The involvement of trade unions in the prevention of HIV infection
- Pelesane, Oliver Chele Radichele
- Authors: Pelesane, Oliver Chele Radichele
- Date: 2012-08-29
- Subjects: Labor unions - Research - South Africa. , AIDS (Disease) - Prevention. , AIDS (Disease) - Social aspects. , HIV infections.
- Type: Thesis , Video , Working Paper
- Identifier: uj:3396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6793
- Description: M.A. , The human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), a virus which causes an illness known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is spreading at an alarming rate in South Africa. The exact number of people already infected by this virus is unknown, since the epidemic can only be measured by the number of reported incidents of AIDS cases. Van Bilj on (1994:7) believes that the most accurate prediction is perhaps the result of estimations based on preventative studies, projections and mathematical models. hi short, HIV/AIDS is today widely regarded as a serious problem, which affects people economically, politically, ethically and socially. Lachman (undated) considered the ethical and social implications of HIV/AIDS as follows: the first is to protect the public's health; the second is to protect the inherent rights of AIDS patients and HIV-positive people who, although they seem to be healthy, are in actual fact sufferers; the third involves consideration of the allocation of scarce resources to people with HIV/AIDS and other groups in need of health care. The seventh national annual survey of women attending antenatal clinics, conducted by the Department of Health during October/November 1996 indicated that more than 2.4 million South Africans were HIV positive at that stage. More specifically, the level of HIV infection amongst the total population in the provinces was estimated as follows: Western Cape - 3,09%, Northern Cape - 6,47%, Northern Province - 7,96%, Eastern Cape - 8,10%, Gauteng - 15,49%, Free State - 17,49%, Mpumalanga - 15,77%, KwaZulu Natal - 19,90% and North West - 25,13%. According to this survey, North West has the highest level of HIV infection, and Western Cape the lowest. Initially this epidemic mainly involved white homosexual men. Today it is mostly found among heterosexuals and is increasing among mothers and children. The development and intensive utilization of HIV testing of blood transfusion resulted in better control of blood donation in South Africa and it is still being improved. Van Biljon (1994:8) believes that over the last few years the disease became more prevalent in black communities. Most of the reported AIDS cases fall in the age group 20 to 39 which represents the largest portion of the economically active population. From the results of some research projects conducted in the work situation it can be stated that many of the potential work-place problems associated with AIDS may stem from a lack of understanding of how the virus is passed on. Employers can help to promote understanding by providing information and encouraging thorough informed discussion of the issues. Trade union leaders should also play an important part in assisting employers to develop policies which will make the life of HIV infected people better. This is an essential feature of any company's AIDS policy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pelesane, Oliver Chele Radichele
- Date: 2012-08-29
- Subjects: Labor unions - Research - South Africa. , AIDS (Disease) - Prevention. , AIDS (Disease) - Social aspects. , HIV infections.
- Type: Thesis , Video , Working Paper
- Identifier: uj:3396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6793
- Description: M.A. , The human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), a virus which causes an illness known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is spreading at an alarming rate in South Africa. The exact number of people already infected by this virus is unknown, since the epidemic can only be measured by the number of reported incidents of AIDS cases. Van Bilj on (1994:7) believes that the most accurate prediction is perhaps the result of estimations based on preventative studies, projections and mathematical models. hi short, HIV/AIDS is today widely regarded as a serious problem, which affects people economically, politically, ethically and socially. Lachman (undated) considered the ethical and social implications of HIV/AIDS as follows: the first is to protect the public's health; the second is to protect the inherent rights of AIDS patients and HIV-positive people who, although they seem to be healthy, are in actual fact sufferers; the third involves consideration of the allocation of scarce resources to people with HIV/AIDS and other groups in need of health care. The seventh national annual survey of women attending antenatal clinics, conducted by the Department of Health during October/November 1996 indicated that more than 2.4 million South Africans were HIV positive at that stage. More specifically, the level of HIV infection amongst the total population in the provinces was estimated as follows: Western Cape - 3,09%, Northern Cape - 6,47%, Northern Province - 7,96%, Eastern Cape - 8,10%, Gauteng - 15,49%, Free State - 17,49%, Mpumalanga - 15,77%, KwaZulu Natal - 19,90% and North West - 25,13%. According to this survey, North West has the highest level of HIV infection, and Western Cape the lowest. Initially this epidemic mainly involved white homosexual men. Today it is mostly found among heterosexuals and is increasing among mothers and children. The development and intensive utilization of HIV testing of blood transfusion resulted in better control of blood donation in South Africa and it is still being improved. Van Biljon (1994:8) believes that over the last few years the disease became more prevalent in black communities. Most of the reported AIDS cases fall in the age group 20 to 39 which represents the largest portion of the economically active population. From the results of some research projects conducted in the work situation it can be stated that many of the potential work-place problems associated with AIDS may stem from a lack of understanding of how the virus is passed on. Employers can help to promote understanding by providing information and encouraging thorough informed discussion of the issues. Trade union leaders should also play an important part in assisting employers to develop policies which will make the life of HIV infected people better. This is an essential feature of any company's AIDS policy.
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HIV/AIDS patients' management of depression
- Authors: Serote, Yvonne Mapule
- Date: 2012-08-20
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) - South Africa - Psychological aspects. , Stress (Psychology) - Research - South Africa. , Depression, Mental - Research - South Africa , Depression, Mental - Patients - Counseling of. , AIDS (Disease)| - Patients - Mental health - Research - South Africa. , AIDS (Disease) - Patients - Research - South Africa.
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6228
- Description: M.A. , Hubley (1990) notes that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a relatively recently recognized disease. It is caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks selected cells in the immune system and produces defects in functioning. These defects may not be apparent for years. They lead, however, to a severe suppression of the immune system's ability to resist harmful organisms. This leaves the body open to an invasion by various infections, which are therefore called opportunistic diseases, and to the development of unusual cancers. The virus also tends to reach certain brain cells. This leads to so-called neuropsychiatric abnormalities or psychological disturbances caused by physical damage to nerve cells. Many of those infected with HIV may not even be aware that they carry and can spread the virus. Combating it is a major challenge to biomedical scientists and health-care providers. HIV infection and AIDS occur among the most pressing public policy and public health problems world-wide. Since the first HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in 1981, through mid-1993, more than 600 cases were reported in South Africa. This is only the tip of the iceberg of HIV/AIDS infection as it was estimated that between 2 and 2.5 million South Africans had been infected with the virus through the early 1990s but not yet developed the clinical symptoms. In terms of the historical data from previous surveys (ie. the results of the 1996 survey) in South Africa confirmed the trend of a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV infection has increased in all provinces, but Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga had the highest HIV prevalence rates of 18,23% compared to 1994's '14,35% and 16-18%, compared to 12-16% respectively (see table 1).. Of particular concern are the pregnant women in South Africa under twenty years where a prevalence of 12,78% has been found. Thirty per cent of babies born to HIV positive women in South Africa are infected. Of the 3638 births in VVitbank — a rather small town in Mpumalanga-.Province — in 1996, 219 of the women were tested HIV positive (Masiphile Vol. 1: 1997).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Serote, Yvonne Mapule
- Date: 2012-08-20
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) - South Africa - Psychological aspects. , Stress (Psychology) - Research - South Africa. , Depression, Mental - Research - South Africa , Depression, Mental - Patients - Counseling of. , AIDS (Disease)| - Patients - Mental health - Research - South Africa. , AIDS (Disease) - Patients - Research - South Africa.
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6228
- Description: M.A. , Hubley (1990) notes that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a relatively recently recognized disease. It is caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks selected cells in the immune system and produces defects in functioning. These defects may not be apparent for years. They lead, however, to a severe suppression of the immune system's ability to resist harmful organisms. This leaves the body open to an invasion by various infections, which are therefore called opportunistic diseases, and to the development of unusual cancers. The virus also tends to reach certain brain cells. This leads to so-called neuropsychiatric abnormalities or psychological disturbances caused by physical damage to nerve cells. Many of those infected with HIV may not even be aware that they carry and can spread the virus. Combating it is a major challenge to biomedical scientists and health-care providers. HIV infection and AIDS occur among the most pressing public policy and public health problems world-wide. Since the first HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in 1981, through mid-1993, more than 600 cases were reported in South Africa. This is only the tip of the iceberg of HIV/AIDS infection as it was estimated that between 2 and 2.5 million South Africans had been infected with the virus through the early 1990s but not yet developed the clinical symptoms. In terms of the historical data from previous surveys (ie. the results of the 1996 survey) in South Africa confirmed the trend of a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV infection has increased in all provinces, but Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga had the highest HIV prevalence rates of 18,23% compared to 1994's '14,35% and 16-18%, compared to 12-16% respectively (see table 1).. Of particular concern are the pregnant women in South Africa under twenty years where a prevalence of 12,78% has been found. Thirty per cent of babies born to HIV positive women in South Africa are infected. Of the 3638 births in VVitbank — a rather small town in Mpumalanga-.Province — in 1996, 219 of the women were tested HIV positive (Masiphile Vol. 1: 1997).
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