Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The purpose of this study was to find out if athletes who participate in soccer and rugby are aware of the risk of HIV infection in contact sports. The sample consisted of male rugby (n=23) and soccer (30) players registered at the University of Limpopo (Turfloop campus). The research was a quantitative in approach with a cross sectional survey design. A qualitative element, in the form of open-ended questions, made the study more holistic as participants were able to express their thoughts freely. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentage and bar-graphs). Thematic Content Analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data obtained from open-ended questions. Thirteen themes were gleaned from the data namely, prevention, well-being, medical assistance, confidentiality, discrimination, fear and anxiety, emotional support, strategy, participation, mandatory testing, risk and relationship ambiguity. Results of the study, both qualitative and quantitative, generally supported previous research in that there are gaps in HIV knowledge, although not statistically significant. Relationship behaviour in terms of an HIV positive diagnosis reflected ambiguity amongst the participants with some participants stating they would tell their partners but many being unsure or not prepared to tell their partners about their status for fear of the relationship ending.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / There are number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in South Africa that use sport as a tool to respond to HIV/AIDS mainly among young people, however, little is reported about the outcomes and impact of these programmes. The aim of this study is to contribute to a generic monitoring and evaluation framework by improving the options for the use of outcome indicators of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes of selected NGOs in South Africa. The research followed a qualitative multiple case study design using multiple data collection instruments. The overall findings revealed that the sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes of five selected NGOs examined in this study focus on similar HIV prevention messages within the key priorities highlighted in the current National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB of South Africa. The HIV prevention messages of selected NGOs are also in line with the commitments and targets of the 2011 UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. The sport-based HIV/AIDS programmes target youth with messages that raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, HIV risk behaviours and HIV stigma. Furthermore messages that promote uptake of health services such as HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) and Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC). However, evaluating outcomes and impact of such programmes remains a challenge. Descriptive information and outputs are more recorded rather than information about the actual outcomes which occurred as a result of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes. The use of multiple data collection instruments in conjunction with approaches of the ten-step model to a result-based monitoring and evaluation systems enables this study to propose a total of fifty one generic outcome indicators. These generic outcome indicators focus on measuring change in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and change in attitude and intention towards HIV risk behaviours. In addition, this study further proposed a total of eight generic outcome indicators to measurepredictors of HIV risk behaviour. The selected NGOs can adapt the proposed generic outcomes and indicators based on the settings of their programmes. It can be concluded that the proposed generic outcome indicators are able to assist the NGOs to improve monitoring and evaluation of their sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes. A collaborative approach by all stakeholders is required, from international organisations, funders, governments, NGOs and communities to strengthening monitoring and evaluation of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes including other development programmes.