The study explored the factors influencing the use of voluntary counselling and testing by university students. This was done by undertaking an exploratory and descriptive qualitative study. Focus group discussions and field notes were used to collect data from the participants. Outcomes from the study revealed various factors to the uptake of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services by university students namely: the desire to know one‟s HIV status, illness, pregnancy, blood donation, to get a reward, the influence of significant others, the influence of media, awareness campaigns, compulsion, to get a job, curiosity, to be a positive role model and the positive attitude and professional conduct of the health care provider. The study also revealed various challenges to the uptake of VCT services by university students namely: the fear of being diagnosed HIV positive, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, the low perception of risk to HIV infection, the lack of student friendly VCT services, the shortage of human and infrastructural resources, the inaccessibility of VCT services, the long waiting period for test results, negative perceptions about VCT, the problems with pre-test counselling and ignorance. Going by the participants‟ suggestions VCT services uptake by university students could be improved by increased resource allocation (incentives, human and infrastructural resources), increased awareness campaigns, and improved counselling and making VCT services more accessible / Information Science / MA (Public Health)

Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although VCT has been recognized for its importance in HIV prevention and control, there are several matters of concern surrounding it that potentially limit its uptake. Clients' selective behavior in tandem with service provider and operating environment factors determine uptake of VCT service. This study sought to contribute knowledge on the influence that specialized HIV/AIDS sites have on first time clients' initiative to seek VCT services in comparison with the general health care sites. The study also analyzed factors that determine clients' preference of VCT access point. The study was done within a student population of Nkumba University in Entebbe municipality, Uganda. A sample of students to fill the study questionnaire was selected using a simple random sampling method from a population frame established from a class identified haphazardly. Four focus group discussions were done: two of the groups participants were stratified as students' male and female groups and were selected using convenient sampling from the sampling frame. The other FGDs were done with two groups of nurse counselors – one from a general health care site while the other was from a specialized VCT site, selected purposively. Specialized VCT sites had a higher frequency of first student clients than general health care sites. Results however indicated that though the perception of service providers' attitude and availability of trained councilors affected their choice, there was no significant difference between specialized and general VCT sites in terms of first time clients' preference. Reasons for preference of site differed. Specialized sites were preferred because they are perceived to offer better quality service owing to their concentration on VCT services, but shunned by others for lack disguise. Conversely, respondents revealed that there is disguise at general health j sites which enhances confidentiality and anonymity thereby curbing clients fears of being identified making it easier for first time clients to go to these sites for VCT. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel vrywillige raadgewing en toetsing (VRT) erken is vir sy belangrikheid met betrekking tot MIV voorkoming en beheer, is daar verskeie kwessies daaraan verbonde wat die gebruik daarvan kan beperk. Kliënte se selektiewe gedrag saam met diensverskaffers en omgewingsfaktore bepaal die gebruik van VRT dienste. Hierdie studie het gepoog om kennis by te dra oor die invloed wat gespesialiseerde MIV/Vigs toetsingsterreine het op eerstelinge se inisiatief om VRT dienste te soek in vergelyking met algemene gesondheidssorgterreine. Die studie het ook faktore geanaliseer wat kliënte se voorkeur van VRT terreine bepaal. Die studie is binne 'n studente populasie van Nkumba Universiteit in Entebbe Munisipaliteit, Uganda, uitgevoer. 'n Steekproef van studente om die vraelyste in te vul is geselekteer deur die eenvoudige toevalmonster metode te gebruik van 'n populasie raam geskep van 'n klas was lukraak geidentifiseer is. Vier fokusgroepe het plaasgevind: twee waar deelnemers as manlike en vroulike studentegroepe gestratifiseerd was en geselekteer deur gerieflike steekproeneming van die steekproefraam. Die ander fokusgroepe was twee groepe van verpleegster beraders – een van 'n algemene gesondheidssorgterrein en die ander van 'n gespesialiseerde VRT terrein, doelbewus geselekteer. Gespesialiseerde VRT terreine het 'n hoër frekwensie van eersteling student-kliente as algemene gesondheidssorgterreine. Uitslae het aangedui dat hoewel die persepsie van diensverskaffers se houdings en beskikbaarheid van opgeleide beraders hul keuse geaffekteer het, dat daar geen betekenisvolle verskil was tussen gespesialiseerde en algemene VRT terreine in terme van eerstelinge se voorkeur. Redes vir voorkeur van terrein het verskil. Gepesialiseerde terreine is verkies weens die persepise dat hulle 'n beter kwaliteit diens lewer weens hul konsentrasie op VRT dienste, maar deur ander vermy was weens gebrek aan vermomming. Omgekeerd het respondente aan die lig gebring dat daar wel vemomming by algemene gesondheidssorg terreine is wat vertroulikheid en anonimiteit verhoog en kliënte se vrese verminder wat dit makliker maak vir eerstelinge om na hierdie terreine vir VRT te gaan.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is described as a crisis by the Global Report (UNAIDS 2004:13). Swaziland¡¦s King Mswati III also declared the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a disaster when the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate increased from 3.9% in 1992 to 42.6% in 2004 (MOHSW 2004:3). In responding to the increasing numbers, the Government of Swaziland established various programmes; one of them being the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services to meet societal needs. The MOHSW designed guidelines to be utilized when training nurses to be pre and post HIV test counselors (TASC 2003:2). The period of training ranges between 1 to 2 weeks, after which they are deployed to the VCT centres where nurses provide counseling and testing, treatment of opportunistic infections and distributing antiretroviral drugs. Much research has been done in Swaziland on HIV/AIDS however; there is insufficient knowledge on the impact of HIV/AIDS on nurses working at the VCT services. The objectives of the study were to: ,,« Explore and describe the experiences of nurses working in the VCT services. ,,« Explore and describe the experiences of clients receiving VCT services. ,,« Design and develop an empowerment programme for nurses working in the VCT services in Swaziland. ,,« Formulate and describe guidelines for the implementation of the programme. In this qualitative study, the exploratory descriptive and contextual methodology was utilized to look into lived experiences of nurses and clients. This was done within the adaptation of the intervention Design and Development genre proposed by Rothman and Thomas (1994). Data was collected through purposive sampling and analysed according to Tesch¡¦s methods (Tesch 1990:890) The study revealed one major theme; constant experience of stress that was related to psychological and physical factors (categories). Nurses identified the complexity of HIV/AIDS, shortage of staff, lack of social support, lack of a supportive working environment, and a need for staff development under psychological factors. Clients identified stigma and discrimination. Constant exhaustion and development of medical conditions were identified as physical factors that led to constant experience of stress. Conclusions drawn from the data analysis revealed that nurses were stressed and felt disempowered at working in the VCT services. An empowerment programme was designed and developed to enable these nurses to deal with issues and VCT services for rendering quality care and enjoy the work they do. Guidelines were formulated to implement the empowerment programme. The study concluded with the identification of limitations and recommendations for future endeavours. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil.

The study explored the factors influencing the use of voluntary counselling and testing by university students. This was done by undertaking an exploratory and descriptive qualitative study. Focus group discussions and field notes were used to collect data from the participants. Outcomes from the study revealed various factors to the uptake of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services by university students namely: the desire to know one‟s HIV status, illness, pregnancy, blood donation, to get a reward, the influence of significant others, the influence of media, awareness campaigns, compulsion, to get a job, curiosity, to be a positive role model and the positive attitude and professional conduct of the health care provider. The study also revealed various challenges to the uptake of VCT services by university students namely: the fear of being diagnosed HIV positive, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, the low perception of risk to HIV infection, the lack of student friendly VCT services, the shortage of human and infrastructural resources, the inaccessibility of VCT services, the long waiting period for test results, negative perceptions about VCT, the problems with pre-test counselling and ignorance. Going by the participants‟ suggestions VCT services uptake by university students could be improved by increased resource allocation (incentives, human and infrastructural resources), increased awareness campaigns, and improved counselling and making VCT services more accessible / Information Science / MA (Public Health)

This study was done to assess the quality of life (QOL) of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in Swaziland who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). No study has been done on QOL of PLWHA in Swaziland who are on ART since it started to be administered in Swaziland in 2001. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design was used to assess QOL of PLWHA in Swaziland who are on ART. Twenty-four PLWHA were purposely selected to participate in the study. Methods of data collection used were semi-structured individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. The data (tape-recorded interviews and discussions, and field notes) were transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Data analysed was done using Tesch’s framework of data analysis as described in Creswell (2002:256-283). The research findings are reflected, with the six domains of QOL identified through a literature review and validated by nurses’ expertise. These domains are the physiological, psychological, spiritual, socio-economic, cognitive, and environmental domains.The study revealed that PLWHA in Swaziland are faced with many challenges concerning ART, namely: inability to meet their nutrition needs, non-adherence to ART, experience of disfiguring side effects of ARVs, inconsistent condom use, experience of stigma and discrimination, depression, difficulty in accepting and coping with ARVs, lowered self-esteem, a negative influence of some religions on ART, a lack of financial support, poor support systems, poor understanding of ARVs, negative thoughts about HIV and AIDS and ART, an unsatisfactory health care delivery system, a negative influence of culture on ART, and violation of the rights of PLWHA. These challenges negatively influence the QOL of PLWHA and hence the study concluded that PLWHA in Swaziland who are on ART have a poor QOL. Conclusions drawn from the data analysis reveal that PLWHA in Swaziland are powerless to deal with the above challenges and improve their QOL. The researcher, therefore, developed guidelines to empower PLWHA to deal with these challenges and adhere to ART, thus improving their QOL. Recommendations were made with regard to nursing practice, nursing education, and further nursing research. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study was done to assess the quality of life (QOL) of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in Swaziland who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). No study has been done on QOL of PLWHA in Swaziland who are on ART since it started to be administered in Swaziland in 2001. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design was used to assess QOL of PLWHA in Swaziland who are on ART. Twenty-four PLWHA were purposely selected to participate in the study. Methods of data collection used were semi-structured individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. The data (tape-recorded interviews and discussions, and field notes) were transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Data analysed was done using Tesch’s framework of data analysis as described in Creswell (2002:256-283). The research findings are reflected, with the six domains of QOL identified through a literature review and validated by nurses’ expertise. These domains are the physiological, psychological, spiritual, socio-economic, cognitive, and environmental domains.The study revealed that PLWHA in Swaziland are faced with many challenges concerning ART, namely: inability to meet their nutrition needs, non-adherence to ART, experience of disfiguring side effects of ARVs, inconsistent condom use, experience of stigma and discrimination, depression, difficulty in accepting and coping with ARVs, lowered self-esteem, a negative influence of some religions on ART, a lack of financial support, poor support systems, poor understanding of ARVs, negative thoughts about HIV and AIDS and ART, an unsatisfactory health care delivery system, a negative influence of culture on ART, and violation of the rights of PLWHA. These challenges negatively influence the QOL of PLWHA and hence the study concluded that PLWHA in Swaziland who are on ART have a poor QOL. Conclusions drawn from the data analysis reveal that PLWHA in Swaziland are powerless to deal with the above challenges and improve their QOL. The researcher, therefore, developed guidelines to empower PLWHA to deal with these challenges and adhere to ART, thus improving their QOL. Recommendations were made with regard to nursing practice, nursing education, and further nursing research. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)