Thesis (Ph.D.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Restricted until October 2003. Bibliography: leaves 148-161.

No description available.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (doctoral)--Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 1996.

Thesis (doctoral)--Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 1996.

Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1996. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 94-104. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Université Laval, 2005. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Oct. 5, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. [299]-320).

This ethnography of intravenous (IV) drug users challenges popular representations of a "junkie" subculture and stereotypes of users as rejecting the dominant cultural values of mainstream society. Users attempts to construct and maintain a moral identity are examined. Beyond "war stories" ennobling street life and survival, life narratives were constructed through a juxtaposition of voices and images establishing moral worth in opposition to others. Moral identity is a central concern for IV drug users, one influencing their response to risk. Social relations, responsibility, and an ethic of care were found to underlay the moral codes developed by users, codes socially-embedded and to some degree gender specific. Men tended to adopt a "tough guy," "independence" voice in which responsibility was largely framed around status and image as a role model. Women tended to see responsibility and morality within a web of interdependence and care. Social responsibility was a measure of moral goodness. The desire to be defined by mainstream values was strongly evident among women users who were mothers. Motherhood was a core symbol representing inherent goodness, a marker of moral identity, and a means toward achieving a socially acceptable identity. The identities of "junkie" and "mother" placed women in a state of perpetual tension and conflict as manifested in issues of child custody and welfare. Maintaining relationship with their children was central to the women's moral identity, be it based in daily interaction or visitations inspiring hopes for a future. This ethnography suggests that IV drug users, while chemically dependent, maintain a sense of agency. Contrary to stereotypes of irresponsibility, users are reflexive about their habit's control and their use of drugs to block suffering, social responsibility, and the pain they cause others. Displays of agency and exercises of control proved critical in identity construction, particularly for women users diagnosed HIV positive. Documented was the process whereby they redefined their "health" and moral identity in the company of others who assisted in constructing identities in contrast to the negative stereotypes of AIDS. Through discourse within these "life narrative groups" a positive diagnosis was transposed into a positive identity.

there is a growing body of research on men who have sex with men (MSM) and risk factors for HIV in South Africa. However, in order to develop more appropriate and relevant interventions to reduce the transmission of HIV amongst MSM and MSMW, there was a need to deepen our understanding of sexual risk behaviour and protective practices. The aim of the study was to explore the sexual risk and protective behaviour of men who have sex with men and women in Soweto, South Africa.

Introduction Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) play a crucial role in the control and management of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is essential to understand the factors that influence the utilisation of VCT to improve implementation of measures that encourage VCT uptake. The purpose of this study was to determine factors affecting the utilisation of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services for HIV/AIDS in Sowa, Botswana. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out by collecting data from 71 randomly selected participants residing in the community of Sowa, Botswana. Open and close ended questions were used. Relevant demographic data were collected from each respondent. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done using chi square test and logistic regression models through STATA11 statistical software. Results About half of the respondents were willing to utilise the VCT services. Willingness to utilise VCT was significantly associated with the respondents' choice of VCT centres, worry about confidentiality at VCT centres, and concern about their partners' being aware of their use of VCT. The expected reactions of their partner, family and community to the use of VCT by the respondents, in addition to the willingness of respondents to inform their partners the result of their HIV test, were other factors associated with the use of VCT. Multivariate regression showed that being "not worried" (AOR 33.48; 95CI 5.63 - 199.15) about confidentiality at VCT centres predicted the willingness to use VCT. In addition, not worried that their partners were aware they had utilised VCT (AOR 7.25; 95CI 1.69- 31.14), and readiness to inform their partners about the result of their HIV test (AOR 14.96; 95CI 3.74- 59.85), predicted the willingness of respondents to utilise VCT. Similarly, the expectation of a happy reaction from partner (AOR 47.02; 95CI 3.83- 577.11) and family (AOR 45.13 95CI 3.28-620.72) on being aware the respondent had used VCT, also predicted willingness to use VCT. Conclusion This study confirmed that stigma related to VCT use and confidentiality at VCT centres influence the utilisation of VCT services. Also, concern about partner's awareness that a respondent had used VCT and the expected response of partner, family, and community, were all important influencing factors to the utilisation of voluntary counseling and HIV testing services. These issues need to be addressed in order to increase VCT uptake among individuals and the community.