Since the first diagnosis of HIV/AIDS more than three decades ago, the epidemic remains a humanitarian challenge. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the infection rate has escalated at an alarming rate over the years. Lesotho is no exception. Multiple stakeholders have resorted to different media platforms, including community radio to communicate HIV/AIDS awareness messages with the aim of reducing the HIV infection spread. This study focuses on a community radio station as a way of making sense of HIV/AIDS communication. Using the case of MCRS, the study assesses the contribution of this community broadcaster on HIV/AIDS awareness in Mafeteng district, in Lesotho. Two theories: the Public Sphere Theory and the Agenda Setting Theory guided the study and were used to conceptualise the contribution of this community radio station towards contributing to HIV/AIDS awareness in the community of broadcast. In a bid to assess how MCRS programmes contribute to HIV/AIDS awareness and education; the researcher employed a qualitative research methodology. The data were collected using two data collection instruments, namely face-toface interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to deduce the meaning and present the findings. The findings reveal that MCRS programmes largely contribute to HIV/AIDS awareness in the community. The station’s programmes on HIV/AIDS awareness are easily understood and influence communities’ socio-behavioural change as they enlighten them about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and how to reduce its spread. The results also reveal that live broadcasts proved to be more effective as they encourage two-way communication whereby listeners are involved and participate in these HIV/AIDS programmes. It is therefore concluded that MCRS programmes have been useful in the dissemination of valuable HIV/AIDS awareness messages / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication Science)

Department of Public Health / MPH

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / Extensive resources and information are available on HIV/AIDS, but there remain disparities between what is known and actual behavior, particularly among students at tertiary institutions. A lot has been done to create HIV awareness and prevent further infections among male and female students in Higher Education Institutions of South Africa. Despite the availability of information, awareness education and campaigns, free condoms and treatment, the HIV infections continue to increase in South Africa especially amongst the youth. The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of male and female students at the University of Venda towards the “ABC” strategy for HIV prevention, and how these consequently influence their sexual behavior. Data was obtained from 32 students using a semistructured questionnaire. A non-probability, haphazard sampling technique was used to randomly select the participants. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used for data analysis. The study findings contend that knowledge of HIV and its prevention measures always translates to positive sexual behaviour, as university students were found to be knowledgeable enough, but their attitudes and sexual behaviour were found not to be consistent enough. The researcher recommends future researchers to focus on the factors that hinder sexual abstinence, fidelity in sexual relationships, and condom use amongst Higher Education students, towards creating safer environments for them.

MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

Bibliography: pages 360-378 / In this study, the researcher investigates an HIV and AIDS prevention programme known as Education for Life (EFLP) run by the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The programme seeks to encourage behaviour changes as a viable approach for the prevention of HIV and AIDS through education. EFLP is faith-based and run by the RCC as one of the programmes in RCC pastoral mission activities to mitigating the HIV and AIDS epidemic. EFLP aims at preventing HIV and AIDs through creating awareness of human values in the context of the gospel, facts about HIV and AIDs and promoting behaviour change, particularly among the youth. The programme is youth-led, peer-driven and peer support based. The researcher examines EFLP in Sterkspruit Parish from 2003 to 2013 to assess whether EFLP was effective in bringing about preventative sexual behaviour, as a result of participants in the programme changing attitudes and values and acquiring life skills. RCC and many Christian churches promote behavioural intervention abstinence, fidelity within marriage, counselling and delaying sexual debut and partner reduction. Behavioural change programmes have, however, not been without controversies. A qualitative research method was followed to investigate the impact of EFLP. Data were obtained and tape-recorded during one-on-one interviews of 25 youth participants. The researcher employed the theory of reasoned action to examine the data. Analysis of data revealed that the mission of the church could be achieved through social transformation in the lives of the youth, especially behavioural change concerning HIV and AIDS. It also showed that a single preventative approach should not be taken to the exclusion of others in the prevention of HIV and AIDs. The study recommends combining different approaches, including promoting behavioural change / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / Ph. D. (Missiology)

The global spread of HIV and Aids has greatly exceeded the most pessimistic projections. Infection rates are not declining and human tragedy is escalating. South Africa is a nation in mourning. If one is not infected, one is affected. Notwithstanding the catastrophic effects that are already being experienced, the full consequences of the pandemic seem yet to be felt. Developmental psychology and ecological systems theory were used in this study to examine the research problem. It has become necessary to determine the level of knowledge that adolescents have of HIV and Aids and whether Life Skills programmes stimulate any change in behaviour. This initially took the form of a quantitative study in which questionnaires were administered. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research (focus group interviews) was applied for verification. The goals of the research were achieved, providing valuable findings, confirming that there has been no behaviour change and adolescent knowledge remains inadequate. South African adolescents have insufficient knowledge of responsible sexual behaviour. Recommendations with regard to the content and course of the programme as well as further research are formulated as a result of the conclusions. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Socio-Education)

This study is a need assessment for the establishment of an HIV and AIDS support group within the South African Police Services (SAPS), Head Office Divisions and the purpose was to explore the extent to which an HIV and AIDS support group was needed for HIV and AIDS-infected and affected personnel within the South African Police Services (SAPS). The SAPS employees as well as HIV and AIDS programme managers participated in the study. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was used in the study. The former was obtained from a survey of 90 SAPS personnel based at the SAPS Head Office Divisions in Pretoria. The latter, on the other hand, was obtained from in-depth interviews with five SAPS HIV and AIDS programme managers, also based at Head Office Divisions in Pretoria.The overall results showed that an internal workplace HIV and AIDS support group for infected and affected employees was seen as necessary to deal with the psycho-social and emotional needs of the personnel. The study participants were generally of the view that such a support group would go a long way in addressing some of the challenges and obstacles – such as stigma, discrimination, judgement and so forth – faced by HIV and AIDS-infected and faced employees within the SAPS. In general, it was envisaged that a workplace support group would create a warm and caring environment that would enable employees to feel safe and supported by their colleagues – including commanders and managers – in dealing with their HIV and AIDS situations. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

Text in English / The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and challenges of AIDS Councils in addressing HIV and AIDS in their communities with regard to community mobilization and advocacy within the broader advocacy function of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and within the framework of the HIV & AIDS and STI Strategic plan for South Africa 2007-2011(NSP). A qualitative research design was applied. Individual face to face interviews were conducted with the respondents who were purposively sampled across the five local municipalities comprising Ehlanzeni District Municipality. Similar studies conducted previously suggest that many AIDS Councils stakeholders and members had a limited understanding of their role, and encountered more challenges in addressing HIV and AIDS in their communities. This study revealed that stakeholders and members seem to have steadily progressed in understanding their role as well as in weathering the various challenges they are confronted with within the AIDS councils. Be that as it may, there still exists some gaps between what is envisaged in both the NSPs (NSP 2000-2005 and NSP 2006-2011) and the current situation in many LACs. Many questions still need to be answered if South Africans are prepared to triumph over the AIDS pandemic. / Sociology / M.A. (Sociology (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS))

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

This study is a need assessment for the establishment of an HIV and AIDS support group within the South African Police Services (SAPS), Head Office Divisions and the purpose was to explore the extent to which an HIV and AIDS support group was needed for HIV and AIDS-infected and affected personnel within the South African Police Services (SAPS). The SAPS employees as well as HIV and AIDS programme managers participated in the study. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was used in the study. The former was obtained from a survey of 90 SAPS personnel based at the SAPS Head Office Divisions in Pretoria. The latter, on the other hand, was obtained from in-depth interviews with five SAPS HIV and AIDS programme managers, also based at Head Office Divisions in Pretoria.The overall results showed that an internal workplace HIV and AIDS support group for infected and affected employees was seen as necessary to deal with the psycho-social and emotional needs of the personnel. The study participants were generally of the view that such a support group would go a long way in addressing some of the challenges and obstacles – such as stigma, discrimination, judgement and so forth – faced by HIV and AIDS-infected and faced employees within the SAPS. In general, it was envisaged that a workplace support group would create a warm and caring environment that would enable employees to feel safe and supported by their colleagues – including commanders and managers – in dealing with their HIV and AIDS situations. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)