Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)
This research study investigated the effects of a programme of applied motor
cognitive exercise (cognitive-kinetics), adapted and applied to a sample of
HIV-infected women, receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) in South Africa. The
motivation of this research, in terms of the field of psychology, was to ascertain the
relationship of HIV and lipodystrophy with body image and depression.
The study was divided into two stages. 1. A pilot study, comprising informal
face-to-face interviews.
Stage 1, (utilising the WHO/Unfpa aids inventory, 2005), was conducted in the
sub-Saharan region, in order to determine the extent of physical disability of women
in these regions, imposed by their antiretroviral treatment (ART).
2. Stage 2 (utilising self-report questionnaires for depression and body self-image)
comprised a quantitative research program at 3 primary care clinics in
Johannesburg, South Africa.
The body of literature investigated in this study focused upon the effect that physical
side-effects of ARV regimens, such as lipodystrophy and physical disfigurement,
have on the psychological wellbeing and mental health of the HIV sufferer. It
became apparent during these int-ital stages of the research, that pharmaceutical
ARV regimes require complementary psychosocial support such as mental health
interventions, alternative counseling strategies and services. It was also discovered
that HIV-infected individuals are still vulnerable to pervasive stigma and
misconceptions surrounding the disease. To ensure adherence to ART, improve
treatment success and reduce these stigmas, it is necessary to identify and...