MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

MPH / Department of Public Health / Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) place a significant burden on the caregivers for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Caring for PLWHA is usually carried out by community members who are recruited from the same community as the PLWHA. These community members are trained to provide services as volunteer caregivers. The caregivers face various challenges in the process of giving care to PLWHA, often inadequately assisted by relatives, friends, neighbours, private individuals, grassroots traditional and political leaders. This results in caregivers being overwhelmed by their responsibilities, making their coping process even more difficult. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges experienced by community home-based caregivers (CHBCGs) caring for people living with HIV/AIDS at Tsianda Village, in Makhado Municipality, South Africa. This study adopted a qualitative explorative design. The population for this study were all CHBCGs caring for PLWHA. Non probability purposive sampling was used to select the community home-based caregivers working at Tsianda Community Home-based care organisation. In-depth interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide, was conducted by the researcher and a voice recorder were used to record data from participants. Data saturation was reached at the 11th participant. This is when the participants were no longer giving new information. The data collected from the study were analysed thematically. The following themes emerged from data analysis: Challenges for community home-based caregivers, perceived support for community home-based caregivers, coping strategies for community home-based caregivers. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and the code of ethics to protect the rights of the participants was applied and observed. The findings of the study revealed that community home-based caregivers experience various challenges which have a negative impact on their personal life, as well as their physical and psychological wellbeing. Community home-based care also uses different strategies to cope with these challenges. It was concluded that the community home-based caregivers are experiencing serious shortages of personal protective equipment, which makes them work with the fear of being infected with the diseases. It is recommended that the DOH should take it into consideration to provide the CHBCG’s organization with enough personal protective equipment for their safety and working without fear of being infected with deadly viruses. / NRF

PhD (Health Sciences) / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / The HIV/AIDS is a global epidemic which affects all people, regardless of their religion, race, age, ethnicity or geographic location. The church of Africa, which hosts the largest numbers of infected and affected people, is also challenged to be involved in the response against HIV/AIDS epidemic. Church leaders are experiencing difficulties in fulfilling their role in HIV/AIDS interventions of which they have not received training. The complexity of HIV/AIDS demands a training programme that does not simply deal with symptoms, but it must address the complexities behind and in front of the spread, and earnestly seek effective ways of controlling the spread, as well as various strategies of caring for the infected and those affected with HIV and AIDS. The purpose of this study was to develop an adapted HIV/AIDS training programme for church leaders in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used; quantitative and qualitative data were collected during the same phase of the research process. The population comprised of church leaders from Christian churches in the Limpopo province. A non-probability purposive sampling was used for qualitative approach, while quota sampling was used for quantitative approach. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data, while in-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data in this study. Data analysis was done separately and the two sets of results were merged into an overall interpretation of the study that informed the development of an adapted HIV/AIDS training programme. The findings of the study revealed that church leaders were not trained on how they can be involved in the response against HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Limpopo province. The current training programme did not clarify church leaders’ role towards the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The curriculum development process structure by Meyer and Van Niekerk (2008), and elements outlined by Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach (1968), were adapted to develop the training programme. A developed training programme was then validated by HIV/AIDS trainers and experts in programme development. Relevant recommendations were made to encourage churches to work effectively in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Limpopo Province. / NRF

PhDH / Department of Public Health / Background: Since the introduction of three-tiered systems appointments, there are a large number of missed appointments among Human immunodeficiency virus-positive clients on Antiretroviral. However, no one knows why these clients missed their scheduled times. Missing of appointments predicts poor adherence and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Objectives: The proposed study aimed at developing a strategy for reducing the missing of appointments among adults on Antiretroviral Therapy in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The objectives of the study are to determine patients’ behaviour, the socio-environmental and economic factors that contribute to the missing of appointments and develop strategies to enhance compliance with appointments by Human immunodeficiency virus-positive clients on Antiretroviral therapy in the Limpopo Province. Method: A qualitative research design was used to address the study objectives. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to sample health care centres in Limpopo Province, patients, Professional Nurses and Community Health Workers. Individual interview and focus group discussions strengthened the triangulation of data obtained from the participants. Creswell’s model provided details for data analysis and interpretation. Trustworthiness and Ethics: Measures to ensure data quality, such as credibility, dependability, conformability and transferability, were observed. The researcher ensured compliance with ethical standards to protect the rights of the participants. Approval for this study was obtained from the University of Venda Research Ethics Committee and the Limpopo Department of Health Research Ethics. Results: The study revealed various factors that contribute to the missing of appointments by Human immunodeficiency virus positive-clients on Antiretroviral Therapy. Specific socioeconomic, behavioural, environmental and health service-related factors appear to prevent adherence to appointments. These factors include a lack of family support and client engagement, the absence of financial means, and cultural and religious beliefs. Lack of client involvement in planning their care and poor referral of clients to community health workers were ranked high as being the most contributing factors to clients missing their appointments. Strategy development: Phase 2 of this study dealt with the development of the strategy aimed at reducing the missing of appointment by adults on Antiretroviral Therapy based on the findings of the study. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats matrix was triangulated in Political, Environmental, Social, Technological and Legal analysis to develop this approach to reduce the missing of appointments among adults on Antiretroviral therapy. A transtheoretical framework illustrated how to implement the strategy. Validation of the developed strategy ensured that the system is free of errors and checked the applicability of the strategies utilising a quantitative design. A simple random sampling approach was used to select the population to participate in this study using the questionnaire developed by the researcher. Almost all respondents agreed that the strategy would facilitate reduced missing appointments by adults on Antiretroviral therapy. Recommendations: Clients involvement and engagement throughout the process of a treatment plan is essential to identify some of the barriers that might contribute to poor adherence to appointment by clients on Antiretroviral therapy. Community health workers and nurses should be capacitated with knowledge and skills to identify the clients at risk of defaulting treatment and appointments and provide counselling that will facilitate behaviour modifications. / HWSETA

MPH / Department of Public Health / The main entry point for the HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment is through HIV Testing Services (HTS). Despite undeniable benefits and increased availability of HIV Testing Services, uptake remains low among students. The aim of this study was to investigate factors contributing to low HIV Testing Services (HTS) among Health Sciences students. Quantitative research method was used to conduct this study. Descriptive quantitative research design was employed. 306 respondents determined by the sample formula were selected through Probability, Systematic sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents. Validity was ensured through content and face validity. Reliability in the form of test-retest reliability were ensured through pre-testing the instrument using 31 respondents from the target population. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 24. Ethical considerations were ensured throughout the study. The findings of the study showed that out of 306 respondents, 44,1% (n=135) of respondents, comprising 30,7% (n=94) of females and 13,4% (n=41) of males had gone for HIV testing. Respondents had adequate knowledge about HIV Testing Services (HTS) and their attitude towards HIV Testing Services (HTS) was favourable. HIV/AIDS-related stigma, fear of potential HIV positive diagnosis, low perception of HIV infection risk and negative attitude of healthcare service providers were attributed to low uptake of HIV Testing Services (HTS) among respondents. There were recommendations for HIV Testing Services (HTS) workshops, education and awareness campaigns emphasizing the benefits and importance of HIV Testing Services (HTS). The use of various forms of media including campus radio and newsletters to promote the uptake of HIV Testing Services (HTS) among university students was also recommended. / NRF

MSc (Microbiology) / Department of Microbiology

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

MSc (Microbiology) / Department of Microbiology

MPH / Department of Public Health

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / Extensive resources and information are available on HIV/AIDS, but there remain disparities between what is known and actual behavior, particularly among students at tertiary institutions. A lot has been done to create HIV awareness and prevent further infections among male and female students in Higher Education Institutions of South Africa. Despite the availability of information, awareness education and campaigns, free condoms and treatment, the HIV infections continue to increase in South Africa especially amongst the youth. The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of male and female students at the University of Venda towards the “ABC” strategy for HIV prevention, and how these consequently influence their sexual behavior. Data was obtained from 32 students using a semistructured questionnaire. A non-probability, haphazard sampling technique was used to randomly select the participants. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used for data analysis. The study findings contend that knowledge of HIV and its prevention measures always translates to positive sexual behaviour, as university students were found to be knowledgeable enough, but their attitudes and sexual behaviour were found not to be consistent enough. The researcher recommends future researchers to focus on the factors that hinder sexual abstinence, fidelity in sexual relationships, and condom use amongst Higher Education students, towards creating safer environments for them.