Submitted by Maria Beatriz Vieira (mbeatriz.vieira@gmail.com) on 2017-10-16T11:45:41Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) dissertacao_barbara_da_silva_alves.pdf: 489976 bytes, checksum: 4eeba836c9990bc82824db3437f40cd3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-10-17T11:39:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_barbara_da_silva_alves.pdf: 489976 bytes, checksum: 4eeba836c9990bc82824db3437f40cd3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-10-17T11:42:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_barbara_da_silva_alves.pdf: 489976 bytes, checksum: 4eeba836c9990bc82824db3437f40cd3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-17T11:42:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_barbara_da_silva_alves.pdf: 489976 bytes, checksum: 4eeba836c9990bc82824db3437f40cd3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-25 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul - FAPERGS / A produção in vitro de embriões é uma das principais técnicas aplicadas a reprodução animal. A suplementação com ácidos graxos poli-insaturados de cadeia longa (PUFA) da série ômega-3 nos meios de maturação in vitro (MIV) pode ser relevante para a diminuição de gotículas lipídicas que prejudicam a eficiência da produção in vitro e criopreservação de embriões suínos. O presente trabalho avaliou o efeito da suplementação do meio de MIV com dois PUFA, o eicosapentaenoico (EPA) e o docosahexaenóico (DHA), sobre a maturação nuclear de oócitos suínos. Folículos com 3 a 6 mm de diâmetro foram aspirados de ovários de fêmeas suínas pré-púberes coletados em frigoríficos. O meio de maturação foi constituído de TCM-199 suplementado com 0,57 mM de cisteína, 0,91 mM de piruvato de sódio, 10 ng/mL de EGF, 0,5μg/mL de LH, 0,5μg/mL de FSH e 0,1% de PVA. A MIV foi avaliada para grupos com aproximadamente 30 complexos cumulus-oócitos, compondo quatro tratamentos, em meios suplementados com: 10% de fluído folicular suíno (FFS), considerado como controle; 50; 100 e 150μM de cada PUFA. Foi também realizada a suplementação com FFS e AMPc para avaliar a possível toxicidade desses ácidos graxo. Após as 44 h de MIV, os oócitos foram corados com Hoechst 33342. Houve diferença entre as taxas de MIV obtidas nos meios suplementados com diferentes níveis de EPA a partir de 100 μM, em comparação ao controle (P > 0,05). As taxas de MIV observadas nos meios suplementados com DHA em concentrações a partir de 100 μM foram inferiores às observadas para o controle (P < 0,05). Quando comparadas com meios suplementados FFS e AMPc, as taxas de MIV observas com 50 μM de EPA e DHA não diferiram (P > 0,05). Estes resultados indicam que a suplementação de meios para MIV com EPA e DHA influenciam de forma negativa as taxas de maturação in vitro nuclear, sugerindo um efeito tóxico para os oócitos suínos. / The production of embryos in vitro (IVP) is one of the main techniques applied to animal reproduction. Supplementation of in vitro maturation (IVM) media with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the omega-3 series may be relevant to the decrease of lipid droplets which hinder efficient IVP and cryopreservation of porcine embryos. This study evaluated the effects of supplementation of IVM media with two PUFA, the eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and the docosahexaenoic (DHA) on the nuclear maturation of pig oocytes. Follicles with 3-6 mm diameter were aspirated from ovaries collected at abattoirs from prepubertal gilts. The IVM medium was TCM-199 supplemented with 0.57 mM cysteine, 0.91 mM sodium pyruvate, 10 ng/mL EGF, 0.5 μg/mL LH, 0.5 μg/mL FSH and 0.1% PVA. The IVM rates were evaluated for groups having nearly 30 cumulus-oocyte complexes in four treatments, including media supplemented with: 10% porcine folicular fluido (PFF), as a control; 50; 100 and 150μM of each PUFA. FOS supplementation and cAMP was also performed to evaluate the possible toxicity of these fatty acids. After 44 h of IVM, oocytes were stained with Hoechst 33342. Differences were observed between IVM rates obtained in media supplemented with different levels of EPA from 100 uM, compared to the control (P> 0.05). The IVM rates observed in media supplemented with DHA at concentrations from 100 uM were lower than those in the control (P <0.05). When compared with supplemented FFS and cAMP means IVM rates swarming with 50 mM of EPA and DHA did not differ (P> 0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of IVM medium with EPA and DHA influenced negatively the rate of nuclear maturation, suggesting a toxic effect for swine oocytes.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a highly stigmatised condition for people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHA) and people living close to them (PLC) within the African context as well as in other countries. PLC often take part in HIV stigmatisation, but they are likewise often the victims thereof. This research was executed in three phases. The research objectives for the first phase of the study was to explore and describe how HIV stigma and disclosure experiences at present impact on the lives of PLHA in a country where the HIV infection rate is the highest in the world, and to explore whether there are differences between urban and rural settings. The objective of the second phase of the research was to describe the implementation of a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness enhancement intervention that focused on PLHA as well as PLC from six designated groups, namely partners, children, family members, friends, spiritual leaders and community members. The objective of the third phase was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of both the PLHA and PLC by the six designated groups after they had undergone a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness enhancement intervention. Attention was focused on their expressed experiences of the workshop and projects executed by them in their communities. During the first and third phases of the research a qualitative interpretive description approach was followed. A holistic multiple case study design was used for the second phase. Purposive voluntary sampling was used for the PLHA and snowball sampling for the PLC. Data collection during the first and third phases took place using in-depth interviews in an urban and a rural setting in the North West Province, South Africa. The data was manually analysed through open coding. Phase 2 had open coding as well as document analysis. Findings of Phase 1 indicated that HIV stigma and disclosure themes for experiences in the urban and rural settings were mostly similar, with very few differences. Experiences of stigma were still very prevalent, but also led to negative self-judgement. The intervention proved to have been successful, as was reported during the case study and in participants‟ expressed experiences. All participants reported a better understanding of HIV stigma and how to cope with it. Relationships between PLHA and PLC were enhanced. HIV stigma reduction projects developed by PLHA and PLC were executed successfully and the wider community was reached. Leadership skills were developed in order to go out into the community and be part of HIV stigma reduction actions. Some considerations for strengthening the intervention were provided. The intervention in its comprehensive nature was shown to be successful and promising for future use in reducing HIV stigma and enhancing wellness. / PhD (Nursing), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The positive diagnosis of HIV impacts the lives and the relationships of both people living and HIV and AIDS (PLHA) and their partners. This could be the result of the PLHA experiencing stigmatisation from the side of his or her partner, or associated stigmatisation experienced by the partner due to living with the PLHA. The literature review makes it clear that limited research has been conducted on interventions to reduce HIV stigma in PLHA and their partners and this subsequently forms the focus of this study. The study describes the effect of a community-based HIV stigma reduction intervention on PLHA and their partners through a case study method. In addition, it explores and describes the lived experiences of these two groups during and after an intervention in both an urban and a rural setting of the North West Province, South Africa. A qualitative holistic multiple case study design and interpretive descriptive approach through in-depth interviews was used to implement and evaluate the intervention. Purposive voluntary sampling was conducted to access PLHA, and snowball sampling to reach their partners. The case record included multiple sources. Document analysis and open coding was used for analysis of the case records and open coding for the in-depth interviews. No real differences were noted between the urban and rural groups. It was evident from both the case study and the expressed experiences of participants that the intervention was successful. Follow-up interventions with PLHA and partners are suggested, as well as implementations that involve other cultural groups in other provinces of South-Africa. Such implementations could be useful to evaluate the sustainability of the intervention in various cultural groups. The intervention could further be included in educational programmes offered in health care settings or NGO‘s to nurses, health care workers and volunteers to train people in HIV-stigma reduction programmes. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a highly stigmatised condition for people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHA) and people living close to them (PLC) within the African context as well as in other countries. PLC often take part in HIV stigmatisation, but they are likewise often the victims thereof. This research was executed in three phases. The research objectives for the first phase of the study was to explore and describe how HIV stigma and disclosure experiences at present impact on the lives of PLHA in a country where the HIV infection rate is the highest in the world, and to explore whether there are differences between urban and rural settings. The objective of the second phase of the research was to describe the implementation of a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness enhancement intervention that focused on PLHA as well as PLC from six designated groups, namely partners, children, family members, friends, spiritual leaders and community members. The objective of the third phase was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of both the PLHA and PLC by the six designated groups after they had undergone a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness enhancement intervention. Attention was focused on their expressed experiences of the workshop and projects executed by them in their communities. During the first and third phases of the research a qualitative interpretive description approach was followed. A holistic multiple case study design was used for the second phase. Purposive voluntary sampling was used for the PLHA and snowball sampling for the PLC. Data collection during the first and third phases took place using in-depth interviews in an urban and a rural setting in the North West Province, South Africa. The data was manually analysed through open coding. Phase 2 had open coding as well as document analysis. Findings of Phase 1 indicated that HIV stigma and disclosure themes for experiences in the urban and rural settings were mostly similar, with very few differences. Experiences of stigma were still very prevalent, but also led to negative self-judgement. The intervention proved to have been successful, as was reported during the case study and in participants‟ expressed experiences. All participants reported a better understanding of HIV stigma and how to cope with it. Relationships between PLHA and PLC were enhanced. HIV stigma reduction projects developed by PLHA and PLC were executed successfully and the wider community was reached. Leadership skills were developed in order to go out into the community and be part of HIV stigma reduction actions. Some considerations for strengthening the intervention were provided. The intervention in its comprehensive nature was shown to be successful and promising for future use in reducing HIV stigma and enhancing wellness. / PhD (Nursing), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The Southern parts of Africa have the highest prevalence of HIV-infected people and South Africa is the country with the highest number of infections in the world. There is still no cure for AIDS, but anti-HIV medicine can prolong and enhance the quality of life of an HIV infected person. Patient adherence with antiretroviral therapy is extremely low due to difficult dosing intervals, problematic dosage forms, instability of the antiretrovirals (ARVs) and the severe side-effects caused by these drugs; this leads to resistance of HIV to these drugs. Pheroid™ technology is a patented delivery system. Pheroid™ vesicles were used during this study. The entrapment of an active within the Pheroid™ would generally provide a safer, more effective formulation than the active alone. This could mean that the amount of drug needed for treatment of HIV can be decreased while producing fewer adverse effects and reducing the price of treatment. The main objectives of this study were to optimise and validate the cell viability and viral replication assays that can be used in an in vitro viral infection model. The MTT assay was used to asses the viability of the cells and to determine the toxicity of the antiretroviral drugs and Pheroid™ on the cells. HIV-1 assays were evaluated and used to determine the viral replication in the cells. Two different continuous cell lines were chosen for this study, an anchorage dependent GHOST cell line and suspended M7-Luc cells. Both these cell lines were best infected with the SWl virus. SWl is a subtype C, CXCR4 utilising virus. Subtype C is responsible for 60 % of the HIV infections worldwide and is the prevalent subtype in SUb-Saharan Africa .. Infection enhancers were not added to the cells to improve viral infection since it was observed that the Pheroid™ in combination with DEAE-dextran or Polybrene caused cytotoxicity probably by disrupting the cell's membrane. Antioxidants were added to the Pheroid ™ formulation since it was observed that the viability of the cells incubated with the Pheroid™ decreased as the Pheroid ™ matured. The added antioxidants had no significant effect on the cells. Abacavir (ABC) was chosen as the test substance for this study since it showed low cytotoxicity in cell cultures and is water soluble and would not present solubility issues in the media. It was entrapped within the Pheroid™ and its in vitro efficacy and toxicity was tested on HIV-infected and uninfected cell cultures. One directlHIV-specific (p24 antigen ELISA assay) and one indirect (Luciferase) assays were used to asses the inhibition of HIV replication caused by ABC. The p24 antigen ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) assay required a lot of washing steps and were rather expensive to use. The Luciferase assay was only used on the M7-Luc cells; this assay was sensitive, inexpensive and easy to use. The MTT (3-(4,5-demethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) viability assay was used to measure the toxicity caused by the Pheroid ™ and/or ABC on the cells. MTT is a widely used quantitative colorimetric assay to measure the viability of cells. The vitamin E and antioxidants contained in the Pheroid ™ reduced the MTT and produced results that were misinterpreted as enhanced viability when the Pheroid™ was present during MTT analysis. To prevent this problem an additional washing step should be introduced prior to analysis to reduce the interference of the Pheroid ™ with analytical methods. In conclusion, the efficacy of ABC entrapped within the Pheroid™ is still inconclusive and further studies will have to be done. MTT should be used with care for viability analysis of cells incubated in the presence of Pheroid TM. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Globally, nurses' contribution to informed health policy decisions is limited, as there are many barriers to Nurse led change to successfully influence the HIV and AIDS policy process. In South Africa nurses at all levels of health care are not involved or consulted during the formulation of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy. This has led to concern about the absence of nurses at the policy table. This study forms part of a larger international study programme entitled: “Strengthening Nurses’ Capacity in HIV and AIDS Policy Development in Sub–Saharan Africa and the Caribbean”. This programme of international research aims to empower nurses to become involved in the policy process (formulation, implementation and evaluation) in order to strengthen health systems in the areas of HIV and AIDS care. Nurses' absence at the policy table prompted the researcher to explore and describe barriers to Nurse led change to influence HIV and AIDS workplace policy. Phase 1 of the research consisted of a literature review to identify barriers to Nurse led change to influence the HIV and AIDS workplace policy. Management's opinion about the human resource management capacity and problems experienced working in an HIV and AIDS environment was obtained through a quantitative and qualitative empirical method of data collection and analysis. Frontline nurses' perspective was obtained through qualitative interviewing to identify problems experienced with policy in an HIV and AIDS workplace environment. A mixedmethod triangulation research design was used to achieve the objectives of phase 1 of the study, and strategies applied included exploratory, descriptive and contextual designs. The analysis of the data contributed to the identification and classification of problems experienced by nurses to influence HIV and AIDS workplace policy at macro, meso and microlevel, resulting in the formulation of fifty–nine (59) concluding problem statements. These concluding statements formed the basis for the strategy development for Nurse led change to influence HIV and AIDS workplace policy, which was the only objective of the second phase of the research. The strategy for Nurse led change to influence HIV and AIDS workplace policy was developed by using a strategic process to determine the vision, mission, values, principles, assumptions, strategic objectives and functional tactics based on the concluding problem statements. Finally, the research was evaluated, limitations were identified and recommendations were formulated for practice, education, research and policy. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The Southern parts of Africa have the highest prevalence of HIV-infected people and South Africa is the country with the highest number of infections in the world. There is still no cure for AIDS, but anti-HIV medicine can prolong and enhance the quality of life of an HIV infected person. Patient adherence with antiretroviral therapy is extremely low due to difficult dosing intervals, problematic dosage forms, instability of the antiretrovirals (ARVs) and the severe side-effects caused by these drugs; this leads to resistance of HIV to these drugs. Pheroid™ technology is a patented delivery system. Pheroid™ vesicles were used during this study. The entrapment of an active within the Pheroid™ would generally provide a safer, more effective formulation than the active alone. This could mean that the amount of drug needed for treatment of HIV can be decreased while producing fewer adverse effects and reducing the price of treatment. The main objectives of this study were to optimise and validate the cell viability and viral replication assays that can be used in an in vitro viral infection model. The MTT assay was used to asses the viability of the cells and to determine the toxicity of the antiretroviral drugs and Pheroid™ on the cells. HIV-1 assays were evaluated and used to determine the viral replication in the cells. Two different continuous cell lines were chosen for this study, an anchorage dependent GHOST cell line and suspended M7-Luc cells. Both these cell lines were best infected with the SWl virus. SWl is a subtype C, CXCR4 utilising virus. Subtype C is responsible for 60 % of the HIV infections worldwide and is the prevalent subtype in SUb-Saharan Africa .. Infection enhancers were not added to the cells to improve viral infection since it was observed that the Pheroid™ in combination with DEAE-dextran or Polybrene caused cytotoxicity probably by disrupting the cell's membrane. Antioxidants were added to the Pheroid ™ formulation since it was observed that the viability of the cells incubated with the Pheroid™ decreased as the Pheroid ™ matured. The added antioxidants had no significant effect on the cells. Abacavir (ABC) was chosen as the test substance for this study since it showed low cytotoxicity in cell cultures and is water soluble and would not present solubility issues in the media. It was entrapped within the Pheroid™ and its in vitro efficacy and toxicity was tested on HIV-infected and uninfected cell cultures. One directlHIV-specific (p24 antigen ELISA assay) and one indirect (Luciferase) assays were used to asses the inhibition of HIV replication caused by ABC. The p24 antigen ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) assay required a lot of washing steps and were rather expensive to use. The Luciferase assay was only used on the M7-Luc cells; this assay was sensitive, inexpensive and easy to use. The MTT (3-(4,5-demethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) viability assay was used to measure the toxicity caused by the Pheroid ™ and/or ABC on the cells. MTT is a widely used quantitative colorimetric assay to measure the viability of cells. The vitamin E and antioxidants contained in the Pheroid ™ reduced the MTT and produced results that were misinterpreted as enhanced viability when the Pheroid™ was present during MTT analysis. To prevent this problem an additional washing step should be introduced prior to analysis to reduce the interference of the Pheroid ™ with analytical methods. In conclusion, the efficacy of ABC entrapped within the Pheroid™ is still inconclusive and further studies will have to be done. MTT should be used with care for viability analysis of cells incubated in the presence of Pheroid TM. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Globally, nurses' contribution to informed health policy decisions is limited, as there are many barriers to Nurse led change to successfully influence the HIV and AIDS policy process. In South Africa nurses at all levels of health care are not involved or consulted during the formulation of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy. This has led to concern about the absence of nurses at the policy table. This study forms part of a larger international study programme entitled: “Strengthening Nurses’ Capacity in HIV and AIDS Policy Development in Sub–Saharan Africa and the Caribbean”. This programme of international research aims to empower nurses to become involved in the policy process (formulation, implementation and evaluation) in order to strengthen health systems in the areas of HIV and AIDS care. Nurses' absence at the policy table prompted the researcher to explore and describe barriers to Nurse led change to influence HIV and AIDS workplace policy. Phase 1 of the research consisted of a literature review to identify barriers to Nurse led change to influence the HIV and AIDS workplace policy. Management's opinion about the human resource management capacity and problems experienced working in an HIV and AIDS environment was obtained through a quantitative and qualitative empirical method of data collection and analysis. Frontline nurses' perspective was obtained through qualitative interviewing to identify problems experienced with policy in an HIV and AIDS workplace environment. A mixedmethod triangulation research design was used to achieve the objectives of phase 1 of the study, and strategies applied included exploratory, descriptive and contextual designs. The analysis of the data contributed to the identification and classification of problems experienced by nurses to influence HIV and AIDS workplace policy at macro, meso and microlevel, resulting in the formulation of fifty–nine (59) concluding problem statements. These concluding statements formed the basis for the strategy development for Nurse led change to influence HIV and AIDS workplace policy, which was the only objective of the second phase of the research. The strategy for Nurse led change to influence HIV and AIDS workplace policy was developed by using a strategic process to determine the vision, mission, values, principles, assumptions, strategic objectives and functional tactics based on the concluding problem statements. Finally, the research was evaluated, limitations were identified and recommendations were formulated for practice, education, research and policy. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The study is aimed at looking at the emotional needs the HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood. An in depth literature study was done and shortcomings have been identified with regard to the HIV/Aids affected child, in specific the experience of the child within the period before the loss of a parent because of HIV/Aids. A number of objectives were set in order to reach the goal of this study. By the consultation of literature and experts working in the field of HIV/Aids affected children in middle childhood, a theoretical framework was set up which included the following aspects: HIV/Aids in Sub Sahara Africa, the impact of HIV/Aids on the South African society, the HIV/Aids infected and –affected child, the impact of HIV/Aids on the family, the psycho social-, emotional- and social development of the child in middle childhood and cultural diversity in South Africa (with specific reference to the coloured culture and counselling for these children). During an empirical study, semi-structured interview techniques were applied as a method for data collection in order to assess the emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood. Interviews focused on the HIV/Aids child and the following aspects were handled: the child’s wishes at that specific time in life (excluding the parent’s HIV/Aids status), the child’s experience of other’s interest in his own well being, the duration of the child’s knowledge of the parent’s HIV/Aids status, concerning changes (at school or at home) in the life of the child due to the parent’s HIV/Aids status, the child’s future custody and his feelings and ideas about it, individuals whom this child can talk to about his feelings of distress/anger/hurt, the child’s feelings about the knowledge concerning the parent’s HIV/Aids status and the child’s experience of newly acquired responsibilities at home (or towards his siblings) since the parents were HIV/Aids infected. Applied research was undertaken to aid the researcher in enhancing the awareness of professionals in practice with regard to the emotional needs of the affected coloured children in middle childhood. The professionals can then be empowered to understand and handle the problems which can be caused by the unfulfilled emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected children. A qualitative research approach was used in gathering data, in order to get a full understanding of the emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected child. A phenomenological strategy within an exploratory study was used aiming to understand and interpret the research question. The research question for this study is: “What are the emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood?” Empirical data was obtained by means of an interview schedule and verified the following: -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences the need for emotional safety, which is threatened by the knowledge of the possibility of the death of a parent, and insecurity considering their future custody. The child is experiencing a variety of emotions of which bereavement is the most common one. The child’s emotional safety is also threatened by other factors associated with the parent’s HIV/Aids status. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood expresses the need to debriefing. It is common that these children do not have someone to share emotions with. Proof of above mentioned assumption can be ascribed to three factors namely: the people involved are not aware of the need for debriefing, the perception that it is better for the child not to express their emotions regarding the parent’s HIV/Aids infection and last, the lack of skills on ‘know how’ in approaching and handling this specific situation. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences intense emotions concerning the parent’s HIV/Aids status whereas bereavement, concern and sympathy are identified. A few of these children are partly in denial about their parents’ HIV/Aids status and claim that the parents will die because of Tuberculoses. A number of these children totally deny the fact that their parents are sick. To assist the child in handling the related emotions and the traumatic situation, it will be beneficial to get therapeutic support. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences drastic change when the parent’s HIV/Aids status is disclosed, or the moment the child starts to realise that something is wrong. The HIV/Aids parent is concerned about the impact of disclosure on the child and therefore delays this process. When the parent’s HIV/Aids status is disclosed, the child experiences a crisis and does not have the inner strength or required skills to handle his emotions and the situation which he is confronted with. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences a need for acceptance by peer group members and therefore fear that they will discover their parent’s status. It became clear that in cases where the peers have found out about the HIV/Aids infected parent, their reactions were negative. Because of this, the HIV/Aids affected child experiences anger and grief. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences a lack of concentration at school, which has a direct negative impact on his school performance. School attendance is also influenced negatively because of the other children’s negative attitude towards them. Seeing that school, as a formal institution, will influence the child’s social-, emotional- and psycho social development, it is of importance that the HIV/Aids affected child is supported in his scholastic functioning. This study exposed the emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood which holds possibility for future research. The information collected can be utilized for further studying purposes and the intervention of children in similar situations. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work / unrestricted

This study focused on HIV-positive domestic helpers and the constructions of their experiences in their employing families. A literature survey established the primary theoretical assumption for the study that acknowledges the domestic helper as an integral part of the extended family of the employer. The study sought to generate grounded theory through content analysis, qualitative research methods and the constructivist-interpretative paradigm. Semi-structured interviews with open questions were conducted with 14 HIV-positive domestic helpers. Responses captured in audio recordings were transcribed and analysed. The textual data was then analysed and interpreted based on open, axial and selective coding. From this coding process four themes emerged as the ways in which HIV-positive domestic helpers construct their experiences within the families. The results from this study indicate that they construct their experiences around: <ul> <li> the HIV&AIDS diagnosis, </li> <li> their HIV&AIDS status, </li> <li> their emotions and </li> <li> their needs. </li></ul> A particularistic scrutiny of the data and research results indicate that participants experience that visible symptoms of HIV&AIDS may forewarn employers when domestic helpers are HIV-positive. These domestic helpers experience negative attitudes, reduction of job content and retrenchment with concomitant financial repercussions. However, the participants in this study indicated that the attitude of employers' children towards them remain positive after diagnosis. In terms of the way in which they construct their experience around emotion, results indicate that they experience complex emotions including shock, uncertainty, loneliness, unworthiness, guilt, rejection, concern, anger, shamefulness and depression. Yet, they also present high levels of acceptance and spiritual growth. In terms of needs, they indicate the need for HIV-friendly workplaces and medical care. They specifically desire employers to help care for their children when they pass away. A comprehensive appraisal of the research results points towards two key aspects: the lack of agency that is prevalent in this group of participants and the silences that is evident from their narratives. The narratives of the HIV-positive domestic helpers indicate that they easily negate agency of their lives to their employers and concomitantly that the lack of agency hampers their ability to retain a sense of worthiness and responsibility for their lives. The results from this study also ensconce silences in many guises. Silences were reflected: <ul> <li> through semantic values and linguistic nuances,</li> <li> regarding acts or omissions of employers,</li> <li> regarding communications,</li> <li> regarding needs and</li> <li> regarding reduction of job content</li> </ul> In rare instances, the construction of experiences of some participants confirmed the ability of HIV-positive domestic helpers to accept agency of their circumstances. In summary, HIV-positive domestic helpers in this study experienced a lack of agency, they report narratives of silences, but they also reflect elements of healing, growth and spiritual deepening when they construct their experiences of HIV&AIDS in their families of employment. Copyright 2004, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Barnard, JP 2004, MIV-positiewe huiswerksters se konstruering van hul ervarings van MIV en VIGS binne die werkgewersgesin (Afrikaans), PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03112005-080007 / > / Thesis (PhD (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted