This qualitative research project attempts to consider how HIV-infected African women position themselves, through the stories that they tell, within the dominant discourses of HIV in contemporary South Africa. The research is couched within the theoretical framework of social constructionism which upholds that there are no absolute truths but rather that individuals inhabit different 'realities' and possess different 'knowledges' relative to their social and cultural context. In this view language is the medium through which discursive practices inscribe identities with meanings. Seen through a Foucauldian lens, these discursive practices, in the case of South Africa, operate as forms of surveillance and social control to 'silence' those living with HIV. Through cultural and patriarchal norms operating in conjunction with the racialising legacy left by apartheid, women, particularly African women, have come to be the group most infected with HIV. Despite their often-difficult circumstances, narrative research has shown that, through acts of storytelling, many African women are able to construct positive versions of their lives. Using body mapping in conjunction with narrative interviewing, a small group of African women of varying ages and from diverse locations, but all belonging to a single Durban-based HIV support group, were asked to tell stories about their lives and how their experiences of themselves had been impacted by HIV. Their body maps and stories showed that, while dominant discourses about HIV/AIDS do function to limit their positions for positive self-definition, these women also produced counter-narratives that resisted some of the discrediting social constructions of the illness. Four dimensions relating to self in time, self in relation to others, HIV as a disruptive event, and spiritual beliefs and morality were found to be operating in their narratives. In addition, a fifth dimension, looking at how research practices themselves are 'situated' and construct 'subjects' in particular ways was considered and this called on 'the researcher' to deconstruct the subject positions of his (in this case) own discursive positioning. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

South Africa has an estimated population of approximately 47. 9 million of which almost (51%) are female; according to the 2007 mid-year report of Statistics South Africa (Stats-SA, 2007). The availability of Antiretroviral (ARVs) that delay HIV progression and improve quality of life of HIV infected individuals and the roll-out of prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) have brought renewed hope among many couples and individuals in South Africa. The four pillars of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme include prevention of HIV infection among young women, prevention of un-intended pregnancies among HIV infected women, prevention of HIV infection to the child and provision of care and support services. HIV-positive young women live by socially and medically constructed values that expect them to avoid becoming pregnant, but at the same time they are expected to marry and bear children. A more in-depth understanding of the reproductive decision making experiences of women below the age of 35 is needed because they are at reproductive age and most at risk of HIV infection in South Africa. The impact of a positive HIV diagnosis may be best understood when viewed within a social constructivist framework. A few studies in South Africa (Cooper et al, 2005; Harries et al, 2007; Myer, Morroni, and Rebe, 2007; Orner et al, 2007; Stevens, 2008) have been conducted on fertility desires of HIV positive individuals and couples although not specifically exploring young women who are mostly vulnerable to HIV infection. Recognizing the gap in the desired public health care objectives, such as preventing mother to child transmission of HIV and the lived experiences of young women living with HIV, this qualitative exploratory research was conducted in two South African Townships. The purpose was to explore the reproductive aspirations and intentions of the women below the age of 35, in the light of the higher HIV prevalence in this population, compared to other groups. The research explored two theories of human behaviour; the theory of planned behaviour and Erick Erikson’s human developmental theory. Eleven semi-structured in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted through support groups at clinics in Soweto and Attridgeville. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and all participants signed consent to participate in the research. Findings showed that women younger than 30 who did not have a child, desired and intended to have biological children. Health concerns such as CD4 count, concerns about HIV progression, early death and orphan-hood, previous loss of a child due to HIV and financial concerns were often cited. Tied to this were health workers’ attitudes towards pregnancy among women who knew their HIV status. Women said that a child brought joy, strength and courage to the mother and was seen as an image, when the mother dies, due to HIV. Almost all the women were in support groups that openly discouraged pregnancy among HIV positive women, especially those who already have a child or children. This research indicates that in practice, counselling and information around reproductive health and choices, is often offered in a quest to dissuade HIV-infected women from considering pregnancy. Health services, families and partners, as well as past experiences of motherhood, all play a role in decision making (Cooper et al, 2005). Sometimes policy guidelines alone are not enough to ensure that reproductive rights of women living with HIV are respected at the different levels. This research points out the population of women who have specific needs and who should not be treated as a homogenous group with all women. This recognition should go beyond policy recommendations into implementation and monitoring. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

Background and Objectives The improved uptake of antenatal Opt-out testing has been documented internationally. In South Africa little is known about the efficiency and die acceptability of Opt-out testing. This study compared VCT with Opt-out testing by measuring the efficiency (defined as uptake of testing, number of women identified as HIV positive and consultation duration of the testing approach) and the acceptability to patients and staff. Methodology We conducted a prospective, quasi-experimental equivalent time-samples clinical trial in which we enrolled a consecutive sample of women who presented at die McCord Hospital antenatal clinic from June to August 2006. The study consisted of 2 phases. During the 6 week intervention period women were offered HIV testing with the Opt-out mediod. During die 6 week control period women were offered midwife-provided VCT. Efficiency was measured in each phase, with 150 participants in the VCT arm and 150 in die Opt-out arm. Participants also completed a survey questionnaire. In depth interviews were conducted with 9 purposefully selected participants from each arm. Two focus group discussions were held with staff. The staff focus group findings were followed-up and validated by conducting in-depdi interviews with die staff members who participated in die focus groups 18 mondis later. Results The uptake of HIV testing during the VCT period was 134/150(89.3%) compared to 147/150(98.0%) in die Opt-out period (p<0.001). The percentage of women identified as being HIV positive during the VCT period was 7.33% (11/150) vs. 12.6% (19/150) during the Opt-out period (p=0.133). Time was saved as a decrease in the duration of midwife consultations from 34 min (VCT) to 26 min (Opt-out) was found with p<0.001. Qualitative analysis revealed Opt-out testing to be an acceptable way of testing. Patients found Opt-out emotionally less distressing than VCT (p<0.05). Staff reported that Opt-out decreased the burden on human resources (only one person needed to facilitate the group and shorter consultations) while it identified more women infected with HIV. Conclusion Opt-out testing is significantly more efficient and acceptable than VCT. Opt-out testing should include a group pre-test information session, adequate and ongoing post-test counselling, to be effective and acceptable. / Thesis (M. Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Women living with HIV have a variety of reproductive health and psychosocial needs. The purpose of this critical ethnographic study was to examine how HIV, empowerment and reproduction are experienced by a volunteer sample of HIVpositive women attending public health care facilities in Gauteng. Feminist and critical approaches were used to guide the methodology of the research and the interpretation of the findings. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and observation. An overview of literature pertaining to the social construction of HIV-AIDS, women’s empowerment and reproductive decision-making is presented. A discourse of “healthy lifestyle” as technologies of the self is considered. Women’s empowerment as an ideal is described and structural barriers to its achievement are discussed. Stigma and discrimination as products of hegemony are discussed as important issues in the disempowerment of women living with HIV. HIV-AIDS as illness experience is reviewed with reference to the social context and to the individual context. Reproductive decision-making models and theories are critically analysed for their applicability to women living with HIV. The need for a conceptual shift in the notion of empowerment in order to understand constrained decision-making for women living with HIV is propagated. The stories of women living with HIV and dependent on public health care services are presented. Through the principles of a critical ethnography the lived experiences of these women are described by means of emerging themes. A historiography of family planning and HIV-AIDS services throws the narrations of the research participants into broader historic relief. Findings revealed that biomedical hegemonic power contoured and marked the lived experiences of women following an HIV-positive diagnosis. Taken-for-granted views of passivity and of own responsibilities regarding reproductive health are challenged. The women in the study were dependent upon public health care personnel for treatment, testing, dietary advice/supplementation and recommendations for a social xii disability grant. ARV-treatment was regarded as a low point in the illness career. All of the participants reported that the overriding problems in their lives were having too few material resources and not having the means to change this. This made them vulnerable to compounded health problems and decreased their ability to voice their own opinions about treatment. They did not regard themselves as having been at risk for contracting HIV and some harboured resentment towards men who were seen as being absolved from testing and responsibilities towards female partners, born and unborn children. Women who were not tested as part of antenatal sentinel groups tended to suffer symptoms of ill health for some time prior to being tested for HIV. Social support systems were either absent or consisted of trusted family members and friends. In many cases, women became the silent care-givers for those affected and infected by HIV. Anticipated stigma permeated the participants’ narrations of living with HIV and disclosure of their statuses was difficult. The use of male condoms, stressed during counselling sessions, was narrated as a difficult burden for women to bear. Although the research participants expressed low fertility preferences, HIV-AIDS was seen as disrupting the link between heterosexual conjugal relations and the taken-for-grantedness of procreation. HIV-AIDS also disrupted norms in infant feeding practices and bottle-feeding was regarded as a sign of possible HIV-infection and hidden. The research participants were not empowered with knowledge about how to deal with side-effects, condom failures and the reluctance of male partners to be tested for HIV. They enacted, resisted and lived with HIV in different ways, incorporating some of the biomedically prescribed posturing as women living positively and blending it with stigma-negating performances and gender-prescribed ways of dressing, walking and acting. Participation in a support group validated their experiences and promoted positive self-perception. The formation of a collective voice in the support group was hampered by irregular attendance, the interference of community leaders and horizontal violence. Power relations, yielded by biomedical hegemony, androcentric sociocultural practices, material deprivation, fear, discrimination and stigma potentially undermined the women’s abilities to become empowered. Expansion of choices in various spheres or fields and collective action xiii are proposed as dimensions to be added to an empowerment-of-women approach to the problems of reproductive health in the age of HIV-AIDS. The contribution of the study as an emancipatory project is evaluated and implications for policy and practice are suggested. On a methodological level, this study is a demonstration of the contribution to be made by a micro-level, critical analysis to the body of knowledge about female reproductive health in the era of HIV-AIDS in South Africa. On a theoretical level, this study contributes to a wider conceptualisation of women’s empowerment by recognising the interplay between micro-level elements of situated experience, knowledge and preferences and the macro-level elements of sociocultural, biomedical and material influences on health and reproductive behavior.

The aim of this study was to explore, describe and interpret the experiences of Immunodeficiency Human Virus (HIV) infected mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of the infant’s life. This was a qualitative study with phenomenology as a design as the study was about lived experiences. The sample consisted of HIV infected mothers aged 18 years and above who opted for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their infant’s lives. Purposive sampling was used. Data was collected through one to one semi structured interviews of fifteen mothers of babies aged six to twelve months. The study revealed that mothers had both positive and negative experiences which were influenced by among others; the level of support the mothers received, disclosure of HIV status and health education received at the health facility. The findings of the study revealed a low level of understanding of the Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy by health professionals / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch Univesity, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is well established that South African women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and gender based violence. Research to date has provided evidence for neurocognitive decline in individuals infected with HIV/AIDS and in individuals who have experienced early life trauma. However, many gaps remain in our knowledge about the neurocognitive profile of HIV and childhood trauma in South African women. The present study focused on the neurocognitive effects of HIV infection and childhood trauma, both separately and in combination in South African women. The primary aim of the study was to assess neurocognitive functioning in HIV-positive and matched HIVnegative controls, with and without a history of childhood trauma. Moreover, the study sought to assess the synergistic relationship between HIV and childhood trauma in influencing neurocognitive outcomes, a relationship which has not yet been investigated. A neuropsychological battery sensitive to HIV-related impairments was administered to 83 HIV-positive and 47 matched HIV-negative women with histories of childhood trauma. A history of childhood trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire short form (CTQ-SF). Forty eight of the 83 HIV-positive women were exposed to childhood trauma. Among the control subjects, a total of twenty women were exposed to childhood trauma. Findings of the present study revealed neurocognitive deficits in memory and executive functions. Results demonstrated significant HIV effects in memory (HVLT-R learning and delay trials), and executive functions (Halstead Category test). Similarly, a trauma effect was evident in delayed recall (HVLT-R delay). Moreover, results revealed a significant interaction effect between HIV status and trauma status on the WAIS-III Symbol Search Task, a task of psychomotor speed. However, HIV-negative controls with a history of childhood trauma scored the highest on this task. Although this finding was unexpected, it may suggest that psychomotor speed may not be a sensitive or discriminating test of childhood trauma in healthy adults. The present study demonstrated evidence for HIV and trauma effects in the ability domains of learning and delayed recall and executive functions. Although the present study did not find evidence for a synergistic relationship between HIV and trauma, it did provide evidence for both HIV and trauma effects on neurocognition, a finding in keeping with previous studies. Future research should be prospective in nature and should better delineate the nature, severity, and temporal relationship of childhood trauma to neurocognitive outcomes, as well as the mediators and moderators of these outcomes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is alombekend dat Suid-Afrikaanse vroue buite verhouding swaar deur MIV/vigs en geslagsgebaseerde geweld getref word. Navorsing tot dusver lewer bewyse van neurokognitiewe verswakking by individue met MIV/vigs sowel as individue wat vroeg in hulle lewe reeds trauma ervaar het. Tog is daar steeds vele gapings in ons kennis oor die neurokognitiewe profiel met betrekking tot MIV en kindertrauma onder Suid- Afrikaanse vroue. Hierdie studie konsentreer op die neurokognitiewe uitwerking van MIV-infeksie en kindertrauma, afsonderlik sowel as gesamentlik, op Suid-Afrikaanse vroue. Die hoofdoel van die studie was om neurokognitiewe funksionering by MIV-positiewe vroue te bepaal en dit met gepaste MIV-negatiewe kontrolepersone te vergelyk, met én sonder 'n geskiedenis van kindertrauma. Daarbenewens wou die studie die sinergistiese verwantskap tussen MIV en kindertrauma in hul impak op neurokognitiewe uitkomste bepaal – 'n verwantskap wat tot dusver nog nie ondersoek is nie. 'n Neurosielkundige toetsbattery wat gevoelig is vir MIV-verwante swakhede is onder 83 MIV-positiewe vroue en 47 gepaste MIV-negatiewe kontrolepersone met 'n geskiedenis van kindertrauma afgeneem. 'n Geskiedenis van kindertrauma is met behulp van die kort weergawe van die kindertraumavraelys (CTQ-SF) vasgestel. Agt-en-veertig van die 83 MIV-positiewe vroue is as kinders aan trauma blootgestel. Van die kontrolegroep het 20 vroue in hul kindertyd trauma beleef. Die studie het neurokognitiewe tekorte in korttermyngeheue én uitvoerende funksies aan die lig gebring. Die resultate het 'n beduidende MIV-verwante uitwerking op korttermyngeheue (hersiene Hopkins- verbale leer-en-vertragingstoets, oftewel HVLT-R) sowel as uitvoerende funksies (Halstead-kategorietoets) getoon. Eweneens het die studie op 'n duidelike traumaverwante uitwerking op herinneringsvermoë (HVLT-R-vertraging) gedui. Daarbenewens het die WAIS-II- (Wechsler-volwassene-intelligensieskaal) simboolsoekopdrag – 'n psigomotoriese spoedtoets – 'n beduidende wisselwerkingseffek tussen MIV-status en traumastatus getoon. Tog het MIV-negatiewe kontrolepersone met 'n geskiedenis van kindertrauma die beste in hierdie opdrag gevaar. Hoewel hierdie bevinding verrassend was, kan dit daarop dui dat psigomotoriese spoed dalk nie 'n gevoelige of diskriminerende toets van kindertrauma by gesonde volwassenes is nie. Die studie het bewys gelewer van MIV- en traumaverwante uitwerkings op korttermyngeheue en uitvoerende funksies. Hoewel die ondersoek nie bewyse van 'n sinergistiese verwantskap tussen MIV en trauma kon vind nie, het dit wél bevestig dat MIV en trauma neurokognitiewe werking beïnvloed – 'n bevinding wat in pas is met vorige studies. Toekomstige navorsing behoort ondersoekend te wees en die aard, felheid en tydgebondenheid van die verwantskap tussen kindertrauma en neurokognitiewe uitkomste, sowel as die mediator- en moderatorveranderlikes van hierdie uitkomste, beter te omskryf.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pregnancy is a vulnerable time in settings such as sub-Saharan Africa, and is associated with exposure to a multitude of physiological, social and psychological risks. High HIV prevalence, and the fact that many women will test for HIV for the first time during their pregnancy, has raised concern about women‘s psychological health during pregnancy. Depression during the antenatal period is of public health concern as it has been shown to be associated with poorer foetal and delivery outcomes, risky behaviours, and poorer uptake of antenatal care. Antenatal depression is a predictor of postnatal depression, and postnatal depression has been associated with poor maternal sensitivity and attachment in mothers which is known to result in increased behavioural and developmental difficulties in children. The aim of this research was to provide a clear, in depth and culturally sensitive understanding of the manifestation of depression in pregnant women in a rural area with high HIV prevalence in South Africa. The research method included a diagnostic assessment of depression in 109 women in their third trimester of pregnancy, and an in-depth qualitative examination of the contextual framework within which HIV testing and depression are experienced with a sub-sample of 56 women. The quantitative results demonstrated that the prevalence of antenatal depression was high (46.7%), with close to half of the women being diagnosed with depression. Presentations of depression most frequently included disturbances in mood, loss of interest and suicide ideation. Symptoms which overlap with common side effects of pregnancy such as loss of energy and weight change did not result in an overestimation of depression. Likewise, very little evidence of the somatisation of depression, or particular cultural barriers to the diagnosis of depression based on DSM-IV criteria was found. Rates of suicide ideation were high and equally common among HIV positive as HIV negative women. Factors significantly associated with depression included living within a family homestead, access to a regular source of income and practical support from a partner. Both income and partner support had a negative association with depression. Living away from a family or parental home had a positive association with depression. The results showed that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was effective in identifying depression and that a shorter three item version was as effective as longer versions. A positive score for depressed mood on the EPDS was significantly associated with HIV, suggesting that the EPDS is a good screening tool for elevated psychological risks among HIV positive women post HIV testing. Qualitative results showed that having an unsupportive partner and the occurrence of relationship or familial conflict played an important role in the development of emotional distress during pregnancy and resulted in a high number of unwanted pregnancies. Partner and familial conflict was intertwined with cultural practices which govern the acceptability of childbearing among unmarried women and the social recognition of partnerships and paternal responsibilities. Testing for HIV was considered a stressful life event for all women regardless of their HIV status and was a particularly negative life event for women who tested HIV positive or for women who had concerns over partner infidelity. Disclosure among HIV positive women frequently lead to increased partnership conflict. Qualitative findings suggested that depression and emotional distress after HIV testing did interfere with women‘s ability to engage with prevention messages. Women who were coping well with learning their HIV positive status had high levels of family disclosure and subsequent family support in common. The implication of this research is that it is important that public health programmes screen for depression among childbearing women. These data suggests that a shorter three item version of the EPDS along with screening for partner and family support or conflict would effectively detect most women at high risk for depression. Likewise, public health interventions for women with depression which are implemented in primary health care facilities and in isolation of the partnership and familial context within which depression occurs are not likely to be effective. Further research is needed to establish the precise prevalence of antenatal and postnatal depression in women at high risk for HIV; to validate the effectiveness of a shorter screening tool in resource limited settings; and to establish risk and protective factors, and trimester specific risks which could inform the design of cost effective interventions in poorly resourced settings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Swangerskap in Afrika, suid van die Sahara, is ʼn kwesbare tydperk met blootstelling aan ʼn menigte fisiologiese, sosiale en sielkundige risiko‘s. Die hoë voorkoms van HIV en die feit dat baie vrouens gedurende swangerskap vir die eerste keer vir HIV wil toets, het ‗n besorgdheid oor vrouens se sielkundige gesondheid gedurende swangerskap laat ontstaan. Depressie gedurende die voorgeboortelike periode is van belang vir publieke gesondheid, want daar is bewyse wat dui op ‗n verband tussen depressie en swakker fetale en geboorte resultate, riskante gedrag en verminderde gebruik van voorgeboortelike sorg . Voorgeboortelike depressie is ʼn indikasie van moontlike nageboortelike depressie en nageboortelike depressie word geassosieer met swak moederlike sensitiwiteit en die gebrekkige vorming van ‗n band tussen moeder en kind; wat reeds bewys is om te lei tot verhoogde gedrags- en ontwikkelingsprobleme in kinders. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om ʼn duidelike, indiepte en kulturele-sensitiewe begrip van die manifestasie van depressie in swanger vroue in ʼn landelike omgewing met hoë HIV voorkoms in Suid Afrika te verkry. Die navorsingsmetode sluit in ʼn simptomatiese beraming van depressie by 109 vroue in hul derde trimester van swangerskap en ʼn indiepte kwalitatiewe ondersoek na die kontekstuele raamwerk waarbinne HIV toetse en depressie ondervind word met ʼn sub-steekproef van 56 vrouens. Die bevinding was dat die voorkoms van voorgeboortelike depressie hoog was, 46.7 %, met feitlik die helfte van die vrouens wat met depressie gediagnoseer is. In die meeste gevalle het die voorkoms van depressie gepaard gegaan met ʼn verandering in gemoedstoestand, ʼn verlies aan belangstelling en selfmoordgedagtes. Simptome wat ooreenstem met algemene newe-effekte van swangerskap, soos verlies aan energie en verandering in gewig, het nie bygedra tot ʼn oorberekening van depressie nie. Soortgelyk is baie min bewyse gevind dat somatosasie van depressie, of spesifieke kulturele grense, tot die diagnose van depressie gebaseer op DSM-IVkriteria bydra. Die oorweging van selfmoord was hoog en algemeen tussen beide HIV-positiewe en HIV-negatiewe vouens. Faktore wat aansienlik met depressie geassosieer word, sluit in om in ʼn familiegroep te bly, toegang tot ʼn vaste bron van inkomste en die praktiese ondersteuning van ʼn lewensmaat. Beide inkomste en die ondersteuning van ʼn lewensmaat het ʼn negatiewe verbintenis met depressive. Om nie by familie of in ʼn ouerhuis te bly nie het ʼn positiewe assosiasie met depressive. Alhoewel HIV-status verband hou met depressie, was dit nie uitermate die geval nie, alhoewel daar ʼn gebrek aan statistiese kragdoeltreffendheid was om die effek van HIV vas te stel, gegee die beperkte grootte van die steekproef. Die resultate het getoon dat die EPDS graderingsinstrument effektief was om depressie te identifiseer en dat ʼn korter driepunt weergawe daarvan net so effektief was soos die langer weergawe. ʼn Positiewe telling vir ʼn depressiewe gemoedstoestand op die EPDS het ʼn betekenisvolle assosiasie met HIV en dui daarop dat die EPDS ʼn goeie graderingsinstrument is vir verhoogde sielkundige risiko by HIV-positiewe vrouens, selfs al is HIV-positiewe vrouens in dié steekproef statistieksgewys nie meer geneig tot depressie as HIV-negatiewe vrouens nie. Kwalitatiewe resultate toon dat ʼn lewensmaat wat nie ondersteunend is nie en die voorkoms van verhoudings- of familiekonflik ʼn belangrike rol speel in die ontwikkeling van emosionele angs gedurende swangerskap en dit het gelei tot ʼn groot aantal ongewenste swangerskappe. Konflik met ʼn lewensmaat en met familie was verweefd met kulturele gebruike wat die aanvaarbaarheid van geboortes onder ongetroude vrouens beheer en die sosiale erkenning van verhoudings en die vader se verantwoordelikhede. ʼn HIV-toets is as ʼn stresvolle lewensgebeurtenis beskou deur alle vroue, ongeag van hulle HIV-status en was ʼn besondere negatiewe lewensgebeurtenis vir vroue wat HIV-positief getoets het of vir vroue wat bekommerd was oor hulle lewensmaats se getrouheid. Onthulling van die HIV-status van positiewe vrouens het gereeld tot verhoogde konflik in verhoudings gelei. Kwalitatiewe bevindings dui daarop dat depressie en emosionele angs na ʼn HIV-toets inmeng met ʼn vrou se vermoë om ag te slaan op voorkomingsboodskappe. Vroue wat die kennis van hulle HIV-positiewe status goed hanteer het, het hoë vlakke van bekendmaking van hulle status en die ondersteuning van hulle familie in gemeen. Die implikasie van die navorsing is dat dit belangrik is vir publieke gesondheidsorgprogramme om te toets vir depressie onder swanger vroue. Die resultate dui daarop dat ʼn korter driepunt weergawe van die EPDS, saam met ʼn ondersoek na die ondersteuning van of konflik met ʼn lewensmaat en familie, effektief kan wees om vroue met ʼn hoë risiko vir depressie te identifiseer. Soortgelyk, publieke gesondheidsingryping in primêre gesondheidsorg fasiliteite vir vroue met depressie wat in isolasie van die lewensmaat en familie konteks, waar depressie voorkom geadministreer word, is onwaarskynlik om te slaag. Bevindings onderskryf die belangrikheid van ondersteuning vir die familie om effektief te kan reageer en herstel van stresvolle faktore soos onbeplande swangerskappe en HIV-diagnose, in ʼn konteks wat swaar deur HIV geaffekteer word, aangesien dit ʼn voorkomende effek op depressie kan hê. Verdere navorsing is nodig om die presiese voorkoms van voorgeboortelike en nageboortelike depressie in vrouens met ʼn hoë blootstelling aan HIV vas te stel; om die sukses van ʼn korter graderingsinstrument in arm omgewings te staaf; en om die risiko en beskermende faktore vas te stel en trimester spesifieke risiko‘s wat die ontwerp van ʼn koste-effektiewe ingryping in gebiede met ontoereikende hulpbronne kan beïnvloed.

Thesis (M. A. (Sociology)) --University of Limpopo, 2017. / Refer to document

The aim of this study was to explore, describe and interpret the experiences of Immunodeficiency Human Virus (HIV) infected mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of the infant’s life. This was a qualitative study with phenomenology as a design as the study was about lived experiences. The sample consisted of HIV infected mothers aged 18 years and above who opted for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their infant’s lives. Purposive sampling was used. Data was collected through one to one semi structured interviews of fifteen mothers of babies aged six to twelve months. The study revealed that mothers had both positive and negative experiences which were influenced by among others; the level of support the mothers received, disclosure of HIV status and health education received at the health facility. The findings of the study revealed a low level of understanding of the Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy by health professionals / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

No abstract available. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.