Thesis advisor: Rosanna DeMarco / The purpose of this study was to explore the Zimbabwean women's experiences of being diagnosed and living with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis. This phenomenological study used the van Manen (1984, 1997) method of phenomenological inquiry and approach to phenomenological analysis to uncover the women's experiences and meaning of being diagnosed and living with HIV/AIDS. Seventeen HIV positive women participating in a development of antiretroviral therapies (DART) clinical trial in Harare, Zimbabwe, were recruited through snowball sampling and by word of mouth were interviewed. The study revealed that women experienced the dread of living with suspicion prior to a confirmed HIV diagnosis, pain and suffering when diagnosed, renewal and rebirth from the effects of antiretroviral medications and DART clinical trial while simultaneously experiencing the burden of living with HIV/AIDS. With time the women came to terms with their HIV positive statuses, and used their experiences to help others. The themes living with suspicion of HIV/AIDS and sensing the engulfing anguish of HIV/AIDS were found to be the core essence of being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The themes knowing the restorative power of antiretroviral medications, the heavy burden of HIV, and finding meaning in being HIV positive were found to be the core essence of living with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis. The findings inform health care providers on the trauma and suffering of being diagnosed and living with HIV/AIDS, and the benefits of antiretroviral medications. These study findings have significant implications for Zimbabwean nurses and other health care personnel committed to improving the lives of women, their families and their communities. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

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

Os últimos 30 anos foram marcados pelo surgimento da maior epidemia que a humanidade tem conhecimento: um vírus mortal causador de milhões de óbitos em todas as partes do mundo, mas que ao mesmo tempo trouxe para todos um momento de reflexão e análise de atitudes e comportamento, além do preconceito e estigma causados pelos seus sinais e sintomas. No inicio da epidemia vários setores da sociedade fizeram as suas manifestações, infelizmente a maioria estabelecendo marcas que o tempo não consegue apagar. A AIDS foi definida como doença de drogados, homossexuais, prostitutas e imigrantes, e com isto as pessoas ficaram e ainda permanecem marcadas com este estigma social. Praticamente todas as cidades do país tem portadores do vírus entre os seus habitantes. De 1980 a junho de 2011. no Brasil, foram notificados 608.230 casos de AIDS. A cidade de São Leopoldo-RS não é diferente, sendo que nos últimos anos permanece entre as 10 cidades gaúchas com o maior número de casos de AIDS. Nesta realidade local encontramos um hospital geral no qual atua um grupo de religiosos cristãos que diariamente visita pacientes internados aconselhando, levando a palavra de compreensão e amor ao próximo. Deste grupo. 23 integrantes participaram de uma pesquisa a respeito da epidemia da AIDS. abordando aspectos como: o que pensam, como encaram, como sua igreja atua na problemática do HIV/AIDS. Os pesquisados são representantes das Igrejas Católica. Luterana, Pentecostal. Assembleia de Deus e Deus é Amor. Ao longo das respostas podemos ver que o tempo não passou, pois os mesmos pensamentos do início da epidemia como morte, pecado, culpa, preconceito e estigma estão vivos como nos primeiros casos e primeiras manifestações religiosas sobre esta problemática mundial. / The last 30 years were marked by the emergence of the largest epidemic humanity has known: a deadly virus that causes millions of deaths in ali parts of the world, but at the same time everyone brought a moment of reflection and analysis of attitudes and behavior. beyond the prejudice and stigma caused by its signs and symptoms. At the beginning of the epidemic many sectors of society have their manifestations. unfortunately most established brands that time can not erase. AIDS was defined as a disease of drug addicts. homosexuals, prostitutes and immigrants, and that people were and are still marked with this social stigma. Virtually every city in the country are carrying the virus among its inhabitants. From 1980 to June 2011. in Brazil. 608.230 cases were reported with AIDS. The city of São Leopoldo-RS is no different, and in recent years remains among the 10 cities with a gaúcho largest number of AIDS cases. This local reality we find a general hospital in which it operates a group of religious believers who daily visit inpatient counseling. taking the word of understanding and love of neighbor. Of this group, 23 members participated in a survey about the AIDS epidemic. addressing issues such as: what they think. how they view as their church operates on the issue of HIV / AIDS. Respondents are representative of the Catholic Church, Lutheran. Pentecostal. Assembly of God and God is love. Over the answers we can see that time has stood still, as they thought the beginning of the epidemic and death. sin, guilt, stigma and prejudice are alive and in the early onset cases and religious world on this issue.

A pesquisa busca trabalhar questões relacionadas aos processos vivenciados por uma pessoa que vive com HIV/AIDS, o surgimento do luto e a necessidade de um acolhimento livre de preconceitos, a importância que a religião e a teologia possuem nesse processo adaptativo para que a pessoa consiga a superação dentro dos padrões sugeridos pelo processo da resiliência. Nesse sentido, o papel social aliado a questões psicológicas e teológicas surgem como parâmetros que devem se articular para que o processo de estigmatização possa ser cada vez mais resignificado facilitando assim busca do sentido pela fé, o que pode proporcionar um fator permanente no seu processo construtivo enquanto pessoa. A tentativa de explorar o sentido da fé, respeitando as verdades das pessoas que convivem com o vírus, para que as mesmas possam ser aceitas dentro dos padrões que adequem os seus significados. / The research aims to address issues related to the processes experienced by a person living with HIV/AIDS, the emergence of grief and the need of an unprejudiced reception, the importance of religion and theology on this adaptive process so the person will be able to overcomewithin the standard suggested by the process of resilience. In this sense, the social role combined with psychological and theological issues appear as parameters that must be articulated so the stigmatization process can be increasingly redefinedthereby facilitating the search for meaning through faith, which can provide a permanent factor in their constructive process as a person. The attempt to explore the meaning of faith, respecting the truths of people living with the virus so that they can be accepted within the standards that suit their meanings.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2006. / This study was aimed at improving knowledge, attitude and practices of teachers, parents and learners on HIV/AIDS issues in Mthatha schools in Eastern Cape. The specific objective was to promote mental health in the form of improved family communication about HIV/AIDS issues and also to promote the value of psychological interventions among Xhosa families in the Eastern Cape. The target population was drawn among teachers and families of the learners in two schools (urban and rural) in the Mthatha district of Eastern Cape. All participants were given an HTV/AIDS life skills intervention programme for about nine weeks. Quantitative data was collected from a structured questionnaire and qualitative data from a focus group interview. The findings revealed a general improvement in HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude and practices. Teachers seemed to be more knowledgeable than parents and learners with regard to HIV/AIDS issues. Learners manifested resistance to change in their practices though all participants preferred abstinence or safer sex than the use of condom. Learners seemed resistant to change sexual practices though all participants preferred abstinence or safer sex above condom usage.

Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The Uganda government through the ministry of health, collaborating with several NGOs and donors has done a commendable job in arresting the medical effects of HIV/AIDS. This has been done through provision of ARVs and treatment of opportunistic infections. As a result, Uganda has enjoyed a lot of international praise for its response to the medical effects of HIV/AIDS. However, inadequate attention has been paid to the epidemics social economic effects. It is known that HIV mostly affects young people in their years of economic productivity. These people spend eight or more hours of every day in their work place but despite this; work places especially private institutions have not taken steps to respond to the scourge of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS work place policies have not been formulated, and in some cases, they are on paper but no implementation is being done. Consequently, HIV/AIDS still affects the carriers, income and occupational activities of infected workers. This study reveals that the working population is generally ignorant about workplace HIV/AIDS policies, and their relevance to workers living with HIV/AIDS. A significant proportion of the respondents have lost jobs because of their HIV status, while majority affirm that living with HIV/AIDS has affected their occupations, carriers and income

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two parallel processes contributed to the formation of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) in 1993 – one under the auspices of the World Health Organisation and its “NGO Support Programme” and the other being the coming together in 1991 of a group of donors under the auspices of the Rockerfeller Foundation in an attempt to define a mechanism that would channel funds to community groups in the South. It was a difficult period of the HIV epidemic – communities were struggling to cope with the effects of HIV, science was unable to advance its efforts to find a vaccine and progress into different forms HIV treatment was moving slowly. The two processes came together almost fortuitously, as key individuals were involved one way or another in both processes, and the work that had been done complemented and justified the need to combine energies, resources and creativity into making this mechanism work. The oral history brings to life some of the discussions and events that took place during the development of the Alliance. It provides insights into what key individuals were thinking, or how they acted during important, and at times frustrating, discussions. Because so little is captured about the conception phase (1991 – 1993), the oral history focusses on capturing the reflections and memories of those who were involved during this period, to ensure that history accurately reflects what happened – or at least offers real and lived perspectives. The case study reviews the start-up phase (1994 – 1996) and provides insights and perspectives into key decisions and the all-important external evaluation, which was a turning point for the organisation. The external evaluation led to and informed the scale-up period (1997 – 2000) and the oral history reflects on a number of key themes that shaped the organisations work and laid the foundation for its next ten years. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Twee parallelle prosesse het bygedra tot die vorming van die Internasionale HIV/AIDS Alliance (The Alliance ) in 1993 - een onder die vaandel van die Wêreld Gesondheid Organisasie en die " NGO Support Program " en die ander is die bymekaar kom van 'n groep skenkers onder die coordinatie van die Rockerfeller Foundation in 1991. Hulle het saamgekom in 'n poging om 'n meganisme te definieer wat fondse sal kanaliseer naar gemeenskap groepe in die Suid. Dit was 'n moeilike tyd die MIV-epidemie - gemeenskappe sukkel met die gevolge van MIV , wetenskap was nie in staat om hulle pogings om 'n entstof teen MIV en vooruitgang in behandeling het stadig gevorder. Die mondelinge geskiedenis bring aan die lewe 'n paar van die besprekings en gebeure wat plaasgevind het tydens die ontwikkeling van die Alliance. Dit bied insig in wat individue dink , of hoe hulle opgetree het tydens belangrik , en by tye frustrerend, besprekings. Omdat daar so min gevang oor die konsepsie (1991 - 1993), fokus die mondelinge geskiedenis op die vaslegging van die refleksies en herinneringe van diegene wat gedurende hierdie tydperk betrokke was. Die gevallestudie gee ‘n oorsig van die begin fase (1994 - 1997) en bied insigte en perspektiewe in belangrike besluite en die eksterne evaluering , wat 'n keerpunt vir die organisasie was. Die eksterne evaluering het gelei tot die “scale up” tydperk (1997 - 2000) en die mondelinge geskiedenis weerspieël op 'n aantal van die belangrikste temas wat die grondslag gelê vir sy volgende tien jaar.

With more than 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS, and an infection rate that is increasing rather than falling among high-risk groups, the 30-year history of the AIDS epidemic has been characterised as ‘islands of success in a sea of failure.’ Given the lack of a medical cure for the disease, the world has looked to social marketing campaigns to promote behaviour change that would decrease infection rates. Under the best of circumstances, change is difficult, and health behaviour change, especially when it relates to sex and politics, is even more challenging, so social marketers have a difficult task that calls on every technique at their disposal. There is an increasing expectation that HIV/AIDS social marketing interventions will yield measurable results, and that involves fully understanding the AIDS landscape, marketing theory and practice, and the evolving medical picture relating to the pandemic. This research explores links between social marketing and HIV/AIDS while mapping their marketing connections to both the conventional and alternative medical communities. To better understand the HIV/AIDS landscape, early research focused on three diverse countries— Mexico, Uganda, and the United States—selected for their significant cultural, economic, and political differences. Given the multiple social perspectives and fields of knowledge involved in this project, a transdisciplinary approach using mixed research methods was selected. Mixed methods for collecting and presenting data included case studies, content analysis, semistructured interviews, a quantitative survey, and in-depth reaction interviews. Through analysis of 18 social marketing campaigns in the three countries selected for study, the content, focus, purpose, and implications of the controlled public dissemination of HIV/AIDS information were examined. Key informants with professional and academic credentials in the areas of marketing, advocacy, and HIV/AIDS medicine were interviewed to learn rationales behind the campaigns and to explore political and economic factors that affect HIV/AIDS health activism. The last major phase of information gathering surveyed more than 340 patients at a clinic in Houston, Texas, to ascertain their knowledge and perceptions about HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention information. After the survey data was compiled, reaction interviews from key informants provided additional input. Informed by this wealth of secondary and primary research, an Integrated Social Marketing Conversation (Marcon) Model was created to demonstrate that social marketing campaigns should be localised and customer centred, with participants engaging in an ongoing conversation at every stage. The communication model offers valuable guidelines for more effective dissemination of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment information to high-risk, high-interest target audiences such as HIV-positive people and the organisations that work with that subculture. Because this research crosses so many boundaries and addresses an actual need, it should be of interest to a wide variety of individuals and organisations in both academic and professional fields. From marketers to medical practitioners to activists associated with HIV/AIDS issues, this project’s findings will apply to their concerns. Also, HIV/AIDS organisations — both government agencies as well as private groups — should find information in this work that addresses their ongoing efforts. While investigating existing models for HIV/AIDS communication, it became evident that most research and communication models have focused on how HIV/AIDS prevention programmes are working and what is effective, but little has been done in regards to treatment options and information. For that reason, the integrated social marcon model presented in this thesis is an important addition to the body of practical literature on this topic. Finally, the volatility of the issues examined here and the contacts made during five years of work offer multiple possibilities for follow-up research and fieldwork with opportunities to make a positive contribution in the battle against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Community nurses have a critical role in caring for people and families affected by HIV/AIDS in the home setting. Despite this, there is a dearth of Australian literature describing the health needs of these clients who are referred to them. This study identified the demographic, clinical and psychoemotional aspects of adult clients with HIV/AIDS in Sydney, Australia, who were referred to community nurses and died between 1993 and 1995. Retrospective data from the records of 73 clients identified on 171 Community Nursing Referral Forms completed within the study period from an inpatient HIV/AIDS Unit was analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The sample was demographically similar to the general population of people with HIV/AIDS during the study period. The most commonly identified clinical aspects of clients included oral candida, mycobacterium avium complex, anaemia, drug intolerance, cytomegalovirus, pain, fever, diarrhoea, weight loss and cough. The most commonly identified psychoemotional variables were depressed mood, anxiety, grief and nonadherence to suggested interventions, with the most common emergent theme being the physical effects of HIV/AIDS illness. Emotional support, symptom monitoring and home assessments were the most common requests made of community nurses. The study sample represented 14% of people who died following AIDS in New South Wales during this known peak period of AIDS diagnoses and deaths following AIDS. As a result of this study, documentation exists describing the characteristics of clients with advanced HIV/AIDS referred to community nurses. Current and future clients with advanced HIV/AIDS referred to community nurses may experience a similar clinical picture to that identified in this study. The findings can be used to reveal relationships amongst the key variables; lay the foundation for further comparative, theory or hypothesis driven studies; and demonstrate how this influences the community nursing role, strategies, interventions and outcomes.

Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2009. / ENGLISH SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to determine the current situation regarding policy development and implementation in a selected sample of South African organisations. The researcher used the survey method to determine how many organisations do have HIV/AIDS workplace policies in place, and if not, why not. It was found that only a small percentage of respondents confirmed to not have an HIV/AIDS workplace policy at their respective workplaces. A reason for concern is that almost a quarter of the respondents were not sure whether their workplace had a policy or not. Larger organisations (> 500 employees) were more inclined to have polices and the highest percentage of organisations that have policies were from KwaZulu Natal, the province with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die huidige situasie rakende MIV/VIGS beleidsontwikkeling en implementering in „n gekose groep van Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies te ondersoek. Die navorser het „n opname gedoen om te bepaal hoeveel organisasies MIV/VIGS beleide het, en indien nie, hoekom nie. Daar is gevind dat slegs „n klein persentasie van respondente bevestig het dat hul onderskeie werkplekke nie „n MIV/VIGS beleid het nie. Daar is egter rede tot kommer rakende byna „n kwart van die respondente wie nie seker was of hul werkplek „n beleid het of nie. Groter organisasies (> 500 werknemers) was meer geneig om beleide te hê, en die hoogste persentasie van organisasies met beleide was van KwaZulu Natal, die provinsie met die hoogste voorkoms van MIV/VIGS in die land.