The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a devastating effect in the world, as it is now rated as the world’s greatest killer since its appearance in the mid 1980s. A UNICEF Report (2005) states that sub Saharan Africa is the hardest hit with countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique having an average of one in every five adults being infected. Sub Saharan Africa has less than 3 percent of the world’s population but it has an estimated 65 percent of the world’s population living with HIV/AIDS as it has 26 million of the 40 million infected people worldwide. In May 2003 the Government of Zimbabwe declared HIV/AIDS a national emergency a move that seems to have yielded results as the HIV prevalence rate has come down from 26.1 percent to 18.6 percent in 2005 and further to 15.6 percent in 2007. The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (2004) states that if the prevalence had continued at 26.1 percent, about two thirds of today’s 15- year-olds would die from this disease. The deterioration of the political, social and economic situation since 1999 and the withdrawal of donor development support due to policy differences require concerted efforts from all parties concerned, now, rather than later. More commitment must be shown by private and public sector organisations to active participation in the establishing of effective workplace programmes, to assist employees, for the pandemic has placed a heavy strain on the health delivery system, as AIDS patients occupy between 50 percent to 70 percent of all hospital beds. Furthermore, the pandemic is killing the youth at the prime of their working careers so the pandemic, while being a health problem also has a negative macro-economic impact which may lead to a developmental crisis. A study was conducted of six organisations, using two questionnaires, one for management and one for non-management level employees. The study investigates whether the organisations had HIV/AIDS programmes and whether such programmes were effective. The findings were that all six organisations had HIV/AIDS programmes in place. However, some of the programmes were not effective because the employees did not know of their existence. Furthermore, it was found that management initiated awareness programmes and made condoms available but the employees were not changing their risky behaviour.

Effective linkage to HIV care and treatment for all people diagnosed with HIV is crucial if positive treatment outcomes are to be realised. The study used the client records for all those newly diagnosed with HIV through the two entry points for HIV testing between January 2016 and December 2016. The aim of the study was to determine the proportions between the linkages to HIV care and treatment as per entry point for the people diagnosed with HIV at a Norton Health Centre in Zimbabwe. More importantly, the study sought to make recommendations to improve linkage per entry point. This was achieved through determining the proportion of individuals diagnosed with HIV that had documented evidence of linkage to HIV care and treatment by entry point. The study also evaluated the association between the entry point of HIV diagnosis and the linkage to HIV care and treatment.. In total, 239 clients’ records were reviewed who were over the age of 16 years. Overall, 144 (60%) had documented evidence of being linked to HIV care while about 95 (40%) of the client records had no documented evidence of linkage to HIV care. 143(60%) had documented evidence of initiation on antiretroviral therapy (ART) while about 96 (40%) had no documented evidence of initiation on ART. A statistically significant association between entry point for HIV diagnosis and the linkage to HIV care and treatment was demonstrated. A statistically significant higher proportion of females was demonstrated to be linked to HIV care and treatment than for males. The Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) entry point showed higher linkages than OPD and wards entry point. Therefore, there is need to make put measures in place that encourage all clients that are diagnosed with HIV through the various entry points at the health centre to be linked to HIV care and treatment. The study made recommendations based on the findings. It is also recommended that male partners be encouraged to accompany their female expectant partners when attending PMTCT sessions. Youth were found to be lower in terms of linkages and the youth user friendly centre is recommended so as to attract more youths to come for testing. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The study examined the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents infected with HIV and AIDS. This was a qualitative study that involved semi-structured interviews and observation. The sampling method used was purposive and it entailed 10 adolescents (4 boys and 6 girls) who are living with HIV at Chiedza Child Care Centre in Zimbabwe. This study revealed that adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs are the desire to have sex, desire to have children, the need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy and care and treatment support. However, their knowledge of HIV and AIDS was inadequate. Adolescents also revealed their lack of proper information regarding their health care and treatment needs. However, adolescents illustrated an adequate knowledge of the services available for them for their health, treatment and care needs. The study recommended that there is need to strengthen the provision of information and services on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health issues. The study also recommended that counsellors should improve their counselling skills so that they can empower adolescents living with HIV to be able to negotiate condom usage, matters of dating and handling relationships. / Sociology / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding HIV and AIDS of university in Zimbabwe using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The ultimate aim was to find out how at risk university students were of contracting HIV and AIDS. A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive, explorative and correlational research design was used, using self-designed questionnaires for data collection. Respondents were sampled through systemic stratified random sampling resulting in 403 undergraduate university students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS version 21 software program. Most students were knowledgeable about HIV transmission; the prevention of HIV and AIDS and sexual risk behaviours pertaining to HIV transmission. Students also did show positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Most students did not perceive themselves to be at high of contracting HIV and AIDS. Up to 52% who were sexually active had more than one sexual partner. The respondents knew that HIV and AIDS were not treatable but continued to indulge in risky sexual behaviours. Most respondents received information about HIV and AIDS from the media and peers. The findings would assist policy makers, programme planners and educators in developing in developing and implementing programmes to improve the health of university students. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The study examined the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents infected with HIV and AIDS. This was a qualitative study that involved semi-structured interviews and observation. The sampling method used was purposive and it entailed 10 adolescents (4 boys and 6 girls) who are living with HIV at Chiedza Child Care Centre in Zimbabwe. This study revealed that adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs are the desire to have sex, desire to have children, the need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy and care and treatment support. However, their knowledge of HIV and AIDS was inadequate. Adolescents also revealed their lack of proper information regarding their health care and treatment needs. However, adolescents illustrated an adequate knowledge of the services available for them for their health, treatment and care needs. The study recommended that there is need to strengthen the provision of information and services on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health issues. The study also recommended that counsellors should improve their counselling skills so that they can empower adolescents living with HIV to be able to negotiate condom usage, matters of dating and handling relationships. / Sociology / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding HIV and AIDS of university in Zimbabwe using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The ultimate aim was to find out how at risk university students were of contracting HIV and AIDS. A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive, explorative and correlational research design was used, using self-designed questionnaires for data collection. Respondents were sampled through systemic stratified random sampling resulting in 403 undergraduate university students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS version 21 software program. Most students were knowledgeable about HIV transmission; the prevention of HIV and AIDS and sexual risk behaviours pertaining to HIV transmission. Students also did show positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Most students did not perceive themselves to be at high of contracting HIV and AIDS. Up to 52% who were sexually active had more than one sexual partner. The respondents knew that HIV and AIDS were not treatable but continued to indulge in risky sexual behaviours. Most respondents received information about HIV and AIDS from the media and peers. The findings would assist policy makers, programme planners and educators in developing in developing and implementing programmes to improve the health of university students. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)