This research study explored the experiences of HIV positive women with particular reference to their challenges, coping and survival strategies after an HIV positive diagnosis. A review of literature revealed that research on the lived experiences of South African women with HIV/AIDS is limited. The aim of this study was to explore the narratives of women with HIV/AIDS in a designated health-care setting in KZN. Social constructionism and ecosystems approaches were adopted as guiding frameworks for the study. Fifteen HIV positive women were sampled using, purposive and availability sampling. Qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The pertinent themes were identified and analyzed accordingly. Some HIV positive women experienced challenges in dealing with their HIV diagnosis which ranged from being stigmatized, rejected, or socially isolated, while some received support and acceptance from their environment. The life prolonging effect of ART has allowed HIV infected women to implement coping and survival strategies in order to reduce HIV/AIDS fatigue. Immersion in spirituality and 'reaching out' were some of the survival strategies adopted by HIV infected women in this study. Micro, Mezzo, and Macro recommendations were made with regard to provision of appropriate services for HIV positive women. The study may be of value to service providers as it may enlighten them on the various experiences (whether challenging, positive, or adaptive) of women with HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, HIV positive women may benefit from knowing that they are not alone in this fight against the dreaded disease. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

HIV and AIDS is still a major problem especially in Sub Saharan Africa. The levels of new infections are still relatively high which implies that the numerous national and international efforts to curb the transmission of HIV are not having the desired effect. Furthermore, the accelerated rate of teenage pregnancy is also indicative of the failure of these efforts. The high teenage pregnancy rate suggests that many teenagers do not practise safe sex. This could be attributed to the many pressures teenagers experience regarding sex and sexuality. Teenage mothers are likely to experience the same or double, the pressure and I was curious to understand their stance on unsafe sex practises especially after having a baby. This research study elicits an understanding of how these young mothers construct, present and negotiate their sexuality within the context of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Issues of sex and sexuality in relation to gender roles, gender identities, constructions of sexuality and teenage motherhood were investigated. The findings reveal two key points: regret inspires determination to succeed and that love and romance are dominant discourses in the construction of sexual risk among teenage mothers within the context of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. All the teenage mothers in this research study indicated that completion of their studies should have taken priority to motherhood. Even though most of the participants in this study acknowledge that love and romance are essential, they are now more cautious and either abstains from sex or practise safe sex. This research study has found that the hardship and responsibilities associated with motherhood have served to motivate these participants to change their risky sexual behaviour and verifies Burr’s (2003) social constructionist perspective by showing how identity is fluid and context dependent, relying on social interactions and experiences. / Theses (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The focus of this thesis is to look at breastfeeding patterns in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa in relation to HIV infected women, who as mothers may, transmit the HIV virus to their child. It seeks to understand in depth the social context of HIV and AIDS in the time of the AIDS pandemic looking at gender culture; powerlessness of women in households in society. These dynamics occurring at such a crucial time and moment of this spiral explosive epidemic reflects a more broader concerted effort to understand and find solutions. This study emerges from a larger research project conducted under the auspices of the Medical Research Council, which was examining the transmission rates of HIV infection in babies born to HIV positive woman for a period of six months, on breastfeeding having given these women nevirapine as well. The study was HIVNET 023, which looked at the use of NVP that was given to breastfed infants in order to reduce MTCT of HIV, Phase 1,11 Study. This work was conducted from 2000 and completed in 2001. This thesis seeks to further explore challenges experienced by these breastfeeding HIV positive women in the public domain (i.e. in the clinics, hospitals as well as in communities), and how these challenges impinge in their daily lives as women. Issues of gender inequality, the social context of culture in the midst of a health crisis, and suggestions for change in the context of clinical practice, make up the bulk of the thesis argument. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Kwazulu-Natal, 2003.

Introduction: Little guidance is given to health professionals over how to deal with HIV disclosure complexities in the biomedical setting. Given the paucity of related research in this context, there is also little consideration of the actual effect of HIV disclosure in a given context. Social constructionist theory is an important contribution to disclosure research because it shifts the focus from a biomedical perspective to one that incorporates an individual's experience with HIV infection in a specific context. The task of this study was to develop substantive theory, with the aim of providing a theoretical framework for public health and health care practitioners to better understand HIV disclosure dynamics in the PMTCT setting. Methods: This was a qualitative study which explored the experience of disclosure amongst HIV positive pregnant women in the PMTCT context. Between 5 June – 31 November 2008, a total of 62 participants were recruited from two urban-based PMTCT programmes located within the eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Results: Participants disclosed to two main groups: sexual partners, and family/others. Structural and relationship network factors shaped transmission risk behaviour, subsequent disclosure behaviour and outcomes. The circumstances which placed participants at risk for HIV acquisition also affected the likelihood of disclosure and health behaviour change. HIV and pregnancy diagnoses often occurred concurrently which profoundly impacted on participant's social identities and disclosure behaviour. Current HIV testing protocols within PMTCT settings often recommend disclosure to sexual partners under the assumption that couples will engage in safer behaviours, yet findings from this study indicate that this assumption should be challenged. Discussion: The study findings are synthesized in a conceptual model which offers substantive new theory over the concepts and interrelated factors that were identified to shape HIV disclosure and outcomes in the PMTCT context. The model identifies the following domains: 1) social networks and social support; 2) identity; 3) risk behaviour; 4) HIV and pregnancy diagnoses; and 5) HIV disclosure process to partners and others. Recommendations: Assumed pathways to risk reduction and HIV prevention need to be relooked and reconsidered. The conceptual model provides a proposed framework for future research, intervention design and implementation planning in the PMTCT setting. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

My study is an exploration of four women educators' experiences of living "openly" with HIV in their respective workplaces. All four women were from the different geographical demarcations ofthe Ethekweni region. I used in-depth interviews , as outlined by Seidman (1999), to learn more about the experiences of the four women. The key findings of my study were (l) the evidence of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, (2) the inclusion of people living with HIV, shown by employers and colleagues and (3) the emergence of a new generation that is better informed, receptive and supporti ve of people living with HIV. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Kwazulu-Natal, 2005.

All over the world HIV/ AIDS has created a new stigma and discrimination, bigotry and ignorance that have resulted in a new class of outcasts. AIDS 2000 will break the silence on this affront to human dignity. This was the theme of the XIII Annual AIDS Conference held in Durban in 2000. Fours years later, there is little evidence of this reality. There are communities of people living with HIV/ AIDS that still live lives cloaked in secrecy. HIV/ AIDS is not losing momentum. HIV/ AIDS has infected 50 million, and killed 16 million since the epidemic began (The Mercury,19 May 2000). In Africa, HIV positive women now outnumber infected men by two million. Recognition of the potentially devastating effects the disease could have, took place very slowly, in Africa. It is only since the middle to late nineteen eighties that a general understanding has established itself in society of how imp ortant the fight against HIV/ AIDS will be. In South Africa the dramatic transition to democracy in the early nineteen nineties meant that political considerations had to be given priority. In 1997, the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) cabinet launched an initiative to bring public attention to the effects the epidemic would have on our society. In 1999 this was followed up with the Cabinet's AIDS Challenge 2000 strategy which was to have been be funded to the extent of R20 million per year (The Mercury, 19 May 2000). HIV / AIDS has established itself at pandemic levels in the province of KZN (The Mercury, 19 May 2000). Uno fficial figures of people living with HIV/ AIDS stand at 40%. This has huge implications for education as it is stated that there will be at least 750 000 orphans- children with no parents in KZN by 2010 (The Mercury, 19 May 2000). This means that educators who are already burdened with responsibility will have to respond in direct and indirect ways to the pandemic. The researcher in this study has lived in Umhlatuzana, a suburb on the outskirts of Chatsworth for the past twenty years. I teach History and Life skills at a secondary school in Chatsworth. Since the introduction of Outcomes Based Education in 2000, HIV/ AIDS has become a part of the Life Orientation programme. My interest in HIV/ AIDS grew with the launch of the Government initiated Tirisano project - an HIV/ AIDS awareness initiative . As HIV-AIDS coordinator, my duties included teaching learners about HIV/ AIDS awareness and about the causes and prevention of HIV/ AIDS through responsible behaviour. Accordingly, I have set up a school HIV/ AIDS committee made up of both learners and staff, drafted and implemented a School AIDS Policy and held workshops at school. As the HIV/ AIDS coordinator I have attended many training workshops and seminars in and around Chatsworth. This exposure to issues concerning HIV/ AIDS, together with available literature has led me to conclude that HIV/ AIDS is still very much a taboo subject, even among so called 'enlightened educators'. Due to the scarcIty of available literature regarding Indians! living with HIV/ AIDS and according to The Mail and Guardian, because media representations and billboards depict Black, White or Coloured but no Indian repr esentations of people living with HIV/ AIDS, many Indians still think that it is someone else's disease, or 'that sickness' (02 December 2003). While stud ying the module 'Diversity and Education' at Masters level, I began to understand that being an HIV/ AIDS coordinator was much more than teaching learners about HIV / AIDS awarene ss of prevention and modes of transmission. The module 'Diversity and Education' was designed to develop a deeper understanding of the critical issues and skills required to create safe and inclusive schools for learners and educators who are living with and are affected by HIV/ AIDS. Through the Diversity and Education module I developed a raised understanding of the negative impact of HIVism on the lives of people living with HIV/ AIDS. According to Francis, HIVism refers to the negativetreatment meted out to people living with HIV/ AIDS (2004). Altho ugh the Department of Education has to be applauded in creating an awareness of the epidemic, there is concern that an important area of HIV/ AIDS has been neglected: The issues regarding human rights and HIV/ AIDS. It was especially during the Diversity and Education sessions togeth er with related literature that I discovered that globally, many women have negative experiences of living with HIV/ AIDS. An article that appeared in the Sunday Tribune, Herald (07 December 2003) prompted my research . It was a stolY of an Indian woman, Theresa Naidoo, who was HIV positive. In her story she communicates her experiences of betrayal, prejudice and discrimination. Her sto ry has inspired the research er to explore the experiences of other Indian women living with HIV/ AIDS. The researcher contac ted the Chatswo rth HIV/ AIDS coordinator, Kogie David, who is based at the Chatsworth Child and Family Welfare Centre . She coordinates the HIV/ AIDS counselors in the Chatsworth district. The researcher explained the nature of her research study and was informed that there were many women like Theresa, living with HIV/ AIDS. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Introduction. Previous studies have established that infants born to mothers with advanced HIV disease and co-infections are smaller, premature and have rapidly progressive HIV disease and an early death. King Edward VIIIth Hospital, in Durban, admits many sick mothers and manages a large proportion of low birth weight and ill newborns. On discharge and follow-up, the mortality and morbidity of these infants are known to be high and are related to the prematurity. How much is related to being HIV exposed is still uncertain. Aim. To determine the perinatal transmission rate of HIV-1 and mortality at 12 months in HIV exposed infants that were admitted to and discharged from the Neonatal Unit, in Durban, South Africa. Methods. In this observational study, data from the outpatient charts of HIV exposed infants that required specialised neonatal care and subsequent follow up, between the period November 2007 and December 2009, were collected. Perinatal transmission rates and mortality of these infants were compared with maternal and infant risk factors. Results. Data on 463 HIV exposed, predominantly low birth weight infants are presented. The median maternal CD4 count was 309cells/mm3 with 16.8% of mothers commenced on HAART. Maternal co-infection with TB was found in 19.2% of the cohort. Early HIV transmission occurred in 11.5% of infants and was influenced by the type of ARV exposure (None, 20%; single dose NVP, 14.3%; dual therapy, 10.6%; maternal HAART, 8.5%). The dual therapy regimen for 7 days was more protective than that for 28 days (p=0.045). HIV infection was associated with higher risk of neonatal sepsis (RR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3; p=0.015). The mortality for the cohort at 12 months was 10%. Maternal HAART was associated with a lower mortality: 2.95% vs.10.2% (RR 3.0; 95% CI, 0.4-20.5). There was a higher mortality rate in those that were low birth weight (RR 4.2; 95% CI, 1.02-18.8; p=0.037); those that were HIV infected (RR 4.8; 95% CI, 1.9-11.6; p=0.002) and those that were breastfeeding compared to formula feeding (RR 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-6.8; p=0.038). Discussion. Rates of HIV transmission within the PMTCT programme were similar to that reported by the Department of Health. Early maternal ARVs for PMTCT prophylaxis, prevents HIV transmission. The coverage of maternal HAART was sub-optimal. Breastfeeding was associated with a higher HIV transmission rate and was most likely associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding during neonatal admission. Recommendations. Maternal HAART or ARV prophylaxis should be commenced early in the pregnancy for the best benefits. Meticulous attention should be paid to the feeding practices of high risk HIV exposed infants admitted for specialised neonatal care. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

My focus in this research study is the understanding that young Indian women have of risky sexual behaviour within the context of HIV and AIDS. The main objective of this study is to understand how young Indian women perceive themselves as sexual beings and how aware they are about the HIV and AIDS virus. The influencing factors in my embarking on a study of this nature are two-fold. Firstly, the literature on sexuality of Indian women is limited. According to Bhana and Pattman (2008) the Indian community is not regarded as being problematic therefore not much is known or done with regard to Indian sexualities. Secondly my interest in conducting this research and focusing on young Indian women is that there now appears to be an increase in the number of young Indian women who are indulging in risky sexual behaviour at very early stages in their lives. I have purposefully selected six young Indian women based on their age group which is between 16 - 17, as well as from a specific context which is a secondary school in Phoenix. The sample group is not fully representative of all 16 and 17 year olds but has the potential to provide invaluable information and insight into how young women develop their sexual identities especially within the context of HIV and AIDS. The qualitative research method approach was employed as it provided me with the opportunity to comprehend how these young women understand sexual risk and the reasons why they would engage in risky sexual behaviour. The research design employed was a focus group interview with a 90 minute interactive session as well as individual interviews for each participant which lasted about 60 minutes. My findings reveal that Indian women are agentic and that there are a number of factors that influence and contribute towards an increase in the number of Indian women who are engaging in risky sexual behaviour and becoming sexually active at ages that do not prepare them for the negative consequences of risky sexual behaviour. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.