Thesis (Ph. D. (Medical Sciences)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Refer to document / The Belgium Development Co-operation through VLIR-UOS, The University of Limpopo,and The Flemish Universities

PhD (Microbiology)

The recommended infant feeding method for mothers living with HIV is either exclusive breastfeeding for six months or replacement infant feeding (RIF), while a mixed feeding method carries the greatest health risks for infants. This study focused on identifying the challenges faced by mothers who opted for RIF and the coping strategies they employ. A theoretical framework, based on gender and power, was developed. The study used a qualitative design, with semi-structured in-depth interviews. Using purposive sampling, data was collected at three clinics from 22 participants. The participants reported experiencing challenges related to RIF such as intermittent availability of formula milk at the clinics. Socio-cultural challenges include power inequalities between health care workers and mothers, pressure from family members to breastfeed, stigmatization and discrimination from community members. Coping strategies such as withdrawal from the community and trying to hide RIF from others were not sufficient to meet the challenges experienced. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No disease in modern times has created as much fear and panic as HIV/AIDS - undoubtedly one of the most formidable public health problems facing South Africa today. Traditionally, HIV/AIDS has not been regarded as a workplace issue, except for "high-risk" professions such as surgeons, dentists and emergency medical technicians. The stark reality is that HIV/AIDS will have an impact on all sectors of society and all aspects of human activity throughout South Africa. Because of the nature of the spread of the disease, it hits predominantly sexually active people. These are the people that make up the workforce. It can therefore be expected that HIV/AIDS will impact directly on the patterns of employment in South Africa. Furthermore, the economic consequences of the epidemic will result in pressures on the South African economy, which again will influence employment. Apart from affecting the general population, HIV/AIDS will have a direct impact on businesses in various areas. HIV/AIDS will also have a significant impact at community level that will, in turn, impact on businesses. If business in South Africa is to survive, these impacts have to be managed so that productivity can be maintained and costs can be contained. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of HIV/AIDS on employment by examining the South African labour market. From the study, it is clear that South Africa is certain to experience severe consequences arising from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Even without taking the immense impact of HIV/AIDS into account, there are various problems facing the' South African labour market. Specific problems discussed are unemployment, low productivity and a shortage of skills. These are not the only problems associated with the South African labour market, but the extent of these problems is further exacerbated by the impact of HIV/AIDS. All sectors of the society need to be mobilised into action. This action must encompass both prevention of the spread of the disease, as well as caring for the sick and dying. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen ander siekte in die moderne tyd het al soveel vrees en paniek geskep as MIV/VIGS nie ongetwyfeld een van die mees formidabele gemeenskapsgesondheidsprobleme wat Suid-Afrika huidiglik in die gesig staar. Oorspronklik was MIV/VIGS slegs met die werksplek geassosieer in terme van "hoë-risiko" beroepe soos dokters, tandartse en nood mediese personeel. Die naakte waarheid is dat MIV/VIGS 'n impak sal hê op alle sektore en aspekte van die samelewing in Suid-Afrika. As gevolg van die aard van die verspreiding van die siekte, tref dit hoofsaaklik seksueel aktiewe persone. Hierdie persone is die lewensaar van die arbeidsmag. Dit kan dus verwag word dat MIV/VIGS 'n direkte impak op werkverskaffingspatrone in Suid-Afrika sal hê. Die ekonomiese gevolge van die epidemie sal verdere druk veroorsaak op die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie, wat op sy beurt werkverskaffing sal beïnvloed. Buiten die impak van MIV/VIGS op die algemene bevolking, sal die siekte ook in verskeie areas van die besigheidsektor 'n uitwerking hê. Verder sal MIV/VIGS 'n aansienlike impak op gemeenskapsvlak hê, wat op sy beurt weer 'n uitwerking sal hê op besighede. As besighede in Suid-Afrika wil oorleef, moet hierdie aanslae so bestuur word dat produktiwiteit gehandhaaf word en kostes onder beheer gehou word. Die oogmerk van hierdie studie is om die impak van MIV/VIGS op werkverskaffing te ondersoek deur na die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmark te kyk. Van die studie is dit duidelik dat Suid-Afrika ernstige konsekwensies as gevolg van die MIV/VIGS epidemie kan verwag. Selfs sonder om die ontsaglike impak van MIV/VIGS in ag te neem, is daar verskeie probleme wat die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmark in die gesig staar. Spesifieke probleme wat bespreek word is werkloosheid, lae produktiwiteit en 'n tekort aan gespesialiseerde vaardighede. Alhoewel hierdie nie die enigste probleme is wat met die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmark geassosieer word nie, word die spesifieke probleme vererger deur die impak van MIV/VIGS. Wat vereis word is dat alle sektore van die samelewing moet oorgaan tot aksie. Hierdie aksie moet beide die voorkoming van die verspreiding van die siekte, sowel as die versorging van die siekes en sterwendes omvat.

<p>This study investigated the societal perception of refugee men as being a risk group, being polluted and the consequent risk of HIV infection they might face. It also determined the factors that could expose them to the risk of HIV infection while living in exile in South Africa.</p>

The aim of this study was to establish a new understanding of the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS at the municipal level, but at the same time upholding the anonymity of the HIV infected and AIDS sufferers. Innovative research techniques such as the use of GIS (geographic information systems) as a research tool contributed to disclosing the patterns of the HIV pandemic in the Nelson Mandela Metropole that were not obvious or visible before. GIS involved geographic maps that detect the spatial relationship between HIV prevalence rates and vectors that drive the pandemic.

The aim of this study was to establish a new understanding of the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS at the municipal level, but at the same time upholding the anonymity of the HIV infected and AIDS sufferers. Innovative research techniques such as the use of GIS (geographic information systems) as a research tool contributed to disclosing the patterns of the HIV pandemic in the Nelson Mandela Metropole that were not obvious or visible before. GIS involved geographic maps that detect the spatial relationship between HIV prevalence rates and vectors that drive the pandemic.

<p>This study investigated the societal perception of refugee men as being a risk group, being polluted and the consequent risk of HIV infection they might face. It also determined the factors that could expose them to the risk of HIV infection while living in exile in South Africa.</p>

The recommended infant feeding method for mothers living with HIV is either exclusive breastfeeding for six months or replacement infant feeding (RIF), while a mixed feeding method carries the greatest health risks for infants. This study focused on identifying the challenges faced by mothers who opted for RIF and the coping strategies they employ. A theoretical framework, based on gender and power, was developed. The study used a qualitative design, with semi-structured in-depth interviews. Using purposive sampling, data was collected at three clinics from 22 participants. The participants reported experiencing challenges related to RIF such as intermittent availability of formula milk at the clinics. Socio-cultural challenges include power inequalities between health care workers and mothers, pressure from family members to breastfeed, stigmatization and discrimination from community members. Coping strategies such as withdrawal from the community and trying to hide RIF from others were not sufficient to meet the challenges experienced. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Thesis (Ph. D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / Exploring the lived experiences of People Living with HIV/AIDS in relation to stigma and discrimination was the purpose of this qualitative research underpinned by Jungian Phenomenology. The study was qualitative in nature with a non-probability sample of fifteen participants aged from twenty tree to sixty four years. The setting was a rural and the research took place at a designated HIV/AIDS clinic in Limpopo. Semi-structured interviews, in the vernacular, were constructed so that the in-depth, lived experience of the participants relating to stigmatisation and discrimination could be ascertained. The participants’ responses were organised through the application of the Jungian metaphors and presented as themes which were presented in English. The archetypes of the Self, Shadow and Persona were highlighted as dominant metaphors with the Animus playing an important. These were followed by archetypes which represented more marginal roles in the participants’ personality development namely, the Anima, Hero, Caregiver, Innocent and Orphan. Everyone has the desire to develop a well-rounded socially acceptable and fulfilling personality, whose development process is accompanied by the generation and maturation of various archetypal traits. Once this is achieved, the process of personal individuation is completed and an individual is able to experience their true Self and live a fulfilling and authentic (honest) life. HIV infection and HIV related stigma generate archetypal traits which tend to impede the personality development of individuals. As a result they were not able to merge their personality development into an integrated unit and emerge as spiritual and deep-thinking beings.