Registered nurses are exposed to the risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and contracting the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Qualitative phenomenological research was conducted to explore registered nurses' experiences of working in such a high-risk environment and how their experiences influence the therapeutic relationship. A sample of registered nurses who care for HIV-infected persons or persons who suffer from AIDS was purposefully selected. Focus group interviews were conducted. Qualitative data analysis was performed. Frankl's theory of meaning of life served as a theoretical foundation for interpreting the research findings. The research results revealed that registered nurses experience existential frustration due to the intentional and unintentional risks that they are exposed to. This negatively impacts upon their ability to maintain a healthy therapeutic relationship with patients. However, evidence was obtained indicating that some factors support their quest for finding meaning in life in the workplace. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Este estudo faz uma revisão sobre a relação das concentrações de vitamina D e doenças cardiovasculares (DVC) em indivíduos com vírus da imunodeficiência humana e/ou síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (HIV/AIDS) em tratamento com terapia antirretroviral (TARV). Um total de 1.288 artigos foram recuperados dos bancos de dados do PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane Central, ERIC, SIBi, SciELO, LILACS e Grey literature. Nove deles preencheram os critérios de seleção e foram inclusos nesta revisão sistemática. Existe uma alta prevalência da deficiência de vitamina D em indivíduos HIV-positivo, independentemente da região climática que vivem. Tanto a infecção pelo HIV-1 como a TARV podem interferir no metabolismo da vitamina D. Essa vitamina mostrou uma tendência a decrescer do momento antes da TARV ao depois da iniciação da TARV, sua deficiência foi mais prevalente em pacientes que fazem utilização da TARV do que aqueles que nunca a utilizaram e suas concentrações no organismo mostraram significantes associações com medidores da elasticidade arterial, como Espessamento Média-Íntima (EMI) e Dilatação Mediada por Fluxo (DMF). Essas alterações nos vasos e sistema circulatório predispõem doenças cardiovasculares, tais como, aterosclerose, trombose, infarto do miocárdio e acidente vascular cerebral. Portanto, apesar de existirem controvérsias, indivíduos HIV-positivo podem estar mais propensos ao desenvolvimento de DCV, não apenas pelos efeitos colaterais comuns da TARV e da infecção pelo HIV-1, mas também por estarem mais predispostos a terem hipovitaminose D, e as alterações causadas por este quadro em seu organismo. / This study reviewed the relationship of vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). A total of 1,288 articles were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, Cochrane Central, ERIC, SIBi, SciELO, LILACS and Grey literature databases. Nine of them met the selection criteria and were included in this systematic review. There is a high vitamin D deficiency prevalence in HIV positive individuals, regardless of climate area where they live. Both, HIV-1 infection and ART can interfere with the metabolism of vitamin D. This vitamin has shown a tendency to decrease from the moment before ART to the one after the initiation of ART. Its deficiency was more prevalent in patients who use ART than those who are ART-naïve. Vitamin D concentrations showed significant associations with markers of arterial dysfunction, such as carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). These changes in vessels and circulatory system predispose CVD, such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, myocardial infarction and stroke. Therefore, although there are controversies, HIV positive individuals may be more prone to the development of CVD, not just for the common side effects of ART and HIV- 1 infection, but also because they are predisposed to have vitamin D deficiency, and all the metabolic changes caused by this situation in his organism. Key-

Este estudo faz uma revisão sobre a relação das concentrações de vitamina D e doenças cardiovasculares (DVC) em indivíduos com vírus da imunodeficiência humana e/ou síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (HIV/AIDS) em tratamento com terapia antirretroviral (TARV). Um total de 1.288 artigos foram recuperados dos bancos de dados do PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane Central, ERIC, SIBi, SciELO, LILACS e Grey literature. Nove deles preencheram os critérios de seleção e foram inclusos nesta revisão sistemática. Existe uma alta prevalência da deficiência de vitamina D em indivíduos HIV-positivo, independentemente da região climática que vivem. Tanto a infecção pelo HIV-1 como a TARV podem interferir no metabolismo da vitamina D. Essa vitamina mostrou uma tendência a decrescer do momento antes da TARV ao depois da iniciação da TARV, sua deficiência foi mais prevalente em pacientes que fazem utilização da TARV do que aqueles que nunca a utilizaram e suas concentrações no organismo mostraram significantes associações com medidores da elasticidade arterial, como Espessamento Média-Íntima (EMI) e Dilatação Mediada por Fluxo (DMF). Essas alterações nos vasos e sistema circulatório predispõem doenças cardiovasculares, tais como, aterosclerose, trombose, infarto do miocárdio e acidente vascular cerebral. Portanto, apesar de existirem controvérsias, indivíduos HIV-positivo podem estar mais propensos ao desenvolvimento de DCV, não apenas pelos efeitos colaterais comuns da TARV e da infecção pelo HIV-1, mas também por estarem mais predispostos a terem hipovitaminose D, e as alterações causadas por este quadro em seu organismo. / This study reviewed the relationship of vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). A total of 1,288 articles were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, Cochrane Central, ERIC, SIBi, SciELO, LILACS and Grey literature databases. Nine of them met the selection criteria and were included in this systematic review. There is a high vitamin D deficiency prevalence in HIV positive individuals, regardless of climate area where they live. Both, HIV-1 infection and ART can interfere with the metabolism of vitamin D. This vitamin has shown a tendency to decrease from the moment before ART to the one after the initiation of ART. Its deficiency was more prevalent in patients who use ART than those who are ART-naïve. Vitamin D concentrations showed significant associations with markers of arterial dysfunction, such as carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). These changes in vessels and circulatory system predispose CVD, such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, myocardial infarction and stroke. Therefore, although there are controversies, HIV positive individuals may be more prone to the development of CVD, not just for the common side effects of ART and HIV- 1 infection, but also because they are predisposed to have vitamin D deficiency, and all the metabolic changes caused by this situation in his organism. Key-

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / This study utilised secondary data from a larger study that looked at individuals that are already infected by HIV which is entitled Implicative personal dilemmas and cognitive conflicts in health decision making in HIV positive adults and adults with AIDS. The primary aim of the larger study was to examine the cognitive construction of the individual and how they utilised their individual resources to construct who they are and how they perceived the difficulties and challenges that they face and the decisions they make regarding their health. HIV and AIDS is a debilitating disease and it affects millions worldwide. South Africa, presently, has the largest burden of this disease with those between the ages of 15 – 49 years of age being most affected. As previously mentioned the decisions that individuals make can impact on their health. Decisions to take necessary precautions such as protected sex during sexual intercourse can decrease the progression of the disease. Decisions made regarding abstinence of risky behaviour as well as being committed to taking medication could also positively impact health. People living with HIV and AIDS find it difficult to adjust to the challenges that this disease presents. Depression is often experienced due to the changes in self image and perception. Studies show that females are twice more likely to experience depression than men. There has however been no conclusive evidence showing the reason for this, however, the perception of stress based on gender could shed some light on this matter and how these perceptions can increase the likelihood of women being more vulnerable to depression. Due to the limitation of this study, it will only look at depression as it relates to HIV and AIDS. Psychological problems such as depression can hamper the adjustment process and the effect of depression is evident in that it can lower the CD 4 + cells. Not only are those living with HIV and AIDS affected by depression, but they also have a lifetime prevalence to depression. It is important to have an effective screening tool for depression so that the detection of this disease can be made and effective treatment can be implemented to enhance health. The sample consisted of 113 adult participants that have already been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. The primary aim of this study was to compare the Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale –(the Depression component) (HADS-D) as a screening tool for depression. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 5 factor structure which accounted for 60.14 % of the total variance. The HADS yielded one factor accounting for 14.33% of total variance. The BDI II has proven to be more a reliable measure of depression with 0.89 according to the Cronbach’s Alpha co efficient opposed to 0.375 as per the HADS-D. The secondary aim was to establish the sociodemographic and disease profiles of the participants under study. / South Africa

<p>Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was first initiated in Colombia due to shortages of incubators and the incidence of severe hospital infections of new-born infants during hospital stay (Feldman, 2004). Currently it is identified by UNICEF as a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants (Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003) in both developed and developing countries. The Western Cape Provincial Government implemented a policy on KMC as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants in 2003 (Kangaroo Mother Care Provincial task team, 2003). Essential components of KMC are: skin-to-skin contact for 24 hours per day (or as great a part of the day as possible), exclusive breastfeeding and support to the motherinfant dyad. Successful implementation of KMC requires relevant education of nurses, education of mothers on KMC by nursing staff, monitoring of the implementation of KMC by nurses, planning for a staff mix with varying levels of skill and experience with KMC, the identification of institution specific barriers to the implementation of KMC, and the implementation of institution specific strategies to overcome these barriers (Wallin,et al., 2005 / Bergman &amp / Jurisco, 1994 / Cattaneo, et al., 1998). This study aims to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards kangaroo mother care, of nursing staff and kangaroo mothers in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town.</p>

<p>This study utilised secondary data from a larger study that looked at individuals that are already infected by HIV which is entitled Implicative personal dilemmas and cognitive conflicts in health decision making in HIV positive adults and adults with AIDS. The primary aim of the larger study was to examine the cognitive construction of the individual and how they utilised their individual resources to construct who they are and how they perceived the difficulties and challenges that they face and the decisions they make regarding their health. HIV and AIDS is a debilitating disease and it affects millions worldwide. South Africa, presently, has the largest burden of this disease with those between the ages of 15 &ndash / 49 years of age being most affected. As previously&nbsp / mentioned the decisions that individuals make can impact on their health. Decisions to take necessary precautions such as protected sex during sexual intercourse can decrease the&nbsp / progression of the disease. Decisions made regarding abstinence of risky behaviour as well as being committed to taking medication could also positively impact health. People living with HIV and AIDS find it&nbsp / difficult to adjust to the challenges that this disease presents. Depression is often experienced due to the changes in self image and perception. Studies show that&nbsp / females are twice more likely to experience depression than men. There has however been no conclusive evidence showing the reason for this, however, the perception of stress based on&nbsp / gender could shed some light on this matter and how these perceptions can increase the likelihood of women being more vulnerable to depression. Due to the limitation of this study, it will&nbsp / only look at depression as it relates to HIV and AIDS. Psychological problems such as depression can hamper the adjustment process and the effect of depression is evident in that it can lower the CD 4 + cells. Not only are those&nbsp / living with HIV and AIDS affected by depression, but they also have a lifetime prevalence to depression. It is important to have an effective screening tool for depression so that the detection of this&nbsp / disease can be made and effective treatment can be implemented to enhance health. The sample consisted of 113 adult participants that have already been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. The&nbsp / primary aim of this study was to compare the Beck&rsquo / s Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale &ndash / (the Depression component) (HADS-D) as a screening tool&nbsp / &nbsp / for depression. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 5 factor structure which accounted for 60.14 % of the total variance. The HADS yielded one factor accounting for 14.33% of total variance. The BDI II has proven to be more a reliable measure of depression with 0.89 according to the Cronbach&rsquo / s Alpha co efficient opposed to 0.375 as per the HADS-D. The secondary aim was to establish&nbsp / the sociodemographic and disease profiles of the participants under study. </p>

Despite the benefits of antiretroviral therapy in treating HIV/AIDS, government responses have varied substantially, from provisions guaranteeing nearly universal access to insufficient provisions providing almost no access. This research seeks to specifically examine primary explanations, such as economic capacity, and emerging explanations, such as the role of electoral accountability and the presence of stigma, and the coordination between the epistemic community and political leadership as potential causes for the variance in the government provision. By controlling for state economic capacity, this research furthers the importance of examining other explanations for state response in light of a public health crisis. While electoral accountability and the role of stigma had marginal impacts, the level of scientific coordination and understanding among the states political leadership had perceptible impacts. This research also tests broader aspects of the political economy such as the role of state capacity and subsequent government crisis response.

<p>Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was first initiated in Colombia due to shortages of incubators and the incidence of severe hospital infections of new-born infants during hospital stay (Feldman, 2004). Currently it is identified by UNICEF as a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants (Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003) in both developed and developing countries. The Western Cape Provincial Government implemented a policy on KMC as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants in 2003 (Kangaroo Mother Care Provincial task team, 2003). Essential components of KMC are: skin-to-skin contact for 24 hours per day (or as great a part of the day as possible), exclusive breastfeeding and support to the motherinfant dyad. Successful implementation of KMC requires relevant education of nurses, education of mothers on KMC by nursing staff, monitoring of the implementation of KMC by nurses, planning for a staff mix with varying levels of skill and experience with KMC, the identification of institution specific barriers to the implementation of KMC, and the implementation of institution specific strategies to overcome these barriers (Wallin,et al., 2005 / Bergman &amp / Jurisco, 1994 / Cattaneo, et al., 1998). This study aims to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards kangaroo mother care, of nursing staff and kangaroo mothers in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town.</p>

<p>This study utilised secondary data from a larger study that looked at individuals that are already infected by HIV which is entitled Implicative personal dilemmas and cognitive conflicts in health decision making in HIV positive adults and adults with AIDS. The primary aim of the larger study was to examine the cognitive construction of the individual and how they utilised their individual resources to construct who they are and how they perceived the difficulties and challenges that they face and the decisions they make regarding their health. HIV and AIDS is a debilitating disease and it affects millions worldwide. South Africa, presently, has the largest burden of this disease with those between the ages of 15 &ndash / 49 years of age being most affected. As previously&nbsp / mentioned the decisions that individuals make can impact on their health. Decisions to take necessary precautions such as protected sex during sexual intercourse can decrease the&nbsp / progression of the disease. Decisions made regarding abstinence of risky behaviour as well as being committed to taking medication could also positively impact health. People living with HIV and AIDS find it&nbsp / difficult to adjust to the challenges that this disease presents. Depression is often experienced due to the changes in self image and perception. Studies show that&nbsp / females are twice more likely to experience depression than men. There has however been no conclusive evidence showing the reason for this, however, the perception of stress based on&nbsp / gender could shed some light on this matter and how these perceptions can increase the likelihood of women being more vulnerable to depression. Due to the limitation of this study, it will&nbsp / only look at depression as it relates to HIV and AIDS. Psychological problems such as depression can hamper the adjustment process and the effect of depression is evident in that it can lower the CD 4 + cells. Not only are those&nbsp / living with HIV and AIDS affected by depression, but they also have a lifetime prevalence to depression. It is important to have an effective screening tool for depression so that the detection of this&nbsp / disease can be made and effective treatment can be implemented to enhance health. The sample consisted of 113 adult participants that have already been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. The&nbsp / primary aim of this study was to compare the Beck&rsquo / s Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale &ndash / (the Depression component) (HADS-D) as a screening tool&nbsp / &nbsp / for depression. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 5 factor structure which accounted for 60.14 % of the total variance. The HADS yielded one factor accounting for 14.33% of total variance. The BDI II has proven to be more a reliable measure of depression with 0.89 according to the Cronbach&rsquo / s Alpha co efficient opposed to 0.375 as per the HADS-D. The secondary aim was to establish&nbsp / the sociodemographic and disease profiles of the participants under study. </p>

This study utilised secondary data from a larger study that looked at individuals that are already infected by HIV which is entitled Implicative personal dilemmas and cognitive conflicts in health decision making in HIV positive adults and adults with AIDS. The primary aim of the larger study was to examine the cognitive construction of the individual and how they utilised their individual resources to construct who they are and how they perceived the difficulties and challenges that they face and the decisions they make regarding their health. HIV and AIDS is a debilitating disease and it affects millions worldwide. South Africa, presently, has the largest burden of this disease with those between the ages of 15 – 49 years of age being most affected. As previously mentioned the decisions that individuals make can impact on their health. Decisions to take necessary precautions such as protected sex during sexual intercourse can decrease the progression of the disease. Decisions made regarding abstinence of risky behaviour as well as being committed to taking medication could also positively impact health. People living with HIV and AIDS find it difficult to adjust to the challenges that this disease presents. Depression is often experienced due to the changes in self image and perception. Studies show that females are twice more likely to experience depression than men. There has however been no conclusive evidence showing the reason for this, however, the perception of stress based on gender could shed some light on this matter and how these perceptions can increase the likelihood of women being more vulnerable to depression. Due to the limitation of this study, it will only look at depression as it relates to HIV and AIDS. Psychological problems such as depression can hamper the adjustment process and the effect of depression is evident in that it can lower the CD 4 + cells. Not only are those living with HIV and AIDS affected by depression, but they also have a lifetime prevalence to depression. It is important to have an effective screening tool for depression so that the detection of this disease can be made and effective treatment can be implemented to enhance health. The sample consisted of 113 adult participants that have already been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. The primary aim of this study was to compare the Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale –(the Depression component) (HADS-D) as a screening tool for depression.Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 5 factor structure which accounted for 60.14 % of the total variance. The HADS yielded one factor accounting for 14.33% of total variance. The BDI II has proven to be more a reliable measure of depression with 0.89 according to the Cronbach’s Alpha co efficient opposed to 0.375 as per the HADS-D. The secondary aim was to establish the sociodemographic and disease profiles of the participants under study. / Magister Psychologiae - MPsych