Student Number : 9801839H - MA research report - School of Human and Community Development - Faculty of Humanities / The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has spread throughout the world and its prevalence in sport has received increasing attention. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and relationship behaviour with respect to HIV and AIDS among athletes participating in contact sport. In addition, this study included a preliminary investigation into whether sport participation facilitates the development of life skills which would act as a buffer against the risky behaviours that increases vulnerability to infection. A self-report questionnaire was specifically constructed to address the aims of the study. The sample comprised of 38 male athletes between the ages of 18 and 30, from the following codes of contact sport: boxing, rugby, and taekwondo in Gauteng. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the participants’ responses. The findings indicated that the athletes had a good level of knowledge, but some misconceptions still remain. Attitudes of the athletes appeared to be in favour of mandatory testing and disclosure of one’s status. Positions on the participation of HIV-positive athletes in sport alternated between exclusion on the basis of safety and inclusion so as not to facilitate the proliferation of stigma. Few athletes reported continued involvement in high-risk behaviour, but it was encouraging that the largest part of participants declared exhibiting preventative behaviour. Sport participation was found to have some biopsychosocial impact on participants, which may extend to enhance health-seeking behaviour. Research findings may be fundamental in directing future AIDS prevention efforts within and beyond the sports arena.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. Tromsø : Universitetet i Tromsø, 2006.

The Cognitive theory was utilised in an attempt to understand the HIV and AIDS practice needs of peer educators in the Department of Social Development in the Free State province. The absence of guidelines affects the utilisation of peer educators and thus leads to the under-utilisation of programmes. The practice needs were therefore identified and recommendations were submitted with a view to address existing gaps Applied research was utilised as findings were used to make suggestions on the development of practice guidelines for programmes used by peer educators. As the researcher was interested in the rich data from peer educators‟ explanations about their HIV and AIDS practice needs, the most suitable research design for the study was the qualitative design with a collective case study. Purposive sampling was selected as the most appropriate sampling method within non-probability sampling, as the researcher‟s own knowledge and judgment of the population, its elements and the nature and purpose of the study, guided him. Within purposive sampling the researcher implemented volunteer sampling by issuing invitations to targeted participants who met specific criteria. Data collection was conducted through the implementation of two focus groups sessions consisting of 11 participants and eight participants respectively in each group for the duration of 90 minutes. Data collected was analysed using Creswell‟s analytical spiral. The planned research was expected to address issues of gaps and practice needs, as well as guidelines necessary for the implementation of the HIV and AIDS workplace prevention programme. / Dissertation (MSocial Work)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Social Work and Criminology / MSocial Work / Unrestricted

In this dissertation, the argument is the understanding of the beliefs of Black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids and how these beliefs that protect them from being infected, will lead to the formulation of suggestions for a belief-sensitive approach, which can be incorporated by health care professionals in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers. Several authors stress the fact that if any HIV and Aids programme is to be implemented successfully, the health care profession should strive to know more about the beliefs of the community, in this case Black farm workers, so that there can be sound human relations and effective programmes. Based on the problem statement for this study the following research questions were asked: 1. What are the beliefs of black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids? 2. How do these beliefs protect them from being infected? 3. Based on the answers to the first two questions, what suggestions can be formulated regarding a belief-sensitive approach in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers? The objectives were in line with these questions, namely to explore and describe the beliefs of Black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids; to explore and describe how these beliefs protect them from being infected; and to formulate recommendations, specifically suggestions regarding a belief-sensitive approach in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers. The study followed a qualitative, explorative and descriptive approach. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) approach was used to collect data. 'Lekgotla' was used as a strategy to collect data. The results indicated that Black farm workers do have beliefs about HIV and Aids. Most of the beliefs they uphold protect them from being infected, however there are some marginal beliefs that can put them at risk of being infected. Suggestions, which health care professionals can incorporate in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers, were formulated based on the results, a literature control and ensuing conclusions. Beliefs of Black farm workers that protect them from being infected could be included in the suggestions for prevention strategies. Health care professionals involved in prevention strategies should actively listen to Black farm workers’ beliefs in order for these strategies to be successful. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

In this dissertation, the argument is the understanding of the beliefs of Black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids and how these beliefs that protect them from being infected, will lead to the formulation of suggestions for a belief-sensitive approach, which can be incorporated by health care professionals in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers. Several authors stress the fact that if any HIV and Aids programme is to be implemented successfully, the health care profession should strive to know more about the beliefs of the community, in this case Black farm workers, so that there can be sound human relations and effective programmes. Based on the problem statement for this study the following research questions were asked: 1. What are the beliefs of black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids? 2. How do these beliefs protect them from being infected? 3. Based on the answers to the first two questions, what suggestions can be formulated regarding a belief-sensitive approach in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers? The objectives were in line with these questions, namely to explore and describe the beliefs of Black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids; to explore and describe how these beliefs protect them from being infected; and to formulate recommendations, specifically suggestions regarding a belief-sensitive approach in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers. The study followed a qualitative, explorative and descriptive approach. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) approach was used to collect data. 'Lekgotla' was used as a strategy to collect data. The results indicated that Black farm workers do have beliefs about HIV and Aids. Most of the beliefs they uphold protect them from being infected, however there are some marginal beliefs that can put them at risk of being infected. Suggestions, which health care professionals can incorporate in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers, were formulated based on the results, a literature control and ensuing conclusions. Beliefs of Black farm workers that protect them from being infected could be included in the suggestions for prevention strategies. Health care professionals involved in prevention strategies should actively listen to Black farm workers’ beliefs in order for these strategies to be successful. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.