This study explores the perceptions of health care workers regarding men’s participation
in HIV programmes with the objective of identifying factors that may facilitate or hinder
the participation of men in such programmes. A sub aim was to explore how perceptions
regarding the effects of different constructions of masculinity may be implicated in the
ways men respond to HIV programmes.
The study was conducted with permission from HIV/AIDS clinics: Thembalethu clinic in
the Helen Joseph Hospital, Tshwarisanang couples’ VCT clinic at Chris Hani
Baragwanath hospital and two Johannesburg University campus clinics. Data was
collected using a purposive sample of 8 health care workers. Each participant took part in
one-on-one semi-structured interviews, which yielded the results of this study. The data
was analysed using thematic content analysis.
The results showed that a majority of the health care workers perceived men to be nonparticipatory
in HIV programmes. They perceived barriers to men’s participation to be
men’s varied perception of fear knowing their HIV status, fear of dying and fear of the
emotional consequences of testing positive such as anger and depression. Men also see
counselling as a sign of weakness and as a result, they do not participate in HIV
programmes. In conclusion, health care workers identified the need to develop new
strategies and best suited programmes that promote HIV testing amongst men.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/5834 |
| Date | 11 November 2008 |
| Creators | Dhlamini, Zandile Faith |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf |
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