Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Clinical Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-46). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR51529

M.Ed. / One of the greatest challenges facing the youth of South Africa and that of the rest of the world is HIV/AIDS. As the number of infected teachers and pupils increase, it can be expected that quality education will decrease. At present there seems to be no medical solution to the HIV/AIDS threat. Although different stakeholders are providing means of minimising the spread of the pandemic, HIV still remains a threat to the society. Most of the youth engage in sexual activities while they are still young. If the HIV virus is spread through unprotected sex with an infected person, the need to adopt certain strategies that can assist them to stay safe, becomes essential. This project will focus on different strategies that can be employed to fight and win the battle against HIV/AIDS in secondary schools in the Limpopo Province. / Dr. M.C. Van Loggerenberg

This work examines sexual behavioural change and the likely predisposing factors in the era of HIV/AIDS among young adults in Uganda and South Africa. It explores the potential role of young adults' self-perceived risk of HIV infection in sexual behavioural decisions regarding adoption of safe sex practices, in particular 'use of condoms' and 'limiting number of sexual partners '. This work further recognises that Uganda and South Africa are countries with social, cultural, economic, and political contexts, which contexts have been described by many as inextricably linked with sexual behaviour, and which often determine the choices young adults make regarding sexual activity. These are therefore examined. In order to achieve this, a rigorous examination and analysis of self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS in relation to societal factors was done to determine which variables of the two categories best explains sexual behaviour. This is placed in the context of young female adults between the ages of 15 to 24 in Uganda and South Africa. The formulation of this study, which places emphasis on examining the potential role of self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS as a predisposing factor for sexual behavioural change, and in Uganda and South Africa is based on a number of aspects as highlighted below: • That both Uganda and South Africa at one point or another were and/or are faced with high prevalence levels of HIV/AIDS; • That both have and/or are yet to be faced with high mortality, which is HIV/AIDS related and such profound consequences will/or have had inadvertent effects on individual, both socially and economically. In some respects, this has also affected individual perceptions regarding HIV infection; • Recognition that the progression of HIV/AIDS in Uganda was much faster than in South Africa, and this meant higher prevalence, higher mortality rates, which then triggered both government and non-governmental response towards preventing further spread. Since these factors are beginning to emerge in South Africa, one therefore asks the question as to whether the pandemic will take similar trends as those reported in Uganda. This would also enable the identification of similarities and differences in the likely determinants of sexual behavior considering these countries have different backgrounds; • In both countries, education programmes have been rigorous and that the level of awareness is at a point that would enable sexual behavioural change to occur; • A recognition that in Uganda, as shown in a number of reports and existing literature, the prevalence of HIV has declined and for this reason, it has become imperative to try and examine the likely factors leading to reduced HIV/AIDS prevalence, and to compare with what is happening in South Africa. This would enable the examination of any possible lessons that could be learnt in the reduction of the prevalence in South Africa. In the quest to achieve the set goals, a number of steps were undertaken which included looking at available literature and more importantly analysing two sets of Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data. The South Africa Demographic Health Survey of 1998 (SADHS) and the Ugandan Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) of 2000/1. All young female adults between the ages of 15 to 24 were selected from both data sets. 3,229 and 4,559 young female adults were selected in Uganda and South Africa respectively leading to a total sample size of 7,688. Findings showed that self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS was one of the factors that did impact on sexual behaviour. This was more prominent in Uganda and less so in South Africa. Other factors found to affect sexual behaviour included age of respondent, socio-cultural and to a small extent, socio-economic factors. The conclusion that can be drawn from this work shows clearly that self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS is an important factor determining sexual behaviour, but also shows that some societal variables are important. Therefore, in the face of HIV/AIDS and with increased levels of number of people experiencing deaths due to AIDS, selfperceived risk of HIV/AIDS is a factor worth considering when looking at sexual behaviour. As part of the recommendations, education programmes yet to be formulated should take into account the effect of HIV and AIDS on sexual behavioural change. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary objective of the study was to determine the level of self-reported sexual risk behaviour of student men who have sex with men at a South African higher educational institution. The secondary objective was to determine the level of Human Immunodefiency Virus (HIV) knowledge among student men who have sex with men, and lastly to determine the extent to which the theory of planned behaviour is applicable in explaining intentions to use condoms. A sample of fifty student men who have sex with men were recruited to take part in an online baseline and follow-up survey, three months apart. Many of the student men who have sex with men reported sexual behaviour, which may place them at risk of contracting HIV. More than fifty percent (56%) had used alcohol or drugs during sexual intercourse in the past. Six percent (6.1%) reported having been forced to have sexual intercourse against their will. While 8% had experienced abuse and violence on campus, 22% had experienced abuse only and another 6% reported having experienced some form of violence due to their sexual preference. Most participants (70%) reported having used condoms almost always or always when engaging in penetrative sexual behaviours, but 30% had used condoms inconsistently or not at all in the past. The sample of student MSM scored high on a questionnaire of basic HIV knowledge, with a mean score of 14.57 (80.94%). The present study questions the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in understanding and predicting intention to use condoms among a sample of student men who have sex with men attending a South African higher education institution. Only two of the major theoretical variables, namely attitude and perceived group norms, could significantly predict intention to use condoms. Attitudes regarding condom use were found to have an inverse The primary objective of the study was to determine the level of self-reported sexual risk behaviour of student men who have sex with men at a South African higher educational institution. The secondary objective was to determine the level of Human Immunodefiency Virus (HIV) knowledge among student men who have sex with men, and lastly to determine the extent to which the theory of planned behaviour is applicable in explaining intentions to use condoms. A sample of fifty student men who have sex with men were recruited to take part in an online baseline and follow-up survey, three months apart. Many of the student men who have sex with men reported sexual behaviour, which may place them at risk of contracting HIV. More than fifty percent (56%) had used alcohol or drugs during sexual intercourse in the past. Six percent (6.1%) reported having been forced to have sexual intercourse against their will. While 8% had experienced abuse and violence on campus, 22% had experienced abuse only and another 6% reported having experienced some form of violence due to their sexual preference. Most participants (70%) reported having used condoms almost always or always when engaging in penetrative sexual behaviours, but 30% had used condoms inconsistently or not at all in the past. The sample of student MSM scored high on a questionnaire of basic HIV knowledge, with a mean score of 14.57 (80.94%). The present study questions the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in understanding and predicting intention to use condoms among a sample of student men who have sex with men attending a South African higher education institution. Only two of the major theoretical variables, namely attitude and perceived group norms, could significantly predict intention to use condoms. Attitudes regarding condom use were found to have an inversrelationship with intention to use condoms. The results from the hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that the linear combination of the theory of planned behaviour variables could significantly account for 68% of the variance in intention to use condoms when the predictors were considered together. Interventions that seek to lessen HIV risk behaviour among student men who have sex with men should endeavour to incorporate elements which should aim to augment perceived subjective norms regarding condom use. The findings advocate for additional research to be undertaken on the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in informing health communication and sexual health interventions that aim to reduce HIV transmission risk among student men who have sex with men at higher educational institutions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van die studie was om die vlak van self-gerapporteerde seksuele risiko gedrag van studentemans wat seks beoefen met mans (MSM) by 'n Suid-Afrikaanse hoër onderwysinstelling te bepaal. Die sekondêre doel was om die vlak van kennis oor die Menslike Immuniteitsgebreksvirus (MIV) onder studente MSM te bepaal, en laastens om die mate waarin die teorie van beplande gedrag toepaslik is om die voorneme om kondoom gebruik te verduidelik. ʼn Steekproef van vyftig studente MSM was gewerf om aan ʼn aanlyn basislynopname en opvolgopname deel te neem. Talle van die studente MSM het seksuele gedrag gerapporteer wat die mans blootstel aan die risiko om MIV op te doen. Meer as vyftig persent (56%) het in die verlede alkohol of dwelms gebruik tydens seksuele omgang. Ses persent (6,1%) het gerapporteer dat hulle al gedwing is om seksuele omgang teen hul wil te hê. Terwyl agt persent mishandeling en geweld op kampus ervaar het, het 22% slegs misbruik ervaar en nog 6% het een of ander vorm van geweld ervaar as gevolg van hul seksuele voorkeur. Die meeste deelnemers (70%) het gerapporteer dat hulle tydens penetratiewe seks byna altyd kondome gebruik, maar 30% het óf glad nie, óf ongereeld in die verlede kondome gebruik. Die studente MSM wat aan die steekproef deelgeneem het, het hoë tellings behaal in ‘n vraelys oor basiese MIV-feite, met ' ʼn gemiddelde telling van 14.57 (80.94%). Die huidige studie bevraagteken die toepasbaarheid van die teorie van beplande gedrag om die voorneme om kondome te gebruik onder ’n steekproef van studente MSM aan ’n Suid-Afrikaanse hoër onderwysinstelling te verstaan en te voorspel. Slegs twee van die belangrikste teoretiese veranderlikes, naamlik houding en subjektiewe groepnorme, kon beduidend die voorneme voorspel om kondome te gebruik. Houding oor kondoom gebruik het ʼn omgekeerde verwantskap met die voorneme om kondome te gebruik voorspel. Die resultate van die hiërargiese meervoudige regressie-ontleding het aangedui dat, wanneer die voorspellers saam oorweeg word, die lineêre kombinasie van die teorie van beplande gedrag veranderlikes betekenisvol tot 68% van die variansie in die voorneme om kondome te gebruik kan verklaar. Ingrypings wat daarop gemik is om MIV-risiko gedrag onder studente MSM te verminder, behoort elemente in te sluit wat streef daarna om waarneembare subjektiewe norme rakende kondoomgebruik aan te vul. Die bevindinge wys dat addisionele navorsing oor die gebruik van die teorie van beplande gedrag in gesondheidskommunikasie en seksuelegesondheid intervensies wat daarop gemik is om die risiko van MIV-oordrag tussen studente MSM by inrigtings vir hoër onderwys te verminder nodig is.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The levels of self-efficacy for specific HIV/aids-preventive behaviour patterns for high school pupils from a previously disadvantaged community were measured. Self-efficacy can be described as an individual's perception about his/her ability to perform certain actions effectively in a specific situation. For this purpose, the Sexual Self-Efficacy Questionnaire of Kasen, Vaughan and Walter (1992) was administered. A group of 227 pupils from the Macassar High School were involved in the study. The results showed that the Macassar adolescents display low self-efficacy in areas essential for HIV/aids prevention. The adolescents were especially uncertain about their ability to refuse sexual interaction where potential sexual partners are familiar or desirable and after alcohol or drugs were used. Furthermore, the Macassar adolescents showed low self-efficacy for dealing with sensitive issues concerning a sexual partner and for purchasing condoms in a shop. Regarding gender differences, the results showed that boys display lower self-efficacy than girls in relation to the behaviour patterns that where examined. Those adolescents with lower self-efficacy for refusing sexual intercourse, were also more likely to have had sexual intercourse. Regarding condom use, the results suggested that boys that are sexually active and do not use condoms, display low self-efficacy for the correct, consistent use of condoms. The role what the relationship between self-efficacy and behaviour should play in the development of HIV/aids-preventive interventions, is accentuated in the study. The emphasis must be on the building of self-effective thoughts, associated social and self-handling skills, and especially the development of programmes aimed at changing social cognitions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die self-effektiwiteitsvlakke vir spesifieke MIV/vigs-voorkomende gedragskeuses of -patrone onder hoërskoolleerlinge uit "n histories benadeelde gemeenskap is bepaal. Self-effektiwiteit kan omskryf word as "n individu se oordeeloor sy/haar vermoë om sekere aksies doeltreffend in "n spesifieke situasie te kan uitvoer. Vir dié doel is die Seksuele Self-effektiwiteitsvraelys van Kasen, Vaughan en Walter (1992) gebruik. "nGroep van 2271eerlinge van die Macassar Hoërskool is by die studie betrek. Volgens die resultate het die Macassar-adolessente lae self-effektiwiteit getoon in areas wat onontbeerlik is vir MIV/vigs-voorkoming. Die adolessente was veralonseker oor hul vermoë om seksuele omgang te weier in situasies waar potensiële seksuele maats toenemend bekend of begeerlik is en ook nadat alkoholof dwelms gebruik is. Verder toon die Macassar-adolessente lae self-effektiwiteit wat betref hul vermoë om sensitiewe aspekte van "n seksuele maat te hanteer en om kondome by "n winkel te koop. Wat geslagsverskille betref toon die resultate dat seuns laer self-effektiwiteit het as meisies wat betref die gedragskeuses of -patrone wat ondersoek is. Dit blyk ook dat respondente wat lae self-effektiwiteit getoon het vir die weiering van seksuele omgang, juis meer geneig was om seksueel aktief te wees. Ten opsigte van konsekwente kondoomgebruik, blyk dit dat seuns wat seksueel aktief is en nie van kondome gebruik maak nie, lae self-effektiwiteit getoon het juis vir die korrekte en konsekwente gebruik van kondome. Die studie beklemtoon die rol wat die verhouding tussen self-effektiwiteit en gedrag in die ontwikkeling van MIV/vigs-voorkomingsintervensies behoort te speel. Die fokus moet lê op die opbou van selfeffektiewe denke, gepaardgaande sosiale en selfhanteringsvaardighede, en veral die ontwikkeling van programme gemik op veranderinge in sosiale kognisies.

This study examined the effects of behavior change on psychological health among gay and bisexual men of Portland, Oregon who were at risk for contracting AIDS. Cross-sectional self-reports of personal experiences were obtained in Summer, 1991. Sexual behaviors were used as predictors of self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, and subjective well-being. Adopting safer sexual behaviors was psychologically more costly than continuing to engage in high risk behaviors, or long-term adherence to safer behaviors. Behaviors amenable to short-term change differed from those conducive to long-term maintenance. Behavior change was also found to have a beneficial effect on self-efficacy. These findings suggest that behavior change, traditionally considered as the endpoint of a process, might more appropriately be considered as an interim stage influenced by earlier, and having an influence on later, psychological health. By integrating models of behavior change from research on alcohol and drug use, smoking, and weight control, researchers studying AIDS-related behavior might better understand the place of behavior change in the process of change, relapse, and maintenance.

No description available.

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-109). Also available via the World Wide Web.

HIV prevalence remains a critical health concern particularly amongst the youth of South Africa. The demographic health survey suggests that open communication about sex is essential to delaying the onset of sexual activity, reducing teenage pregnancy and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Previous research has also indicated that parent-adolescent communication has positive influences on sexual behaviours. Further to that studies show that communication is the most effective way of helping teenagers understand their surroundings and make better decisions about sexually related issues. This study investigates the level of parent-adolescent communication about sexual related issues and identifies the main sources of sexuality information for adolescents. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using in-depth interviews with ten adolescents and their parents. This study reveals that both adolescents and parents view communication as important in the era of HIV/AIDS. More mothers than fathers communicate with adolescents about sexual related topics. Mothers viewed sexual communication as one of the ways they were fulfilling parental responsibility. Adolescents viewed growing up in an era of HIV/AIDS as a challenge due to the pressures they received from their peers. As a result adolescents trusted the information obtained from parents and teachers compared to the information from peers. The conclusion drawn from this study is that communication helps to create a bond between the parent and the adolescent. Adolescents felt important and cared for when parents were taking their time to talk to them about sexual related issues. Parent-adolescent communication was important in decreasing early sexual behaviour and preventing HIV/AIDS. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

In the last seven to eight years, Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) has received an increasing amount of attention internationally. It has come to be viewed as an important way of preventing new HIV infections and prolonging HIV-positive peoples' lives. In late 2003 the increased attention, amongst other factors, led the South African government to publish a comprehensive health care plan stating that all citizens in South Africa who need ART should receive it by year 2009. Patients' adherence and their sexual behavior are crucial to the success of ART. This thesis focuses on what factors influence patients' sexual behavior after commencing ART. It will especially look at ART patients' perception of their own infectiousness, as studies have suggested that lower viral loads caused by ART will increase their sexual risk behaviour. The research was conducted on patients attending Ithembalabantu Clinic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Qualitative and quantitative data were used in the study. The quantitative data involved 271 face-to-face interviews based on a survey. The qualitative data involved conducting 20 semistructured interviews. The results indicated that consistent condom use was high among the sample population (72%), and only two females and seven males having multiple partners (7%). However, due to ART just recently having been introduced in South Africa, the average time spent on ART was 14 months. The findings reveal that a partner's attitude to HIV/AIDS and the levels of communication and openness in a relationship influenced consistent use of condoms. The use of condoms was significantly related to knowledge of partners' status. A high level of sexual assertiveness amongst the females in the sample might have made it easier for them to negotiate condom use. The stage at which members of the sample population entered the relationship was also a predictor of condom use. People who were unemployed and over 35 years in age were less likely to use condoms consistently. The study also examined the respondents' perception of their own infectiousness. The results indicate that respondents and participants felt that it was just as, or even more dangerous, to have sexual intercourse without a condom when they are on ART. Few of the participants in the study understood the concept of viral load. They used the same explanation for both viral load and CD4 count. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.