logical conclusion derived was that people confuse healing of HIV and AIDS with spiritual and psychological strength and tranquility that they receive from Pentecostal churches through their healing services. This study recognises the importance of "healing" and "coping" and the need for appropriate theological and psycho-social support for the recipients of divine healing. This study also reveals that HIV and AIDS has forced some Pentecostal churches to revisit their approach of healing. Thus, some of the Pentecostal churches have embarked upon Home Based Care, feeding schemes and material support for PLWHA. The interviews could barely establish a definite case of a successful outcome of healing of someone who was HIV and AIDS positive and was healed through divine intervention. Thus, with the help of interviews, observant participation, and literature review, it was established that the implications for the ministry of healing in some Pentecostal churches in Namibia is real. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

The research explores and examines the relationship that exists between religion and health. Four church health related activities were examined as case studies to assert their direct and indirect contribution to health and well being of communities on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. The main thrust and perspective of the study is a theological position on the contribution of the Christian Church toward holistic health care and provision. The study is rooted in a large field of study called African Religiou s Health Assets Program [ARHAP] which has developed a theory to help establish the link that exist between religion and health in health care. The insights from the ARHAP theoretical framework are engaged in this study to identify the religious health assets known as tangible and intangible in each institution and how they contribute to health promotion and care . Key informants from each of the four religious health institutions were interviewed to establish and examine the kind of religious health assets they have and on how they affect and contribute to health outcomes. Through these case studies of four Christian religious health institutions, in Ndola and Masaiti districts, the thesis has shown that religious health institutions have diverse assets that enhance and contribute directly and indirectly to better health outcomes . These assets [referring to what is present in these institutions] are labeled as ‘religious health assets’ in this thesis . The findings of the thesis indicate that Christian religious health institutions have assets, which could be aligned and leveraged in public health policy for the well being of people and communities. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

The spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa has evoked many responses from the national government, Non-Governmental Organizations and the church. There are many reasons why the church should respond to this challenge of HIV/AIDS and join hands with the worldwide effort to provide care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS in our society. As the epidemic increases, many people in South Africa are falling sick, suffering physically, emotionally and spiritually and many are abandoned and desolate. Men, women, young people and children are dying; families and communities are severely affected socially and economically. This thesis examines the response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) to AIDS and suggests a more adequate strategy to deal with HIV/AIDS. First, it examines the incidence and· impact of HIV/AIDS, noting the emotional, physical and socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS. Secondly, this thesis develops a theological response to AIDS. The involvement of ELCSA is examined via research into six parishes in the Umgeni circuit of the South Eastern Diocese (Kwa-Zulu Natal). It argues that a seven-fold framework best describes the sort of strategy needed to fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. This seven-fold framework includes the following: AIDS education, AIDS counseling, Livelihood support for people living with HIV/AIDS, Advocacy for the people living with HIV/AIDS,Pastoral and practical care for people living with HIV/AIDS, Helping the bereaved families during funeral arrangements and providing grief counseling, and Support systems for AIDS orphans. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

The essential question behind this thesis is: How can we respond to the pastoral needs of Christian Indians in Northdale/Raisethorpe, with regards to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, when there is this silence among those that are infected and affected and the lack of concern from the church ? This topic desires to research the silence among the Christian Indians of Northdale/Raisethorpe to look into the possibility that it is a myth that HIV/AIDS is not a threat to the Christian Indians of Northdale/Raisethorpe. Certain aspects of this problem need to be investigated to prove the myth and to open an avenue for pastoral counselling and care. In this investigation I intend to revisit and open a new dialogue with the clergy to set up combined structures that will alleviate the suffering in the Northdale/Raisethorpe community in regards to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The interview collections and research findings support the hypothesis that it is a myth that HIV/AIDS is not a threat to Christian Indians of Northdale/Raisethorpe. / Thesis (M.Th.)- University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

This thesis critically examines one of the major hindrances to dealing adequately with the HIV and AIDS problem facing Africa – the issue of silence. The study has examined the hypothesis that there are cultural factors underlying the silence that surrounds the disease, which when investigated and identified, will provide cues for breaking the silence and a way forward for dealing with the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The study utilises the concept of ‘cultural context’ proposed by Hall and ‘dimensions of culture’ postulated by Hofstede, to investigate the cultural reasons behind the HIV and AIDS silence among the Zulu people in and around Pietermaritzburg in the Kwazulu Natal province of South Africa. Testing these theories in the field with participants in a community-based HIV and AIDS Project called the Community Care Project (CCP) the study found that cultural contexts strongly influence silence around HIV and AIDS. In terms of dimensions of culture, the area was found to exhibit high power distance, low uncertainty avoidance, high collectivism and is feminine in nature in terms of assertiveness, but having high gender inequality (high masculinity in terms of gender egalitarianism). The analysis of the results of the field research revealed that each of the dimensions of culture contributes in various ways to the silence around HIV and AIDS. The study argues that there are two kinds of silence, namely barren silence and fertile silence, existing on a continuum. In a low context culture, barren silence is the silence that exists as absence, because when people do not talk about the issue, then there is no communication at all about the issue. In a high context culture, fertile silence is the silence that exists as presence, because when people do not talk about the issue at hand, they may still be communicating about it – either through non-verbal signs, or through coded language. The concepts of barren and fertile silence provide new insights into the issues of stigma and discrimination. Reasons for the silence included stigma, rejection, gossip, witchcraft, shame, blame, discrimination, secrecy, judgement, suspicion and taboo. It was found that each of the themes had something to do with stigma and discrimination, and lead to infected persons keeping silent about their HIV and AIDS status. In the final chapter, the research shows that when an intervention such as CCP takes the question of fertile silence seriously, then it is much easier to break the silence around HIV and AIDS and to deal with stigma and discrimination. The research therefore concludes that the concept of ‘Fertile Silence’ and ‘Barren Silence’ has provided us with clues as to how to ‘break the silence’ around HIV and AIDS in a high context culture such as that of Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.