The overall aim of this study was to understand the determinants of VCT uptake in the general population of Nigeria’s federal capital territory of Abuja. Uptake of VCT still remains low despite increased availability of VCT information and services in Abuja, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional study was undertaken with 180 respondents from Abuja, using an adaptation of the Health Belief Model as conceptual framework, to elucidate the social demographics of respondents, their HIV/VCT knowledge, their perceptions of VCT facility design, societal support for VCT, and how HIV stigma shapes the phenomenon of VCT uptake in Abuja, Nigeria. The key findings were that a better understanding of HIV prevention, a perception of support from community and religious leaders, and access to HIV test services in government facilities are positive predictors of higher VCT uptake. Poor personal risk assessment and the cost of HIV testing were identified as the key barriers to VCT access. / Health Studies / M.P.H.

The focus of this study is the relevance and effectiveness of the support structures available to high school learners with substance abuse problems. This research was confined to learners in Eersterust, a township situated to the east of Pretoria. Substance abuse, especially among high school learners in South Africa and in Eersterust, has increased in recent years. Substance abuse obviously poses a major barrier to learning. Along with poor academic motivation, this problem seriously interferes with learners’ academic performance and results in lower educational achievement. As an institution, the school is not able to provide support to these learners and so is obliged to link them with support structures such as the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependance (SANCA) and the National Youth Development Outreach (NYDO). / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The study explored the factors influencing the use of voluntary counselling and testing by university students. This was done by undertaking an exploratory and descriptive qualitative study. Focus group discussions and field notes were used to collect data from the participants. Outcomes from the study revealed various factors to the uptake of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services by university students namely: the desire to know one‟s HIV status, illness, pregnancy, blood donation, to get a reward, the influence of significant others, the influence of media, awareness campaigns, compulsion, to get a job, curiosity, to be a positive role model and the positive attitude and professional conduct of the health care provider. The study also revealed various challenges to the uptake of VCT services by university students namely: the fear of being diagnosed HIV positive, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, the low perception of risk to HIV infection, the lack of student friendly VCT services, the shortage of human and infrastructural resources, the inaccessibility of VCT services, the long waiting period for test results, negative perceptions about VCT, the problems with pre-test counselling and ignorance. Going by the participants‟ suggestions VCT services uptake by university students could be improved by increased resource allocation (incentives, human and infrastructural resources), increased awareness campaigns, and improved counselling and making VCT services more accessible / Information Science / MA (Public Health)

Digitized using a Konica Minolta 211 PCL scanner at 300 dpi. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Please refer to full text for abstract.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / South Africa is experiencing a serious HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) epidemic, with millions of its people living with the disease and dying from related diseases. As there is no cure as yet, counselling as a form of intervention is one of the most powerful ways to address the psychosocial aspects of HIV/AIDS. The motivation for this study was the lack of research concerning skills needed by counsellors in counselling HIV/AIDS patients who are on antiretroviral treatment (ART) or are about to commence antiretroviral treatment. To add to the knowledge that is lacking, the study was approached by means of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The purpose of the research was explorative and descriptive. The discussion on the literature that was studied provides an overview of the implications of HIV/AIDS for the individual and the family, and of the psychosocial implications, in addition to describing antiretroviral treatment and the nature of HIV and adherence counselling processes and skills. A sample of 16 adherence counsellors who were between the ages of 27 and 57 years was interviewed. These adherence counsellors were employed by Sothemba Aids Action, placed at the different ART sites, trained at the Aids, Training, Information and Counselling Centre (ATTIC) and have gained one or more years’ experience in HIV/AIDS counselling. A semi-structured questionnaire was used as research instrument. It contained both open- and closed-ended questions. All the interviews took place at the clinics where the counsellors were employed or worked. The results of the study showed that an equal number of respondents from two different ethnic groups were interviewed; all the participants had received high school education; and a few obtained tertiary level qualifications. They all received training in basic counselling skills and adherence counselling skills. A few indicated additional training in Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), as well as Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission Counselling (PMTC). A minority of counsellors indicated making use of a translator and that their experience was that the message was always misinterpreted. All the adherence counsellors indicated a need for further training involving social problems and counselling of children at different ages and stages of development. It was also found that the adherence counsellors lack skills in counselling intervention processes and in intervention. All the adherence counsellors raised concerns regarding their working conditions and salaries. In light of the above it is recommended that patients be counselled in their preferred language, that all counsellors receive the same training in counselling and in the additional areas where they experience a shortcoming. Data on HIV/AIDS and adherence counselling, including the views of counsellors and patients are limited. It is recommended that more research be done on HIV/AIDS and adherence counselling, including the different disciplines that are involved and the views of patients about services rendered to them by those in the different disciplines, and counsellors.

Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is vital in the management of HIV/AIDS as it is the first step in treatment, care and behavioural change. Entrenched economic and gender inequities drive an increasingly feminized HIV/AIDS pandemic. This study investigated factors influencing VCT attendance by women in the Glen View high density suburb in Harare. A survey methodology was followed using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to randomly selected women of reproductive ages in the area. The analysis showed that VCT usage is low and that factors such as fear of the consequences of testing positive for HIV, such as violence and rejection by male partners are to blame. Importantly, the findings suggest that if the vulnerability of women is not addressed, then increased VCT uptake and better reproductive health outcomes for women are also unlikely. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The overall aim of this study was to understand the determinants of VCT uptake in the general population of Nigeria’s federal capital territory of Abuja. Uptake of VCT still remains low despite increased availability of VCT information and services in Abuja, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional study was undertaken with 180 respondents from Abuja, using an adaptation of the Health Belief Model as conceptual framework, to elucidate the social demographics of respondents, their HIV/VCT knowledge, their perceptions of VCT facility design, societal support for VCT, and how HIV stigma shapes the phenomenon of VCT uptake in Abuja, Nigeria. The key findings were that a better understanding of HIV prevention, a perception of support from community and religious leaders, and access to HIV test services in government facilities are positive predictors of higher VCT uptake. Poor personal risk assessment and the cost of HIV testing were identified as the key barriers to VCT access. / Health Studies / M.P.H.

The focus of this study is the relevance and effectiveness of the support structures available to high school learners with substance abuse problems. This research was confined to learners in Eersterust, a township situated to the east of Pretoria. Substance abuse, especially among high school learners in South Africa and in Eersterust, has increased in recent years. Substance abuse obviously poses a major barrier to learning. Along with poor academic motivation, this problem seriously interferes with learners’ academic performance and results in lower educational achievement. As an institution, the school is not able to provide support to these learners and so is obliged to link them with support structures such as the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependance (SANCA) and the National Youth Development Outreach (NYDO). / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The study explored the factors influencing the use of voluntary counselling and testing by university students. This was done by undertaking an exploratory and descriptive qualitative study. Focus group discussions and field notes were used to collect data from the participants. Outcomes from the study revealed various factors to the uptake of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services by university students namely: the desire to know one‟s HIV status, illness, pregnancy, blood donation, to get a reward, the influence of significant others, the influence of media, awareness campaigns, compulsion, to get a job, curiosity, to be a positive role model and the positive attitude and professional conduct of the health care provider. The study also revealed various challenges to the uptake of VCT services by university students namely: the fear of being diagnosed HIV positive, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, the low perception of risk to HIV infection, the lack of student friendly VCT services, the shortage of human and infrastructural resources, the inaccessibility of VCT services, the long waiting period for test results, negative perceptions about VCT, the problems with pre-test counselling and ignorance. Going by the participants‟ suggestions VCT services uptake by university students could be improved by increased resource allocation (incentives, human and infrastructural resources), increased awareness campaigns, and improved counselling and making VCT services more accessible / Information Science / MA (Public Health)

M.A. / Hubley (1990) notes that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a relatively recently recognized disease. It is caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks selected cells in the immune system and produces defects in functioning. These defects may not be apparent for years. They lead, however, to a severe suppression of the immune system's ability to resist harmful organisms. This leaves the body open to an invasion by various infections, which are therefore called opportunistic diseases, and to the development of unusual cancers. The virus also tends to reach certain brain cells. This leads to so-called neuropsychiatric abnormalities or psychological disturbances caused by physical damage to nerve cells. Many of those infected with HIV may not even be aware that they carry and can spread the virus. Combating it is a major challenge to biomedical scientists and health-care providers. HIV infection and AIDS occur among the most pressing public policy and public health problems world-wide. Since the first HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in 1981, through mid-1993, more than 600 cases were reported in South Africa. This is only the tip of the iceberg of HIV/AIDS infection as it was estimated that between 2 and 2.5 million South Africans had been infected with the virus through the early 1990s but not yet developed the clinical symptoms. In terms of the historical data from previous surveys (ie. the results of the 1996 survey) in South Africa confirmed the trend of a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV infection has increased in all provinces, but Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga had the highest HIV prevalence rates of 18,23% compared to 1994's '14,35% and 16-18%, compared to 12-16% respectively (see table 1).. Of particular concern are the pregnant women in South Africa under twenty years where a prevalence of 12,78% has been found. Thirty per cent of babies born to HIV positive women in South Africa are infected. Of the 3638 births in VVitbank — a rather small town in Mpumalanga-.Province — in 1996, 219 of the women were tested HIV positive (Masiphile Vol. 1: 1997).