The purpose of this research study is to determine the factors influencing reproductive health choices of women living with HIV attending primary health care services. The need for this research study is evident in that most women attending health care services at primary health care clinics, and who are HIV positive report unintended pregnancy. The study sought to provide answers to factors influencing their reproductive choices. A quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional research study was used in this study. The sample consisted of 83 females between the ages of 18 and 40. The findings of the research study provided the researcher with adequate evidence on the factors influencing reproductive health choices of women living with HIV attending primary health care services. The approach to reproductive health services was still acceptable but needs to be improved. Moreover, the identified factors therefore influenced one’s perceptions on reproductive health decisions among HIV-infected women. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Three years into the human territory, the fight against HIV/AIDS still prevails. According to Fuller (2008), it is estimated that by 2025, 80 million Africans will have been killed by this pandemic, while 90 million are estimated to be infected by HIV. Close to 3 thousand women are infected with HIV daily. In the beginning of 2008, some 22,5 million sub-Saharan Africans were living with HIV (Fuller 2008). In South Africa, 5 million people are estimated to be infected with HIV, 250 thousand die each year due to AIDS-related deaths, while a thousand people die daily and 17 hundred get infected daily. South African women are the hardest hit population group, compared to their male counterparts (Fuller 2008; Zuberi 2004). In South Africa this epidemic crawled under the shadow of denial, fear, ignorance, stigma and discrimination, which disrupted efforts to prevent further spread and care for the infected and the affected individuals and groups. South African women are subjected to gender inequality, sexual violence and rape, and in the presence of HIV/AIDS their plight became exacerbated. They became subjected to blame and rejection because people do not want to associate themselves with this group, who possess the deadly infectious disease which is associated with commercial sex workers, intravenous drug users and homosexuals. The aim of this research was to investigate the plight of anticipated and enacted stigma among the South African women who receive treatment as outpatients in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The study was conducted among six women who are living with HIV/AIDS over a period of four weeks, with a qualitative research design adopted as research method. In-depth interviews were used as the primary tool for data collection. This study was conducted in order for the researcher to obtain insight into the subject of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and to highlight the experiences of participants for policy and programme designing and development purposes.

The phenomenon of stigmatisation in the transmission of HIV/AIDS was highlighted in this study, and considered from a social constructionist perspective. The lived experiences of 20 participants were explored in the context of a stigma reduction programme. Perceived meanings attached to stigma, and its influence on participant behaviour was revealed through narratives. The influence of the programme on participant meaning making and perceptions was also revealed, and found that the meaning of stigma remained unchanged, and therefore stigma was not reduced. Not discounting the therapeutic platform of the programme in enabling co-construction of new perspectives which enabled coping mechanisms for participants in dealing with their circumstances. It is recommended that studies such as this be used to assist future stigma reduction programmes to identify their roles in meaning making regarding stigma, with the premise in mind that if meaning shifts, experiences will shift. / Psychology / M.A (Psychology)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age worldwide. It is also a major contributor to infant mortality. The effective application of prevention of mother-to-child transmission strategies effectively reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission. The intent of this study was to determine the availability and accessibility of the PMTCT programme in one district of the North West Province of South Africa. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was utilised to gain better understanding of the experiences of both the HIV positive pregnant women and the Health Care Workers regarding the availability and access to the PMTCT programme. The study population consisted of HIV positive pregnant women between 18 and 49 years of age and Health Care Workers aged between 21 to 60 years of age. The non-probability purposive sampling technique was utilised to identify potential research participants. Data were collected by means of individual semi-structured interviews with HIV positive pregnant women and focus group discussions with the Health Care Workers. Adherence to Tesch’s eight descriptive methods was utilised as the primary form of data analysis, organisation and interpretation. The findings of the study revealed that availability and accessibility of PMTCT services are still problematic. Distance, waiting periods, and long queues were among the few mentioned as problematic. There were also few positives such as communication, counseling and health education. Strategies for facilitation of the availability and accessibility of the PMTCT programme were developed based on the findings. Themes emerged from the HIV positive pregnant women’s data included: acceptance of one’s sero positive status, maternal concerns, stressors about HIV status, as well as lack and shortage of resources and support by health care professionals and family; while emerging themes from the Health Care Workers included: fear of disclosure by HIV positive pregnant women, child feeding, formal trainings and workshops on PMTCT programme, as well as lack and shortage of resources and loss to follow-up activities / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the positive values of masculinity and the role of a man in the prevention of HIV and AIDS and teenage pregnancy in order to develop a health education handbook for young Zulu men. The objectives of this study were to  identify expectations of a man of essence  describe the man’s role in the prevention of HIV and AIDS and teenage pregnancy  develop a health education handbook for young men in developing positive values of masculinity Continuing transmission of HIV and high teenage pregnancy causes concern about the effectiveness of risk reduction measures. Masculinity is associated with risky sexual behaviour. A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual study explored the positive values of masculinity and the role of a man of essence in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy. Semi-structured interviews with interview guides were conducted to collect data among Zulu men aged 18-24 years residing in Nquthu sub-district in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Twenty-one participants from three villages of Tribal Authority 8, namely villages 3, 7 and 9, were interviewed. Data were analyzed thematically and manually. Follow-up interviews were conducted with participants who had committed to a plan of action to prevent HIV infection and teenage pregnancy. The study found that a man of a kind embraced gender equality and the education of women; treated women well, and used traditional/cultural or religious and modern methods to prevent HIV and teenage pregnancy. According to social norms, the participants were expected to have sex with or without a condom. Social support came from parents, grandparents, teachers and health care workers. The participants appeared to lack role models; some preferred to buy condoms, and some used condoms inconsistently. Some experienced problems such as pressure to have sex or girlfriends. A contribution of this study was the development of a health education handbook for young men to develop into men of essence through positive values of masculinity and prevent HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy. / Health Studies / Ph. D. (Nursing)

Women face a greater risk of HIV infection worldwide than men. This study explored socio-economic, cultural and environmental factors influencing young women’s vulnerability to HIV. A quantitative explorative study was conducted among young women in Sunnyside, Pretoria. A sample of 158 young women in the age group 18 to 24 years from all language groups was randomly selected to participate in this study. The findings showed that poverty, peer pressure and multiple sexual partners were the main factors that influenced young women in Sunnyside’s vulnerability to HIV. Behavioural change and social change were recommended as long-term processes, which need to be taken into consideration. Findings from the Sexual Relationship Power Scales show that young women between 18 and 21 years experience physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and forced sex in their relationships. The study concluded with specific recommendations for the successful implementation of policy makers and planners to protect women. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Three years into the human territory, the fight against HIV/AIDS still prevails. According to Fuller (2008), it is estimated that by 2025, 80 million Africans will have been killed by this pandemic, while 90 million are estimated to be infected by HIV. Close to 3 thousand women are infected with HIV daily. In the beginning of 2008, some 22,5 million sub-Saharan Africans were living with HIV (Fuller 2008). In South Africa, 5 million people are estimated to be infected with HIV, 250 thousand die each year due to AIDS-related deaths, while a thousand people die daily and 17 hundred get infected daily. South African women are the hardest hit population group, compared to their male counterparts (Fuller 2008; Zuberi 2004). In South Africa this epidemic crawled under the shadow of denial, fear, ignorance, stigma and discrimination, which disrupted efforts to prevent further spread and care for the infected and the affected individuals and groups. South African women are subjected to gender inequality, sexual violence and rape, and in the presence of HIV/AIDS their plight became exacerbated. They became subjected to blame and rejection because people do not want to associate themselves with this group, who possess the deadly infectious disease which is associated with commercial sex workers, intravenous drug users and homosexuals. The aim of this research was to investigate the plight of anticipated and enacted stigma among the South African women who receive treatment as outpatients in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The study was conducted among six women who are living with HIV/AIDS over a period of four weeks, with a qualitative research design adopted as research method. In-depth interviews were used as the primary tool for data collection. This study was conducted in order for the researcher to obtain insight into the subject of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and to highlight the experiences of participants for policy and programme designing and development purposes.

The phenomenon of stigmatisation in the transmission of HIV/AIDS was highlighted in this study, and considered from a social constructionist perspective. The lived experiences of 20 participants were explored in the context of a stigma reduction programme. Perceived meanings attached to stigma, and its influence on participant behaviour was revealed through narratives. The influence of the programme on participant meaning making and perceptions was also revealed, and found that the meaning of stigma remained unchanged, and therefore stigma was not reduced. Not discounting the therapeutic platform of the programme in enabling co-construction of new perspectives which enabled coping mechanisms for participants in dealing with their circumstances. It is recommended that studies such as this be used to assist future stigma reduction programmes to identify their roles in meaning making regarding stigma, with the premise in mind that if meaning shifts, experiences will shift. / Psychology / M.A (Psychology)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age worldwide. It is also a major contributor to infant mortality. The effective application of prevention of mother-to-child transmission strategies effectively reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission. The intent of this study was to determine the availability and accessibility of the PMTCT programme in one district of the North West Province of South Africa. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was utilised to gain better understanding of the experiences of both the HIV positive pregnant women and the Health Care Workers regarding the availability and access to the PMTCT programme. The study population consisted of HIV positive pregnant women between 18 and 49 years of age and Health Care Workers aged between 21 to 60 years of age. The non-probability purposive sampling technique was utilised to identify potential research participants. Data were collected by means of individual semi-structured interviews with HIV positive pregnant women and focus group discussions with the Health Care Workers. Adherence to Tesch’s eight descriptive methods was utilised as the primary form of data analysis, organisation and interpretation. The findings of the study revealed that availability and accessibility of PMTCT services are still problematic. Distance, waiting periods, and long queues were among the few mentioned as problematic. There were also few positives such as communication, counseling and health education. Strategies for facilitation of the availability and accessibility of the PMTCT programme were developed based on the findings. Themes emerged from the HIV positive pregnant women’s data included: acceptance of one’s sero positive status, maternal concerns, stressors about HIV status, as well as lack and shortage of resources and support by health care professionals and family; while emerging themes from the Health Care Workers included: fear of disclosure by HIV positive pregnant women, child feeding, formal trainings and workshops on PMTCT programme, as well as lack and shortage of resources and loss to follow-up activities / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Text in English / The study was conducted to determine the knowledge and to describe attitudes of HIV positive women on exclusive breastfeeding in Mopani District (the Greater Letaba Sub-District, Limpopo), South Africa. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive design was adopted in this study to describe the knowledge and attitudes of HIV positive women on exclusive breastfeeding. The researcher used a self-developed structured questionnaire to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe data. The SPSS software version 21.0 was used to analyse data and this were displayed in tables and figures. A total of 123 participants were included in the study. The study concluded that HIV positive women have good knowledge and positive attitude on exclusive breastfeeding. / Health Studies / M.P.H.