Text in English / Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions’ of young Indian adolescents in Chatsworth, towards HIV and AIDS. Methods: An interpretative phenomenological analysis design was used. The participants were selected using judgemental purposive sampling. Nine participants were interviewed. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Data was collected through individual interviews guided by an interview schedule. The interpretative phenomenological analysis framework for data analysis was used for data analysis. Results: The study revealed that participants were well informed about HIV and AIDS. Participants reported disinterest in HIV prevention programmes due to inundation with repetitive information; disinterested attitudes of facilitators of these programme as well as fear of social stigmatisation. The misconceptions that were highlighted were related to very little personal contact with people living with HIV and AIDS. Conclusions and Recommendations: These findings have revealed that there is a need for a revision in HIV/AIDS prevention programme. The HIV/AIDS school programmes should be contextual relevant to learners from diverse backgrounds and communities. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The study investigates the influence of online and social media in HIV prevention, with a focus on young women and HIV risk perception related to age-disparate relationships. The study was conducted using an existing online prevention HIV prevention platform by means of a self-administered online questionnaire. Convenience sampling was used to recruit between 250 and 500 users between the ages of 18 to 24 years. The results revealed poor HIV risk perception in 46% of respondents, which seemed influenced by their perception (38%) that older men are safer sexual partners than younger men. In addition, this poor risk perception is seemingly influenced by the fact that many young women (77%) involved in these relationships, viewed these as primarily based on love and affection and as being “safe”, challenging the commonly held perception that these are primarily transactional in nature. Further respondents reported at rates of between 38% and 44% that the platform had improved their HIV risk perception related to these relationships. In summary, the research resulted in several recommendations to improve the platform, including improving ways of getting more and on-going feedback from users on their HIV risk perceptions and designing content and engagement strategies to address these. / Sociology / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in (HIV/AIDS)

Worldwide, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) pandemic has proven to be a health care challenge from the perspective of testing and treatment, including how to create sustainable positive prevention, prevention after becoming HIV positive, that is culturally relevant and gender sensitive. South Africa has been severely affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic and the agricultural sector is no exception. This statement is supported by the findings of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) study. According to an IOM study, the HIV prevalence rate among farm workers in the country is about 40%, the highest ever recorded in Southern Africa. A study conducted in Limpopo and Mpumalanga farms revealed that the prevalence of the twenty-three farms was 39, 5% which is twice the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS) national prevalence percentage of 18, 1% in South Africa. The researchers of this study could not pin-point a single factor causing this high rate of HIV infection on these farms. A multitude of factors, such as multiple and concurrent partnerships, transactional sex, irregular condom use, presence of sexually transmitted infections and sexual violence. The research also showed that almost half of the women working on farms around these provinces are HIV positive, compared to only a third of the male workforce. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the role of culture and gender in the spread of HIV and AIDS among farm workers in South Africa; with the view of developing culture and gender sensitive HIV and AIDS prevention strategies. descriptive and explorative qualitative approach was adopted. In depth individual semi-structured interviews were used to explore and describe the role of culture and gender in the spread of HIV and AIDS among farm workers. Purposive and convenient sampling methods were used to select participants who met the inclusion criteria in the Tshitwani and Barota farming community in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Religious and cultural beliefs were believed to be fuelling the spread of HIV among farm workers. Multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom usage was common among participants. It was evident that stigma and social isolation leading to non- disclosure had adverse repercussions as some participants stated that they would spread HIV intentionally. Powerlessness and lack of decision-making by female farm workers was common as they were dependent on their male partners to make decisions regarding sexual matters in their relationship. Conclusion: More HIV prevention programmes tailored to dispel fears about stigma and correct myths about HIV-transmission should reach ordinary men and women in order to curb the spread of HIV among farm workers. The researcher believes that the strategies that emanate from this study would be applied in other settings other than the farming community. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The lack of a contextualised, relevant communication strategy focusing specifically on HAST diseases in the Limpopo Province was the impetus for this research. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to explore the knowledge, perceptions and utilisation of health facilities for HAST in order to develop an acceptable and effective communication strategy for the Province to address the high rate of HAST diseases. The study followed a qualitative approach guided by the major tenets of the Health Belief Model, namely, to determine modifying factors, individual beliefs and cues for action. An in-depth literature review was followed by focus group interviews with the community members and personal interviews with District and Provincial Deputy Directors. Based on these findings, a communication strategy was drafted and piloted for three months in one of the districts in Limpopo. Further refinement of the communication strategy followed after member-checking and further interviews with directors HAST. The final strategy specifically focused on risk groups with each of the diseases in terms of their beliefs and perceptions. It further resulted in guidelines for health providers in terms of the content and implementation of effective communication strategies within the context of educational, cultural, social and economic factors relevant to Limpopo / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study applied the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and its extension, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to the design of a workplace HIV/AIDS health promotion programme. The purpose of the study was to determine if the variables of the TRA and TPB would predict intentions to change HIV/AIDS health behaviour, whether a theory-based intervention would result in health behaviour change over time and if there would be any significant health behaviour differences among participants who received a theory-based intervention and those who received an information-only intervention. In a longitudinal, quasi-experimental study, 170 government employees were divided into two groups. One group comprised 92 employees who participated in a HIV/AIDS health promotion workshop based on the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour. The other group comprised 78 employees who took part in an educational information session about HIV and AIDS. An elicitation study was conducted with a sample of 38 employees from the research population two months prior to the commencement of the study. The findings of the elicitation study informed the design of research questionnaires and an intervention workshop. Both groups of participants (theory-based workshop and information-only workshop) were measured on HIV/AIDS health behaviour intentions and HIV/AIDS health behaviour (condom use, seeking HIV testing and monogamy) across three measurement periods over a six month period. The results of the study showed that the combined theoretical variables predicted intentions to use condoms and to seek HIV testing, with attitudes having the main effect on intentions. There was, however, no significant health behaviour change across the three measurement periods. There were also no health behaviour differences between the two intervention conditions at one month and six months post-intervention. The study concludes that the intervention based on the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour did not produce health behaviour change. The study also identified barriers to AIDS health behaviour in the South African context that the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour cannot explain. Ways in which the theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour can be adapted to HIV/AIDS education in collectivist cultures are proposed. / Psychology / Thesis (D. Phil. (Psychology))

The impact of HIV and AIDS has threatened to destroy the education sector in South Africa. This qualitative study set out to investigate the psychosocial problems and needs of educators infected with HIV and/or affected by HIV and AIDS in Johannesburg Inner City schools. The study explores and describes the need to develop and implement a comprehensive and holistic treatment, care and support programme for educators infected with HIV and/or affected by HIV and AIDS. This study also reviews HIV/AIDS policies and programmes implemented by the Department of Education to indicate that these interventions are not effective in addressing the problems and needs of these educators. Therefore, the study contends that the Department of Education should revise and reformulate these HIV/AIDS policies and programmes to cater for the needs of educators infected with HIV and/or affected by HIV and AIDS. Ten educators infected with HIV and/or affected by HIV and AIDS from two selected Johannesburg Inner City schools participated in this study. Phenomenological strategies and in-depth interviews were used to capture day-to-day personal life experiences of these educators. The findings of the study reveal that there is a need for an urgent response by the Department of Education to develop and implement treatment, care and support programmes for educators infected with HIV and/or affected by HIV and AIDS. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

This study investigated the social factors influencing the poor uptake of HIV Testing and Counselling (HCT) services by middle-aged black men in Pimville, Soweto. A qualitative research approach was used for this study in which ten men and two key informants were interviewed. Themes explored were the participants’ biographical characteristics, knowledge of HIV and AIDS, health-seeking behaviours, understanding of multiple sexual partnerships, male circumcision, and challenges in using HCT services. Various social behaviour change theories formed the theoretical framework guiding this study. It was found that fear, stigma and cultural factors are major reasons for the poor HCT uptake. Despite the men’s high HIV risk perceptions, behaviour change lags behind. Greater efforts to establish a men’s forum to discuss sexual health matters in Pimville are recommended. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Aims: The study was aimed at exploring adolescents‟ level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the influence this knowledge has on their sexual behaviour. Methods: In total, 20 in- depth interviews were conducted from a group of 20 (both males and females) secondary school learners. The interviews were audio taped with consent from participants. Results: The results of the study showed that participants possess basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS, including methods of prevention and transmission. No serious misconceptions about modes of transmission of HIV were found in this study. Although, participants reported condom use, no sexual intercourse with multiple concurrent partners and no intergenerational sexual relationships, the findings revealed some risk factors such as early sexual debuts, early dating, multiple sexual partnerships. Conclusions: The aforesaid sexual behaviours and the sexual activeness among learners is a cause for angst. Thus, these findings highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to sexual reproductive health education by all interested parties in order to enhance and sustain behaviour change among young people. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Text in English / The Department of Education nationwide introduced HIV and AIDS care and support for learning and teaching programmes as intervention strategies for supporting vulnerable learners. Despite these interventions, teenagers continue to fall pregnant and this increases their vulnerability to HIV infection. HIV and STIs are rife among teenagers owing to ignorance and peer pressure, among other factors. The aim of this exploratory qualitative study was to explore factors that influence condom use among high school teenagers aged between 16 and 18 in Dutywa District. Focus group discussions and in-depth face-to-face interviews with 12 high school teenagers from one high school (High School X) were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The findings of this study revealed that high school teenagers are not using condoms to any significant degree. In their opinion, condoms limit sexual pleasure; they indicate a lack of trust and unfaithfulness between partners and are associated with sexually transmitted diseases. The findings of this study are significant for the policy implementation of schools. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

Text in English / Health Communication Campaigns are one of the strategies used in facing the challenges of the spread and effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is not only a health issue but also has sociocultural implications and consequences. Although there are some models and research tools available to guide the planning, designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of health communication campaigns, the premise of the study was on two assumptions. First, most available models that guide the planning and execution of HIV/AIDS communication campaigns do not sufficiently highlight sociocultural variables; and second, since most available models do not sufficiently emphasise sociocultural variables, the design of the instruments for the assessment of the campaigns are not sufficiently geared towards identifying and assessing sociocultural variables of the campaigns. In light of these assumptions, the study was undertaken for three reasons. Firstly, to construct a sociocultural health communication campaign conceptual model that incorporates and highlights sociocultural variables to guide the planning and implementation of health communication campaigns; particularly HIV/AIDS communication campaigns. Secondly to develop an assessment instrument for assessing the presence or absence of sociocultural variables in the planning and implementation of health communication campaigns. Thirdly to test the theoretical sociocultural assessment instrument developed in the study in an HIV/AIDS communication campaign of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s HIV/AIDS Unit. The results indicated that the instrument is a functional sociocultural assessment tool that can be used to determine three main aspects. Firstly, whether or not and at what level there is/or was active involvement and participation of the target audience in the communication campaigns process. Secondly, whether or not and at what level in the planning and execution of a campaign, the sociocultural context was taken into consideration and the relevant elements of such context incorporated in the campaign process. Thirdly, whether or not and at what level relevant theories/models underpinned the whole process of the health communication campaigns in the planning, designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation stages. The sociocultural assessment instrument, therefore, is not meant for assessing the effectiveness of health communication campaigns per se. It is rather meant for use to ascertain the presence or absence of those three aspects on the assumption that if they are taking care of in the planning and implementation of such campaigns, the probability is that the campaigns would be more socioculturally appropriate. The implications of this study are that for health communication campaigns to be socioculturally appropriate, they display continuous community interactivity and participative (ensuring mutual relationship between campaign planners and target audience) in their planning, implementation and evaluation/assessment; making the whole campaign process strategic and integrative – their management should be strategic, implementation creative and monitoring and evaluation continuous. / Communication Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)