No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-102).

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: HIV counselling and testing is important as a gateway to accessing prevention, treatment, care and support services. Studies have shown that couples who are married or are in a stable heterosexual relationship are at risk of transmitting HIV infection to each other if one partner is infected. The uptake of couples counselling and testing (CHCT) by males in Livingstone is very low despite the fact that they are the decision makers in most homes. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the factors determining the uptake of CHCT amongst males in a long term heterosexual relationship who came to a health facility for HIV counselling and testing in Livingstone, Zambia and their perceived benefits of CHCT. Methodology: A case control study was conducted with cases being men age 21 years and above, who were married/cohabiting or were in a steady heterosexual relationship for six months and more and had jointly tested for HIV as a couple, and controls were men age 21 years and above, who were married/cohabiting or were in a steady relationship for six months and more and came to be tested for HIV alone without a partner. The structured questionnaires were administered to a total of 294 participants (147 controls, 147 cases) who were recruited from three public health facilities and one private facility in Livingstone between August and September 2013.Results: The only 2 factors independently associated with testing for HIV via CHCT was, talking about HIV as a couple‟ which positively affected CHCT and „had a previous HIV test as a couple‟ which negatively affected CHCT. Findings indicate that „talk about HIV as a couple‟ was a strong independent predictor of CHCT in the multivariate analysis; however it was uncertain whether it was a predictor of CHCT or a consequence of CHCT. It is probable that having already „had a previous HIV test as a couple‟ the participants would not see the need for testing via CHCT again. Other factors that were significantly associated with uptake of CHCT on bivariate analysis but were not significant on multivariate logistic regression analysis included those that are associated with a greater likelihood of CHCT: think CHCT is beneficial /useful, know partners HIV status, know positive things about CHCT and talk about sexual issues as a couple. Other factors negatively associated with uptake of CHCT were: ever tested for HIV before, informed partner about HIV status, think partner is at risk of contracting HIV, think self is at risk of contracting HIV, low self-risk-rating of HIV infection and marital status. Conclusion: The decision for a couple to go for CHCT is probably relatively complex, because most of the factors measured were linked to each other and it was difficult to separate them to identify if a factor on its own was able to influence the uptake of CHCT. However a couple that communicates with each other about HIV issues is likely to be motivated to go for CHCT.

M.A. / This study posits that although the South African government has shown an unprecedented commitment to acknowledging and upholding the human rights of lesbians and gay men, negative attitudes exist towards lesbians and gay men in university communities. A survey of 880 heterosexual students (356 men and 524 women) in a university community was conducted using the Attitudes Towards Lesbian and Gay Male Scale (ATLG). The results indicate that heterosexual students have negative attitudes towards lesbians and gay men, that religiosity has an influence on attitudes, that contact with lesbians or gay men reduces negative attitudes, and no differences exist between race groups with regards to attitudes towards lesbians and gay men. Furthermore, South African students at the University of Johannesburg have different attitudes towards lesbians and gay men compared to students at a university in the United States of America. South African heterosexual male students at the University of Johannesburg have more negative attitudes towards lesbians and gay men than students than heterosexual male students at a university in America, whilst South African heterosexual female students have more positive attitudes towards lesbians and gay men than their American counterparts. The results are discussed against the background of previous studies, and suggestions for future research are made. / Prof. G.P. de Bruin Dr. I. van der Merwe

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-65).

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-148). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-148). Also available on the Internet.

There is limited knowledge on the psychosocial implications of HIV/AIDS in serodiscordant heterosexual couples in sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies have indicated that there is an increase in the number of such couples on the African continent, yet there are minimal or no services offered to support such couples. The aim of the study was to explore the psychosocial challenges faced by heterosexual serodiscordant couples who were married. Ecosystems and biopsychosocial approaches were used as a framework to guide the study. A qualitative study was conducted in Durban, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used, comprising of four married couples and two individuals who were married but participated individually and not as a couple. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken. Both inductive and deductive approaches were carried out to analyse interview transcripts. None of the participants had received satisfactory explanations of their serodiscordant results. The discovery of serodiscordance resulted in difficulties with disclosure to families and children, maintaining safer sex, achieving intimacy due to lack of communication and bearing children due to fears associated with infection. Serodiscordance resulted in positive partners constantly fearing that their negative partners would leave them. Participants in discordant relationships had difficulties dealing with the changes that discordance brought into their lives. This resulted in enormous stress in their relationships including feelings of isolation, confusion and despair. Acceptance of serodiscordant status and support from family members were positive coping mechanisms used by discordant couples to alleviate stress. Avoidance was a negative coping mechanism used by some couples in dealing with the challenges of discordance. Factors contributing to the negative participants remaining in the relationship included love and companionship, children, commitment to the relationship and acknowledgement of the existence of HIV. The findings also indicated that none of the participants received on-going counseling and there were no programs catering for serodiscordant couples. This study supports the view of other researchers who believe that there is a dire need for service provision for serodiscordant couples. Based on the findings of this study, micro, mezzo and macro intervention strategies are recommended. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

No description available.