The demand for circumcision in Swaziland has dramatically increased since it was reported that circumcision ensures 60% protection against HIV infection. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for, and the motives behind, this increasing interest in undergoing circumcision. A generic qualitative research design was used, in which 17 circumcised men selected by convenience sampling at FLAS Clinic, Mbabane, participated. In-depth unstructured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. The results showed that the main reasons for circumcision are perceived health, hygiene and sexual benefits, community influences, as well as medical reasons. It was concluded that the major motives underlying circumcision are personal and partner safety and satisfaction during sex. These motives were found to be both promotive and threatening to the interests of public health. After evaluating the risks and benefits, it was recommended that mass circumcision be promoted alongside reinforced and accurate health education on circumcision / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

descriptive correlational study aiming at describing the knowledge, attitude and risk behavior of adolescents in relation to HIV/AIDS in one “girls only” Catholic school of Manzini. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 260 respondents aged 12 to 19 years. Although only 22.31% respondents indicated been tested for HIV, (83.08%) would like to take an HIV test. Hospital and clinic are mostly known by respondents for providing HIV testing. Most respondents expressed lack of confidence in getting partners wear condoms. 16 (6.15%) have engaged in sex and 5 (6.10 %) were raped. No statistically significant difference was noted between condom use during sexual intercourse for both participants who were raped and those who consented to sex (P value = 0.6538). Future youth health programs should focus on building confidence of youth in accessing condom, discussing condom issues with their partners and make their partners wear condoms / Health Studies

In its efforts to reduce maternal mortality and prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, the government of Swaziland developed and implemented several programmes including a special antenatal care package for HIV-positive pregnant women in line with the WHO (2009) guidelines. Since the implementation of this latest special ANC package for HIV-positive women, little is known about how these services are experienced by the intended recipients. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the actual experiences of HIV-positive women with the antenatal care services provided at a regional referral hospital in Swaziland, with the view of providing more insight into the quality of ANC services from the users' perspectives. A qualitative descriptive, exploratory design was used to address the above purpose. The researcher used purposive sampling to select the participants who met the inclusion criteria for the study. Semi-structured individual interviews were used and saturation was reached after 18 individual face-to-face interviews. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Forteen themes related to the participants experiences with the ANC services and seven related to measures for improvement emerged from data. In general HIV positive pregnant women expressed positive views towards ANC services they received at the target institution. The results give an indication on the quality of the focussed ANC package provided at the hospital and specific recommendations for improvement are outlined. / Health Studies / M. A. (Nursing Science)

Text in English / The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of the HIV positive pregnant mothers regarding the PMTCT Option B+ programme in order to identify and describe gaps; and also help the Swaziland government address these gaps. The study was conducted in one of the public health units in the Manzini Region of Swaziland. The qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design was used and data collection was done using individual interviews and field notes. Permission was also requested from the participants in order to record the interviews. Population of the study were all cases of HIV positive pregnant mothers enrolled on PMTCT Option B+ programme, and were aged between 18 and 40 years. Number of participants sampled was 20 and only 17 participants were interviewed. Themes of the study were: perceptions of being enrolled on the PMTCT Option B+ programme, understanding about PMTCT Option B+ programme and information needed with regard to PMTCT Option B+ programme, perceptions with the care received from the nurses and their assistance on PMTCT Option B+ programme, effectiveness of the PMTCT Option B+ programme and challenges of taking ARVs. The findings revealed that Option B+ programme was perceived as preventing HIV from mother-to-child. It boosts the mother’s immune system, prevents opportunistic infections and prolongs life. Knowledge and understanding of the programme was displayed by the participants even though challenges such as discrimination and no support by families and partners were mentioned. Improvement of the programme on how to prevent the spread of HIV to babies and strategies to assist participants on how to disclose were recommended. This was found to be having a huge effect on treatment adherence. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

In its efforts to reduce maternal mortality and prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, the government of Swaziland developed and implemented several programmes including a special antenatal care package for HIV-positive pregnant women in line with the WHO (2009) guidelines. Since the implementation of this latest special ANC package for HIV-positive women, little is known about how these services are experienced by the intended recipients. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the actual experiences of HIV-positive women with the antenatal care services provided at a regional referral hospital in Swaziland, with the view of providing more insight into the quality of ANC services from the users' perspectives. A qualitative descriptive, exploratory design was used to address the above purpose. The researcher used purposive sampling to select the participants who met the inclusion criteria for the study. Semi-structured individual interviews were used and saturation was reached after 18 individual face-to-face interviews. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Forteen themes related to the participants experiences with the ANC services and seven related to measures for improvement emerged from data. In general HIV positive pregnant women expressed positive views towards ANC services they received at the target institution. The results give an indication on the quality of the focussed ANC package provided at the hospital and specific recommendations for improvement are outlined. / Health Studies / M. A. (Nursing Science)

descriptive correlational study aiming at describing the knowledge, attitude and risk behavior of adolescents in relation to HIV/AIDS in one “girls only” Catholic school of Manzini. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 260 respondents aged 12 to 19 years. Although only 22.31% respondents indicated been tested for HIV, (83.08%) would like to take an HIV test. Hospital and clinic are mostly known by respondents for providing HIV testing. Most respondents expressed lack of confidence in getting partners wear condoms. 16 (6.15%) have engaged in sex and 5 (6.10 %) were raped. No statistically significant difference was noted between condom use during sexual intercourse for both participants who were raped and those who consented to sex (P value = 0.6538). Future youth health programs should focus on building confidence of youth in accessing condom, discussing condom issues with their partners and make their partners wear condoms / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)