Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1941.

Thesis (M.S. in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy)--Joint Forces Staff College, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, 2008. / Title from PDF title page; viewed on Dec. 10, 2008. "4 April 2008." Electronic version of original print document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-83).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duke University, 2007.

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense))--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2005. / AD-A436 143. Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-62). Also available online.

xii, 188 p. / As part of a survey and correlational research design, this study used a web-based survey to collect descriptive data on the voluntary independent reading (VIR) behaviors of a convenience sample of 1,603 middle school students in Oregon. On average, participants reported reading 2 hours and 21 minutes over a 24-hour period, which was considerably more than reported in previously published research. Participants reported reading more electronic than printed texts, and popular topics included reading text by and about friends, adventure and action, and novels and stories. Most frequently read media included books, text messages, email, websites, and printed magazines. Statistically significant relations were obtained between amounts of VIR time and (a) academic performance (measured by participant language arts and math course grades), (b) reading achievement (measured by participant performance on the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Reading and Literature Test), and (c) demographics (e.g. gender, grade level, ethnicity, socioeconomic level). These positive associations indicated that the participants in this sample who reported engaging in more VIR time also realized higher levels of academic performance and had attained a higher reading proficiency level. In general, relative to their peers, middle school students who were female, older, and of higher socioeconomic level and had cell phone access (especially cell phones with Internet access) engaged in VIR more often and for more total time. By examining these findings, educators and policymakers may more effectively understand the VIR behaviors of middle school students. This understanding may lead to improved instructional and program design, as well as increased learning, achievement, and total time students engage in VIR. / Committee in charge: Dr. Paul Yovanoff, Co-Chair; Dr. Edward J. Kame‘enui, Co-Chair; Dr. Philip McCullum, Member; Dr. Jean Stockard, Outside Member

Hochschild's study of emotional labour, how emotions are handled in wage work involving interaction with others, was the starting point for emotional labour studies. However, previous research on emotional labour in the non-profit sector is rather limited. Therefore, this study aims to inquire how emotion labour is expressed in a voluntary work carried out exclusively by women. Furthermore, the study intends to determine whether the boundary between acting professionally  and  acting  personally  tends  to  become  more  diffuse  in  voluntary  work.  The study  is  based  on  interviews  with  six  volunteers  currently  working  at  Kvinnohuset  and  the ambition  has  been  to  successfully  capture  their  experiences  about  how  emotional  labour  is managed  by  them  during  their  voluntary  work.  The  study  shows  that  the  volunteers  at Kvinnohuset work with emotional labour in a transboundary manner, which means that they commute between acting professionally and personally in order to maintain the purpose and culture   of   the   Kvinnohuset,   which   is   important   for   the   organization   to   progress   and relationships  to  flourish.  In  addition  to  this,  the  study  shows  that  the  existing  definition  of emotional   labour   does   not   correspond   to   the   emotional   labour   that   can   be   found   at Kvinnohuset.  Through  an  elaborated  model  of  similarities  and  differences  between  how emotional labour is handled in wage work and in the non-profit sector, we have proposed a more  precise  definition  of  emotional  labour  in  the  non-profit  sector,  which  is  emotional procreation.

Master of Public Health - MPH / Increased uptake of VCT services by pregnant women may be attributed to the development of counseling services and increased availability of rapid tests at the study clinics by the Namibian Health and Social Services. A high knowledge and understanding of HIV and VCT services by pregnant women also probably contributed. / South Africa

Magister Public Health - MPH / In countries like Zambia where HIV prevalence (14.3% in the age group 15-49 years) is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV testing is an important strategy to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, because it is a critical step towards HIV/AIDS care, treatment and support. Despite decades of HIV/AIDS information and education campaigns, only 10% of Zambians know their HIV status. This study aimed to describe the uptake of voluntary counseling and testing and factors associated with uptake at Ngungu Mini - hospital in Ngungu Township, Zambia. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 adult clients accessing health care at Ngungu mini - hospital during the second week of January 2009. Participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire on VCT, knowledge, attitudes towards HIV testing, and factors that promote/hinder HIV testing. Data was captured with Excel and basic descriptive analysis done using SPSS version 16.0 and Epi Info Version 3.3.1. / South Africa

Master of Public Health - MPH / For more than two decades now, the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its etiological agent, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has been a growing challenge that affects all segments of the global population. Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) is one of the many prevention and control strategies adopted globally and by the Government of the Republic of Zambia. VCT is the process by which an individual undergoes counseling to enable him/her to make an informed choice about being tested for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This decision must be entirely the choice of the individual and he or she must be assured that the process will be confidential. VCT is a key component of both HIV prevention and care programs. Although VCT is increasingly available in Zambia through public health facilities, VCT only or stand-alone sites and mobile counseling and testing services, there is still great reluctance among many people to be tested. Aim: This study explored factors affecting the utilization of VCT services in Mwense District, Zambia. Methodology: An explorative, qualitative study was conducted. Data was collected through focus group discussions with community members, and key informant interviews with lay counselors and health care workers. Thematic analysis of transcribed data was done to elucidate knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS and VCT services, factors facilitating uptake and barriers to utilization of VCT services and suggestions for improving VCT uptake. Results: The study found that HIV/AIDS was recognized as a major problem in the communities and that participants were aware of the availability and benefits of HIV counseling and testing services. The main reasons for seeking an HIV test included facilitating sexual behavior change to avoid infection, re-infection or infecting others with HIV. Facilitators to uptake of VCT services include accessing information on HIV/AIDS and other care and support services such as prevention of mother to child interventions, peer and social support systems, home-based care and early treatment with antiretroviral therapy if one is HIV positive. Community members indicated that VCT was an entry point to reaching out to the family and community for on-going counseling, which would lead to reduction in HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination. Several barriers to VCT were identified by the participants. At individual level, barriers included: the fear of the ramifications of a positive test; fear of HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination; doubt about the existence of HIV and AIDS; and fear of loss of control of life circumstances and destiny. Health facility level barriers included concerns about confidentiality of HIV-test results, familiarity with service providers, lack of promotional activities of the VCT services, shortage of testing logistics and commodities, and human resource shortages both in terms of numbers and confidence to promote VCT services. Community levels barriers included cultural beliefs and customs, gender imbalances, religious beliefs and stigma. Conclusions: There is urgent need for community sensitization about VCT and its benefits in HIV/AIDS control.

Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) has become a vital process in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. Yet little has been published on how students experience the process of VCT. This study sought to describe and understand the experiences of voluntary counselling and testing among four students at Tshwane University of Technology. This research project focussed on students’ experiences when reporting for voluntary counselling and testing. The results were used to make recommendations for strategies to increase the accessibility and uptake of VCT by students. Using a phenomenological approach, tape recorded interviews were conducted with the four students of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). The data were then categorised into five themes relating to the experience of VCT: emotions, perceptions, actions, thoughts and desires. The results showed that the students were mostly dissatisfied with the VCT clinic’s procedures and the counsellor’s attitudes. Also evident from this study was that counsellors’ professionalism, peer support, and a service that offers both pre- and post-test counselling play a significant role in students’ use of VCT. The findings of this study suggest that the following could be used as strategies to motivate students to utilise VCT services of VCT: (1) increase access and acceptability of VCT for students; (2) ensure access to factual information in the form of counselling; (3) make counselling a priority. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted