Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New South Wales, 2002. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on July 18, 2005). Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-281).

Sammanfattning Titel:                                  Distriktsköterskors erfarenheter av delegering för kompressionslindning i hemsjukvården Fakultet:                             Hälsa, natur- och teknikvetenskap Kurs:                                  OMA 312. Examensarbete i omvårdnad 15hp Författare:                           Malin Ahnstedt och Lina Nilsson Handledare:                        Anna Nordin Examinerande lärare:          Maria Harder Examinator:                        Birgitta Bisholt Sidor:                                  31 Datum för examination:     oktober 2018 Svenska nyckelord:             Hemsjukvård, distriktssköterska, delegering, säker vård, kompressionslindning   Bakgrund: Hemsjukvården idag innebär alltmer avancerade hälso- och sjukvårdsinsatser vilket ställer höga krav på distriktssköterskans kunskap och ledarskap. Distriktssköterskan överlämnar olika medicinska uppgifter till omvårdnadspersonalen och utgår då från olika författningar och riktlinjer. Det handlar även om att distriktssköterskan har en central ledarroll och ska arbeta för en säker vård. I Sverige ses en ökning av kroniska bensår vilket påverkar både det dagliga livet och livskvaliteten hos de drabbade. En viktig del i behandlingen av bensår är kompressionslindning. Distriktssköterskan i hemsjukvården delegerar kompressionslindning till omvårdnadspersonalen. Syfte: Beskriva distriktssköterskors erfarenheter av delegering för kompressionslindning i hemsjukvården. Metod: Kvalitativ intervjustudie med induktiv ansats genomfördes och analyserades utifrån kvalitativ innehållsanalys. 12 distriktssköterskor som arbetade i kommunal hemsjukvård intervjuades från sex olika kommuner. Resultat: Det framkom två generiska kategorier, Distriktssköterskors tillvägagångssätt vid delegering och Distriktssköterskors erfarenhet av vilka konsekvenser delegering kan leda till. Dessa beskrivs med tre subkategorier vardera. Konklusion: Studien visade att distriktssköterskorna utförde delegering av kompressionslindning till omvårdnadspersonalen på olika sätt, personlig eller generell delegering. Vid generell delegering innebär det att verksamheterna inte följer lagar, författningar och riktlinjer fullt ut och att patientens säkerhet kan påverkas negativt. Deras erfarenhet var att kunskap samt arbeta evidensbaserat ligger till grund för att delegera säkert. Patientens säkerhet och livskvalitet påverkades av omvårdnadspersonalens kunskap och intresse för att utföra den delegerade uppgiften. / Abstract Title:                                   District nurses experience of delegation for compression therapy in home healthcare Faculty:                               Health, Science and Technology Course:                               OMA 312 Degree project - nursing,15 ECTS Authors:                              Malin Ahnstedt och Lina Nilsson Supervisor:                          Anna Nordin Examiner:                           Maria Harder Examiner:                           Birgitta Bisholt Pages:                                 31 Date for the examination:   October 2018 Key words:                         Home Health Care, District Nurse, Delegation, Safe care, Compression Therapy   Background: Home healthcare today means increasingly advanced healthcare efforts which place high demands on district nurses' knowledge and leadership. The district nurse handles various medical information to nursing staff based on different regulations and guidelines. The district nurse's also have a central leadership role and will work for a safe care. In Sweden, an increase in chronic leg ulcer is seen which affects both the daily life and the quality of life for the victims. An important part of the treatment of leg ulcers is compression therapy. The district nurse's delegates compression therapy to nursing staff in home care. Purpose: Describe district nurses experience of delegating compression therapy in the home health care. Method: Qualitative interview study with inductive approach that was conducted and analyzed based on qualitative content analysis. 12 district nurses from six different municipalities working in municipal home healthcare were interviewed. Result: Results are presented within two generic categories which were, District nurse's approach to delegation and District nurse's experiences the consequences delegation can lead to. These are described with six subcategories each. Conclusion: The study showed that district nurses performed delegation of compression wound care to nursing staff in different ways, personal or general delegation. In general delegation, the activities do not fully comply with laws, regulations and guidelines and the patient's safety can be adversely affected. Their experience is that knowledge, as well as evidence-based work, is the basis for a safe delegation. The patient's safety and quality of life are influenced by the nursing staff's knowledge and interest in performing the delegated task.

p. 1-132 / Submitted by Santiago Fabio (fabio.ssantiago@hotmail.com) on 2013-04-10T17:47:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Odilon Seg Tese.pdf: 667461 bytes, checksum: 6ef86749197b282262299f32453aa110 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Meirelles(rodrigomei@ufba.br) on 2013-04-22T19:29:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Odilon Seg Tese.pdf: 667461 bytes, checksum: 6ef86749197b282262299f32453aa110 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-04-22T19:29:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Odilon Seg Tese.pdf: 667461 bytes, checksum: 6ef86749197b282262299f32453aa110 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / O fornecimento de alimento seguro para consumo é uma questão de saúde pública. Normas que estabelecem vários procedimentos para manipulação, produção e comércio de alimentos prontos têm sido editadas, em particular a RDC-216 da ANVISA, que norteia as regulamentações estaduais e municipais. Entretanto, as práticas cotidianas de cozinheiros de restaurante populares estão bem distantes das regulamentações técnicas. Isso foi constatado nesta pesquisa de caráter qualitativo, através de observações de campo e entrevistas semiestruturadas com cozinheiros que trabalham em restaurantes populares do Bairro do Comércio de Salvador – Bahia. A rotina de trabalho dos cozinheiros segue um modelo próprio, com significações particulares. Muitas vezes essas práticas estão em desacordo com os conhecimentos científicos oferecendo risco à saúde dos milhares de comensais que se alimentam diariamente nesses espaços. Não há diálogo entre saberes técnicos e leigos, o primeiro está estabelecido em normas, mas não aplicado; o segundo prevalece de forma efetiva. Por isso a necessidade de se observar e compreender as práticas dos cozinheiros e a partir delas adequar às políticas públicas com programas educativos e de qualificação que resultem em novos comportamentos para a produção de alimentos seguros em restaurantes populares. / Salvador

Under de senaste två årtionden har det blivit en drastisk ökning av privat ägda laptops. Detta har öppnat för nya möjligheter som bring your own device (BYOD) digitala prov i skolan. Men med detta blir nedlåsning av datorn inför digitalt prov ännu viktigare. Undersökningar har gjorts gällande elevernas uppfattning kring digitala provsystem samt deras åsikter om digitala prov i allmänhet. Andra arbeten har gjorts gällande hur digitala provsystem fungerar tekniskt men samtidigt finns det artiklar som visar hur viktig lärarnas åsikter är. Därför kommer detta arbete definiera kraven som de krav som lärare har för att undersöka deras perspektiv, inte på det digitala prov eller provsystem som andra arbeten utan på nedlåsningsprogrammet för datorn vilket bidrar med information i ett nytt perspektiv. Detta görs genom insamling av enkäter från lärarna på en gymnasieskola för att definiera krav. Dessa krav ställs sedan mot vanligt använda nedlåsningsprogram för att svara på hur de klarar av de krav som lärare har. Resultatet av detta visar att nedlåsningsprogrammen inte uppfyller alla krav som lärarna ställer. Dock vid undersökning av de krav som underkändes bedöms nedlåsningsprogrammen leva upp till en majoritet av lärarnas krav då anpassade lösningar och vikten av olika krav disskuteras. Detta ger ett positivt betyg för nedlåsningsprogrammen och ger uppmaning till lärare att gå över till digitala prov utan att oroa sig för nedlåsningen av datorerna.

This study explores the history of sex communication and education over a period of fifty years (1950 to the present), in a deep rural area of the Eastern Cape. It describes patterns of sex communication between peers, between siblings, between children and parents and between young people and other non-familial agencies within communities. Communication trends are traced from the period before contraception was introduced, through to the introduction of female birth control methods into the HIV/AIDS era where the focus has been on attempting to introduce condoms. Twelve semi-structured interviews and two four-person focus groups were conducted to gather information on how the participants acquired information about sexuality and their responses to the same. The findings of the present study suggest that the widespread use of injectable contraceptives has had a marked effect on the sexual culture of the community under investigation. It has led to the collapse of the regulatory practices which were previously in place. This in turn has significantly affected the sexual communication and negotiation context. Furthermore, it has had a determining influence on male involvement in sexual reproductive health matters and has created a poor context for the adoption of condoms as a prophylactic. There were no major changes in the sexual communication context within families and within communities in that education has always been limited to instructions to avoid pregnancy. Of note was a culture of collusion between adults and children surrounding sexuality, which absolved the parties involved in addressing sexuality. These factors are understood have mediated response to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, and need to be taken into consideration in the development of sex communication and education programmes.

A atenção qualificada ao parto tem sido um dos principais focos de ação da Iniciativa Maternidade Sem Risco (IMSR), no intuito de se obter gestações e partos mais seguros para as mulheres e os recém-nascidos e consequentemente diminuir as taxas de morbimortalidade materno-infantil. Este estudo buscou conhecer a assistência que as mulheres, atendidas nos serviços públicos de saúde do município de São Carlos/SP, recebem durante o ciclo gravídico-puerperal, evidenciando as ações desenvolvidas pela equipe de enfermagem. Objetivos: Descrever o perfil dos profissionais de enfermagem que atuam na atenção ao ciclo gravídico-puerperal e identificar as ações desenvolvidas por estes na assistência ao pré-natal, trabalho de parto, parto e puerpério, correlacionando com as competências essenciais ao exercício básico da obstetrícia recomendadas pela Confederação Internacional das Parteiras (ICM). Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório descritivo, com uma abordagem quantitativa, que utilizou para a coleta de dados a entrevista estruturada e a observação sistemática das ações desenvolvidas pelos profissionais de enfermagem na assistência ao ciclo gravídico-puerperal. A população estudada foi composta de 84 profissionais de enfermagem, sendo 37 da atenção básica que prestam assistência ao pré-natal e puerpério e 47 da maternidade, que prestam assistência ao parto. Foram observadas na atenção básica, 52 pré-consultas e 47 pós-consultas de pré-natal, 05 abertura de SISPRENATAL, 05 acolhimentos, 05 consulta de pré-natal e 02 consultas puerperais realizadas pelas enfermeiras. Na atenção ao parto foram observadas 22 avaliações obstétricas admissionais, 15 trabalhos de parto, 12 partos normais, 10 cesáreas, 18 recepções de recém-nascido e 18 assistências no alojamento conjunto. A estatística descritiva foi utilizada para descrever e sintetizar os dados. Resultados: Os profissionais são predominantemente do sexo feminino, média de 35,1 anos, casados (62,2%) e com filhos. A média de carga horária encontrada entre os profissionais de enfermagem que prestam assistência na atenção básica foi de 41,6 horas e de 53,9 horas na assistência ao parto, sendo que respectivamente 8,1% e 32% destes profissionais têm mais de um emprego. A média de salários dos auxiliares e técnicos de enfermagem que atendem a mulher no o pré-natal e no parto correspondem respectivamente a 43,2% e 37,3% da remuneração média das enfermeiras. Quanto à qualificação profissional, todas as enfermeiras entrevistadas na atenção básica do município referiram ter cursado ou estar cursando pós-graduação lato sensu, sendo 57,14% em saúde da família, 21,43% em enfermagem obstétrica, 7,14% em saúde da família e enfermagem obstétrica, 7,14% em saúde da família e saúde mental e 7,14% em administração hospitalar. Na maternidade, as seis enfermeiras eram especialistas em obstétrica. O tempo de experiência profissional no atendimento às mulheres no ciclo gravídico-puerperal entre os profissionais da atenção básica variou de 1 mês a 20 anos e na maternidade de 1 mês a 25 anos. Os resultados revelam que todos os profissionais são qualificados para a atenção ao ciclo gravídicopuerperal. Quanto às habilidades essenciais em obstetrícia, preconizadas pela ICM, muitas foram realizadas de forma incompletas e outras deixaram de ser realizadas. Conclusões: Na atenção básica as ações desenvolvidas pelo profissional de enfermagem no cuidado à mulher no pré-natal foram predominantemente de suporte, apoio e complementação da assistência médica, sendo discreta a participação da enfermeira na consulta de pré-natal. Na maternidade as enfermeiras atendem na admissão, acompanham o trabalho de parto e realizam a maior parte dos partos normais. Embora ainda existam habilidades específicas a serem realizadas, demonstraram ações moduladas por princípios da humanização, bem como da atenção qualificada. O estudo aponta a necessidade da reorganização da assistência ao pré-natal, inserindo efetivamente o enfermeiro, bem como que a assistência ao parto busque cada vez mais uma assistência qualificada e humanizada, com reconhecimento e autonomia do enfermeiro. / The qualified attention on childbirth has been one of the main focus on the Making Pregnancy Safer Initiative (MPR) in order to obtain safer pregnancies and childbirth to women and the newborns and consequently reduce the rates of maternal and newborns mortality. This study sought to know the assistance that women have in São Carlos/SP city during the puerperal pregnancy cycle spotlighting the nursing team. Objectives: Describe the profile of nursing professionals who work in puerperal pregnancy cycle and identify the actions developed for them in prenatal assistance, labour, childbirth and post-natal period correlating with the essentials competences to the obstetric basic exercising obstetrics recommended by the International Conferation of Midwives (ICM). Metodology: This study is a exploratory descriptive with a quantitative approach which used to collect data structured interview and systematic observation of the actions taken by nursing professionals in assisting puerperal pregnancy cycle. The studied population was composed of 84 nursing professionals being 37 of basic attention that provide assistance to prenatal and post-natal period and 47 of maternity that provide assistance to childbirth. Were observed in basic attention, 52 pre consults and 47 post consults, 05 SISPRENATAL opening, 05 receptiveness, 05 prenatal consults anda 05 puerperal consults undertaken by the nurses. On attention to childbirth were observed 22 admisions, 15 labours, 12 normal births, 10 cesarean, 18 newborn receipts and 18 assistances in accommodation set. It used the descriptive statistics describe and summarise data. Results: Professionals are predominantly female average 31,5 years, married (62,2%) and with children. The average of hourly charge between nursing professionals who provide assistance in basic attention was 41.6 hours and 53.9 hours on birth assistance being respectively 8,1% and 32% of these professionals have more than a job.The average salary of nursing assistants and technicians that assist women on prenatal and birth correspond respectively to 43.2% and 37,3% of the average remuneration of nurses. As vocational qualification, all nurses interviewed in city basic attention mentioned have attended or being attending a post graduation lato sensu being 57,14% in family health, 21,43% in obstetrical nursing, 7,14% in family health and obstetrical nursing, one 7,14% in family health and mental health and just one 7,14% in hospital administration. At maternity all the six nurses were obstetrical experts. Professional experience in assistance to women on puerperal pregnancy cycle between basic attention professionals ranged from 1 month to 20 years and at maternity from 1 month to 25 years.The results reveal that that all professionals are skilled attention to puerperal pregnancy cycle. As regards the essential skills in obstetrics, advocated by the ICM, many were so incomplete and other not performed. Conclusions: On basic attention the actions developed by nursing professionals on women prenatal care were predominantly of support and medical assistance complementation being discreet nurse\'s participation in prenatal consult. Maternity nurses serve in the admission, accompany labour and perform most normal births. Although there are specific skills to be performed, demonstrated actions modulated by principles of humanization as well as qualified attention. The study revels the need for reorganization of prenatal assistance inserting effectively the nurse as well as assistance to childbirth look increasingly a qualified and humanized assistance with recognition and autonomy of the nurse.

Com o objetivo de estudar o custo da produção segura, de salgados, em uma fábrica localizada no munícipio de Jundiaí, São Paulo, foi realizado um estudo de caso por observação de processos e registros, em planilhas de Excel, dos custos da produção do alimento seguro com a execução das Boas Práticas de Fabricação referente ao período de agosto de 2010 a julho de 2011 e posteriormente retirados os custos pertinentes as Boas Práticas de Fabricação para comparação entre ambas às situações. Também foram levantados os custos das obrigações legais e sua influência no resultado final do preço unitário. Para identificar os custos diretos de uma produção que assegura a qualidade do alimento, mantendo-o inócuo, foram utilizados os conceitos de custos variáveis. As contas foram agrupadas segundo seu destino de utilização. Foram estudadas também as mudanças de hábitos alimentares devido à mudança de comportamento, especialmente das mulheres que tem crescente participação nas atividades remuneradas, fora do lar. O perfil de consumo das famílias está mudando e com este o aumento de ocorrências de doenças causadas por contaminação alimentar, que segundo os autores estudados acontece com maior frequência do que se tem registrado de fato. Para entender melhor esta relação foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica sobre a evolução do consumo, aumento da demanda de alimentos prontos para consumo, riscos de contaminação alimentar e doenças de origem alimentar, as normas técnicas, legislações e políticas públicas pertinentes à fabricação do alimento seguro que reúnem informações para melhorar a qualidade dos alimentos produzidos. Nos resultados encontrados os custos variáveis tiveram menor alteração em relação à simulação do não cumprimento das boas práticas de fabricação (BPF) e das obrigações legais, a maior influência foi sobre os custos fixos. A redução encontrada nos custos totais (soma dos custos variáveis com os fixos) para a situação onde os custos pertinentes ao cumprimento das BPF foram retirados foi de 5,8% e de 16,4% quando retirados os custos referentes às obrigações legais, que resulta na soma de 22,2% de diminuição dos custos, percentual este que favorece a produção caseira (informal), quando comparado com a produção formal. O resultado financeiro obtido quando cumpridas todas as exigências de BPF e obrigações legais foi negativo em 11,9% e na simulação da ausência destas práticas e exigências foi positivo em 17,5% (situação caseira e informal). Estes resultados estão relacionados com a utilização da capacidade produtiva instalada, que foi de 50%, equivalente a 43,9 t. e, portanto, existe ainda possibilidade de mudanças nos resultados ao atingir a capacidade ótima de produção. / With the aim of studying the cost of finger food safe production in a factory located in the municipality of Jundiaí, São Paulo, we conducted a case study by observation of processes and records, in Excel spreadsheets, of the cost of food safe production with the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices for the period from August 2010 to July 2011 and subsequently withdrawn the costs involved with Good Manufacturing Practices for comparison between the two situations. We also raised the costs of legal obligations and its influence on the final result of the unit price. To identify the direct costs of production, which ensures the quality of food, keeping it harmless, we used the concepts of variable costs. The accounts were grouped according to their destination of use. We also studied the changes in eating habits due to behavior change, especially women who have increased participation in paid work outside home. The profile of household consumption is changing and consequently increased occurrences of diseases caused by contaminated food, which according to the authors studied happens more frequently than thought. To better understand this relationship we conducted a search on consumption trends, rising demand for ready to eat foods, risks of food contamination and foodborne diseases, technical standards, legislation and public policy pertinent to the manufacture of safe food to gather information to improve the quality of food produced. In the results the variable costs had less changes in relation to the simulation of non-compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) and legal obligations, the greatest influence was on the fixed costs. The reduction found in the total costs (sum of variable costs with fixed) where the costs pertaining to the enforcement of GMP were removed was 5.8% and 16.4% when taken out costs related to legal obligations, which sum results in a 22.2% decrease in costs, which favors home production (informal) when compared with the formal production. The financial result when met all the requirements of GMP and legal obligations was negative in 11.9% and in simulation and practical absence of these requirements was positive in 17.5% (homely and informal). These results are related to the utilization of the production capacity of 50%, equivalent to 43.9 tons, and therefore there is a possibility of changes in the results if optimum production is achieved.

För att förbättra säkerhetsarbetet och för att skapa harmonisering inom EU vad gäller skydd av personuppgifter antogs i april år 2016 en ny EU-förordning om dataskydd, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), även benämnd Dataskyddsförordningen. Förordningen börjar gälla som lag i Sverige först den 25 maj år 2018. Införandet av förordningen kommer innebära att Europaparlamentets och rådets direktiv 95/46/EG av den 24 oktober 1995 om skydd för enskilda personer med avseende på behandling av personuppgifter och om det fria flödet av sådana uppgifter samt Personuppgiftslagen (1998:204) (PUL) upphör att gälla. Det huvudsakliga syftet med Dataskyddsförordningen är att ytterligare harmonisera och effektivisera skyddet av personuppgifter för att förbättra den inre marknadens funktion samt att öka den enskildas kontroll över sina personuppgifter. Dataskyddsförordningen är direkt tillämplig som lag i samtliga medlemsländer och kommer efter ikraftträdande utgöra grunden för generell personuppgiftsbehandling inom hela EU.  Det har under de senaste åren blivit allt mer vanligt att företag, organisationer, kommuner och myndigheter använder sig av molntjänster. Molntjänster är intressanta ur ett juridiskt perspektiv eftersom de mest uppmärksammade juridiska frågeställningarna angående molntjänster är frågor hänförliga till hantering av personuppgifter och säkerhet.   I uppsatsen redogörs för införandet av Dataskyddsförordningen (GDPR) utifrån perspektivet företags, organisationer, kommuners och myndigheters användande av molntjänster. I uppsatsen beskrivs även molntjänsters funktioner och egenskaper. Dataskyddsförordningen är nyligen antagen och utgör ännu inte svensk lag, förordningen baseras däremot i stora delar på Dataskyddsdirektivets innehåll och struktur. Dataskyddsdirektivet och PUL studeras därför i uppsatsen för att få en förståelse för bestämmelserna i Dataskyddsförordningen. Molntjänster finns i flera olika tekniska lösningar och är även gränsöverskridande, vilket innebär att användande av molntjänster i vissa fall innebär att personuppgifter överförs till ett tredje land. Uppsatsen behandlar därmed tillämpliga bestämmelser avseende överföringar av personuppgifter till tredje land. Uppsatsen avslutas med en analys och en slutsats. I slutsatsen konstateras att förordningen ger ett förstärkt skydd för den registrerade vid hantering av personuppgifter i molntjänster samt att förordningens utökade territoriella tillämpningsområde innebär att förordningen är bättre anpassad till molntjänstanvändande. Vidare konstateras i slutsatsen att rättsläget för överföringar av personuppgifter till USA med stöd av Privacy Shield-överenskommelsen för närvarande är osäkert.

En radiologie interventionnelle, l’assistance robotisée permet de limiter l’exposition du praticien aux rayons X et d’apporter plus de précision pour effectuer des opérations complexes. La présence de robots dans un environnement humain pose alors la question de la sécurité du patient et de l’équipe médicale, que ce soit lors d’interactions ou de manipulations. Dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons dans un premier temps aux problématiques de sûreté. Une structure d’actionnement intrinsèquement sûre est proposée. Le prototype réalisé permet d’effectuer des tâches de positionnement en mode automatique. Parallèlement, une stratégie de guidage basée sur une approche passive est proposée. Un système à raideur variable permet d’imposer un effort résistif variable à l’utilisateur en vue de contraindre son geste. Dans une deuxième partie, nous étudions la possibilité d’intégrer de tels systèmes sur un dispositif à plusieurs degrés de liberté, répondant au problème de placement d’aiguille. / In the context of interventional radiology, robotic-assisted surgery limits practitioners’ exposure to radiations and brings more accuracy to perform complex interventions. However, the presence of robot in the environment is a potential danger for the patient and the medical staff in case of unexpected interactions and manipulations.In this PhD thesis, we first focus on safety problems. An intrinsically safe mechanism is proposed. The achieved prototype allows to follow both planned trajectories and moving environments.Secondly, a guidance mechanism based on a passive approach is suggested. With a variable stiffness system, using a compliant mechanism, a resistive force is applied to the user which allows him to be guided in his gesture.Based on medical needs, we then study the possibility to integrate and generalize such systems to multiple degrees of freedom.

The aim of this research was to establish the women’s perceptions, opinions and feelings on the practise of safe sex and HIV/AIDS to see if there is correlation between sexual behaviour and the level of education. The ultimate aim was to determine, and to raise awareness of, the need for empowerment of women through integrating HIV/AIDS issues and literacy at the community level. In this study it appeared that gender inequality is among other factors fuelling the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. Statistics have proven that women are both amongst those infected and have the highest rate of illiteracy. Thus it is important to instil skills, knowledge, values and attitudes (SKVAs) and thus enhance women’s lives. The question that guided the research reported in this study is: How can women be empowered with skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, to better their own lives and to become active change agents in their community? Investigations of this study prompted the researcher to review literature related to empowerment of women. The theoretical foundation discussed the elements related to the research question. Theoretical elements discussed are: empowerment, literacy and HIV/AIDS issues. This literature survey served the purpose of checking the validity of my claim, and returned a “valid” verdict. In the light of the above, a qualitative research methodology was adopted, using personal interviews for data collection. Eight participants were selected by purposive sampling to represent the widest possible range of perspectives, experiences and needs, and the interviews were designed to arrive at a deeper understanding of those experiences and needs. The data gathered were then analysed and findings written up. The findings of this research indicated that women had knowledge about HIV/AIDS and perceived seriousness of the diseases. They were, to an extent misinformed, about the use of condoms and were scared of the repercussions. As such they were exposed to exploitation due to subordination and were eventually vulnerable to contract illnesses. In addition, the factor of gender inequality denies opportunities of empowerment to women, who often encounter direct opposition to their attempts at self-improvement, thereby staying in their “destitute” positions forever. Women interviewed for this study suffered stress and frustration with irresponsible partners. Their multiple roles, as well as household chores, hinder their active participation in any programmes. It is my contention that, to be liberated, women need to be empowered and all forms of discrimination and gender inequality, that block their pursuit of areas of interest, need to be totally eliminated. The women’s responses in the interview contain important suggestions on the needs for empowerment programmes through integrating HIV/AIDS issues and literacy at community level. The study concludes with the recommendations for the need for empowerment programmes. / Dr. M.C. van Loggerenberg