MSc (Med) (Bioethics and Health Law), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand / Parental Consent or Refusal to Consent to HIV Testing in Children The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) continues to represent the greatest infectious threat to humans of all time. It is estimated that some 33 million people are currently infected with the causative organism, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). More than 2 million of these are children. The AIDS epidemic now has its epicenter in sub-Saharan Africa where 75% of deaths occur. The treatment of AIDS with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) has changed the outcome from inevitably fatal over months to years, to a chronic but manageable condition. Adherence to treatment is essential for maintaining good health and avoiding the development of resistance. Young children with HIV infection usually obtain the virus from their infected mother at, or about the time of birth or via breast milk. Prevention of mother to child infection (PMTCT) is possible through the use of ARVs and this has resulted in a dramatic decrease in infected children in the developed world. Poor provision and uptake of PMTCT in the developing world means that many children are still being infected. In these environments, over 60% of the children who die are infected. Treating these children with ARVs will usually prevent death and return the child to a good quality of life in the family. It is necessary to test the child for infection before embarking on life-long complex treatment and this is done by testing blood or saliva for the virus or antibodies to the virus. A positive test in the child is usually a proxy for a positive test in the mother and this obviously has profound implications for her life. In all infants suspected of infection, a test is advised. In the Rahima Moosa Mother & Child Hospital about 10-15% of mothers refuse testing for their infants. These children are therefore denied the opportunity for life-saving treatment. This essay discusses the reasons why mothers may refuse HIV testing for their infants and explores the possible ethical choices and responses of healthcare workers to this refusal.

Thesis (M.A.)(Clinical Psychology) --University of Limpopo, 2010. / In this study, the researcher aimed to establish whether HIV/AIDS-related stigmas (enacted + internal) have an impact on disposition for HIV/AIDS testing uptake among pregnant women in the Limpopo Province. A total of 457 pregnant women participated for the quantitative aspects, while 40 of the 457 participated in the qualitative aspects of this study. The multiple regression analysis method was used to analyze the relationship between levels of HIV/AIDS related stigmas (enacted + internal) and pregnant women‟s decision to dispose themselves for HIV/AIDS testing uptake. Further open-ended questions were content analyzed and presented in frequency tables. The multiple regression analysis indicated that internal stigma was a significant factor negatively affecting pregnant women‟s disposition for HIV/AIDS testing uptake. External stigma was not a significant factor. Internal stigma accounted for (R-Square= 0.03) 3.0% of the variance. Qualitative, Psychosocial factors (i.e. fear of stigma, fear of being discriminated and lack of confidentiality over test results, as well lack of family and partner support) emerged to be common factors indicated by pregnant women to negatively influence some of the pregnant women‟s disposition for HIV/AIDS testing uptake. It is recommended that intensive individual counseling sessions aimed at addressing the effect of internal stigma on HIV-testing, be integrated with existing PMTCT programmes. The involvement of partners, families, and communities in programmes that address HIV/AIDS-related stigma is of paramount importance. / None

This study focuses on prisoners’ experiences of HIV/AIDS pre-and posttest counselling. The objective of this study was to explore and report on prisoners’ experiences, perceptions and views on HIV/AIDS pre- and posttest counselling. It is a narrative exploratory study which was conducted in the Atteridgeville prison in Pretoria. This work highlights the complexity of the issues involved in HIV/AIDS testing and counselling, and emphasises alternative stories about prison and HIV/AIDS. Such stories include themes like the positive aspects of being HIV-positive and incarcerated; prison as a safe haven; a quest to live despite being an HIV-positive ex-con. The aim was not to interpret the narratives, but rather to share them as they were told. Conclusions suggest that HIV/AIDS testing has a potentially overwhelming psychosocial impact on individuals; it is therefore crucial that proper pre- and posttest counselling accompany the testing procedure. / Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

<p>The devastation caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is having a major impact on both the social and economic environment in South Africa. HIV/AIDS hits at the core of the businesses structure - the bottom line. In the absence of a cure for the disease or an effective vaccine, the challenge for all the stakeholders is how to successfully contain and limit the impact of the disease. Intervention programmes such as awareness, knowledge sharing and sero-prevailance testing have the potential to limit HIV/AIDS infections and reduce high-risk behaviours. Whilst education and awareness programmes have been relatively successful in highlighting the dangers of HIV infection, perception, attitudes and behaviours of employees towards HIV/AIDS have dampened voluntary HIV screening initiatives. Many South African organisations have commendable HIV/AIDS education and awareness programmes, however, a concerning fact is that employees are reluctant to avail themselves to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. Stigmatising attitudes toward persons living with HIV/AIDS may reduce people&rsquo / s willingness to have themselves tested for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This may increase the risk of transmission. It may also lead to increased absenteeism in the workplace, and workdays lost resulting from excessive sick.<br /> <br /> The aim of the study was to establish what the perceptions and attitudes are of employees at different levels of the organisation with regard to HIV/AIDS testing. A further aim was to identify possible reasons for the poor employee response to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. It was thus important for this research to gauge employee knowledge, attitude and behaviour toward HIV/AIDS in order for organisations to develop strategies for effective HIV/AIDS counselling and testing programmes.<br /> <br /> The data for this study was collected by means of a self report questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of employees across all levels of the organisation using the convenient sample approach to identify the respondents. Two hundred and forty six (246) out of a total of 600 questionnaires distributed were returned, making the response rate a credible 41%.<br /> The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse the data obtained from the questionnaire. Both inferential and descriptive statistical approaches were used to analyse the data. The Analyses Of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether differences exist in the perceptions and attitudes of employees at different levels and groupings in the organisation. Additionally post hoc tests (i.e. the Scheffe test) were applied to all comparisons of means after the analysis of variance.<br /> <br /> The findings of this research are important for the role of HIV/AIDS testing and awareness/preventions strategies implemented in South Africa. It provides more insight as to why employees resist HIV/AIDS testing. It can furthermore assist organisations in developing strategies for implementing effective HIV/AIDS awareness and/or prevention programmes. More specifically, the findings identified ways in which organisations can redesign their intervention programmes so as to encourage a greater number of employees to submit to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing.</p>

<p>The devastation caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is having a major impact on both the social and economic environment in South Africa. HIV/AIDS hits at the core of the businesses structure - the bottom line. In the absence of a cure for the disease or an effective vaccine, the challenge for all the stakeholders is how to successfully contain and limit the impact of the disease. Intervention programmes such as awareness, knowledge sharing and sero-prevailance testing have the potential to limit HIV/AIDS infections and reduce high-risk behaviours. Whilst education and awareness programmes have been relatively successful in highlighting the dangers of HIV infection, perception, attitudes and behaviours of employees towards HIV/AIDS have dampened voluntary HIV screening initiatives. Many South African organisations have commendable HIV/AIDS education and awareness programmes, however, a concerning fact is that employees are reluctant to avail themselves to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. Stigmatising attitudes toward persons living with HIV/AIDS may reduce people&rsquo / s willingness to have themselves tested for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This may increase the risk of transmission. It may also lead to increased absenteeism in the workplace, and workdays lost resulting from excessive sick.<br /> <br /> The aim of the study was to establish what the perceptions and attitudes are of employees at different levels of the organisation with regard to HIV/AIDS testing. A further aim was to identify possible reasons for the poor employee response to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. It was thus important for this research to gauge employee knowledge, attitude and behaviour toward HIV/AIDS in order for organisations to develop strategies for effective HIV/AIDS counselling and testing programmes.<br /> <br /> The data for this study was collected by means of a self report questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of employees across all levels of the organisation using the convenient sample approach to identify the respondents. Two hundred and forty six (246) out of a total of 600 questionnaires distributed were returned, making the response rate a credible 41%.<br /> The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse the data obtained from the questionnaire. Both inferential and descriptive statistical approaches were used to analyse the data. The Analyses Of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether differences exist in the perceptions and attitudes of employees at different levels and groupings in the organisation. Additionally post hoc tests (i.e. the Scheffe test) were applied to all comparisons of means after the analysis of variance.<br /> <br /> The findings of this research are important for the role of HIV/AIDS testing and awareness/preventions strategies implemented in South Africa. It provides more insight as to why employees resist HIV/AIDS testing. It can furthermore assist organisations in developing strategies for implementing effective HIV/AIDS awareness and/or prevention programmes. More specifically, the findings identified ways in which organisations can redesign their intervention programmes so as to encourage a greater number of employees to submit to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing.</p>

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / The aim of the study was to establish what the perceptions and attitudes are of employees at different levels of the organisation with regard to HIV/AIDS testing. A further aim was to identify possible reasons for the poor employee response to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. It was thus important for this research to gauge employee knowledge, attitude and behaviour toward HIV/AIDS in order for organisations to develop strategies for effective HIV/AIDS counselling and testing programmes.