This study describes the HIV/AIDS knowledge of Form 1 secondary school learners in Harare. Structured interviews were conducted with 75 learners from four schools representing a low density, a high density, a rural and a private school. Most learners had obtained their HIVAIDS knowledge from schools and a few did so from their parents. None of the learners had reportedly yet engaged in sexual activities and all had heard about HIV, but not all knew what HIV was, and even fewer could define AIDS. Generally the learners’ HIV/AIDS knowledge levels were high but some misconceptions persisted. Future programmes should emphasise that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, and that condoms should be used at every sexual encounter. Radio, television and school programmes should emphasise that every person can become infected with HIV/AIDS, if preventive measures are disregarded. / Public Health / M.A. (Public Health)

Thesis (MCur (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Nursing Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS is considered as a global problem with the number of people living with HIV infection continuing to increase. At the end of 2007 HIV/AIDS had already claimed 25 million lives. Of all new HIV infections 71% were diagnosed in the Sub-Saharan region in 2008, remaining the worst affected region globally. UNAIDS (2008:43) indicated that heterosexual intercourse remained the main origin for HIV infection in the Sub-Saharan region. Therefore the researcher is of the opinion that prevention strategies should focus mainly on sexual transmission of the disease. HIV/AIDS affects mainly people between the ages 15-24 years, notably the age group of most of the learners in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Lesotho, a country in the Sub- Saharan region, presents with the third highest HIV adult prevalence (23.2%) in the world and in the region. In an attempt to address the prevailing situation, Lesotho has a number of programmes geared towards addressing HIV/AIDS in the country. However, all these attempts exclude the learners in HEIs, yet the majority of learners are found within the most affected age group. It is also to be noted that Higher Education provides the bedrock for socio-economic and political development in Africa. Some studies have identified insufficient knowledge as being at the root of the increasing HIV infections among youth. However, other studies have shown that there is adequate knowledge among the young people, but still a challenge remains and that is to facilitate changes in behavioural patterns as a component to be linked to the knowledge. Studies conducted in other African countries have shown that there are anti-AIDS programmes and clubs for learners in HEIs where learners are involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. No publication indicating the same for Lesotho’s HEIs could be found, except for the National University of Lesotho (NUL) that only launched its HIV/AIDS policy for learners in 2009. The researcher is of the opinion that HEIs in Lesotho are not doing enough to combat HIV/AIDS and hence intends to focus on HEIs in Lesotho. This study had two objectives namely:  To determine the knowledge of learners in a specific HEI in Lesotho regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and care.  To explore the needs of learners in a specific HEI in Lesotho regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and care. This mixed method study was conducted, comprising of both quantitative and qualitative designs. Quantitative phase used a questionnaire for determining the knowledge of learners. The questionnaire was adopted from a study that was performed to determine knowledge of South African educators in public schools with some modifications. The qualitative phase was used to explore the needs of the learners through the focus group discussions with the leaders of the learners. Sample was drawn from the entire population using stratified random sampling for the quantitative phase. The qualitative phase used the purposive sampling to obtain in-depth information concerning learners’ needs. Quantitative data was analysed through the use of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data was analysed using the thematic analysis and open-coding. All ethical principles were adhered to especially the principle of respect for persons. The findings from the quantitative phase of the study showed that learners had adequate knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and care and the findings from the qualitative phase showed the various needs of the learners with regards to prevention and care of HIV/AIDS in a specific HEI in Lesotho. Recommendations have been proposed based on the findings from the two phases of the study. Limitations observed by the researcher have also been identified. In conclusion the objectives of the study were met and the research questions had been answered. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: MIV/Vigs word as ‘n internasionale probleem erken, siende dat daar ‘n verhoging in die toename van MIVgeïnfekteerde indiwidue tans is . Einde 2007 het MIV/Vigs het reeds 25 miljoen lewens ge-eis . In 2008 is 71% van al die nuwe MIV-infeksies in die Sub-Sahara streek gediagnoseer, wat aandui dat die streek die mees geaffekteerde streek tans is. UNAIDS (2008:43) het aangedui dat heteroseksuele omgang die hoofoorsaak van MIV-oordrag in die Sub-Sahara-streek is. Laasgenoemde het daartoe gelei dat die navorser van mening is dat voorkomende strategieë meestal op seksuele oordrag van die siekte moet fokus. MIV/Vigs affekteer meestal mense in die ouderdomsgroep 15-24, opmerklik is dit die ouderdomsgroep waarby meesste leerders in Hoëronderwysinstellings (HOI) is. Lesotho, ‘n land in die Sub-Sahara-streek, het tans die derde-hoogste MIV-voorkoms (23.2%) in die wêreld en in die streek. Lesotho het verskeie programme ontlont om MIV/Vigs te bekamp in ‘n poging om die huidige situasie te beredder . Nieteenstaande sluit al die programme leerders in HOI uit, alhoewel die leerders in die ouderdomsgroep van die mees-geaffekteerde groep val. Dit is ook duidelik dat Hoëronderwys die fondasie vir sosio-ekonomiese- en politieke ontwikkeling in Afrika verskaf. Sommige studies het onvoldoende kennis as die wortel van die verhoging van MIV-infeksies onder die jeug geïdentifiseer. Ander studies, daarenteen, wys dat kennis voldoende is onder jeug, alhoewel veranderinge in gedragspatrone om by die kennis aan te sluit ‘n uitdaging bly. Studies uit ander Afrikalande dui daarop dat daar anti-Vigs programme en klubs is waarby HO leerders betrokke is om teen die verspreiding van MIV/Vigs te veg. Geen publikasies in hierdie verband word in Lesotho aangetref nie, behalwe ‘n MIV/Vigs-beleid wat in 2009 deur “National University of Lesotho’ (NUL) gepubliseer is. Dus is die navorser van mening dat HOI nie genoeg doen om MIV/Vigs te beveg nie, daarom fokus sy op HOI in Lesotho. Hierdie studie het twee doelstellings ten doel gehad, naamlik om die leerders in ‘n sekere HOI in Lesotho se kennis aangaande MIV/Vigs voorkoming en sorg te bepaal en die behoeftes van die leerders aangaande MIV/Vigs voorkoming en sorg te verken. ‘n Studie met beide kwantitatiewe- en kwalitatiewe metodes is gebruik om die doelstellings te verwesenlik. In die kwantitatiewe fase is ‘n vraelys gebruik om leerders se kennis te bepaal. Die vraelys is verkry uit ‘n vorige studie wat in RSA gedoen is, maar aangepas om in die Lesotho-konteks te gebruik. Gedurende die kwalitatiewe fase is fokusgroep besprekings met die leiers van die leerders gehou om die behoeftes indiepte te verken. Die steekproef was uit die totale populasie getrek deur van gestratifiseerde streekproefneming gebruik te maak in die kwantitatiewe fase en ‘n doelgerigte steekproefneming is in die kwalitatiewe fase te gebruik. Die navorser het ‘n kwantitatiewe data-analise sagteware (SPSS)gebruik om kwantitatiewe data te ontleed en tematiese- oopkodering is gedurende die kwalitatiewe fase gebruik. Etiese kode is ten volle gerespekteer, veral die respek vir mense gedurende navorsing. Bevindinge van die kwantitatiewe fase het bewys dat leerders voldoende kennis aangaande die voorkoming en sorg van MIV/Vigs besit en die kwalitatiewe bevindinge het die behoeftes van leerders met betrekking tot die voorkoming en sorg van MIV/Vigs in ‘n spesifieke HOI in Lesotho geopenbaar. Die aanbevelings is gemaak, gebaseer op die bevindinge uit die twee fases. Beperkinge in die studie is uitgelig. Ter afsluiting is die doelstellings in die studie bereik en die navorsingsvrae beantwoord.

Thesis (MComm (Economics)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa faces an epidemic, namely, HIV/Aids, which has grown substantially over the last ten years. It can be regarded as the country with the most alarming statistical figures concerning HIV infection rates. Even though South Africa is a country under scrutiny, given the high prevalence of HIV/Aids, this epidemic also constitutes as a global problem, given that an approximate number of 7400 individuals are infected with HIV every day. The number of Aids related deaths has risen from 100 000 in 1999 to over 400 000 in 2009. Given the concern, and in an effort to combat the fast spread of HIV/Aids, the South African government has implemented various educational and support programs. Marketing efforts are related to the above topic, given that various marketing-related practices have been implemented by non-profit organisations in an attempt to create awareness of HIV/Aids and the related risks. These marketing communication programs are referred to as social campaigns. HIV/Aids social campaigns involve communication strategies which attempt to persuade the target market to ensure that they adhere to safesexual practices, by making individuals aware of the threat that infection poses to their lifestyles. Various campaigns also explore how an individual can ensure safe sexual behaviour. Empirical research stretching back to 1975 has provided marketers with guidelines as to what social communication campaigns, concerning threats to human health, should include regarding an emotional, cognitive aspect. Evidence exists for the need to include emotional cues that would stimulate medium to high levels of fear, rather than low levels of fear, in order to effectively persuade an individual to adhere to a protective behavioural pattern. No research has been conducted in order to conclude whether one type of execution style or specific advertising content would result in significantly increased intentions to behave in the recommended protective manner. This study investigated whether different execution styles would result in significantly different levels of attitude, fear and behavioural intention. This was done by sampling a group of 450 respondents who participated in an experimental study. Three execution styles were tested by means of a post-test self administered questionnaire including items related to variables of the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). The PMT explores the effects that fear appeal would have on attitude change. Not only was it found that different execution styles result in significantly different levels of the mentioned variables, it was also found that one execution style is significantly more effective in evoking these cognitive responses in one race group as compared to another. The empirical results of this study reveal that by discontinuing mass communication, and, in preference, segmenting the market towards which HIV/Aids social campaigns are currently aimed, based on race, these awareness campaigns would be more effective in inducing protective sexual behaviour. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika word gekonfronteer met ’n epidemie, naamlik MIV/Vigs, wat aansienlik gegroei het oor die afgelope tien jaar. Suid Afrika kan beskou word as die land met die mees ontstellende statistieke met betrekking tot MIV-infeksie. Selfs al is Suid-Afrika die land met die hoogste gevalle van MIV/Vigs, is hierdie epidemie ook 'n wêreldwye probleem, gegewe dat 'n ongeveer 7400 individue met MIV besmet word elke dag. Die aantal Vigs-verwante sterftes het toegeneem van 100 000 in 1999 tot meer as 400 000 in 2009. Gegewe bogenoemde en in 'n poging om MIV/Vigs verspreiding te beveg, het die Suid- Afrikaanse regering verskeie ondersteunende en opvoedkundige programme geïmplementeer om hierdie doel te bereik. Die verwantskap tussen bemarkingspogings en die betrokke onderwerp is dat verskeie bemarkingsverwante praktyke geïmplementeer word deur nie-winsgewende organisasies in 'n poging om bewustheid van MIV/Vigs en die verwante risiko's te skep. Hierdie bemarkingskommunikasie programme word na verwys as sosiale veldtogte. Die relevante MIV/Vigs-veldtogte behels sosiale kommunikasie strategieë wat die teikenmark probeer oorreed om te verseker dat hulle voldoen aan veilige seksuele praktyke, deur individue bewus te maak van die bedreiging wat infeksie inhou tot hul lewenswyse. Verskeie veldtogte brei ook uit oor hoe 'n individu veilige seksuele gedrag kan verseker. Empiriese navorsing wat terugstrek tot 1975 voorsien bemarkers met riglyne oor wat die sosiale kommunikasie veldtogte, wat 'n bedreiging vir menslike gesondheid behels, moet insluit met betrekking tot 'n emosionele, kognitiewe aspek. Bewyse bestaan in guns van die noodsaaklikheid van emosionele leidrade wat medium tot hoë vlakke van vrees in ‘n individu sal stimuleer, eerder as lae vlakke van vrees, om sodoende 'n individu effektief te oorreed om te voldoen aan beskermende gedragspatrone gegewe die bedreiging wat bestaan. Geen navorsing bestaan tans met betrekking tot of ‘n sekere tipe advertensie uitvoeringstyl of spesifieke advertensie-inhoud sou lei tot ‘n aansienlik hoër voorneme om te reageer op die aanbevole beskermende gedrag nie. Hierdie studie ondersoek of sekere advertensie uitvoeringstyle sou lei tot aansienlik verskillende vlakke van houding, vrees en gedrag. Die ondersoek is gedoen deur middel van 'n groep van 450 respondente wat deelgeneem het aan 'n eksperimentele studie. Drie uitvoeringstyle is getoets deur middel van 'n na-toets self-voltooiingsvraelys wat items ingesluit het wat verband hou met veranderlikes van die beskermings-motiveringsteorie (BMT). Die BMT ondersoek die uitwerking wat vreesaanlagte sal hê op houding en aanpassing daarvan. Hierdie studie het bevind dat verskillende advertensie uitvoeringstyle bydra tot aansienlike verskillende vlakke van die bogenoemde veranderlikes, asook dat een uitvoeringstyl beduidend meer effektief is in die ontlokking van kognitiewe respons in sekere rassegroepe in vergelyking met ander. Die empiriese resultate van hierdie studie bewys dat bemarkers die doeltreffendheid van MIV/Vigs sosiale veldtogte kan verbeter deur massa-kommunikasie te staak en eerder segmentering toe te pas binne die mark op wie veldtogte gemik is. Segmentering op grond van rassegroepe sal veroorsaak dat bewusmakingsveldtogte meer effektief is met betrekking tot hul invloed op die toepassing van beskermende seksuele gedrag binne die teikenmark.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The vulnerability of female adolescents to HIV/AIDS has been widely documented with little effort being made to investigate the obstacles that these female adolescents actually face in translating HIV knowledge and attitudes into HIV preventive behaviours. The researcher randomly selected 120 school going female adolescents aged between 14-19, from six secondary schools in the Gweru District in an effort to assess their levels of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and their attitudes towards HIV prevention. The study aimed to uncover the obstacles the female adolescents face in practicing HIV preventive sexual behaviours. Inferences drawn from the study point to the fact that although female adolescents may have high levels of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and positive attitudes towards HIV prevention, there are cultural and religious values that promote male dominance in patriarchal societies and female docility thereby leaving little or no room for females to negotiate HIV prevention in sexual relationships. Poverty- driven economic dependency on men, orphan hood, peer pressure, lack of support from parents and guardians on issues to do with their sex and sexuality, lack of skills to be assertive and negative attitudes of health service providers were some of the barriers the female adolescents face as they try to pave their way in to safe motherhood. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die kwesbaarheid van vroulike adolessente aan MIV/vigs is wyd gedokumenteer met min moeite wat gemaak word die struikelblokke te ondersoek dat hierdie vroulike adolessente werklik gesig in die vertaling van MIV kennis en gesindhede in MIV voorkomende gedrag. Die navorser lukraak gekies 120 skoolgaande vroulike adolessente tussen die ouderdomme van 14-19, van ses sekondêre skole in die Gweru-distrik in 'n poging om hulle vlakke van kennis oor MIV / vigs en hul houding teenoor MIV-voorkoming te evalueer. Die studie is daarop gerig om die struikelblokke ontbloot die vroulike adolessente gesig in die beoefening van MIV voorkomende seksuele gedrag. Gevolgtrekkings waartoe die studie verwys na die feit dat alhoewel vroulike adolessente kan 'n hoë vlakke van kennis oor MIV / vigs en 'n positiewe houding teenoor MIV-voorkoming, is daar kulturele en godsdienstige waardes wat die bevordering van manlike oorheersing in patriargale samelewings en vroulike handelbaarheid daardeur sodat daar min of geen ruimte vir vrouens MIV-voorkoming in seksuele verhoudings te onderhandel. Armoede-gedrewe ekonomiese afhanklikheid van mans, wees kap, groepsdruk, gebrek aan ondersteuning van ouers en voogde op die kwessies te doen het met hul seks en seksualiteit, gebrek aan vaardighede om selfgeldend en negatiewe houdings van gesondheid diensverskaffers is 'n paar van die hindernisse die vroulike adolessente gesig soos hulle probeer om hul weg te baan in 'n veilige moederskap.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2008. / Title from screen (viewed on July 7, 2008). School of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Carolyn J. Black, Margaret E. Adamek, Khadija Khaja, Phyllis N. Stern. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 194-205).

O objeto desta investigação é o espaço da Escola Dominical (ED) como um local de potencialidade para abordar e desenvolver prevenção em HIV/AIDS. Os objetivos específicos foram conhecer a Igreja Evangélica Assembleia de Deus (AD), a Escola Dominical, seu currículo e como o HIV e a AIDS são/ ou podem ser abordados em seu conteúdo curricular de maneira a refletir na vivência e no cotidiano das relações afetivas. Para tanto, foi realizada pesquisa de revisão de literatura descritiva, exploratória e quantitativa sobre a Igreja e Escola Dominical, conteúdo curricular, prevenção em HIV/AIDS. De maneira sucinta são apresentados fatos relacionados à historicidade da Assembleia de Deus no Brasil, sua origem e abordagens teológicas, bem como a ênfase dada à prevenção do HIV/AIDS. Também é discutida a origem da Escola Dominical no mundo, no Brasil, em especial na Assembleia de Deus, sua forma organizacional, burocrática e administrativa, com destaque ao modelo curricular e conteúdo abordado nas diversas faixas etárias que se apresenta. Com isso, procura-se perceber a ocorrência e enfoque dado à abordagem sobre a epidemia de HIV/AIDS. De maneira geral a abordagem relacionada à historicidade destaca a figura dos expoentes Daniel Berg e Gunnar Vingren como fundadores da AD no Brasil. Em relação à Escola Dominical observou-se que sua origem praticamente acompanha a origem da igreja no Brasil. Ela utiliza conteúdo curricular orientado pelo Setor de Educação Cristã, disponibilizado às faixas etárias do maternal ao adulto. Utiliza para isso material padronizado e impresso pela casa Publicadora da Assembleia de Deus, chamado Lições/ Revista da Escola Dominical. É incentivado o aperfeiçoamento de professores da ED através de encontros e cursos específicos e ou literatura impressa. Quanto ao enfoque dado ao vírus HIV e AIDS observou-se que no currículo apresentado não há manifestação relacionado à atuação da ED com relação à prevenção. Quando ocorre abordagem frente a doenças, o mesmo se dá de maneira implícita, num contexto geral sem especificidade direta. Dessa forma, é possível inferir sugestão de conteúdo para possíveis abordagens. / The objective of this investigation is the Sunday School classes (SS) as a potential place to address and develop prevention to HIV/AIDS. Specific objectives were to know the Evangelical Church Assembly of God (AG), the Sunday School, its curriculum and how HIV and AIDS are /or could be approached in its curriculum content, to reflect the experience in daily affective relations. For this, a survey was conducted of literature descriptive review, exploratory and quantitative literature review about the Church and Sunday School, curriculum content, and prevention to HIV/AIDS. Succinctly facts relating to the historicity of the Assembly of God in Brazil, its origin and theological approaches, as well, as the emphasis on prevention of HIV/AIDS are presented. It also discusses the origin of Sunday School in the world, in Brazil, especially in the Assembly of God, its organizational form, bureaucratic and administrative, with emphasis on the curriculum model and content covered in the various age groups as presented. With this, search to understand the occurrence and focus given to the approach to HIV/AIDS. In general the approach related to the historicity highlights the exponents Daniel Berg and Gunnar Vingren as founders of AG in Brazil. Regarding Sunday School it was observed that its origin came almost with the origin of the church in Brazil. It uses content-oriented curriculum of the Division of Christian Education, available to ages from kindergarten to adult. It uses for this standardized material and printed by Publishing House of Assembly of God, called Lessons / Magazine Sunday School. It encourages the development of SS teachers through meetings and specific courses and/or printed literature. As for the focus given to HIV and AIDS It was observed that the curriculum presented no manifestation related to the performance of the SS regarding prevention. When the approach about the disease occurs, it will be at implying form, in a general context without direct specificity. Thus, it is possible to infer suggestion content for possible approaches.

This study describes the HIV/AIDS knowledge of Form 1 secondary school learners in Harare. Structured interviews were conducted with 75 learners from four schools representing a low density, a high density, a rural and a private school. Most learners had obtained their HIVAIDS knowledge from schools and a few did so from their parents. None of the learners had reportedly yet engaged in sexual activities and all had heard about HIV, but not all knew what HIV was, and even fewer could define AIDS. Generally the learners’ HIV/AIDS knowledge levels were high but some misconceptions persisted. Future programmes should emphasise that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, and that condoms should be used at every sexual encounter. Radio, television and school programmes should emphasise that every person can become infected with HIV/AIDS, if preventive measures are disregarded. / Public Health / M.A. (Public Health)

Cette étude a cherché à explorer les significations socio-culturelles de la mort provoquée par le VIH / SIDA parmi les Abagusii du Kenya. Façonnée par l’ontologie sociale constructiviste et l’approche épistémologique, l’étude a spécifiquement cerné les significations socio-culturelles de la mort causé par le VIH / SIDA, les expériences vécues de la mort du VIH / SIDA et comment ces expériences vécues influencent l’action préventive au niveau individuel et collectif au regard du VIH/SIDA. L'étude a utilisé des données recueillies à partir d'entretiens conversationnels approfondis et de l'observation participante de 50 personnes séropositives pour le VIH qui étaient sélectionnées à travers la méthode de saturation et sélectionnées par des techniques d'échantillonnage en boule de neige et d'analyse raisonnée. Des données supplémentaires ont également été obtenues à partir de neuf informateurs clés choisis à dessein en utilisant un guide d'entretiens .Les données provenant d'entretiens approfondis et d'entretiens avec des informateurs-clés ont été enregistrées sur bande, transcrites ad verbatim et analysées thématiquement. Les résultats de l'étude ont montré qu'au niveau individuel, mourir du VIH / SIDA était une perturbation biographique, forçant ainsi les personnes infectées par le VIH à subir une réorientation existentielle en faisant de nouveaux arrangements et des quêtes pour leur nouvelle vie afin d’acquérir une sorte d’appartenance culturelle, sociale et morale à leurs réseaux sociaux culturels. Au niveau communautaire, la mort par le VIH/sida a été érigée en «mauvaise mort» par rapport aux discours traditionnels et chrétiens sur les croyances religieuses régissant la vie, la mort et l’après la vie. En conséquence, une telle mort était perçue comme une menace pour l'identité et la solidarité sociale et collective, ainsi que pour la régénération de la communauté à travers la reproduction sociale. L'étude a également révélé que les actions sociales en faveur de la mort et du décès dues au VIH / SIDA ne reposaient pas sur des connaissances biomédicales, mais plutôt sur les relations sociales en particulier les relations de parenté comme défini collectivement dans les discours moraux et sociaux de la personnalité. En conclusion, l'étude soutient que les croyances culturelles et les valeurs régissant la vie et la mort devraient être prises en compte dans la prévention du risque de VIH / SIDA dans des contextes culturels particuliers. / This study sought to explore the socio-cultural meaning of death from HIV/AIDS among the Abagusii-Kenya. Shaped by the social constructivist ontology and interpretative epistemological approach, the study specifically investigated the socio-cultural meanings of death from HIV/AIDS, the lived experiences of dying from HIV/AIDS and how lived experiences of dying and death from HIV/AIDS influence HIV/AIDS preventive action at individual and community level. The study used data collected from in-depth conversational interviews and participant observation from 50 HIV seropositive people who were arrived at through saturation method and selected through snowball and purposive sampling techniques. Augmentative data was also obtained from purposively selected nine key informants using an interview guide. Data from in-depth conversational and key informant interviews were tape recorded, transcribed ad verbatim and thematically analyzed. Findings from the study showed that at individual level, dying from HIV/AIDS was constructed as a biographical disruption, thus forcing those infected with HIV to undergo existential reorientation by making new arrangements and quests for their new life as a way of achieving a sense of cultural, social and moral belonging to their cultural social networks. At community level, death from HIV/AIDS was constructed as “bad death” in relation to traditional and Christian religious belief discourses governing life, death and after life. As a consequence, such death was perceived as a threat to the corporate social identity and solidarity, and to the regeneration of the community through social reproduction. The study further found that social actions towards dying and death from HIV/AIDS was not based on biomedical knowledge alone but on social relationships especially kinship relations as collectively defined in moral and social discourses of personhood. In conclusion, the study argues that cultural beliefs and values governing life and death should be taken into account in dealing with HIV/AIDS risk prevention in particular cultural contexts.