This study on, ‘Facing HIV and AIDS: Understanding family support within a rural Kwazulu-Natal community’ aimed to explore how an HIV/AIDS diagnosis affects the family as a whole and to determine the role of the family as a primary support system. Although HIV and AIDS infects individuals, it also affects entire families. The researcher employed a qualitative research design to gain in-depth and rich data, and to hear the stories of all participants. The study is grounded in the systems theory and the risk and resilience theory framework. For purposes of clarity, much of the work was divided into the different levels of the systems theory. Risk and resilience aspects were identified in relation to the various themes. It was necessary to explore this topic, not only from the perspective of individuals living with HIV and AIDS, but also from the perspective of their family and community. Three sets of data were therefore utilised: interviews with individuals living with HIV and AIDS, interviews with family members of an individual living with HIV and AIDS, and a once-off focus group discussion to gain the perspective of community members. This helped to ensure sample and instrument triangulation. The type and amount of support that was offered affected the stigma experienced; and affected individual fears and goals, willingness to disclose and the utilisation of available services in the community. It was clear that receiving support reciprocally affected individuals, family and the community. The experience of not being supported resulted in aspects of risk – for example, being more vulnerable in the face of stigma and discrimination. The importance of family support was thus found to be vital in facing the HIV and AIDS journey with resilience. Recommendations are provided at micro, mezzo and macro levels. This study also hopes to assist service providers to provide the necessary services. / M.A. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / School of Nursing

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a seriously negative impact on the South African workplace, with industries experiencing the many adverse effects of the disease such as the problem of absenteeism. Other effects of HIV/AIDS at the workplace include loss of productivity and profitability, especially if the disease is not managed properly. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HIV/AIDS within the private medical practice industry in Umlazi Township, in the Province of KwaZulu Natal. The research methodology used was quantitative. There are only 40 private medical practices in Umlazi Township. The entire population of private medical practices is included in the sample because of the manageable population size. No sampling method was therefore used. Close-ended questionnaires ware hand delivered to all the doctors in all the private medical practices in Umlazi. The questionnaires were collected once the doctor indicated that s/he completed it. The salient finding of this study were that HIV/AIDS induced absenteeism is a major challenge for private medical practitioners. A good HIV/AIDS policy is necessary for the medical doctors to effectively manage HIV/AIDS at their private medical practices. While the respondents acknowledged the effectiveness of an HIV/AIDS policy if implemented, they understood that it would be difficult to implement it. Because of its effect on business sustainability, HIV/AIDS can result in serious problems for private medical practices, including bankruptcy. The recommendations of the study are for private medical practices to implement their own HIV/AIDS policy – which must encompasses education, training and treatment of those that are infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. The study highly recommends and encourages staff to undergo VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) so that the disease can be identified early – which makes management of it timely, and more effective. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Despite efforts by the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs) and churches, the HIV epidemic remains one of the major challenges in Zimbabwe. Its impact cuts across all sectors of life and society. The context of HIV in Zimbabwe reflects that the economic and political decisions and policies have contributed to the spread of HIV. The spread of HIV is also exacerbated by some socio-cultural practices in that context. Among these socio-cultural factors are marriage practices, stigma and discrimination. This study is an investigation of the response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ) to HIV and AIDS. This is done through analysis of the ELCZ HIV and AIDS policy document (ELCZHAP). The ELCZ HIV and AIDS policy document is analysed by using the “HIV competent framework” (Parry 2008:20) in an attempt to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the response to the HIV epidemic by the ELCZ. From this analysis the policy document shows that the ELCZ has some competence but it needs to be strengthened in order to address socio-cultural and political factors, as well as improve engagement with government policies. The study reveals that the ELCZ lacks a comprehensive theological discourse in responding to HIV. Through this investigation, recommendations are made in order to strengthen the ELCZ HIV and AIDS policy document and indicate areas needing further research. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

This research explored cultural perceptions of HIV&amp / AIDS with students at the University of the Western Cape and attempted to understand how these perceptions of the disease reinforce stigma and stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. This study investigated HIV/AIDS stigma as a social phenomenon and analysed the socio-cultural and historical roots of HIV/AIDS stigma.

<p>The aim of this study was to capture the intensity and incidence of catastrophic health care expenditures in order to describe the degree to which catastrophic health care payments occur among households. Simultaneously, the study set out to assess the extent to which people are made poor or poorer by health spending, i.e. the impoverishing effects of healthcare spending.</p>

Thesis (M.A. (Health Social Sciences))--Mahidol University, 2000.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Economics)) - Rhodes University, 2009.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Maryland at College Park, 1996. / Thesis research directed by the Dept. of Counseling and Personnel Services. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Maryland at College Park, 1996. / Thesis research directed by the Dept. of Counseling and Personnel Services. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.