Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Background Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in women globally representing 13% of female cancers and accounting for 11% of the total cancer deaths (Ahmedin et al.2011). Several studies demonstrated the association between HIV and HPV. In Zimbabwe the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is high and cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women of all age groups. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of HIV infected women on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening at Musiso Hospital, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. Methods 208 self administered questionnaires were used with a 100 per cent response rate. Quantitative data were analysed using STATA statistical package version 12 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-squared tests were done for hypothesis testing at 5 per cent level of significance and 95 per cent confidence level. Multiple variable logistic regressions models were also used to assess association between outcomes of interest and socio-demographic characteristics. All open ended questions were analysed using qualitative methods. Results Out of the 208 participants, 45 (21.6 per cent) respondents claimed to know what cervical cancer is. About 55.3 per cent said cervical cancer is preventable. The majority (92.8 per cent) did not know any screening tests. Just above three quarters (77.3 per cent) of the respondents believed they were at risk of having cervical cancer. About 9 per cent (18) of all participants had screened for cervical cancer before and 95.8 per cent respondents reported would like to screen for cervical cancer in the future. Conclusion HIV infected women at Musiso mission hospital were found to be having inadequate knowledge, positive attitude and inadequate practices on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. There is need to equip these women with knowledge on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening to increase cervical cancer screening uptake. Key Concepts: knowledge, attitude, practice, screening, cervical cancer

Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / Background Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in women globally representing 13% of female cancers and accounting for 11% of the total cancer deaths (Ahmedin et al.2011). Several studies demonstrated the association between HIV and HPV. In Zimbabwe the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is high and cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women of all age groups. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of HIV infected women on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening at Musiso Hospital, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. Methods 208 self administered questionnaires were used with a 100 per cent response rate. Quantitative data were analysed using STATA statistical package version 12 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-squared tests were done for hypothesis testing at 5 per cent level of significance and 95 per cent confidence level. Multiple variable logistic regressions models were also used to assess association between outcomes of interest and socio-demographic characteristics. All open ended questions were analysed using qualitative methods. Results Out of the 208 participants, 45 (21.6 per cent) respondents claimed to know what cervical cancer is. About 55.3 per cent said cervical cancer is preventable. The majority (92.8 per cent) did not know any screening tests. Just above three quarters (77.3 per cent) of the respondents believed they were at risk of having cervical cancer. About 9 per cent (18) of all participants had screened for cervical cancer before and 95.8 per cent respondents reported would like to screen for cervical cancer in the future. Conclusion HIV infected women at Musiso mission hospital were found to be having inadequate knowledge, positive attitude and inadequate practices on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. There is need to equip these women with knowledge on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening to increase cervical cancer screening uptake. Key Concepts: knowledge, attitude, practice, screening, cervical cancer

<p>Although the under-five mortality rate in Malawi has been declining since 1960, it still remains one of the highest in the world. In order to appropriately target interventions to achieve substantial reductions in deaths among children under the age of five years in Malawi, there is an ongoing need for better knowledge of the proportion of cause-specific under-five mortality in the country. The aim of this study was to estimate the direct contribution of HIV/AIDS to the observed level of under-five mortality in Malawi during the period 2000 to 2004.</p>

O estudo visa investigar à utilização da atividade grupal em enfermagem como alternativa terapêutica no atendimento ambulatorial de portadores de HIV/aids. Com a finalidade de melhorar a adesão do paciente ao tratamento, os objetivos deste estudo foram: analisar o processo grupal como recurso terapêutico e de ajuda no tratamento clínico-ambulatorial; colocar frente a frente pacientes portadores de HIV/aids nas diferentes etapas da doença; propiciar trocas de experiências e diminuição de angústias; identificar através de depoimentos dos portadores e equipe envolvida na atividade grupal, as vantagens e desvantagens deste tipo de abordagem, para a melhoria da qualidade de vida do portador do HIV/aids. A partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, referenciando-se a história oral temática, utilizou-se o trabalho em grupo para abordar 13 usuários do Ambulatório Escola – Faculdade de Enfermagem de Passos – UEMG, todos portadores do HIV/aids, com idades oscilando entre 25 a 55 anos. Os funcionários do Ambulatório Escola representados por 04 enfermeiros, 01 psicóloga, 01 dentista, 01 auxiliar/acadêmico de enfermagem, 06 acadêmicos de enfermagem e 01 funcionário do setor de serviços gerais fizeram parte de avaliação do estudo (entrevista). Os resultados revelaram que, antes de freqüentarem o dispositivo grupal, os pacientes permaneciam sem atividades, afastados dos amigos, familiares e da equipe que os assistia. A modalidade de grupo propicia mudanças de comportamento dos sujeitos consideradas benéficas para sua aceitação e adesão ao tratamento, favorece uma maior e melhor convivência entre pacientes e equipe e que sentimentos negativos advindos da doença, são aliviados pelo suporte emocional oferecido pelo grupo. Conclui-se, com o trabalho, que as atividades grupais devam ser utilizadas pelos enfermeiros como recurso terapêutico no tratamento dos portadores de HIV/aids, possibilitando um espaço valioso para troca de experiências e compreensão dos aspectos psicossociais do ser humano. Conclui-se, pela necessidade de adequação a formação do enfermeiro e apoio específico para a equipe que desenvolve projetos desta natureza. / The study aims the utilization of group approach in nursing like therapeutics alternative in health-place attending of infected people with HIV virus. In order to improve the support of the patient in treatment, the objectives in this study were: to analyze the group process like therapeutics resource and the help in clinical-health-place treatment, to put face to face infected people with HIV virus in different stages of illness; to give conditions to exchange of experiences and fall of anguishes, to identify through statements of infected people with HIV virus and staff involved in group activity, the advantages and disadvantages in this kind of approach, for the improvement of life quality of infected people with HIV virus. From the qualified approach, used the work in group to approach 13 users of Health-place school – Nursing College in Passos – UEMG, all infected people with HIV virus, with age varying between 25 and 55 years old. The employees of Health-place School represented by 04 nurses, 01 psychologist, 01 dentist, 01 academic-nursing assistant, 06 nursing academic and 01 employee of general service sector were part of assessment of the study (interview). The results show that, before this study, the patients remained without activities, they moved away the friends, relatives, and the group that watches them. The modality of the group facilitates changes on behavior of the subjects considered beneficial for their acceptation and support on treatment, favor some bigger and better acquaintance between patients and group and that negative feelings happened by the illness, are relieved by emotional support offered by the group. It concluded, with the work, that the group activities must be used by nurses like therapeutics resource in treatment of infected people with HIV virus, allowing some valuable space to change the experiences and comprehension of psychosocial aspects of human being. It concluded, by need of adjustment the formation of nurse and specific base by the group that develops projects of this nature.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Social Work)) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / Despite the laudable progress on HIV and AIDS interventions encountered in South Africa, new HIV infection remains a challenge. Limpopo Department of Agriculture is not an exception as far as new HIV infections are concerned, regardless of the intervention efforts made. This study aimed at exploring on perceptions of LDA employees on social-behavioural and structural core drivers of HIV infection. Qualitative research methodologies were applied. A purposive sample of twenty participants (10 men and 10 women) was selected from Department of Agriculture, Mopani District, Limpopo Province. Constructivism and structuralism theoretical framework were used to navigate the study. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were designed. Data was collected through interviews, audio-recorded and transcribed. Eight steps of data analysis were followed as proposed by Creswell. Guidelines for the prevention of new HIV infection were developed. Some of the major findings are that: the socio-behavioural core drivers that place all partners at risk of contracting new HIV infections is the Multiple Sexual Partnerships (MSPs). Age-disparate relationships in a workplace were also socio-behavioural drivers of new HIV infection. Young women and men who enter into age-disparate relationships have intention of obtaining permanent employment. Patriarchy was found to be amongst the structural core drivers of new HIV infections. The fact that men are not tested involuntarily is viewed as a structural barrier towards eliminating the spread of new HIV infections. Stigma has been also found to be a core driver of new HIV infections. Some conclusions made are: MSPs is a closed sexual network system, characterised by “secrecy” and “trust”. Despite some reforms purporting to improve women’s status, patriarchal domination is still at its toll. Unsymbolised stigma remains a threat towards elimination of the spread of HIV infections. The major recommendations are that working women still require empowerment in number of areas of their social functioning, and the leadership involvement in the fight against the spread of new HIV infections.

Thesis (M.A. (Social work)) --University of Limpopo, 2007 / The impact of AIDS has an overwhelming effect on women as they are unable to fulfill their multiple roles. For many women, a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS carries a profound physical, psychological and social burden. Gender inequities, poverty and a growing prevalence of HIV in developing countries have increased the vulnerability of women to HIV infection. Women’s lack of social and economic independence and their low status in their marital households also increase their vulnerability to HIV. They are susceptible to stigma and discrimination when they are identified as being HIV-positive. Negative social responses in these situations may result in them being rejected by their families and denied access to resources. A qualitative exploratory-descriptive study was conducted with fifty six women living with HIV/AIDS (WLWHA) in the Mankweng area and surrounding villages. Six focus groups interviews were conducted to elicit information about their experiences and perceptions on the way families, communities, health and social service professions treat them. A quantitative approach was also used to indicate the number of participants who shared similar views on a particular issue. The striking feature about the participants’ explanation of HIV and AIDS is that, they associated HIV/AIDS with makgoma (contaminations). The participants also reported that dealing with the consequences of the disease is a huge challenge. They also face challenges in managing their illness. Their problems are compounded by accusations from their partners, family members and the community who blame them for the infection. This creates stress for them that may be detrimental to their physical and emotional health. The participants freely expressed views on HIV/AIDS, aspects that are positive and unsupportive of people living with HIV/AIDS. They shared their physical, social, psychological, cultural and economical challenges. The findings also revealed that an overwhelming number (89%) of WLWHA are struggling with negotiating for condom use. Some of their partners are reluctant to use condoms thus, risking re-infection that is detrimental to their health. The participants’ plea is for the health and social service professionals to become sensitive and compassionate towards them. / Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

<p>Although the under-five mortality rate in Malawi has been declining since 1960, it still remains one of the highest in the world. In order to appropriately target interventions to achieve substantial reductions in deaths among children under the age of five years in Malawi, there is an ongoing need for better knowledge of the proportion of cause-specific under-five mortality in the country. The aim of this study was to estimate the direct contribution of HIV/AIDS to the observed level of under-five mortality in Malawi during the period 2000 to 2004.</p>

O objetivo principal deste trabalho consiste em analisar a construção social do cuidado em um grupo específico de apoio aos portadores do vírus HIV/AIDS. Para tanto, apresentamos uma discussão teórico-conceitual e metodológica desenvolvida em quatro capítulos. Nos dois primeiros refletimos sobre a trajetória, do enfrentamento da epidemia do HIV/Aids no Brasil e o papel das ONGs nessa trajetória, buscando delinear o campo de disputando qual um grupo específico de portadores do vírus HIV/Aids se insere e assume posição contra-hegemônica. Em seguida, no terceiro capítulo, mapeamos o percurso da formação desse grupo, analisando o engendramento das atividades ali desenvolvidas e os reflexos do campo de disputa no interior do grupo. No capítulo seguinte, refletimos sobre a história de vida de uma das participantes do grupo, por meio da qual identificamos quais as possíveis configurações desse sujeito, mediante sua inserção nos espaços sociais. Verificamos que tal inserção amplia sua capacidade de articular saberes no enfrentamento dos seus problemas de saúde. Concluímos que o grupo estabelece modos de fazer que primam pela manutenção do vínculo por onde circulam bens e se efetuam as solidariedades. Além disso, percebemos que as hegemônicas concepções de saúde e doença estão tendo seus poros alargados por este reordenamento social que não somente filtra os valores indesejáveis da visão hegemônica, como também propicia aos sujeitos a redescoberta do seu próprio cuidado. Por fim, constatamos que as representações sobre saúde e doença, decorrentes da que as representações dobre saúde e doença, decorrentes da inserção do sujeito em espaços sociais específicos, como os grupos de apoio, provocam (re)significações importantes: trabalhar, cozinhar, dormir, alimentar-se e também aquelas que estavam somente na ordem do lazer, como passear, ficar em casa com a família, visitar e ser visitado por amigos, dançar e outras, ganham nova dimensão e passam a ser vistas como vetores de saúde. Deste modo, gestos simples e práticas habituais assumem aspectos de táticas que modulam o cuidado dos sujeitos, Estas práticas realizadas no cotidiano, as quais chamamos de cuidado vivo, são também percebidas pelos sujeitos como cuidado. / The main aim of this paper consists in the analysis of social construction care in a specific supports group to the people living with HIV/AIDS. For this purpose, a theoretical conceptual and methodological discussion will be developed in four chapter. The first two ones we reflect on the trajectory of combat in the HIV/Aids epidemic in Brazil and the role of the Non-Governmental Organizations in this trajectory, searching to delineate the field of dispute in where a specific group of people living with HIV/Aids has insertions and tales on counter hegemonic position. In the third chapter we map the process of the groups formation, analyzing the relationship of the activities developed and the consequences of the field of dispute in the interior of the group. In the following chapter, a reflex ion on one components life is put forward, by mean of which we identify the possible configurations of this person, through of its insertion on these social spaces. We verify that such enlarges its capacity to articulate knowledge in the difficulties faced of its healths problems. We concluded that the group establishes ways of to make that prioritizes the maintenance of the bond by where circulate goods and solidarities. Moreover, we notice that the hegemonic conceptions of health and illness have had its pores widened by this social new arrangement that not only filters the values undesirable of this hegemonic vision, as also it propitiates to the persons the rediscovery of its own care. Finally, we evidence that the representations on health and illness derived from the persons insertion in specific social spaces, as the groups of support, provoke outstanding new meaning: to work, to cook, to sleep, to feed himself and those that were only in the order of the leisure as: to walk, to be in home with the family, to visit and to be visited by friends, to dance and others gain a new dimension and become healths vectors. In this way, common gestures and habitual practices are converted in tactics that modulate the care of person. The persons also realize these daily practices, which we call living care as care.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-12-14Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:30:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 freitas_ts_me_arafcf_parcial.pdf: 105025 bytes, checksum: 05be23e51f06edaf540f129835a8111e (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2015-02-09T14:35:41Z: freitas_ts_me_arafcf_parcial.pdf,Bitstream added on 2015-02-09T14:36:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000706953.pdf: 317218 bytes, checksum: 36f40b682b4f63321e96d006fc624955 (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2015-02-09T17:15:03Z: 000706953.pdf,Bitstream added on 2015-02-09T17:15:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000706953.pdf: 317218 bytes, checksum: 36f40b682b4f63321e96d006fc624955 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O surgimento da terapia antirretroviral, no tratamento dos indivíduos infectados pelo HIV, transformou a aids em uma condição crônica. Porém, com a cronicidade da doença, observou-se um aumento na ocorrência de acometimento cardiovascular destes pacientes. Com isso o presente estudo tem por objetivo verificar as alterações metabólicas influenciadas pela infecção pelo HIV e seu tratamento, e se nesses pacientes a ferritina e os marcadores inflamatórios podem ser utilizados como indicadores de risco cardiovascular.Estudo transversal no qual 36 voluntários adultos de ambos os sexos foram distribuídos em 3 grupos: HIV positivos com lipodistrofia (HIV+LIPO+), HIV positivos sem lipodistrofia (HIV+LIPO-) e HIV negativos (Controle). Foi feito a avaliação antropométrica e análises bioquímicas de glicose, insulina, colesterol total, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglicerídeos, ferro sérico, ferritina, AST, ALT, fosfatase alcalina e dos marcadores inflamatórios TNF-α e PCR. Também foi aplicado escore de Framingham para determinação do risco cardiovascular, e HOMA-IR para analisar resistência insulínica.O grupo HIV+LIPO+ apresentou valores maiores de HOMA-IR, ferritina, risco cardiovascular, fosfatase alcalina, triglicérides e TNF-α, quando comparado aos outros grupos, com diferenças estatísticas significativas quando comparado ao Controle. A ferritina apresentou correlação positiva com o tempo de infecção pelo HIV, e o HOMA-IR com o tempo de uso dos antirretrovirais. O tempo de infecção pelo HIV e do uso dos antirretrovirais influenciam o metabolismo lipídico, glicídico e do ferro, e estas alterações, juntamente com a maior presença de marcadores inflamatórios, tornam esses indivíduos mais susceptíveis às doenças cardiovasculares... / The emergence of antiretroviral therapy in the treatment of HIV-infected individuals, has transformed AIDS into a chronic condition. However, with this chronic condition, observed an increase in the occurrence of cardiovascular involvement of these patients. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the metabolic changes influenced by HIV infection and its treatment and the cardiovascular risk associated with ferritin and inflammatory markers. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 36 adult volunteers of both sexes divided into the following groups: HIV+ with lipodystrophy (HIV+LIPO+), HIV+ without lipodystrophy (HIV+LIPO-) and HIV- (Control). Anthropometric evaluation was performed and the following analyses were carried out: glycemia, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, iron, ferritin, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, TNF-α and CRP. The Framingham score was calculated and HOMA-IR was determined. The HIV+LIPO+ group had higher values of HOMA-IR, ferritin, cardiovascular risk, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides and TNF-α compared to the other groups, with significant differences compared to control. Ferritin was positively correlated with time of HIV infection, and HOMA-IR with time of antiretroviral use. Time of HIV infection and of antiretroviral use influence the lipid, glucide and iron profile and these changes, together with the greater presence of inflammatory markers... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-06-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:06:50Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 verri_ja_me_prud.pdf: 7130871 bytes, checksum: 40212cfd999c344f6165b927a8d582c2 (MD5) / Nesta dissertação fazemos um estudo de modelos biológicos do tipo Lotka-Volterra, utilizando como ferramenta principal a teoria qualitativa das equações diferenciais ordinárias. Abordamos, no plano e no espaço, alguns modelos do tipo predador-presa. Analisamos os comportamentos das soluções sob a variação dos parâmetros e tratamos com detalhes a bifurcação de Hopf, que dá origem a uma órbita periódica isolada (ciclo limite). Estudamos também um teorema devido a Li e Muldowney [16] sobre a estabilidade global de um ponto de equilíbrio para um sistema x˙ = f(x), x ∈ Rn. Aplicamos este resultado no estudo de um modelo de HIV tridimensional, provando a estabilidade global de um ponto de equilíbrio, para certos valores dos parâmetros. Para o mesmo modelo, verificamos a ocorrência de uma dupla bifurcação de Hopf, que leva ao surgimento e posterior desaparecimento de um ciclo limite, ao variarmos um dos parâmetros envolvidos no sistema. As bifurcações de Hopf ocorrem simultaneamente à perda de estabilidade global do ponto de equilíbrio / In this work we present a study of biological models of Lotka-Volterra type, using as main tool the qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations. We analyze some two and three dimensional predator-prey models. The behavior of the solutions are studied under the variation of parameters and it is shown that a Hopf bifurcation occurs, leading to the creation of an isolated periodic orbit (limit cycle). We also study a theorem due to Li and Muldowney [16] about the global stability of an equilibrium point of a system x˙ = f(x), x ∈ Rn. We apply this result in the analysis of a three dimensional model of HIV with treatment, showing the global stability of an equilibrium point, for certain parameter values. For the same model, we prove the occurrence of two Hopf bifurcations, leading to the birth and subsequent death of a limit cycle, when we vary one of the parameters of the model. The Hopf bifurcations occurs simultaneously to the lack of global stability of the equilibrium point