http://hdl.handle.net/10386/63 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:29:09 GMT 2013-06-20T08:29:09Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/879 Title: Disclosure of HIV infection by caregivers to children with HIV/AIDS in Thamaga Primary Hospital - Botswana : Reasons and experiences Authors: Motshome, Paul Oteng Abstract: Introduction With the increased availability of the life-saving ARVs in most Sub-Saharan Africa more HIV -infected children are surviving into their adolescent years and beyond hence giving rise to the question of whether the caregiver should disclose or not disclose the child's HIV diagnosis to child. Little is known of the reasons and experiences that motive or hinder caregivers from disclosing the HIV diagnosis to the child. Study Aim and objectives This was aimed at identifying caregivers' reasons for HIV diagnosis disclosure and non-disclosure to HIV-infected children under their care. The study also explores their experience with process of HIV diagnosis disclosure and non-disclosure to the child. Study methodology Using qualitative descriptive research approach, twenty (20) caregivers of HIV¬infected children aged between 6 - 16 years receiving ART at Thamaga Primary Hospital IDee with unknown HIV diagnosis disclo~ure status were ~.ubjected to audio-taped in-depth interviews for data capturing. Thematic content analysis was used for data analysis using, Nvivo8 software and 16 themes with their sub categories were identified. Findings Both caregivers of disclosed and non-disclosed HIV-infected children perceived disclosure as a good thing to do with majority of the caregivers (60%) having disclosed. Reasons for telling the children their HIV diagnosis were that the child had the right to know his/her status; caregiver tired of keeping child HIV diagnosis a secret; the caregiver's believe that disclosure will improve the child's ART adherence and finally some caregivers felt the child had reached the right age or maturity for disclosure. Non-disclosing caregivers felt that health care workers should assist them in doing disclosure and identified the reasons for non-disclosure as the child being too young and not asking questions about their illness; fear that disclosure might hurt the child psychologically; fear that the child might not keep their HIV diagnosis a secret leading to discrimination in the community while some caregivers lack of knowledge on how to disclose. Non-disclosing caregivers managed disclosure by not telling the child the truth about their diagnosis and using threats to coerce them to take their ARV drugs. Conclusions and recommendations The decision to disclosure or not to disclose the HIV diagnosis to a child by a caregiver is influenced by a number of reasons and their experiences. Caregivers of HIV-infected children need to be assisted by a health care provider when disclosing to the child and further assessment should be made in making disclosure part of the holistic management of an HIV -infected child. v Description: Thesis (MPH) -- University of Limpopo, 2011. Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/879 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/877 Title: Factors contributing to teenage pregnancy as reported by learners at Mpolokang High School in the North West Province Authors: Tsebe, Nkhumo Locadian Abstract: Background: A number of initiatives have been implemented in South Africa to prevent and reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy. These includes sex education as part of the Life Skills Programme in schools, roll-out of Youth Friendly Services (YFS) in government clinics and funding programmes such as Lovelife which combines a highly visible sustained national multi-media sex education and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns. However, these campaigns do not reach most teenagers in the rural areas such as in Moshana village. Teenage pregnancy has been recognized as one of the major problems affecting the learners of Mpolokang High School Aim: The aim of the study was to explore factors contributing to teenage pregnancy within the secondary school environment Methods: This was an exploratory and descriptive study. Focus group interviews were conducted with the learners from Grade 10 – 12, aged 15 - 19. Results: It was found that factors contributing to teenage pregnancy at Mpolokang High School were openness and transparency, sexual practices, access to the government grant, peer influence, lack of recreational facilities, substance abuse by the learners and attitudes of Health Care Workers at Moshana clinic. Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that although sex education is now part of the Life Skills programme in schools, teenagers still fall pregnant due to lack of openness and transparency when discussing sexual matters. Description: Thesis (MPH)-- University of Limpopo, 2012. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/877 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/859 Title: Radiation safety standards at public hospitals in Limpopo Province, South Africa Authors: Shika, Matsepane Rebecca Description: Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/859 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/814 Title: Factors influencing performance of nurses in the Makhuduthamaga Sub-District, Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa Authors: Makunyane, Coshiwe Matildah Abstract: The purpose of the research was to explore the factors that affect the performance of nurses in the Makhuduthamaga Sub-district. The Research Design was quantitative descriptive. The population consisted of all categories of nurses working in the eighteen clinics of the Makhuduthamaga Sub-district that render a 24-hour service, seven days a week. The Stratified Random sampling technique was used to obtain the sample. Data were collected by means of designed performance instrument questionnaires. The study revealed that nurses were dissatisfied with their work, something that had a tremendous influence on their performance. Description: Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/814 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z