The scale of people being infected by HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus /Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has meant that the family and the community have had to become involved in caring for the sick (Van Dyk, 2005). This has inevitably led to the emergence of informal caregivers in the form of family members caring for their relatives (Kipp, Nkosi, Laing & Jhangri, 2006). The research investigated the social learning of women caregivers looking after people living with HIV/AIDS, with emphasis on caregiving practices related to how they use traditional foods and medicinal plants. The research was undertaken in Grahamstown at the Raphael Centre and in Hamburg at Keiskkamma Health Centre and Art Project, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Data was collected using interviews, focus group discussions and diaries written by participants. The data was analyzed in two phases: the first phase involved reading the interview transcripts and collating the responses into analytical memos that were captured into broad categories, while the second phase made use of the community of practice analytical framework to further analyze the data to get better understanding of the social learning processes. This study reveals that participating in a community of practice like Raphael Centre and Keiskamma Health Centre enables caregivers to learn about caregiving. It also reveals that within these communities of practice there are varied learning processes that take place, such as observational and collaborative learning. The research also revealed that caregivers learn from the communities from which they come, for example caregivers learn about traditional food and medicinal plants which they use from their family members, friends, other caregivers as well as non governmental organizations. The research found that caregivers are influenced in their learning and practices by a number of factors which include their own experiences, ambivalent messages from different stakeholders concerned with fighting HIV/AIDS and exposure to new information. The research recommends that diverse learning processes in a community of practice and outside a community of practice should be encouraged and strengthened. It also recommends that HIV/AIDS caregiving options should be strengthened by drawing on experience and knowledge of caregivers. Caregivers should be encouraged to be selfsustaining to improve their caregiving practices. Stakeholders in the field of HIV/AIDS should be alert to and address ambivalence on use of medicinal plants. Existing programmes that enable women to learn about new information on HIV/AIDS should be strengthened.

A qualitative study aimed at exploring the nature and extent of the perceived social support available to male prisoners living with HIV at Pretoria Central Prison was conducted. A literature investigation into the life and world of male prisoners, with a focus on the nature and extent of the perceived social support provided to prisoners living with HIV, is presented. Fifteen (15) prisoners were identified by means of non-probability purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect information on how male prisoners living with HIV at Pretoria Central Prison viewed the nature and extent of the social support available to them. The study shows that the research participants living with HIV tended to receive social support from practitioners and other prisoners trained as voluntary caregivers. The study recommends that prisoners living with HIV should have greater access to social support from their significant others. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of older caregivers of adult AIDS ill children in Umlazi Township in the province of Kwa- Zulu Natal. A qualitative research design which was exploratory was executed with a sample of purposively selected participants who are the members of the organization that provides support to the older caregivers. Data saturation occurred after focus group and in depth individual interview with ten participants. The findings revealed that older caregivers experience lot of challenges which ranges from emotional, physical, financial, psychological, social and time constraints when caring for their adult AIDS ill children .The study further revealed that older caregivers developed a wide range of coping strategies to face their challenging caregiving task and most of the older caregivers utilized positive coping strategies. Recommendations that are described focus on the inclusion and consultation of older caregivers in all decisions and programmes about them. / Appendix C (Interview guide) in English as well as in Zulu / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

In English / This study investigates the resilience of caregivers at a Gauteng-based hospice with patients living with HIV/AIDS. The primary focus of this study was to describe the impact on caregivers working with terminally ill patients predominantly with HIV/AIDS. Six participants were selected for this study utilising purposive sampling. Their ages ranged between 30 and 70 years. For the purpose of data collection, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were undertaken. In analysing data, the themes and sub-themes were extracted and presented by employing thematic analysis. The findings of this study revealed that in times of adversity and setbacks most caregivers utilise various skills to bounce back, and they still showed contentment in serving community members. However, caregivers have also voiced the concern that the support offered at work was not sufficient in meeting their needs. Recommendations for further research, on the resilience of caregivers when working with terminally ill patients is highlighted. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

In English / This study investigates the resilience of caregivers at a Gauteng-based hospice with patients living with HIV/AIDS. The primary focus of this study was to describe the impact on caregivers working with terminally ill patients predominantly with HIV/AIDS. Six participants were selected for this study utilising purposive sampling. Their ages ranged between 30 and 70 years. For the purpose of data collection, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were undertaken. In analysing data, the themes and sub-themes were extracted and presented by employing thematic analysis. The findings of this study revealed that in times of adversity and setbacks most caregivers utilise various skills to bounce back, and they still showed contentment in serving community members. However, caregivers have also voiced the concern that the support offered at work was not sufficient in meeting their needs. Recommendations for further research, on the resilience of caregivers when working with terminally ill patients is highlighted. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

A qualitative study aimed at exploring the nature and extent of the perceived social support available to male prisoners living with HIV at Pretoria Central Prison was conducted. A literature investigation into the life and world of male prisoners, with a focus on the nature and extent of the perceived social support provided to prisoners living with HIV, is presented. Fifteen (15) prisoners were identified by means of non-probability purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect information on how male prisoners living with HIV at Pretoria Central Prison viewed the nature and extent of the social support available to them. The study shows that the research participants living with HIV tended to receive social support from practitioners and other prisoners trained as voluntary caregivers. The study recommends that prisoners living with HIV should have greater access to social support from their significant others. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of older caregivers of adult AIDS ill children in Umlazi Township in the province of Kwa- Zulu Natal. A qualitative research design which was exploratory was executed with a sample of purposively selected participants who are the members of the organization that provides support to the older caregivers. Data saturation occurred after focus group and in depth individual interview with ten participants. The findings revealed that older caregivers experience lot of challenges which ranges from emotional, physical, financial, psychological, social and time constraints when caring for their adult AIDS ill children .The study further revealed that older caregivers developed a wide range of coping strategies to face their challenging caregiving task and most of the older caregivers utilized positive coping strategies. Recommendations that are described focus on the inclusion and consultation of older caregivers in all decisions and programmes about them. / Appendix C (Interview guide) in English as well as in Zulu / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

South Africa's HIV prevalence rate is estimated to be 5.7 million and at the end of2007 a total of 45845 HIV/AIDS adult patients were taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). The global incidence of HIV/AIDS has been slowly decreasing over the years but is still widespread. This disease is still more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa than in other parts of the world, with more than 60% people living with HIV/AIDS. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the treatment of choice, slows the progression of the human immunovirus but demands a high adherence rate in excess of 95%. Patients who are poorly informed about antiretrovirals (ARVs) and misunderstand medicine-taking instructions or experience unexpected side effects may interrupt therapy, predisposing them to the development of resistance. Such patients need information but, given the poor literacy skills prevalent in South Africa, written information is often not fully comprehended and is often written at too high a reading level. The objectives of this research project were to design, modify and evaluate HIV / AIDS patient education materials for low-literate isiXhosa speaking adults residing in Grahamstown and to examine their impact on the understanding of various aspects of the disease and its treatment. Pictograms illustrating common side effects of ARVs (e.g. stavudine, efavirenz, lamivudine), as well as various sources 'for purchasing nonprescription medicines, storage and medicine-taking instructions were designed and evaluated both qualitatively, using group discussions, and quantitatively through individual interviews where interpretation of the pictograms was assessed. These pictograms were incorporated in a patient information leaflet (PIL) which had been specifically designed for people with limited reading skills and was a simple document containing the minimum of essential text. A previously developed PIL was modified in collaboration with the target population and two versions were produced, one incorporating pictograms illustrating side effects, the other with none. Pictograms were used in both to illustrate other medicine-taking instructions. The PILs were tested objectively to assess the readability, format, content, and general design. They were translated into isiXhosa prior to being qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated in a low-literate isiXhosa speaking population. Understanding of the PILs was assessed by asking a series of questions about the PIL content. Participant opinion of the readability and appearance of the PIL was recorded. The relationship between PIL understanding and selected demographic variables was investigated. Findings from this study illustrated that well designed pictograms assist in the location of information in written leaflets and they may enhance understanding of the information. It was further demonstrated that education influences total understanding of PIL content thus emphasizing the need for tailor-written information in accordance with the education level of the target population. A desire to receive PILs incorporating pictograms was expressed by the majority of participants. Collaboration with the intended target population is essential to design culturally acceptable, easily interpreted pictograms and to produce user-friendly, easy-to-read, comprehensible patient education materials. The rigorous, iterative design, modification and testing process described in this study is one that should be adopted in producing all health-related education materials.

The purpose of this study was to develop a laboratory based Comprehensive Care, Management and Treatment of HIV and AIDS (CCMT) programme status reporting system using a methodological research study design. Quantitative data was collected using a request form and qualitative data was collected using structured questionnaires. For the study 1190 eligible CD4 samples were received, of which 1004 (84%) had a valid CCMT programme status. Overall 32% of the CD4 samples had a pre-ART status (n=383) and 52% had an ART status (n=621). The remaining 16% of CD4 samples (n=186) did not have a valid CCMT programme status. A pre-ART register was generated and assessed using a structured questionnaire. Based on the study findings a recommendation has been made to adopt the two-tick design for all NHLS request forms where programmatic data is collected. Additionally the CCMT programme status reporting system is recommended for rollout to other health districts / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health with specialisation in Medical Informatics)

Text in English / The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and challenges of AIDS Councils in addressing HIV and AIDS in their communities with regard to community mobilization and advocacy within the broader advocacy function of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and within the framework of the HIV & AIDS and STI Strategic plan for South Africa 2007-2011(NSP). A qualitative research design was applied. Individual face to face interviews were conducted with the respondents who were purposively sampled across the five local municipalities comprising Ehlanzeni District Municipality. Similar studies conducted previously suggest that many AIDS Councils stakeholders and members had a limited understanding of their role, and encountered more challenges in addressing HIV and AIDS in their communities. This study revealed that stakeholders and members seem to have steadily progressed in understanding their role as well as in weathering the various challenges they are confronted with within the AIDS councils. Be that as it may, there still exists some gaps between what is envisaged in both the NSPs (NSP 2000-2005 and NSP 2006-2011) and the current situation in many LACs. Many questions still need to be answered if South Africans are prepared to triumph over the AIDS pandemic. / Sociology / M.A. (Sociology (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS))