A 'Good death'?: Rustenburg miners dying from HIV/AIDS
- Authors: Makhura, Prudence Nare
- Date: 2008-10-27T06:38:37Z
- Subjects: Miners diseases , AIDS (Disease) , Death , North-West (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1327
- Description: M.A. , This dissertation examines the fear that surrounds death as a consequence of AIDS. It focuses on the relationship that exists between two kinds of deaths, namely the ‘good death’ and the ‘wild death’. The aim of this dissertation is two-fold. It specifically investigates the existence of a ‘good death’, posing the question whether dying ‘wildly’ is necessarily inhumane or unnatural. Secondly, it seeks to emphasise the fact that the stigma surrounding AIDS increases the fears of dying and death. In this dissertation, investigation is confined to workers on the Impala Platinum Mines on the western limb of the bushveld complex, near the towns of Phokeng and Rustenburg in South Africa’s North West Province. The dissertation focuses on mineworkers, among whom – as a consequence of an excessive use of prostitution, single sex hostels, strenuous working conditions, and a lack of knowledge – there is a high level of HIV infection. The dissertation consists of two critical parts. The first aims at understanding the ideas of the fears of dying and death, with a specific focus on the theory of good and wild death, while the second analyses these fears in relation to HIV-positive miners. My methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation were ethnographic, providing a description of death and AIDS in concrete circumstances, rather than an abstract and hypothetical analysis of the phenomenon of dying and death. Information was acquired from 25 selected HIV-positive mine respondents during the period November 2002 to March 2003. This dissertation deals with a topic on which little has been written in relation to AIDS sufferers in South Africa. Its objectives are to clarify the meaning of a ‘good death’ by drawing on the South African approach of a ‘good death’ and to also examine what would be required in trying to help people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) to achieve this ‘good death’. , Prof. P. Alexander Dr. Ria Smit
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makhura, Prudence Nare
- Date: 2008-10-27T06:38:37Z
- Subjects: Miners diseases , AIDS (Disease) , Death , North-West (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1327
- Description: M.A. , This dissertation examines the fear that surrounds death as a consequence of AIDS. It focuses on the relationship that exists between two kinds of deaths, namely the ‘good death’ and the ‘wild death’. The aim of this dissertation is two-fold. It specifically investigates the existence of a ‘good death’, posing the question whether dying ‘wildly’ is necessarily inhumane or unnatural. Secondly, it seeks to emphasise the fact that the stigma surrounding AIDS increases the fears of dying and death. In this dissertation, investigation is confined to workers on the Impala Platinum Mines on the western limb of the bushveld complex, near the towns of Phokeng and Rustenburg in South Africa’s North West Province. The dissertation focuses on mineworkers, among whom – as a consequence of an excessive use of prostitution, single sex hostels, strenuous working conditions, and a lack of knowledge – there is a high level of HIV infection. The dissertation consists of two critical parts. The first aims at understanding the ideas of the fears of dying and death, with a specific focus on the theory of good and wild death, while the second analyses these fears in relation to HIV-positive miners. My methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation were ethnographic, providing a description of death and AIDS in concrete circumstances, rather than an abstract and hypothetical analysis of the phenomenon of dying and death. Information was acquired from 25 selected HIV-positive mine respondents during the period November 2002 to March 2003. This dissertation deals with a topic on which little has been written in relation to AIDS sufferers in South Africa. Its objectives are to clarify the meaning of a ‘good death’ by drawing on the South African approach of a ‘good death’ and to also examine what would be required in trying to help people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) to achieve this ‘good death’. , Prof. P. Alexander Dr. Ria Smit
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A comparison of the HIV and Aids policies of ECOWAS and SADC
- Authors: De Klerk, Lara Monica
- Date: 2008-05-22T07:36:13Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections , Economic Community of West African States , Southern African Development Community
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2114 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/447
- Description: M.A. , The HIV and AIDS pandemic has swept through sub-Saharan Africa at an alarming pace, gaining momentum each year as millions of people are infected and affected by the virus. A range of social, political and economic consequences have already begun to emerge as a result of this disease, and a comprehensive response is essential to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS, and to manage the impact of the pandemic. This study examines the response of the two dominant regional organisations in sub- Saharan Africa, namely the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), through an analysis of their policies on HIV and AIDS. The comparison of the HIV and AIDS policies of these regional organisations is conducted by means of three sets of identified indicators, covering education and awareness campaigns, prevention strategies, and treatment and care programmes. Further, the extent to which the regional guidelines contained in the policies are incorporated into the HIV and AIDS policies of member states is discussed with reference to Nigeria and South Africa, identified as the strongest states within their respective groupings with the highest prevalence rates. Given the acknowledged impact of the disease, the regional response is not as comprehensive as would be expected. The SADC policy is generally more elaborative on the key issues than the ECOWAS policy. Vital issues such as the provision of condoms and addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV and AIDS on women are not dealt with, and the overall policies lack detail and practical guidance. In comparison, the policies of member states such as Nigeria and South Africa are far more elaborative, containing creative solutions to daunting problems, although some of the weaknesses identified in the regional HIV and AIDS policies shine through in the national policies of member states. The study concludes that while practical restrictions such as lack of infrastructure, resources, and diverse cultural and religious beliefs hamper the formulation of a single, comprehensive regional policy on HIV and AIDS, the current guidelines provided by both ECOWAS and SADC fall short of the necessary response to a crisis of the magnitude of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. , Prof. Yolanda Sadie
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Klerk, Lara Monica
- Date: 2008-05-22T07:36:13Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections , Economic Community of West African States , Southern African Development Community
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2114 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/447
- Description: M.A. , The HIV and AIDS pandemic has swept through sub-Saharan Africa at an alarming pace, gaining momentum each year as millions of people are infected and affected by the virus. A range of social, political and economic consequences have already begun to emerge as a result of this disease, and a comprehensive response is essential to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS, and to manage the impact of the pandemic. This study examines the response of the two dominant regional organisations in sub- Saharan Africa, namely the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), through an analysis of their policies on HIV and AIDS. The comparison of the HIV and AIDS policies of these regional organisations is conducted by means of three sets of identified indicators, covering education and awareness campaigns, prevention strategies, and treatment and care programmes. Further, the extent to which the regional guidelines contained in the policies are incorporated into the HIV and AIDS policies of member states is discussed with reference to Nigeria and South Africa, identified as the strongest states within their respective groupings with the highest prevalence rates. Given the acknowledged impact of the disease, the regional response is not as comprehensive as would be expected. The SADC policy is generally more elaborative on the key issues than the ECOWAS policy. Vital issues such as the provision of condoms and addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV and AIDS on women are not dealt with, and the overall policies lack detail and practical guidance. In comparison, the policies of member states such as Nigeria and South Africa are far more elaborative, containing creative solutions to daunting problems, although some of the weaknesses identified in the regional HIV and AIDS policies shine through in the national policies of member states. The study concludes that while practical restrictions such as lack of infrastructure, resources, and diverse cultural and religious beliefs hamper the formulation of a single, comprehensive regional policy on HIV and AIDS, the current guidelines provided by both ECOWAS and SADC fall short of the necessary response to a crisis of the magnitude of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. , Prof. Yolanda Sadie
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A strategy for the management of HIV/AIDS in the health sector of the City of Johannesburg
- Authors: Barnard, Antonia Wilhelmina
- Date: 2010-11-22T08:02:58Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , AIDS (Disease) treatment , AIDS (Disease) prevention , AIDS (Disease) patientscare
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3520
- Description: M.Cur. , The HIV/AIDS pandemic is posing major challenges to all sectors in South Africa, including the Health sector of the City of Johannesburg. The Health sector of the City of Johannesburg, as a result of the pandemic, is faced with increasing demands on its scarce resources at a time of major reform at local government level including transformation of the health sector. The inhabitants of the City of Johannesburg are particularly vulnerable to high levels of HIV/AIDS infection because of job prospects in the city, a good transport infrastructure, high levels of mobility of the community, the existence of single sex-hostels, marginalised communities living in informal settlements, poverty income inequality. An increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is inevitable, unless a concerted effort is established to curtail the spread of the disease. An impact analysis conducted, revealed that already in the year 2000 an estimated 168 921 HIV infected persons were living in the city (City of Johannesburg, 2001 :21). In high-risk groups, such as attenders to services for the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STls), prevalence rates as high as 53% among females, and 35.8% among male persons were recorded (SAIMR, 2000:1). The City of Johannesburg, a local government structure, has not formally adopted a strategic plan to address the pandemic. The national and proVincial governments have responded to the pandemic and their 3-5 year strategic plans are known and pUblished. In spite of the absence of an official strategic plan to address the pandemic in the City of Johannesburg, the political will and strategic intentions to address the pandemic have been declared by management. Although all sectors of the City are affected, it is generally assumed that the Health sector would assume the leading role in addressing the pandemic. The objective of this study has thus been to explore and describe a strategy for the management of HIV/AIDS by the Health sector of the City of Johannesburg. The question presented for research was formulated as follows: " What strategy should be adopted by the Health sector of the City of Johannesburg to manage the HIV/AIDS pandemic in future?" An exploratory, descriptive and quantitative research design was utilised. The strategy for the management of HIV/AIDS was formulated according to the UNAIDS "Guide to the strategic planning process for a national response to HIV/AIDS" (1998), and the content validity was determined according to Lynn (1986) "Determination and quantification of Content Validity".
- Full Text:
- Authors: Barnard, Antonia Wilhelmina
- Date: 2010-11-22T08:02:58Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , AIDS (Disease) treatment , AIDS (Disease) prevention , AIDS (Disease) patientscare
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3520
- Description: M.Cur. , The HIV/AIDS pandemic is posing major challenges to all sectors in South Africa, including the Health sector of the City of Johannesburg. The Health sector of the City of Johannesburg, as a result of the pandemic, is faced with increasing demands on its scarce resources at a time of major reform at local government level including transformation of the health sector. The inhabitants of the City of Johannesburg are particularly vulnerable to high levels of HIV/AIDS infection because of job prospects in the city, a good transport infrastructure, high levels of mobility of the community, the existence of single sex-hostels, marginalised communities living in informal settlements, poverty income inequality. An increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is inevitable, unless a concerted effort is established to curtail the spread of the disease. An impact analysis conducted, revealed that already in the year 2000 an estimated 168 921 HIV infected persons were living in the city (City of Johannesburg, 2001 :21). In high-risk groups, such as attenders to services for the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STls), prevalence rates as high as 53% among females, and 35.8% among male persons were recorded (SAIMR, 2000:1). The City of Johannesburg, a local government structure, has not formally adopted a strategic plan to address the pandemic. The national and proVincial governments have responded to the pandemic and their 3-5 year strategic plans are known and pUblished. In spite of the absence of an official strategic plan to address the pandemic in the City of Johannesburg, the political will and strategic intentions to address the pandemic have been declared by management. Although all sectors of the City are affected, it is generally assumed that the Health sector would assume the leading role in addressing the pandemic. The objective of this study has thus been to explore and describe a strategy for the management of HIV/AIDS by the Health sector of the City of Johannesburg. The question presented for research was formulated as follows: " What strategy should be adopted by the Health sector of the City of Johannesburg to manage the HIV/AIDS pandemic in future?" An exploratory, descriptive and quantitative research design was utilised. The strategy for the management of HIV/AIDS was formulated according to the UNAIDS "Guide to the strategic planning process for a national response to HIV/AIDS" (1998), and the content validity was determined according to Lynn (1986) "Determination and quantification of Content Validity".
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Addressing HIV/AIDS in grade 8 and 9 through life orientation.
- Authors: Morena, Magetle Marlene
- Date: 2008-10-14T11:35:03Z
- Subjects: life skills teaching , AIDS (Disease) , AIDS programmes in schools
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/381002 , uj:12200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1193
- Description: M.Ed. , HIV/AIDS needs to be treated as a national emergency and all organs of the society must be fully engaged in the struggle against it, learners in particular. Some are nursing their dying parents, while others are taking care of their siblings as they face death. So it will be the schools that can and must play an important role in helping to empower the learners with the necessary skills to be ready to meet whatever challenge they may have to face in life. Of all the learning areas, it is through the Life Orientation learning area that learners can be best empowered. Most of the problems can be faced and solved with effort. Learners need to have information about HIV/AIDS presented to them in a way which is appropriate to their age in the context of Life Orientation. Children generally know very little about HIV/AIDS and parents do not, or cannot give their children the necessary information and guidance about the disease (van Niekerk, 1991:80). Thus it is the duty of the school to fill the gap. Women and girls are the most vulnerable, as most of them are exposed to abuse and violence, particularly sexual abuse. They are financially and materially dependent on men, which means that they often cannot decide when, with whom and in what circumstances to have sex (Nursing Update, 2000). Schools can make an important contribution towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS. In the absence of a cure, education is the only defence we have (van Niekerk, 1991:80). Almost every young person attends the school, so education offers a great opportunity to discuss the disease, and help the young people to protect themselves from becoming infected, getting sick and dying. , Dr. M.C. van Loggerenberg
- Full Text:
- Authors: Morena, Magetle Marlene
- Date: 2008-10-14T11:35:03Z
- Subjects: life skills teaching , AIDS (Disease) , AIDS programmes in schools
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/381002 , uj:12200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1193
- Description: M.Ed. , HIV/AIDS needs to be treated as a national emergency and all organs of the society must be fully engaged in the struggle against it, learners in particular. Some are nursing their dying parents, while others are taking care of their siblings as they face death. So it will be the schools that can and must play an important role in helping to empower the learners with the necessary skills to be ready to meet whatever challenge they may have to face in life. Of all the learning areas, it is through the Life Orientation learning area that learners can be best empowered. Most of the problems can be faced and solved with effort. Learners need to have information about HIV/AIDS presented to them in a way which is appropriate to their age in the context of Life Orientation. Children generally know very little about HIV/AIDS and parents do not, or cannot give their children the necessary information and guidance about the disease (van Niekerk, 1991:80). Thus it is the duty of the school to fill the gap. Women and girls are the most vulnerable, as most of them are exposed to abuse and violence, particularly sexual abuse. They are financially and materially dependent on men, which means that they often cannot decide when, with whom and in what circumstances to have sex (Nursing Update, 2000). Schools can make an important contribution towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS. In the absence of a cure, education is the only defence we have (van Niekerk, 1991:80). Almost every young person attends the school, so education offers a great opportunity to discuss the disease, and help the young people to protect themselves from becoming infected, getting sick and dying. , Dr. M.C. van Loggerenberg
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An action research inquiry into an HIV/AIDS education project in a rural community
- Authors: Duganzich, Gwendoline Mary
- Date: 2011-11-30
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , Viljoenskroon (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4109
- Description: M.Phil. , In my view, the battle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic is the greatest challenge that we face as South Africans today. The harsh reality is that there is no vaccine or cure against HIV/AIDS, nor is there an immediate prospect of one. For this reason, I believe that alternative actions need to be taken in order to curtail the further spread of the disease. The need for such efforts is particularly great in the rural areas of South Africa, which is where large portions of people suffering from HIV/AIDS come from. Furthermore, I would assert that education offers the most important and valuable means of contributing to our fight against the further spread of HIV/AIDS. It is upon my involvement in an HIV/AIDS education initiative, which focused specifically on de-stigmatising HIV/AIDS in the rural community of Rammulotsi in Viljoenskroon, that I base the above view. The central aim of this inquiry was to critically inquire into the successes and failures of this education initiative and further determine the reasons for these, in order to ascertain how the project could be improved upon in the future. The entry point for the aforementioned HIV/AIDS education initiative had at its roots the precepts of emancipation, transformation and action. Thus the platform for developing a research endeavour interfaced within the theoretical framework of Transformative Learning Theory had been created. The research strategy that appeared to be best suited for addressing an inquiry of this nature was that of Action Research. It has utilised the four v major moments of the continuous cycle or spiral of planning, acting, observing, reflecting. However, the main focus of this study pertained to the observing and reflecting stages of the cycle, as the planning and acting stages had already occurred. Additionally, in keeping with the principles of Action Research, the study was conducted from a qualitative perspective and the methods of data collection utilised included participant observation, open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The participants of this. inquiry comprised nine adult community caregivers of the Hospice Association in Viljoenskroon, who reside in Rammulotsi, as well as my cofacilitator in the HIV/AIDS education initiative. The findings of this inquiry indicate that the HIV/AIDS education initiative embarked upon in the rural community of Rammulotsi, Viljoenskroon did succeed in realising the aims it set out to achieve. Furthermore, through the observation and reflection processes engaged in during the course of this inquiry two significant determinations were made. In the first place, it emerged that the participants' negative preconceptions and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS underwent a transformation. Secondly, the findings revealed additional notable issues for consideration in relation to future planning for the HIV/AIDS education initiative, thereby ensuring the sustainability of this project.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Duganzich, Gwendoline Mary
- Date: 2011-11-30
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , Viljoenskroon (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4109
- Description: M.Phil. , In my view, the battle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic is the greatest challenge that we face as South Africans today. The harsh reality is that there is no vaccine or cure against HIV/AIDS, nor is there an immediate prospect of one. For this reason, I believe that alternative actions need to be taken in order to curtail the further spread of the disease. The need for such efforts is particularly great in the rural areas of South Africa, which is where large portions of people suffering from HIV/AIDS come from. Furthermore, I would assert that education offers the most important and valuable means of contributing to our fight against the further spread of HIV/AIDS. It is upon my involvement in an HIV/AIDS education initiative, which focused specifically on de-stigmatising HIV/AIDS in the rural community of Rammulotsi in Viljoenskroon, that I base the above view. The central aim of this inquiry was to critically inquire into the successes and failures of this education initiative and further determine the reasons for these, in order to ascertain how the project could be improved upon in the future. The entry point for the aforementioned HIV/AIDS education initiative had at its roots the precepts of emancipation, transformation and action. Thus the platform for developing a research endeavour interfaced within the theoretical framework of Transformative Learning Theory had been created. The research strategy that appeared to be best suited for addressing an inquiry of this nature was that of Action Research. It has utilised the four v major moments of the continuous cycle or spiral of planning, acting, observing, reflecting. However, the main focus of this study pertained to the observing and reflecting stages of the cycle, as the planning and acting stages had already occurred. Additionally, in keeping with the principles of Action Research, the study was conducted from a qualitative perspective and the methods of data collection utilised included participant observation, open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The participants of this. inquiry comprised nine adult community caregivers of the Hospice Association in Viljoenskroon, who reside in Rammulotsi, as well as my cofacilitator in the HIV/AIDS education initiative. The findings of this inquiry indicate that the HIV/AIDS education initiative embarked upon in the rural community of Rammulotsi, Viljoenskroon did succeed in realising the aims it set out to achieve. Furthermore, through the observation and reflection processes engaged in during the course of this inquiry two significant determinations were made. In the first place, it emerged that the participants' negative preconceptions and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS underwent a transformation. Secondly, the findings revealed additional notable issues for consideration in relation to future planning for the HIV/AIDS education initiative, thereby ensuring the sustainability of this project.
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An exploration of the experience of living with and making meaning of HIV: a phenomenological study
- Authors: Goldstein, Natalie
- Date: 2008-11-03T06:48:38Z
- Subjects: HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , HIV positive persons , AIDS (Disease) patients , Phenomenology , Existentialism
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14035 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1443
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , HIV/AIDS is an epidemic of grand proportions sweeping through South Africa and the world at large. The statistics reveal that HIV/AIDS particularly in South Africa is fast becoming a major health crisis and psychological emergency. It is one of the most challenging, perplexing and alarming realities of recent times. Because of its terminal nature and the distant possibility of cure, infection with the disease to date provides death as the only available option. This in turn has enormous ramifications on multiple levels inter alia personal, societal, economic and political levels. These ramifications are potentially devastating. Furthermore, because of its common sexual mode of transmission, it is a disease that confronts individuals and society at large with some of the most vicious forms of prejudice and injustice, often leaving those living with the disease shamed and alone. This is confounded by the fact that it is a disease that follows no precedent for coping both on a personal and societal level, leaving society and the individuals living with HIV/AIDS helpless and hopeless. It therefore is a disease and experience that necessitates urgent exploration and investigation. The literature review attempts to present the frame of reference from which to understand and contextualise the experience of living with HIV specifically focusing on the biological (Ungvarski & Flaskerud, 1999; Webb, 1997), psychosocial (Antonovky, 1979; Carson & Green, 1992; Cohen & Willis; 1985; Hedge, 1991; Nicholas & Webster, 1993; Ragsdale & Morrow, 1990; Zich & Temoshok; 1987) personal (Kubler-Ross, 1969; Tegius, 1992), cultural (Fee & Fox, 1988; Ungvarski & Flaskerud, 1999; Van Dyk, 2001), gendered (Glover-Walton, 2001; Lawson, 1999; Wilton, 1997) and political (Grundlingh, 2001; Webb, 1997) experience of HIV/AIDS. It explores the impact of diagnosis on identity and psychosocial development (Tegius & Ahmed, 1992) and attempts to explore ways of coping with the experience (Cohen & Willis, 1985; Folkman & Lazarus, 1980; Lazarus & DeLongis, 1983). Further it examines the social constructions that shape and guide the personal experience of the disease (Dansky, 1994; Sontag, 1991). It explores the intersection and influence of culture, gender and politics on the experience of living with HIV/AIDS (Brandt, 1988b). The literature review further explores the experience of meaning making from a religious (Baumeister, 1991; Yalom, 1980), existential (Frankl, 1965; Frankl , 1967; Frankl , 1969; Frankl, 1978; Frankl, 1984; Fromm, 1949; May, 1967; Yalom, 1980) and cultural perspective (Hammond-Tooke, 1989; Kiernan, 1981; Louw, 1994). It examines the philosophy of existentialism, as well as elucidates various developmental frameworks of meaning (Erikson, 1963; Fowler, 1981; Kohlberg, 1984; Mezirow, 1991; Reker, 1991). Western and African worldviews in relation to meaning making are examined exploring the intersection of culture with personal meaning systems (Marsella & White, 1982). Meaning in suffering, specifically focusing on meaning in illness, is examined (Janoff-Bulman, 1992; Toombs, 1992). The literature review reveals that most of the research on people living with HIV/AIDS is focused on medical factors describing transmission and biology. Only a small number of theoretical studies and empirical research have begun to explore how people living with HIV/AIDS cope. Research on the exploration of the idiosyncratic meanings and experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS is very limited. Research on the lived experience and meaning making of HIV particularly within the South African context has to an extent been ignored and neglected. Furthermore, much past research has focused on the experience of HIV/AIDS in poverty-stricken communities and ignored the experience of HIV/AIDS for middle class individuals. The present investigation of the lived experience of HIV within a phenomenological framework, seeks to address these gaps. It seeks to provide an understanding of the lived experience of HIV as well as explore the meaning making process for middle class individuals living with HIV. The phenomenological system of inquiry is employed as a mode of research in an effort to study the experience of middle class people between the ages of 30 and 39 years, who are living with and potentially making meaning of their experience of being HIV positive. Because an in-depth understanding of such an experience is most suitably accessed through a qualitative approach, a phenomenological research method was chosen, in an attempt to gain access to the idiosyncratic, lived experience of the participants. Four people living with HIV were accessed through the media and through ‘word of mouth’ referrals. Individual interviews were held that lasted between one hour to an hour and a half. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, providing the information from which intra-individual analyses and discussions were carried out on each participant. The analyses rendered an understanding of the participants’ idiosyncratic experience of living with and making meaning of HIV. An inter-individual analysis and integration was then undertaken. Common themes arising from the inter-individual analysis of the participants’ responses related to feelings of being overwhelmed and bewildered by contradictions and perplexity of life with HIV. The participants described finding balance and voice to their experience through the world of work. Thus, in exploring the experience of HIV with others they noted that their sense of self, both physically and psychically, had been profoundly transformed. In turn this impacted their experience of others, which formed an integral part of living with HIV. From a biological perspective the participants noted that through the use of medication, vitamins, exercise and correct diet they had found a means of gaining control over their situation. Nonetheless they felt unable to hold onto the hope of a possible cure. When describing the experience of becoming HIV positive the participants relayed a process of overwhelming and intense feelings. They noted that they had felt ambivalent feelings towards their infectors but in time were able to forgive them. In disclosing their HIV positive status to those close to them the participants described feelings of shame and fear of rejection. They noted that while they did experience rejection from some, they also experienced deep care and support from others close to them. Invariably they noted that becoming HIV positive impacted their ways of being in relationships as it also impacted their way of knowing and being generally in the world. They described feeling fearful of the future and saddened by the experiences of loss and limitation on many levels. Furthermore, they became sensitised to a sense of limited time and in turn became more aware of their inevitable death. Thus in tackling their fears of death the participants noted that they had begun preparing for death and in some way gaining a sense of control. In making sense of their experience and death the participants noted that they had experienced a need to celebrate life and focus on the here and now. They further noticed that in celebrating life they had rediscovered spirituality and religion. They noted a greater sense of depth and compassion in their lives, and felt that they may find a sense of purpose and meaning through helping others. Finally, in elucidating their experience of living with HIV they noted that in many ways the influences of culture, economics and gender had mediated their individual experience of being HIV positive. It is important to note that these central themes of the phenomenon of meaning making and HIV are generated and influenced by broader contexts. The individual with HIV is a being-in-the-world with physical, psychological and social domains, all of which influence and shape his/her experience, the meanings he/she derives from it and the decisions he/she makes in regards thereof. The value of this research lies primarily in its ability to gain an in-depth understanding and insight into the lived experience of people with HIV, particularly within the South African context. The responses of the participants provided insight into and emphasis on the inextricable link between the personal and the political, as it displayed how economics determine access to resources and inevitably determine the experience of living with HIV. For the participants economics was the determining factor in terms of the possibility of using anti-retroviral medication, which invariably determined their prognosis. This has huge implications for public and political policy. Furthermore, the research suggested that living with HIV was very different to life with other terminal diseases, as it is bound up with very potent, social and private constructions of shame, stigma and prejudice. This has implications for public and social education around HIV/AIDS. The participants suggested that becoming HIV positive forced them to relook and re-examine their own stereotypes, transforming their experiences of self and others. The strength of the study lies in the use of a phenomenological framework, as it provided access to a rich, broad and deep description of the subjective experience. However while the qualitative research paradigm yielded fundamental insight into the subjective experiences of the meaning making and HIV, it was unable to quantify these experiences or establish the strength of correlation and causality between variables. These limitations may be circumscribed through the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods in future research. Furthermore, follow up studies should be done to explore continual patterns or newly emergent trends providing a fuller picture of the experience.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Goldstein, Natalie
- Date: 2008-11-03T06:48:38Z
- Subjects: HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , HIV positive persons , AIDS (Disease) patients , Phenomenology , Existentialism
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14035 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1443
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , HIV/AIDS is an epidemic of grand proportions sweeping through South Africa and the world at large. The statistics reveal that HIV/AIDS particularly in South Africa is fast becoming a major health crisis and psychological emergency. It is one of the most challenging, perplexing and alarming realities of recent times. Because of its terminal nature and the distant possibility of cure, infection with the disease to date provides death as the only available option. This in turn has enormous ramifications on multiple levels inter alia personal, societal, economic and political levels. These ramifications are potentially devastating. Furthermore, because of its common sexual mode of transmission, it is a disease that confronts individuals and society at large with some of the most vicious forms of prejudice and injustice, often leaving those living with the disease shamed and alone. This is confounded by the fact that it is a disease that follows no precedent for coping both on a personal and societal level, leaving society and the individuals living with HIV/AIDS helpless and hopeless. It therefore is a disease and experience that necessitates urgent exploration and investigation. The literature review attempts to present the frame of reference from which to understand and contextualise the experience of living with HIV specifically focusing on the biological (Ungvarski & Flaskerud, 1999; Webb, 1997), psychosocial (Antonovky, 1979; Carson & Green, 1992; Cohen & Willis; 1985; Hedge, 1991; Nicholas & Webster, 1993; Ragsdale & Morrow, 1990; Zich & Temoshok; 1987) personal (Kubler-Ross, 1969; Tegius, 1992), cultural (Fee & Fox, 1988; Ungvarski & Flaskerud, 1999; Van Dyk, 2001), gendered (Glover-Walton, 2001; Lawson, 1999; Wilton, 1997) and political (Grundlingh, 2001; Webb, 1997) experience of HIV/AIDS. It explores the impact of diagnosis on identity and psychosocial development (Tegius & Ahmed, 1992) and attempts to explore ways of coping with the experience (Cohen & Willis, 1985; Folkman & Lazarus, 1980; Lazarus & DeLongis, 1983). Further it examines the social constructions that shape and guide the personal experience of the disease (Dansky, 1994; Sontag, 1991). It explores the intersection and influence of culture, gender and politics on the experience of living with HIV/AIDS (Brandt, 1988b). The literature review further explores the experience of meaning making from a religious (Baumeister, 1991; Yalom, 1980), existential (Frankl, 1965; Frankl , 1967; Frankl , 1969; Frankl, 1978; Frankl, 1984; Fromm, 1949; May, 1967; Yalom, 1980) and cultural perspective (Hammond-Tooke, 1989; Kiernan, 1981; Louw, 1994). It examines the philosophy of existentialism, as well as elucidates various developmental frameworks of meaning (Erikson, 1963; Fowler, 1981; Kohlberg, 1984; Mezirow, 1991; Reker, 1991). Western and African worldviews in relation to meaning making are examined exploring the intersection of culture with personal meaning systems (Marsella & White, 1982). Meaning in suffering, specifically focusing on meaning in illness, is examined (Janoff-Bulman, 1992; Toombs, 1992). The literature review reveals that most of the research on people living with HIV/AIDS is focused on medical factors describing transmission and biology. Only a small number of theoretical studies and empirical research have begun to explore how people living with HIV/AIDS cope. Research on the exploration of the idiosyncratic meanings and experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS is very limited. Research on the lived experience and meaning making of HIV particularly within the South African context has to an extent been ignored and neglected. Furthermore, much past research has focused on the experience of HIV/AIDS in poverty-stricken communities and ignored the experience of HIV/AIDS for middle class individuals. The present investigation of the lived experience of HIV within a phenomenological framework, seeks to address these gaps. It seeks to provide an understanding of the lived experience of HIV as well as explore the meaning making process for middle class individuals living with HIV. The phenomenological system of inquiry is employed as a mode of research in an effort to study the experience of middle class people between the ages of 30 and 39 years, who are living with and potentially making meaning of their experience of being HIV positive. Because an in-depth understanding of such an experience is most suitably accessed through a qualitative approach, a phenomenological research method was chosen, in an attempt to gain access to the idiosyncratic, lived experience of the participants. Four people living with HIV were accessed through the media and through ‘word of mouth’ referrals. Individual interviews were held that lasted between one hour to an hour and a half. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, providing the information from which intra-individual analyses and discussions were carried out on each participant. The analyses rendered an understanding of the participants’ idiosyncratic experience of living with and making meaning of HIV. An inter-individual analysis and integration was then undertaken. Common themes arising from the inter-individual analysis of the participants’ responses related to feelings of being overwhelmed and bewildered by contradictions and perplexity of life with HIV. The participants described finding balance and voice to their experience through the world of work. Thus, in exploring the experience of HIV with others they noted that their sense of self, both physically and psychically, had been profoundly transformed. In turn this impacted their experience of others, which formed an integral part of living with HIV. From a biological perspective the participants noted that through the use of medication, vitamins, exercise and correct diet they had found a means of gaining control over their situation. Nonetheless they felt unable to hold onto the hope of a possible cure. When describing the experience of becoming HIV positive the participants relayed a process of overwhelming and intense feelings. They noted that they had felt ambivalent feelings towards their infectors but in time were able to forgive them. In disclosing their HIV positive status to those close to them the participants described feelings of shame and fear of rejection. They noted that while they did experience rejection from some, they also experienced deep care and support from others close to them. Invariably they noted that becoming HIV positive impacted their ways of being in relationships as it also impacted their way of knowing and being generally in the world. They described feeling fearful of the future and saddened by the experiences of loss and limitation on many levels. Furthermore, they became sensitised to a sense of limited time and in turn became more aware of their inevitable death. Thus in tackling their fears of death the participants noted that they had begun preparing for death and in some way gaining a sense of control. In making sense of their experience and death the participants noted that they had experienced a need to celebrate life and focus on the here and now. They further noticed that in celebrating life they had rediscovered spirituality and religion. They noted a greater sense of depth and compassion in their lives, and felt that they may find a sense of purpose and meaning through helping others. Finally, in elucidating their experience of living with HIV they noted that in many ways the influences of culture, economics and gender had mediated their individual experience of being HIV positive. It is important to note that these central themes of the phenomenon of meaning making and HIV are generated and influenced by broader contexts. The individual with HIV is a being-in-the-world with physical, psychological and social domains, all of which influence and shape his/her experience, the meanings he/she derives from it and the decisions he/she makes in regards thereof. The value of this research lies primarily in its ability to gain an in-depth understanding and insight into the lived experience of people with HIV, particularly within the South African context. The responses of the participants provided insight into and emphasis on the inextricable link between the personal and the political, as it displayed how economics determine access to resources and inevitably determine the experience of living with HIV. For the participants economics was the determining factor in terms of the possibility of using anti-retroviral medication, which invariably determined their prognosis. This has huge implications for public and political policy. Furthermore, the research suggested that living with HIV was very different to life with other terminal diseases, as it is bound up with very potent, social and private constructions of shame, stigma and prejudice. This has implications for public and social education around HIV/AIDS. The participants suggested that becoming HIV positive forced them to relook and re-examine their own stereotypes, transforming their experiences of self and others. The strength of the study lies in the use of a phenomenological framework, as it provided access to a rich, broad and deep description of the subjective experience. However while the qualitative research paradigm yielded fundamental insight into the subjective experiences of the meaning making and HIV, it was unable to quantify these experiences or establish the strength of correlation and causality between variables. These limitations may be circumscribed through the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods in future research. Furthermore, follow up studies should be done to explore continual patterns or newly emergent trends providing a fuller picture of the experience.
- Full Text:
Applying Chickering’s “Theory of Development” to adolescents in order to understand the influence of HIV/AIDS on decision-making in economics
- Authors: Humphreys, K. L.
- Date: 2012-05-30
- Subjects: Economics decision making , AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections , Teenagers , Chickering's Theory of Development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/385890 , uj:2277 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4739
- Description: M.Comm.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Humphreys, K. L.
- Date: 2012-05-30
- Subjects: Economics decision making , AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections , Teenagers , Chickering's Theory of Development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/385890 , uj:2277 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4739
- Description: M.Comm.
- Full Text:
Belief systems of Xhosa-speaking people on HIV/AIDS
- Authors: Chuene, Maria M.
- Date: 2008-05-19T14:04:00Z
- Subjects: Xhosa (African people) social life and customs , AIDS (Disease)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2039 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/438
- Description: This study explores the following research problem: given that knowledge influences our behaviour, how do the belief systems of elderly Xhosa elderly people about HIV/Aids influence their behaviour? The goal of the study was to explore and describe the belief systems of Xhosa-speaking people about HIV/Aids, specifically focusing on elderly people. The goal was also to reach conclusions about how these belief systems influence their knowledge. The objectives were threefold: firstly to conduct interviews with respondents; secondly to do a literature study with the aim of doing a literature control; and, thirdly, to reach conclusions about the belief systems of elderly Xhosa-speaking people. The research employed a qualitative paradigm and a phenomenological qualitative design. The research setting was defined as a township area that is situated in the south-eastern part of Johannesburg or Gauteng area. The researcher chose ten respondents who were all Xhosa-speaking and elderly, and the interviews were conducted individually. Non-probability or judgemental sampling, which is also known as convenience sampling, was used. The interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim, and field notes were also used as another method of collecting data. The data was analysed according to the eight steps of Tesch (1990) in Cresswell (1995:155). The process of data verification was done according to Guba’s Model of Trustworthiness (in Krefting, 1991:215-222). The actions taken to ensure trustworthiness included prolonged and varied engagement, triangulation, peer examination of research methodology, interviewing techniques and skills such as probing, clarifying, reframing and establishing the researcher’s authority. Seven themes and eleven categories with their sub-categories were drawn from the data obtained during the interviews. The first theme was: how do people contract the HIV/Aids virus? Under this theme, there were eight categories: contraceptives, cancer, sexual intercourse, witchcraft, sexually transmitted disease, blood transmission, sores and respect for cultural norms. The second theme was prevention and treatment, which included the following categories: condoms, one partner and trust, traditional herbs, medicine and prayer. Theme three was: how did HIV/Aids develop? Theme four was: how can people avoid getting HIV/Aids? Theme five was: who gets HIV/Aids? Theme six was: who brought HIV/Aids? Theme seven was: do you know anyone who has HIV/Aids and how do you think the person was infected? Specific conclusions were drawn based on these findings. Firstly, it was concluded that people contract the virus in many ways, as mentioned above – such as through unsafe sexual intercourse (see paragraph 2 above). Secondly, people like immigrants and drug injectors are more susceptible to spreading the Aids virus. Thirdly, the issue of cultural dominance also increases the spreading of the virus due to the failure to practise safe sex. Fourthly, people lack knowledge about the virus. Fifthly, HIV/Aids cannot be cured by medicine, traditional means or even the church. Instead, it can be treated by using drugs, such as neviropine, zidovidine and other medicines which can stop the virus from multiplying its cells in the person’s system. However, further research is needed before we draw conclusions, especially on the issue of cultural beliefs towards the virus. The conclusions were complemented by specific recommendations. , Dr. E. Oliphant
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chuene, Maria M.
- Date: 2008-05-19T14:04:00Z
- Subjects: Xhosa (African people) social life and customs , AIDS (Disease)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2039 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/438
- Description: This study explores the following research problem: given that knowledge influences our behaviour, how do the belief systems of elderly Xhosa elderly people about HIV/Aids influence their behaviour? The goal of the study was to explore and describe the belief systems of Xhosa-speaking people about HIV/Aids, specifically focusing on elderly people. The goal was also to reach conclusions about how these belief systems influence their knowledge. The objectives were threefold: firstly to conduct interviews with respondents; secondly to do a literature study with the aim of doing a literature control; and, thirdly, to reach conclusions about the belief systems of elderly Xhosa-speaking people. The research employed a qualitative paradigm and a phenomenological qualitative design. The research setting was defined as a township area that is situated in the south-eastern part of Johannesburg or Gauteng area. The researcher chose ten respondents who were all Xhosa-speaking and elderly, and the interviews were conducted individually. Non-probability or judgemental sampling, which is also known as convenience sampling, was used. The interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim, and field notes were also used as another method of collecting data. The data was analysed according to the eight steps of Tesch (1990) in Cresswell (1995:155). The process of data verification was done according to Guba’s Model of Trustworthiness (in Krefting, 1991:215-222). The actions taken to ensure trustworthiness included prolonged and varied engagement, triangulation, peer examination of research methodology, interviewing techniques and skills such as probing, clarifying, reframing and establishing the researcher’s authority. Seven themes and eleven categories with their sub-categories were drawn from the data obtained during the interviews. The first theme was: how do people contract the HIV/Aids virus? Under this theme, there were eight categories: contraceptives, cancer, sexual intercourse, witchcraft, sexually transmitted disease, blood transmission, sores and respect for cultural norms. The second theme was prevention and treatment, which included the following categories: condoms, one partner and trust, traditional herbs, medicine and prayer. Theme three was: how did HIV/Aids develop? Theme four was: how can people avoid getting HIV/Aids? Theme five was: who gets HIV/Aids? Theme six was: who brought HIV/Aids? Theme seven was: do you know anyone who has HIV/Aids and how do you think the person was infected? Specific conclusions were drawn based on these findings. Firstly, it was concluded that people contract the virus in many ways, as mentioned above – such as through unsafe sexual intercourse (see paragraph 2 above). Secondly, people like immigrants and drug injectors are more susceptible to spreading the Aids virus. Thirdly, the issue of cultural dominance also increases the spreading of the virus due to the failure to practise safe sex. Fourthly, people lack knowledge about the virus. Fifthly, HIV/Aids cannot be cured by medicine, traditional means or even the church. Instead, it can be treated by using drugs, such as neviropine, zidovidine and other medicines which can stop the virus from multiplying its cells in the person’s system. However, further research is needed before we draw conclusions, especially on the issue of cultural beliefs towards the virus. The conclusions were complemented by specific recommendations. , Dr. E. Oliphant
- Full Text:
Discussing HIV/AIDS : the perceptions and experiences of young heterosexual university adults in dating relationships
- Andrade, Cheri-Lee dos Passos
- Authors: Andrade, Cheri-Lee dos Passos
- Date: 2011-12-08
- Subjects: HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , Heterosexual dating
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1878 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4233
- Description: M.A. , In reviewing both the global and national statistical figures of people infected with HIV/AIDS, there is no doubting the imperious status given to supplementary HIV/AIDS social research. It is suggested that a probable missing link in many prior enquiries is the particular consideration given to the role that communication plays in dyadic interactions. As a consequence, a simple but comprehensive understanding of the perceptions and experiences attached to whether or not dating couples discuss the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS in their relationship is invaluable. As a result, this study was primarily involved in investigating the communication about STDs and HIV/AIDS in the milieu of heterosexual, dating relationships. The chosen research design was that of quantitative research which enabled the collection of data from a large number of respondents (n = 153) by means of a self-administered questionnaire distributed among sociology students at the University of Johannesburg. Overall it was found that just over half of the respondents (52%; n = 79) in this study indicated that they do discuss the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS with their current boy/girlfriend. In addition, 42.5% (n = 65) of the respondents indicated that the extent of such communication was one that occasionally occurred, as opposed to frequent discussions about the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS. However, further examination of the findings reveals that such an analysis into the communication about STDs and HIV/AIDS in dating relationships is not one which produces a single-founded answer. Instead, the role that various factors play in determining such communication is shown. Such factors, to name a few, are the role of parent and peer communication; perception of risk of contracting the HI virus; role of trust and honesty in the relationship; quality of sexual negotiation skills; power imbalances; number of previous dating relationships; duration of the relationship; relationship quality; quality of general communication; and the quality of communication about sexual matters in the relationship.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Andrade, Cheri-Lee dos Passos
- Date: 2011-12-08
- Subjects: HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , Heterosexual dating
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1878 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4233
- Description: M.A. , In reviewing both the global and national statistical figures of people infected with HIV/AIDS, there is no doubting the imperious status given to supplementary HIV/AIDS social research. It is suggested that a probable missing link in many prior enquiries is the particular consideration given to the role that communication plays in dyadic interactions. As a consequence, a simple but comprehensive understanding of the perceptions and experiences attached to whether or not dating couples discuss the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS in their relationship is invaluable. As a result, this study was primarily involved in investigating the communication about STDs and HIV/AIDS in the milieu of heterosexual, dating relationships. The chosen research design was that of quantitative research which enabled the collection of data from a large number of respondents (n = 153) by means of a self-administered questionnaire distributed among sociology students at the University of Johannesburg. Overall it was found that just over half of the respondents (52%; n = 79) in this study indicated that they do discuss the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS with their current boy/girlfriend. In addition, 42.5% (n = 65) of the respondents indicated that the extent of such communication was one that occasionally occurred, as opposed to frequent discussions about the threats of STDs and HIV/AIDS. However, further examination of the findings reveals that such an analysis into the communication about STDs and HIV/AIDS in dating relationships is not one which produces a single-founded answer. Instead, the role that various factors play in determining such communication is shown. Such factors, to name a few, are the role of parent and peer communication; perception of risk of contracting the HI virus; role of trust and honesty in the relationship; quality of sexual negotiation skills; power imbalances; number of previous dating relationships; duration of the relationship; relationship quality; quality of general communication; and the quality of communication about sexual matters in the relationship.
- Full Text:
Etiese standaarde vir die beroepsgesondheidsverpleegkundige oor die MIV-positiewe persoon by die werkplek
- Authors: Otto, Maria Adriana
- Date: 2011-12-06
- Subjects: HIV-positive persons , AIDS (Disease) , Public health nursing , Industrial relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4207
- Description: M.Cur. , The researcher's occupation as medical services manager at a packaging company regularly brings her into contact with the occupational health nurses employed at the factories. She has become aware that the occupational health nurses often become involved in ethical dilemmas with regards to the handling of HIV -positive people at the workplace in that the interests of the HIV -positive conflict with the interests of the employer. The occupational health nurse finds him/herself acting as intermediary and advocate between the two parties, namely the employer and the HIV -positive person. In spite of the provision of legal norms and ethical standards to regulate the interests of the HN -positive person in the workplace, no guidelines exist as to how these norms and standards should be operasionalised during interaction between the HIV -positive person, the occupational health nurse and the employer. The occupational health nurse is therefore uncertain how to act professionally within laid-down ethical standards with the HIV -positive person at the workplace. The purpose of this study is to describe guidelines and criteria for the operasionalisation of ethical standards for the occupational health nurse regarding the HIV -positive person in the workplace. This objective is obtained through the following aims: • Researching and describing literature with specific reference to current legal and ethical frameworks within the occupational health context regarding interaction with the HNpositive person in the workplace in order to formulate these ethical standards; • Researching and describing problems and solutions for the following target groups regarding the ethical aspects regarding the HN -positive person in the workplace: Occupational health nurses The HN -positive person in the workplace. The design of the research is qualitative, explorative and descriptive. The research was carried out by studying the occupational health nurses and HN -positive people employed by the packaging company countrywide. The occupational health nurses who were involved were obtained from a purposive test sample. The HN -positive people were chosen by making use of a quota test sample. Data obtained from the occupational health nurses was gathered by means of a workshop, and the data from the HN -positive people was obtained through personal interviews. The results of the research identified certain problems and solutions which were experienced by both target groups. These problems and solutions are divided into four sub-categories to illustrate how individual, organisational, health and family-systems are influenced. In order to assist the occupational health nurses to ethically handle the HIV -positive person in the workplace, guidelines and criteria were drawn up for the operasionalisation of the ethical standards. Additional research themes were identified through the study, the goal being to further improve the ethical handling of the HIV-positive person in the workplace, and to give better support to the HIV positive person.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Otto, Maria Adriana
- Date: 2011-12-06
- Subjects: HIV-positive persons , AIDS (Disease) , Public health nursing , Industrial relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4207
- Description: M.Cur. , The researcher's occupation as medical services manager at a packaging company regularly brings her into contact with the occupational health nurses employed at the factories. She has become aware that the occupational health nurses often become involved in ethical dilemmas with regards to the handling of HIV -positive people at the workplace in that the interests of the HIV -positive conflict with the interests of the employer. The occupational health nurse finds him/herself acting as intermediary and advocate between the two parties, namely the employer and the HIV -positive person. In spite of the provision of legal norms and ethical standards to regulate the interests of the HN -positive person in the workplace, no guidelines exist as to how these norms and standards should be operasionalised during interaction between the HIV -positive person, the occupational health nurse and the employer. The occupational health nurse is therefore uncertain how to act professionally within laid-down ethical standards with the HIV -positive person at the workplace. The purpose of this study is to describe guidelines and criteria for the operasionalisation of ethical standards for the occupational health nurse regarding the HIV -positive person in the workplace. This objective is obtained through the following aims: • Researching and describing literature with specific reference to current legal and ethical frameworks within the occupational health context regarding interaction with the HNpositive person in the workplace in order to formulate these ethical standards; • Researching and describing problems and solutions for the following target groups regarding the ethical aspects regarding the HN -positive person in the workplace: Occupational health nurses The HN -positive person in the workplace. The design of the research is qualitative, explorative and descriptive. The research was carried out by studying the occupational health nurses and HN -positive people employed by the packaging company countrywide. The occupational health nurses who were involved were obtained from a purposive test sample. The HN -positive people were chosen by making use of a quota test sample. Data obtained from the occupational health nurses was gathered by means of a workshop, and the data from the HN -positive people was obtained through personal interviews. The results of the research identified certain problems and solutions which were experienced by both target groups. These problems and solutions are divided into four sub-categories to illustrate how individual, organisational, health and family-systems are influenced. In order to assist the occupational health nurses to ethically handle the HIV -positive person in the workplace, guidelines and criteria were drawn up for the operasionalisation of the ethical standards. Additional research themes were identified through the study, the goal being to further improve the ethical handling of the HIV-positive person in the workplace, and to give better support to the HIV positive person.
- Full Text:
Family biography, fertility and memory-making in an AIDS-affected South African site
- Authors: Naidoo, Kammila
- Date: 2014-11-21
- Subjects: Family biography , Life history , AIDS (Disease)
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5605 , ISSN 1081602x , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14336
- Description: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Naidoo, Kammila
- Date: 2014-11-21
- Subjects: Family biography , Life history , AIDS (Disease)
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5605 , ISSN 1081602x , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14336
- Description: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text: false
Give sorrow words: the meaning of parental bereavement
- Authors: Lydall, Anne-Marie
- Date: 2008-11-06T07:30:40Z
- Subjects: Bereavement , Death of adult children , Stigma (Social psychology) , AIDS (Disease)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/379957 , uj:14624 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1542
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , This study explores the process of meaning-making for parents who have lost an adult child where the cause of death was a stigmatised illness. In order to shed light on the phenomenon under review, an investigation of existing research literature was undertaken. A particular focal point in respect of the review as a whole, is the exploration of how the experience of parental bereavement motivates the search for meaning and the possible significance of this meaning in the continued life of the bereaved parent. The review comprises an overview of theoretical approaches to bereavement and the various factors which determine the grief experience. These include an examination of factors surrounding the loss, personal factors and coping skills, as well as an outline of familial, cultural and social aspects. A further focus of the review, is on the process of meaning making especially with regard to death and suffering. The review explores the issues of stigma and the process of stigmatisation. How stigma attaches to an attribute and issues of disclosure are areas of focus, in particular the effect of stigma in respect of HIV/AIDS. The focus of the study is on the world of the lived experienced as it is interpreted by participants in order to produce an understanding of the participants’ experience. Hence the study is sited within a phenomenological framework. Six participants were interviewed with the intention to act as informants who are able to give rich and abundant descriptions of their experience. All participants have experienced the loss of an adult offspring as a result of a long-term illness. The children of three of the participants died as a result of an AIDS-related illness, which is currently a stigmatised illness in South Africa, and the children of three participants have died as a result of cancer, which is a long-term terminal illness which is not currently stigmatised in South Africa. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. An interwoven analysis was presented in order to identify the themes and experiences of such bereavement which emerged from the transcripts. An attempt was made to understand how the various phenomena relating to parental bereavement were reflected by participants in the interviews. The study also sought to compare areas of commonality and divergence between participants whose children have died from cancer and those who have died as a result of AIDS, so as to present an integrated delineation of themes. Finally the study presents a reflection of the experience of the researcher and recommendations for therapeutic practice which arise from the conclusions of the study. There is an evaluation as regards the strengths and limitations of the study and recommendations for future research. The unique contribution of the study to the field of psychology is also addressed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lydall, Anne-Marie
- Date: 2008-11-06T07:30:40Z
- Subjects: Bereavement , Death of adult children , Stigma (Social psychology) , AIDS (Disease)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/379957 , uj:14624 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1542
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , This study explores the process of meaning-making for parents who have lost an adult child where the cause of death was a stigmatised illness. In order to shed light on the phenomenon under review, an investigation of existing research literature was undertaken. A particular focal point in respect of the review as a whole, is the exploration of how the experience of parental bereavement motivates the search for meaning and the possible significance of this meaning in the continued life of the bereaved parent. The review comprises an overview of theoretical approaches to bereavement and the various factors which determine the grief experience. These include an examination of factors surrounding the loss, personal factors and coping skills, as well as an outline of familial, cultural and social aspects. A further focus of the review, is on the process of meaning making especially with regard to death and suffering. The review explores the issues of stigma and the process of stigmatisation. How stigma attaches to an attribute and issues of disclosure are areas of focus, in particular the effect of stigma in respect of HIV/AIDS. The focus of the study is on the world of the lived experienced as it is interpreted by participants in order to produce an understanding of the participants’ experience. Hence the study is sited within a phenomenological framework. Six participants were interviewed with the intention to act as informants who are able to give rich and abundant descriptions of their experience. All participants have experienced the loss of an adult offspring as a result of a long-term illness. The children of three of the participants died as a result of an AIDS-related illness, which is currently a stigmatised illness in South Africa, and the children of three participants have died as a result of cancer, which is a long-term terminal illness which is not currently stigmatised in South Africa. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. An interwoven analysis was presented in order to identify the themes and experiences of such bereavement which emerged from the transcripts. An attempt was made to understand how the various phenomena relating to parental bereavement were reflected by participants in the interviews. The study also sought to compare areas of commonality and divergence between participants whose children have died from cancer and those who have died as a result of AIDS, so as to present an integrated delineation of themes. Finally the study presents a reflection of the experience of the researcher and recommendations for therapeutic practice which arise from the conclusions of the study. There is an evaluation as regards the strengths and limitations of the study and recommendations for future research. The unique contribution of the study to the field of psychology is also addressed.
- Full Text:
HIV and AIDS, STI's and TB policy
- Authors: University of Johannesburg
- Date: 2015-07-08
- Subjects: HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , Sexually transmitted infections , Tuberculosis
- Type: Other
- Identifier: uj:1668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13907
- Full Text:
- Authors: University of Johannesburg
- Date: 2015-07-08
- Subjects: HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , Sexually transmitted infections , Tuberculosis
- Type: Other
- Identifier: uj:1668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13907
- Full Text:
HIV/AIDS: a questionnaire survey to determine practices of homoeopaths in Gauteng
- Authors: Kay, Jonathan
- Date: 2009-06-11T06:24:54Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2635
- Description: M.Tech.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Kay, Jonathan
- Date: 2009-06-11T06:24:54Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2635
- Description: M.Tech.
- Full Text: false
HIV/AIDS: a questionnaire survey to determine the attitudes and practices of homoeopaths in seven provinces of South Africa (Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces)
- Authors: York, Joanne
- Date: 2009-06-09T07:54:48Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8449 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2611
- Description: M.Tech.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: York, Joanne
- Date: 2009-06-09T07:54:48Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8449 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2611
- Description: M.Tech.
- Full Text: false
Knowledge levels of mentally disabled persons regarding sexuality and HIV/AIDS
- Jafta, Nontuthuzelo Confidence
- Authors: Jafta, Nontuthuzelo Confidence
- Date: 2010-06-08T07:30:01Z
- Subjects: People with disabilities , People with mental disabilities , AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections , Sexually transmitted diseases
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3320
- Description: M.A. , The study is based on the social model of disability focusing on issues of human rights for people with intellectual disabilities. Disability is defined as the social restriction confronted by people with disabilities living in a society that is not organized to take account of their needs. Disability is not an individual condition but rather an issue of equal opportunities. Self-determination for people with intellectual disability should be respected as it is a central aspect of personal well being based on the understanding that disability is a result of social attitudes, architectural, and legal barriers that confront people with disabilities. The research was aimed at the acquisition of information on the knowledge of people with intellectual disabilities about sexuality and if that knowledge is appropriately linked to HIV and AIDS. The study uses research as a scientific tool that will assist policy makers and programme developers to dispel the myths on issues affecting people with intellectual disabilities. Self-advocacy of people with intellectual disabilities in research was key to the research method that was applied. People with mental retardation, head injury, other or any type of actual or perceived mental or cognitive disability are often marginalized by society. The HIV/AIDS global epidemic has greatly exceeded earlier predictions. About 95% of all people infected are living in developing countries, which have to cope with poverty and health problems. HIV and AIDS prevalence can remain undetected for long periods, particularly in local groupings and settings. HIV remains localized before the epidemic spreads to involve the wider population. These localized groupings can be classified as having no known cases. It is during this period that the proactive interventions should be implemented. It is for these reasons that this study was undertaken to address HIV and AIDS among the grouping of people with intellectual disabilities.
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- Authors: Jafta, Nontuthuzelo Confidence
- Date: 2010-06-08T07:30:01Z
- Subjects: People with disabilities , People with mental disabilities , AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections , Sexually transmitted diseases
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3320
- Description: M.A. , The study is based on the social model of disability focusing on issues of human rights for people with intellectual disabilities. Disability is defined as the social restriction confronted by people with disabilities living in a society that is not organized to take account of their needs. Disability is not an individual condition but rather an issue of equal opportunities. Self-determination for people with intellectual disability should be respected as it is a central aspect of personal well being based on the understanding that disability is a result of social attitudes, architectural, and legal barriers that confront people with disabilities. The research was aimed at the acquisition of information on the knowledge of people with intellectual disabilities about sexuality and if that knowledge is appropriately linked to HIV and AIDS. The study uses research as a scientific tool that will assist policy makers and programme developers to dispel the myths on issues affecting people with intellectual disabilities. Self-advocacy of people with intellectual disabilities in research was key to the research method that was applied. People with mental retardation, head injury, other or any type of actual or perceived mental or cognitive disability are often marginalized by society. The HIV/AIDS global epidemic has greatly exceeded earlier predictions. About 95% of all people infected are living in developing countries, which have to cope with poverty and health problems. HIV and AIDS prevalence can remain undetected for long periods, particularly in local groupings and settings. HIV remains localized before the epidemic spreads to involve the wider population. These localized groupings can be classified as having no known cases. It is during this period that the proactive interventions should be implemented. It is for these reasons that this study was undertaken to address HIV and AIDS among the grouping of people with intellectual disabilities.
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One burden too many: public policy making on HIV/AIDS in South Africa, 1982-2004
- Authors: Fourie, Pieter Paul
- Date: 2008-10-29T06:57:34Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , AIDS (Disease) government policy , South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13559 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1369
- Description: D.Litt et Phil. , According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, more than 5.3 million South Africans were HIV-positive at the end of 2003; AIDS is killing the population at a rate of around 1,000 people each day; and about 2,000 South Africans are becoming HIV-positive daily. This study is an enquiry into the public policy response to the South African epidemic. Since AIDS first appeared in the country in 1982 there have been numerous good policy documents written by successive South African governments—yet the epidemic shows little sign of abating. The study provides an overview of the main theories on public policy making, and applies these by combining a meso-level of analysis with a phase/stage approach to the policy process. It demonstrates that successive South African governments have defined the policy problem in different ways: moving from a moralistic to a biomedical approach, the most recent public policy response has been to (discursively at least) view the epidemic as a developmental and human rights-based problem. However, despite the drafting of broadly inclusive and well-conceptualised policies, previous as well as the current South African government suffers from a ‘crisis of implementation’. The study finds that this crisis of implementation is the result of a failure on the part of South African governments to consistently and correctly define the public policy problem itself. This has resulted in a contested policy environment, particularly in terms of the appropriate policy responses required. As a consequence, the initial close relationship between the new South African government and AIDS civil society has been badly eroded. The latter policy actor has turned to a strategy of bypassing the national government altogether, by appealing to the courts in an effort to ensure the implementation of AIDS policies. The study concludes that, unless public policy makers address the structural causes of the AIDS epidemic (race relations, sexual violence and cultural factors), the country will continue to suffer the ravages of the epidemic, nullifying some recent successes of lower levels of government (provinces and local governments) in demonstrating some implementation capacity. The study suggests that the public sector take greater cognisance of the tenets of different theories on public policy making in an effort to ameliorate the mistakes of the past. , Prof. Yolanda Sadie
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- Authors: Fourie, Pieter Paul
- Date: 2008-10-29T06:57:34Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , AIDS (Disease) government policy , South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13559 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1369
- Description: D.Litt et Phil. , According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, more than 5.3 million South Africans were HIV-positive at the end of 2003; AIDS is killing the population at a rate of around 1,000 people each day; and about 2,000 South Africans are becoming HIV-positive daily. This study is an enquiry into the public policy response to the South African epidemic. Since AIDS first appeared in the country in 1982 there have been numerous good policy documents written by successive South African governments—yet the epidemic shows little sign of abating. The study provides an overview of the main theories on public policy making, and applies these by combining a meso-level of analysis with a phase/stage approach to the policy process. It demonstrates that successive South African governments have defined the policy problem in different ways: moving from a moralistic to a biomedical approach, the most recent public policy response has been to (discursively at least) view the epidemic as a developmental and human rights-based problem. However, despite the drafting of broadly inclusive and well-conceptualised policies, previous as well as the current South African government suffers from a ‘crisis of implementation’. The study finds that this crisis of implementation is the result of a failure on the part of South African governments to consistently and correctly define the public policy problem itself. This has resulted in a contested policy environment, particularly in terms of the appropriate policy responses required. As a consequence, the initial close relationship between the new South African government and AIDS civil society has been badly eroded. The latter policy actor has turned to a strategy of bypassing the national government altogether, by appealing to the courts in an effort to ensure the implementation of AIDS policies. The study concludes that, unless public policy makers address the structural causes of the AIDS epidemic (race relations, sexual violence and cultural factors), the country will continue to suffer the ravages of the epidemic, nullifying some recent successes of lower levels of government (provinces and local governments) in demonstrating some implementation capacity. The study suggests that the public sector take greater cognisance of the tenets of different theories on public policy making in an effort to ameliorate the mistakes of the past. , Prof. Yolanda Sadie
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Questionnaire survey to determine the perceived effect of immune boosters on HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa
- Authors: Tsele, Tebogo
- Date: 2008-08-25T10:27:04Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3905 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/926
- Description: The joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in collaboration with the World health Organization (WHO) published a report stating that, 42 million people are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) globally, where 20 million people had already died and where HIV, the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome continued to spread in all countries (Pratt, 2003). In South Africa it is estimated that a total number of 5.6 million individuals have acquired HIV infection by the end of 2003 (Department of Health, 2004). Highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) is presently the treatment of choice for people with HIV/AIDS. These drug cocktails of protease inhibitors and nucleosides led to the first real medical progress in the treatment of the epidemic. Although most people with HIV/AIDS are encouraged by the results of using the cocktail of Antiretroviral drugs (ARV’s), a recent study published indicated that 27% of people who are HIV positive have an infection that is resistant to all three classes of HIV drugs presently available (Voelker, 2000). This evidence show that there is a need for Alternative and Complementary Therapies to treat a significant number of people living with HIV infection. The aim of this study was to determine, by means of a questionnaire survey the perceived effect of Complementary Immune Boosters in HIV/AIDS patients in Johannesburg, Gauteng. This study also determined the knowledge people have of HIV/AIDS and how patients knew about the availability of Complementary Immune Boosters. Age, gender, marital status and employment status of patients were also determined. This study involved acquiring questionnaire survey responses from 200 participants in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Participants were recruited from twenty health shops and pharmacies that purchase Complementary Immune Boosters. A motivating letter (Appendix A) was hand delivered to health shops and pharmacies by the researcher prior to the completion of the questionnaire (Appendix B) to notify the pharmacist or health shop attendant about the research. Responses were recorded and correlated and analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods, including descriptive statistics. The results of this study provide a database estimating how effective Complementary Immune Boosters are on HIV/AIDS patients and reasons why HIV/AIDS patients choose to utilize Complementary Immune Boosters to boost their immune system or to relieve some of their symptoms. Of the 200 respondents only 40% said they are HIV positive, 22.4% said they are not and 37.6% said they do not know if they are HIV positive. The data showed that the percentages of respondents are almost equal with males (51.0%) and females 49.0%. In addition, the majority of respondents are blacks with 81.8%, the second group are whites 8.6%, and coloured 7.1% and Asians are only 2.5%. Cellfood (26.8%) was the most used product by respondents, followed by Hypoxis Hemenocallidea (African potato) 17.7%. The remaining 55,5% was shared by other Immune Boosters. Most respondents said they consume Complementary Immune Boosters to boost their immune system. Data showed that only 1.5% of respondents were advised by their medical practitioners to use Complementary Immune Boosters. With the study done on attitudes of medical practitioners regarding Complementary medicine in South Africa, 70% of medical practitioners felt that Complementary and Alternative Medicine should play an active role in the health care system in South Africa (Selli, 2003). The results of this study are expected to initiate further, much needed research in the area of HIV/AIDS and Complementary and Alternative Medicine. , Dr. M.R.A Moiloa Dr. S. Koopedi
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- Authors: Tsele, Tebogo
- Date: 2008-08-25T10:27:04Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , HIV infections
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3905 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/926
- Description: The joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in collaboration with the World health Organization (WHO) published a report stating that, 42 million people are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) globally, where 20 million people had already died and where HIV, the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome continued to spread in all countries (Pratt, 2003). In South Africa it is estimated that a total number of 5.6 million individuals have acquired HIV infection by the end of 2003 (Department of Health, 2004). Highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) is presently the treatment of choice for people with HIV/AIDS. These drug cocktails of protease inhibitors and nucleosides led to the first real medical progress in the treatment of the epidemic. Although most people with HIV/AIDS are encouraged by the results of using the cocktail of Antiretroviral drugs (ARV’s), a recent study published indicated that 27% of people who are HIV positive have an infection that is resistant to all three classes of HIV drugs presently available (Voelker, 2000). This evidence show that there is a need for Alternative and Complementary Therapies to treat a significant number of people living with HIV infection. The aim of this study was to determine, by means of a questionnaire survey the perceived effect of Complementary Immune Boosters in HIV/AIDS patients in Johannesburg, Gauteng. This study also determined the knowledge people have of HIV/AIDS and how patients knew about the availability of Complementary Immune Boosters. Age, gender, marital status and employment status of patients were also determined. This study involved acquiring questionnaire survey responses from 200 participants in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Participants were recruited from twenty health shops and pharmacies that purchase Complementary Immune Boosters. A motivating letter (Appendix A) was hand delivered to health shops and pharmacies by the researcher prior to the completion of the questionnaire (Appendix B) to notify the pharmacist or health shop attendant about the research. Responses were recorded and correlated and analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods, including descriptive statistics. The results of this study provide a database estimating how effective Complementary Immune Boosters are on HIV/AIDS patients and reasons why HIV/AIDS patients choose to utilize Complementary Immune Boosters to boost their immune system or to relieve some of their symptoms. Of the 200 respondents only 40% said they are HIV positive, 22.4% said they are not and 37.6% said they do not know if they are HIV positive. The data showed that the percentages of respondents are almost equal with males (51.0%) and females 49.0%. In addition, the majority of respondents are blacks with 81.8%, the second group are whites 8.6%, and coloured 7.1% and Asians are only 2.5%. Cellfood (26.8%) was the most used product by respondents, followed by Hypoxis Hemenocallidea (African potato) 17.7%. The remaining 55,5% was shared by other Immune Boosters. Most respondents said they consume Complementary Immune Boosters to boost their immune system. Data showed that only 1.5% of respondents were advised by their medical practitioners to use Complementary Immune Boosters. With the study done on attitudes of medical practitioners regarding Complementary medicine in South Africa, 70% of medical practitioners felt that Complementary and Alternative Medicine should play an active role in the health care system in South Africa (Selli, 2003). The results of this study are expected to initiate further, much needed research in the area of HIV/AIDS and Complementary and Alternative Medicine. , Dr. M.R.A Moiloa Dr. S. Koopedi
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Recommendations for "weaving a circle of care" for families affected by HIV/AIDS in a specific south rand community
- Authors: Louw, Nadia Marie
- Date: 2008-06-09T13:41:25Z
- Subjects: HIV-infections , HIV-positive persons , AIDS (Disease) , Family counseling , Home-based family services
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9468 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/589
- Description: M.Ed. , Over the past decade, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a devastating effect on many communities and families in South Africa. Many families have already lost, and many more will lose, primary caregivers to the disease. This could have a serious impact on the living conditions and emotional wellbeing of families, and especially of children and adolescents. As an intern educational psychologist working in the Eldorado Park community, the researcher became aware of the difficulties and needs experienced by families that are affected by HIV/AIDS. This study therefore aims to identify the needs of families affected by HIV/AIDS, in order to assist the educational psychologist by making recommendations for weaving a circle of care to support them, within an asset-based approach. To accomplish this, the study utilised a participatory research approach within a critical theoretical paradigm and case study design. Purposeful selection was employed and as the study is concerned with HIV/AIDS which requires the utmost confidentiality, the families were identified with the help of home-based care workers. The researcher interviewed three families and eight home-based care workers in the Eldorado Park community. Detailed data analysis and interpretation of the needs highlighted during these interviews revealed a number of common themes, which are indicative of the needs of families affected by HIV/AIDS in the Eldorado Park area. These families expressed a need for awareness, love and understanding from their communities. They also wish to have greater understanding and support from schools, as well as expressing the need for opportunities to share their experiences and raise community awareness by speaking at schools and churches, and through support groups. Families furthermore require assistance with the great economic difficulties they face, largely due to illness and unemployment. A need to gain greater access to medical care, social grants and burial societies, was expressed. Difficulties with transport and documentation seemed to create a major barrier in this regard. The need for psychological and spiritual counselling as well as legal advice was highlighted. The study provides recommendations and a practical asset map to assist the educational psychologist in weaving a circle of care for families affected by HIV/AIDS. , Mrs. Helen Krige Dr. Elzette Fritz
- Full Text:
- Authors: Louw, Nadia Marie
- Date: 2008-06-09T13:41:25Z
- Subjects: HIV-infections , HIV-positive persons , AIDS (Disease) , Family counseling , Home-based family services
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9468 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/589
- Description: M.Ed. , Over the past decade, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a devastating effect on many communities and families in South Africa. Many families have already lost, and many more will lose, primary caregivers to the disease. This could have a serious impact on the living conditions and emotional wellbeing of families, and especially of children and adolescents. As an intern educational psychologist working in the Eldorado Park community, the researcher became aware of the difficulties and needs experienced by families that are affected by HIV/AIDS. This study therefore aims to identify the needs of families affected by HIV/AIDS, in order to assist the educational psychologist by making recommendations for weaving a circle of care to support them, within an asset-based approach. To accomplish this, the study utilised a participatory research approach within a critical theoretical paradigm and case study design. Purposeful selection was employed and as the study is concerned with HIV/AIDS which requires the utmost confidentiality, the families were identified with the help of home-based care workers. The researcher interviewed three families and eight home-based care workers in the Eldorado Park community. Detailed data analysis and interpretation of the needs highlighted during these interviews revealed a number of common themes, which are indicative of the needs of families affected by HIV/AIDS in the Eldorado Park area. These families expressed a need for awareness, love and understanding from their communities. They also wish to have greater understanding and support from schools, as well as expressing the need for opportunities to share their experiences and raise community awareness by speaking at schools and churches, and through support groups. Families furthermore require assistance with the great economic difficulties they face, largely due to illness and unemployment. A need to gain greater access to medical care, social grants and burial societies, was expressed. Difficulties with transport and documentation seemed to create a major barrier in this regard. The need for psychological and spiritual counselling as well as legal advice was highlighted. The study provides recommendations and a practical asset map to assist the educational psychologist in weaving a circle of care for families affected by HIV/AIDS. , Mrs. Helen Krige Dr. Elzette Fritz
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Resisting stigma: living positively with HIV/AIDS in South Africa
- Authors: Roberts, Sandra Jane
- Date: 2008-10-27T06:39:44Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , Stigma (Social psychology)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1332
- Description: M.A. , This study emerged from the apparent contradiction posed by the frequent occurrence of stigma and the prevalent concept of ‘living positively with HIV/AIDS’ in South Africa. It was anchored in the need and commitment to resolve this paradox. This study contributes to filling a relative dearth of research which explores this phenomenon. Fieldwork consisted of observation, group interviews and in-depth interviews at two public hospitals in the greater Johannesburg area. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) experience stigma to differing extents in various contexts. In particular, PLHAs experience stigma in healthcare settings, from family, sexual partners and the community at large. Social identity is used in two significant ways as a defence mechanism against stigma in personal relationships. The first is to attempt to discredit stigmatising stereotypes as applied to the PLHA by emphasising how he/she is moral and valuable to those around HIV/her. By using this approach, termed ‘identity fixes’, the PLHA attempts to reduce the stigma which he/she is likely to experience in her/his social relationships. The second is to refuse to accept the ideology which underpins stigma. This denies that HIV/AIDS is an appropriate basis for stigma. The acceptance of this alternative ideology is marked by public disclosure. The goal of adopting this identity termed the ‘positive resistance identity’ is to challenge and oppose the stigma itself. , Prof. Tina Uys
- Full Text:
- Authors: Roberts, Sandra Jane
- Date: 2008-10-27T06:39:44Z
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) , Stigma (Social psychology)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1332
- Description: M.A. , This study emerged from the apparent contradiction posed by the frequent occurrence of stigma and the prevalent concept of ‘living positively with HIV/AIDS’ in South Africa. It was anchored in the need and commitment to resolve this paradox. This study contributes to filling a relative dearth of research which explores this phenomenon. Fieldwork consisted of observation, group interviews and in-depth interviews at two public hospitals in the greater Johannesburg area. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) experience stigma to differing extents in various contexts. In particular, PLHAs experience stigma in healthcare settings, from family, sexual partners and the community at large. Social identity is used in two significant ways as a defence mechanism against stigma in personal relationships. The first is to attempt to discredit stigmatising stereotypes as applied to the PLHA by emphasising how he/she is moral and valuable to those around HIV/her. By using this approach, termed ‘identity fixes’, the PLHA attempts to reduce the stigma which he/she is likely to experience in her/his social relationships. The second is to refuse to accept the ideology which underpins stigma. This denies that HIV/AIDS is an appropriate basis for stigma. The acceptance of this alternative ideology is marked by public disclosure. The goal of adopting this identity termed the ‘positive resistance identity’ is to challenge and oppose the stigma itself. , Prof. Tina Uys
- Full Text: