No abstract available. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New South Wales, 2002. / Includes bibliographic references. Also available online.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Population Health, Department of Public Health Sciences. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on November 8, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Medicine, 2001. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 146-155.

xv, 142 p. : ill. (some col.) / Young Latina women are at risk for unwanted pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections. Researchers have suggested that factors such as self-efficacy and relationship power dynamics may contribute to difficulty in negotiating safe sex practices. For women in heterosexual relationships, the most common prevention practice--condom use--requires partner cooperation. Sociocultural variables related to gender role socialization can adversely affect a woman's ability to negotiate condom use. I developed and tested a model of sociocultural predictors of Latina women's safe sex practices. The predictors included ethnic identity, acculturation, womanist identity, gender role attitudes, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual relationship power. I surveyed 210 young adult Latina women via an online survey that was disseminated across the United States via social networking websites and email. I used path analysis to investigate the fit of the hypothesized model with the data, first to predict condom use and second to predict sexual history exploration. Results indicated that the hypothesized model predicting the safe sex practice of exploring a partner's sexual history had a good fit to the data, whereas the model predicting condom use did not provide an adequate fit to the data. These findings suggest that young adult Latinas' exploration of a partner's sexual history is more likely to occur when women have stronger ethnic identity and womanist identity, more egalitarian gender role attitudes, and higher levels of partner dominance and control in their relationship. The model accounted for 16% of the variance in sexual history exploration. Although the variance explained was low, this model is still informative of the factors that contribute to sexual history exploration. Exploring a potential partner's history is an important aspect of safe sex practices that can have major implications for healthy sexual decision-making. Understanding an individual's cultural identity via ethnic and womanist identity, as well as considering sociocultural (e.g., gender role attitudes) and interpersonal (e.g., relationship power) factors, can inform prevention efforts that will contribute to safe sex behavioral outcomes. Other factors that may contribute to safe sex practice outcomes that were not accounted for by the models are noted. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. / Committee in charge: Dr. Ellen H. McWhirter, Chairperson; Dr. Linda Forrest, Member; Dr. Joseph Stevens, Member; Dr. Lynn Fujiwara, Outside Member

The purpose of the study was to explore factors that influenced safer sex practices in Malawi. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive study was conducted to determine why the prevalence of new HIV infections was still high in Malawi despite. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Sexually active men, women, boys and girls that participated in the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation community awareness activities participated in this study. The study found that demographic, socio-economic and knowledge-related factors influence safer sex practices in Malawi. Various modifying factors played a role in influencing the individuals’ perception of susceptibility, severity, barriers and benefits of practising safer sex. The findings indicated that individuals generally had a broad knowledge of the spread and prevention of HIV. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework for the study / Health Studies

HIV/Aids has become a household term in South Africa. Most people are aware of the existence of the disease and how it is transmitted. Several people have used this information as the impetus for behaviour change but there are many individuals who have not heeded this call and have not made any significant changes to their lifestyles. This is reflected in South Africa’s high infection rate. It would seem as if, for various reasons, people know how to protect themselves but have not used this knowledge to guard against possible infection. The purpose of this study is to explore the reasons why people have not changed their behaviour and to identify possible techniques that can be used to amend this situation. This will take the form of an intensive three-day prevention workshop where participants will be asked to think critically about their own behaviour. The aim of the programme will be to discuss, demystify and debate ideas. How will this programme be designed? The researcher will make use of focus groups consisting of Technikon students who will offer their thoughts and opinions. Once these focus groups have been conducted the researcher will undertake an intensive analysis of the data and identify certain key issues. A literature review will then follow. Therefore, the foundation of this programme will be based on the ideas of the participants, the researcher’s ideas and some points from formal behaviour change theories. The goal of this study is to add to the already growing body of HIV/Aids prevention literature and to design a programme that is useful and relevant. / Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

No description available.

The phenomenon of HIV discordance has been in existence for a long time along with HIV. However, very limited attention has been given to HIV discordance. This phenomenological study aimed at gaining a deeper understanding on the lived experiences of sero-discordant couples in Botswana. Reports show that discordance in Botswana is around 17%. The main objectives of this study were to identify HIV discordant couples living in Botswana and explore their knowledge and understanding of the situation, explore the psychological, social and sexual experiences of the HIV discordant couples and determine its impact in their lives, and examine the meaning they attach to such experiences and challenges they face as well as their coping strategies. A qualitative phenomenological approach using face to face in-depth interviews was used to explore and describe meanings and experience as lived by the HIV discordant couples. The study sample consisted of forty-six (N=46) (twenty-nine (n=29) females and seventeen (n=17) males) participants selected using purposive sampling from three cities in Botswana. The Inclusion criteria were that participants should be aged 21 years and above; with no known diagnosis of mental illness; having been in a discordant relationship for at least six months at the time of data collection; living in Botswana and willing to participate in the study. The findings were that there are three forms of discordance, which are: discordant unaware which are couples who went into the relation unaware of their HIV status. Discordant aware; those who got into the relationship already knowing each other’s HIV status and discordantly discordant which are those with differing HIV status and differing motives of going into the relationship. These are the couples that conceal their status from one another. The results revealed intense emotional/psychological, sexual and social stresses as experienced by couples. HIV discordant goes through three phases of initial shock, conflict and resolution. The researcher recommends the OPEN DESK MODEL to be integrated in the health facilities to encompass the concept of a family or couple and as a unit. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The phenomenon of HIV discordance has been in existence for a long time along with HIV. However, very limited attention has been given to HIV discordance. This phenomenological study aimed at gaining a deeper understanding on the lived experiences of sero-discordant couples in Botswana. Reports show that discordance in Botswana is around 17%. The main objectives of this study were to identify HIV discordant couples living in Botswana and explore their knowledge and understanding of the situation, explore the psychological, social and sexual experiences of the HIV discordant couples and determine its impact in their lives, and examine the meaning they attach to such experiences and challenges they face as well as their coping strategies. A qualitative phenomenological approach using face to face in-depth interviews was used to explore and describe meanings and experience as lived by the HIV discordant couples. The study sample consisted of forty-six (N=46) (twenty-nine (n=29) females and seventeen (n=17) males) participants selected using purposive sampling from three cities in Botswana. The Inclusion criteria were that participants should be aged 21 years and above; with no known diagnosis of mental illness; having been in a discordant relationship for at least six months at the time of data collection; living in Botswana and willing to participate in the study. The findings were that there are three forms of discordance, which are: discordant unaware which are couples who went into the relation unaware of their HIV status. Discordant aware; those who got into the relationship already knowing each other’s HIV status and discordantly discordant which are those with differing HIV status and differing motives of going into the relationship. These are the couples that conceal their status from one another. The results revealed intense emotional/psychological, sexual and social stresses as experienced by couples. HIV discordant goes through three phases of initial shock, conflict and resolution. The researcher recommends the OPEN DESK MODEL to be integrated in the health facilities to encompass the concept of a family or couple and as a unit. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)