The objective of this thesis is to examine the meaning of the language used in an Entertainment-Education (E-E) radio serial drama RockPoint 256 (RP256) and its representation of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and HIV/AIDS. The theoretical framework that is used to guide this study is the Cultural Studies perspective. Using Cultural Studies is instrumental to a study such as this that looks to find the source of meaning in RP256’s discourse (Hall, 1993, 105). The methodological research design used is discourse analysis that examines the oral and written data of RP256. Discourse analysis “focuses on the way language is used, what it is used for, and the social context in which it is used” (Punch, 1998, 226). There were two types of discourse analyses used. Gee’s (1999) discourse analysis is used to analyse the linguistic nature of the texts at a micro level while, Fairclough’s (1989) discourse analysis is used to observe the overarching meaning of the discourse found in RP256 at the macro level. The analysis of the data indicates that the representation of PLHA is a product of the societal and cultural markers that are a result of ideological labels given to HIV/AIDS and PLHA. The study concludes that PLHA are ostracised, stigmatized, live in poverty and are mostly women. The societal and cultural markers indicate that HIV/AIDS is still viewed as a plague and as a result PLHA are often silenced, marginalized, and discriminated against in Uganda.

The objective of this thesis is to examine the meaning of the language used in an Entertainment-Education (E-E) radio serial drama RockPoint 256 (RP256) and its representation of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and HIV/AIDS. The theoretical framework that is used to guide this study is the Cultural Studies perspective. Using Cultural Studies is instrumental to a study such as this that looks to find the source of meaning in RP256’s discourse (Hall, 1993, 105). The methodological research design used is discourse analysis that examines the oral and written data of RP256. Discourse analysis “focuses on the way language is used, what it is used for, and the social context in which it is used” (Punch, 1998, 226). There were two types of discourse analyses used. Gee’s (1999) discourse analysis is used to analyse the linguistic nature of the texts at a micro level while, Fairclough’s (1989) discourse analysis is used to observe the overarching meaning of the discourse found in RP256 at the macro level. The analysis of the data indicates that the representation of PLHA is a product of the societal and cultural markers that are a result of ideological labels given to HIV/AIDS and PLHA. The study concludes that PLHA are ostracised, stigmatized, live in poverty and are mostly women. The societal and cultural markers indicate that HIV/AIDS is still viewed as a plague and as a result PLHA are often silenced, marginalized, and discriminated against in Uganda.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mobile HIV/AIDS Treatment Teams in initiating and treating patients with HAART at fixed primary health care clinics Amajuba District.

The objective of this thesis is to examine the meaning of the language used in an Entertainment-Education (E-E) radio serial drama RockPoint 256 (RP256) and its representation of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and HIV/AIDS. The theoretical framework that is used to guide this study is the Cultural Studies perspective. Using Cultural Studies is instrumental to a study such as this that looks to find the source of meaning in RP256’s discourse (Hall, 1993, 105). The methodological research design used is discourse analysis that examines the oral and written data of RP256. Discourse analysis “focuses on the way language is used, what it is used for, and the social context in which it is used” (Punch, 1998, 226). There were two types of discourse analyses used. Gee’s (1999) discourse analysis is used to analyse the linguistic nature of the texts at a micro level while, Fairclough’s (1989) discourse analysis is used to observe the overarching meaning of the discourse found in RP256 at the macro level. The analysis of the data indicates that the representation of PLHA is a product of the societal and cultural markers that are a result of ideological labels given to HIV/AIDS and PLHA. The study concludes that PLHA are ostracised, stigmatized, live in poverty and are mostly women. The societal and cultural markers indicate that HIV/AIDS is still viewed as a plague and as a result PLHA are often silenced, marginalized, and discriminated against in Uganda.

MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

Объектом исследования является система оказания психологической и социальной помощи ВИЧ-инфицированным пациентам. Предмет исследования: роль и участие специалистов учреждений социального обслуживания населения в системе профилактики и оказания медицинской помощи больным ВИЧ-инфекцией. Целью магистерской диссертации является выявление роли специалистов «немедицинского сервиса» по профилактике и преодолению ВИЧ-инфекции, как социально-значимого заболевания в рамках межведомственного взаимодействия (на примере Свердловской области). Выпускная квалификационная работа посвящена изучению роли специалистов «немедицинского сервиса» в профилактике и преодолении социально-значимого заболевания в рамках межведомственного взаимодействия (на примере Свердловской области). В работе рассмотрены теоретические основы межведомственного взаимодействия как социальной технологии, в процессе профилактики ВИЧ-инфекции; с использованием авторской анкеты выявлены основные возможности и затруднения специалистов учреждений социального обслуживания населения в оказании помощи здравоохранению по преодолению распространения ВИЧ-инфекции, а так же выявлены основные потребности ЛЖВ (людей, живущих с ВИЧ); проведён контент-анализ существующей и разработано авторское дополнение к основной образовательной программе ГАУЗ СО ОЦ СПИД по подготовке специалистов «немедицинского сервиса» к мотивационному консультированию, которая при апробации показала положительные результаты в части удовлетворения потребностей и пациентов ВИЧ+, и учреждений здравоохранения. Работа будет интересна студентам и специалистам в области социальной работы с ЛЖВ. / The final qualifying work is devoted to the study of the role of specialists of the "non-medical service" in the prevention and overcoming of socially significant diseases within the framework of interdepartmental interaction (on the example of the Sverdlovsk region). The paper considers the theoretical foundations of interdepartmental interaction as a social technology in the process of HIV infection prevention; using the author's questionnaire, the main opportunities and difficulties of specialists from social service institutions in providing health care to overcome the spread of HIV infection are identified, as well as the basic needs of PLHIV (people living with HIV) are identified; an author's supplement is developed to the main educational program of the State Medical Institution of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the preparation of specialists of the "non-medical service" for motivational training, which, when tested, showed positive results in meeting the needs of both HIV+ patients and healthcare institutions. The work will be of interest to students and specialists in the field of social work with PLHIV.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Karen S. Myers-Bowman / The purpose of this study was to conduct a phenomenological inquiry into the impact HIV/AIDS-related stigma has on People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and their family members in Ghana and the overall relationship family members have with PLHA. The study explored the concept of stigma in the Ghanaian context, ways in which it is expressed, factors influencing HIV- related stigma and its consequences on both PLHA and their family members. Strategies that PLHA and their family members consider for effective HIV- related stigma prevention were also explored. The study further explored some of the gender- biased nature of HIV- related stigma in Ghana. Data was gathered qualitatively through interviews with five PLHA and their discordant family members. Interviews were transcribed and translated into English, coded and analyzed. After inductively establishing themes and categories, final confirmatory analysis was deductively established, by using the Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model and Symbolic interaction theory to affirm the authenticity and appropriateness of the inductive content analysis. The study found that HIV- related stigma begins with serostatus disclosure. Stigma is manifested in myriad contexts including the family, community, healthcare institutions and gender. The major factors influencing stigma are insufficient knowledge of HIV transmission, fear and misconception of HIV created by the media, cultural and religious factors as well as poverty. Family members experienced similar stigma as PLHA, such as loss of jobs, loss of social network, loss of identity and self stigma. However extreme impacts such as suicidal thoughts were only experienced by PLHA. The impact of HIV- related stigma is worst for women because of beliefs and values relating to gender- role expectations. While women accept and support their husbands when they have HIV/AIDS, women are often neglected and abandoned by their husbands. To address this stigma, participants suggested house to house education, financial support from the government, revision of educational content especially discontinuation of negative images of HIV/AIDS used by the media. Implications for this study in the areas of research, practice and policy are provided.

This quantitative study sought to identify and describe factors influencing HIV disclosure and sexual practices among 340 PLWHA on ART at Mbabane National Referral VCT/ART Centre, Swaziland. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A high general HIV disclosure rate (94.1%; f=320; N=340) was observed of which 57.5% (f=184; n=320) was to sexual partners. X2 procedures indicate an association with gender, residential region, religion, and period of being on ART. The majority (70.2%; f=179; n=255) of the respondents used condoms all the time to avoid infecting their sexual partners (99.2%; f=243; n=245) and to avoid contracting STIs (99.2%; f=243; n=245). X2 procedures indicate an association with gender, residential region, marital status, number of sexual partners, knowledge of the HIV status of sexual partners and period of being on ART. The single leading reason for not using the condom was sexual partners’ refusal to use condoms (85.7%; f=54; n=63). / Health Studies / M.A.(Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to determine how pain in PLHIV on community home based care programme was managed using the Roy adaptation model (RAM) as the theoretical framework. This study used a descriptive mixed method research design which allowed for the research topic to be investigated and described in terms of both narrative qualitative accounts and descriptive statistics. A sequential exploratory approach was adopted in which qualitative data collection was conducted in the initial phase followed by quantitative data collection. Ten qualitative interviews, guided by the components of the RAM were conducted in the initial phase and a structured interview schedule (questionnaire) partially based on the result of the qualitative phase and (which was also structured in accordance with the RAM) was administered to 120 respondents who met the inclusion criteria of being on CHBC. Convenience sampling was used to select study participants and respondents in both phases of the study. Peripheral neuropathy was the most common pain syndrome experienced by patients. More females suffered numbness/tingling sensation of toes, followed by chest pains than their male counterparts. Pain experienced was moderate to severe which was not treated effectively. The study findings could assist health care providers, policy makers and researchers to invest into improving pain management for PLHIV, strengthen education of patients and their primary caregivers on the causes of pain and modalities to employ for pain relief and implement palliative care guidelines for PLHIV. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Stigma and discrimination (SAD) attached to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been recognised as a major obstacle to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support throughout the world. SAD is more devastating when it occurs in health care settings where it is least expected. Health care providers (HCPs) are supposed to provide physical, social and psychological support to people living with HIV (PLWHA) but HIV and AIDS-related SAD has been extensively documented among the HCPs. Different studies have pointed out that there are three major actionable causes of HIV-related SAD in health care settings. These are lack of awareness among HCPs, fear of casual contacts and associating the SAD to immoral behaviour. The main objective of the current study is to determine the magnitude of HIV and AIDS-related SAD and its associated factors in hospitals and then to propose appropriate SAD reduction-intervention strategy in the health care settings. The study employed pre-test-post-test design with non-equivalent control group. Two paradigms were used in this study including quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sampling method for the quantitative part of the study was probability sampling in which the respondents were randomly selected using stratified sampling technique. The study was able to determine the magnitude of HIV and AIDS-related SAD among the HCPs. Moreover, the study has identified the factors that are attributed to the prevalence of SAD in the hospitals. The major factors identified for causing the SAD in the hospitals were sex, age, work experience, low level of knowledge, negative attitudes and percieved risk of HIV infection of some HCPs toward the PLWHA. The intervention made on the respondents in the treatment group was able to reduce the overall prevalence of the SAD among the HCPs. The study suggests that to reduce the SAD, HIV and AIDS-related trainings before and after graduation is critical to improve the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the HCPs. Besides, ensuring the availability of the protective supplies in hospitals is crucial in reducing the fear of HIV infection among the HCPs while providing care for HIV positive patients. Effective implementation of the hospital policies, strategies, guidelines and protocols along with good institutional support is also vital in creating safe and user-friendly hospitals for PLWHA / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)