This study investigated the exposure of employees in the South African Police Service (SAPS) to the HIV/AIDS workplace programme, levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, perceptions of stigma and discrimination and of participation by stakeholders in programme implementation. The researcher subscribes to the view that stigma and discrimination are major obstacles to the successful implementation of the HIV/AIDS workplace programme as this notion has been substantiated by numerous studies. Self-administered questionnaire was used as means of data collection. Findings suggest that the employees of SAPS based at the National Head Office have high levels of knowledge on HIV/AIDS. However, the majority of the respondents indicated that they would not feel comfortable to disclose their HIV positive status, fearing the consequences thereof. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / VIGS is 'n gesondheidsprobleem wat 'n impak uitoefen op alle gebiede in die samelewing. Voorkoming is die enigste vorm van bekamping. As gevolg hiervan, word VIGS-voorkoming binne die funksies van primere gesondheidsorg geplaas. Die persoon wat die funksies van primere gesondheidsorg uitoefen, is die gemeenskapsgesondheidswerker. Binne hierdie raamwerk is die terme primere gesondheidsorg, gemeenskapsgesondheidswerker en VIGS bespreek en die onderlinge interaksie is aangetoon. Die opleiding wat die gemeenskapsgesondheidswerker op VIGS-gebied ondergaan, is meegemaak. Die prioriteite wat op nasionale, provinsiale en plaaslike vlak bestaan is deur middel van onderhoude nagevors. Die effektiwiteit van die VIGS-voorkomingsboodskap soos oorgedra deur die gemeenskapsgesondheidswerker is tydens 'n inligtingsessie van hoerskoolleerlinge bepaal. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings is in elk van bogenoemde gevalle gemaak. VIGS-voorkomingsinisiatiewe is nog in die kinderskoene in Suid-Afrika, maar het 'n belangrike rol te speel. / AIDS is a health problem that impacts on all societal spheres. Prevention is the only form of combat. Therefore, AIDS prevention falls within the functions of primary health care. The person performing these functions is the community health worker. Within this framework the terms primary health care, community health worker and AIDS were discussed and their interrelatedness illustrated. A session during which community health workers received training in aspects of AIDS was attended. Priorities existing at national, provincial and local levels were researched through interviews. The effectiveness of the community health worker in spreading the AIDS prevention message was determined during an information session for secondary school pupils. Conclusions and recommendations were made in each of these cases. AIDS prevention initiatives are still in its infancy in South Africa, but has an important role to play. / Health Studies / M.A. (Ontwikkelingsadministrasie)

This study investigated the exposure of employees in the South African Police Service (SAPS) to the HIV/AIDS workplace programme, levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, perceptions of stigma and discrimination and of participation by stakeholders in programme implementation. The researcher subscribes to the view that stigma and discrimination are major obstacles to the successful implementation of the HIV/AIDS workplace programme as this notion has been substantiated by numerous studies. Self-administered questionnaire was used as means of data collection. Findings suggest that the employees of SAPS based at the National Head Office have high levels of knowledge on HIV/AIDS. However, the majority of the respondents indicated that they would not feel comfortable to disclose their HIV positive status, fearing the consequences thereof. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The study was about the process evaluation of the development of the YOUNG WORKERS CAMPAIGN (YWC) Programme to document and analyses the involvement and participation of stakeholders in the development process. The purpose of the study was on the assessment of stakeholder participation and involvement in the development of the YWC to maximise the effectiveness, acceptability and sustainability of the intended programme. Informant interviews, focus group interviews and document analysis were the primary means of collecting data for this research study. The main findings are as follows: Few of the stakeholders were involved in the conceptualisation phase of the YWC Programme and their roles in the development process were not clearly described. Stakeholder analysis was not done and their involvement in decision-making was limited. In order to address the problem of participation, YWC stakeholders should pass through a process of stakeholder analysis, that is, they should be assessed in terms of contribution and value-adding to the development process. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies HIV/AIDS)

The aim of this study was to firstly examine via a literature study, the response of the South African Department of Education (DoE) to HIV/AIDS. This required contextualizing this response in national as well as global terms. South African policies that impact on HIV/AIDS and the role of stakeholders in Education were focussed on. The various models of health behaviours were also examined. The efficacy of the Department of Education's response was then evaluated by conducting an empirical study at selected schools. Areas focussed on were: educators' and learners' knowledge of HIV/AIDS-related issues, their attitudes to HIV/AIDS and persons with HIV/AIDS, as well as their health behaviours. Research findings indicated that HIV/AIDS-related policies in Education were in place since 1999. The DoE, however, had not communicated these policies effectively to educators and learners, who were therefore unaware of the Universal Precautions related to safer behaviour practices in respect of HIV/AIDS. The DoE had not been effective in its response to HIV/AIDS in changing educator' and learners' risk behaviours. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The global spread of HIV and Aids has greatly exceeded the most pessimistic projections. Infection rates are not declining and human tragedy is escalating. South Africa is a nation in mourning. If one is not infected, one is affected. Notwithstanding the catastrophic effects that are already being experienced, the full consequences of the pandemic seem yet to be felt. Developmental psychology and ecological systems theory were used in this study to examine the research problem. It has become necessary to determine the level of knowledge that adolescents have of HIV and Aids and whether Life Skills programmes stimulate any change in behaviour. This initially took the form of a quantitative study in which questionnaires were administered. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research (focus group interviews) was applied for verification. The goals of the research were achieved, providing valuable findings, confirming that there has been no behaviour change and adolescent knowledge remains inadequate. South African adolescents have insufficient knowledge of responsible sexual behaviour. Recommendations with regard to the content and course of the programme as well as further research are formulated as a result of the conclusions. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Socio-Education)

The primary aim of this study is to describe and explain the extent of which school managers and primary healthcare facility managers possess knowledge and awareness of their roles in the implementation of the Integrated School Health Policy in Region C in the Gauteng Provincial Department of Basic Education. The study used a qualitative research method by which semi-structured interviews were conducted using a descriptive and explanative design. A sample of ten respondents was elected using a purposive sampling strategy and conventional or content analysis was utilised in the interpretation and analysis of data. The main findings of the study revealed that managers know their role in the implementation of the policy. Although managers are aware of their important roles; they are unable to fulfil them due to a lack of skills. Therefore, the study recommends that the Department of Health and the Department of Basic Education should ensure that managers are skilled and more knowledgeable in implementing the policy objectives. / Public Administration and Operations Management / M. Admin. (Public Admiistration)

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

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / VIGS is 'n gesondheidsprobleem wat 'n impak uitoefen op alle gebiede in die samelewing. Voorkoming is die enigste vorm van bekamping. As gevolg hiervan, word VIGS-voorkoming binne die funksies van primere gesondheidsorg geplaas. Die persoon wat die funksies van primere gesondheidsorg uitoefen, is die gemeenskapsgesondheidswerker. Binne hierdie raamwerk is die terme primere gesondheidsorg, gemeenskapsgesondheidswerker en VIGS bespreek en die onderlinge interaksie is aangetoon. Die opleiding wat die gemeenskapsgesondheidswerker op VIGS-gebied ondergaan, is meegemaak. Die prioriteite wat op nasionale, provinsiale en plaaslike vlak bestaan is deur middel van onderhoude nagevors. Die effektiwiteit van die VIGS-voorkomingsboodskap soos oorgedra deur die gemeenskapsgesondheidswerker is tydens 'n inligtingsessie van hoerskoolleerlinge bepaal. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings is in elk van bogenoemde gevalle gemaak. VIGS-voorkomingsinisiatiewe is nog in die kinderskoene in Suid-Afrika, maar het 'n belangrike rol te speel. / AIDS is a health problem that impacts on all societal spheres. Prevention is the only form of combat. Therefore, AIDS prevention falls within the functions of primary health care. The person performing these functions is the community health worker. Within this framework the terms primary health care, community health worker and AIDS were discussed and their interrelatedness illustrated. A session during which community health workers received training in aspects of AIDS was attended. Priorities existing at national, provincial and local levels were researched through interviews. The effectiveness of the community health worker in spreading the AIDS prevention message was determined during an information session for secondary school pupils. Conclusions and recommendations were made in each of these cases. AIDS prevention initiatives are still in its infancy in South Africa, but has an important role to play. / Health Studies / M.A. (Ontwikkelingsadministrasie)

Adolescents have become focal points of discussions and debates regarding sexuality and reproductive health matters. However, little research has been done particularly in South Africa to examine their knowledge concerning abortion and emergency contraception. Research indicates that a substantial proportion of adolescent pregnancies are unintended or unwanted. Abortion and emergency contraception are both time-sensitive services. Thus having accurate and comprehensive knowledge about both abortion and emergency contraception is pivotal, in the case of unintended or unwanted pregnancy or when engaging in unprotected sex or experiencing contraceptive failure that could lead to pregnancy. The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) defined reproductive health rights for both men and women as the right to "decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so" (p. 60). That is, men and women should "have the right to make decisions concerning their reproduction free of discrimination, violence and coercion" (ICPD, 1994, p.60). Based on these definitions, it is rather evident that comprehensive and accurate knowledge are at the core of one's ability to make an informed consent. This is confirmed by Adler's (1992, p. 289) definition of informed consent or choice "a) access to sufficient information b) understanding the information c) competence to evaluate potential consequences d) freedom to make a choice and e) the ability to make and express that choice". It is from this framework that this study emerged. The aim of this study was to examine adolescents' knowledge concerning abortion and emergency contraception. The participants were Grade 11 learners between the ages of 15-24 years from five different schools in the Buffalo City Municipality. A sample of 514 was achieved. Data were analysed using descriptive cross-tabulation, chi-square and qualitative methods where appropriate. The results revealed that most of the participants did not have sufficient accurate knowledge concerning the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, consequences of legal abortion and emergency contraceptive pills to make informed decisions. Furthermore, data also revealed that the participants' schools playa role in their sexual activity, their knowledge about the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and about emergency contraceptive pills. Although this method made it feasible for the researcher to make general assumptions, non-responses were one of the limitations of the study. Similar research in various municipalities/cities in and outside the Eastern Cape is recommended so as to increase further awareness concerning the level of knowledge that adolescents have about contraceptive pills particularly emergency contraceptive pills, the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and abortion in general.