Thesis (Ph. D.)--Australian National University, 2000. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 2, 2005). Includes bibliographical references (p. [243]-264).

Thesis (doctoral)--Göteborgs universitet. / Added t.p. with thesis statement, inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 253-264).

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).

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.

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

The purpose of the study was to explore factors that influenced safer sex practices in Malawi. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive study was conducted to determine why the prevalence of new HIV infections was still high in Malawi despite. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Sexually active men, women, boys and girls that participated in the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation community awareness activities participated in this study. The study found that demographic, socio-economic and knowledge-related factors influence safer sex practices in Malawi. Various modifying factors played a role in influencing the individuals’ perception of susceptibility, severity, barriers and benefits of practising safer sex. The findings indicated that individuals generally had a broad knowledge of the spread and prevention of HIV. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework for the study / Health Studies

No abstract available. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New South Wales, 2002. / Includes bibliographic references. Also available online.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Population Health, Department of Public Health Sciences. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on November 8, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Medicine, 2001. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 146-155.