An interpretative phenomenological analysis of HIV positive individuals’ experiences of being in a support group
- Authors: Brink, Nicole
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: HIV-positive persons -- Social aspects Self-help groups AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Counseling of AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62988 , vital:28351
- Description: People who have been diagnosed HIV positive often experience distress and anxiety due to uncertainties pertaining to the implications of an HIV positive status. Research has shown that support groups have always been a way for people to cope with the distress and stressful circumstances associated with health conditions such as HIV. This research investigated the role of face to face support groups in the lives of those living with HIV. The primary focus of this research project is to provide an in-depth exploration of HIV positive individuals‟ experiences of being in a support group. The study aims to explore the positive and negative experiences of being in an HIV support group and aims to gain an understanding of the role support plays in the lives of those living with HIV. A qualitative research design was used to explore the above mentioned aim. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five individuals, (three women and two men) who had experienced HIV support groups. The interviews were transcribed and then analysed according to the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The findings of this study revealed five super-ordinate themes, which revealed not only the positive and negative experiences of being in a support group, but also the challenges that the participants‟ experienced before joining the group. Getting a sense of the participants‟ experience before joining the group allowed the researcher to get a better understanding of how useful or not the support group has been in helping them deal with the challenges of living with HIV. The themes included: „struggling to survive after diagnosis‟, „struggling to cope: adopting negative coping skills‟, „experiencing a turning-point: a will to survive‟, „attending support group: a sweet experience‟ and lastly, „attending support groups: a bitter experience‟. Findings suggest that for these participants, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages of being in a support group. Therefore this study suggests that face to face support groups are a viable and even necessary option for support. These findings support previous research and literature in regards to the importance of social support in the form of support groups in effectively assisting HIV positive people in their journey to adjust to the consequence of living with HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Brink, Nicole
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: HIV-positive persons -- Social aspects Self-help groups AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Counseling of AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62988 , vital:28351
- Description: People who have been diagnosed HIV positive often experience distress and anxiety due to uncertainties pertaining to the implications of an HIV positive status. Research has shown that support groups have always been a way for people to cope with the distress and stressful circumstances associated with health conditions such as HIV. This research investigated the role of face to face support groups in the lives of those living with HIV. The primary focus of this research project is to provide an in-depth exploration of HIV positive individuals‟ experiences of being in a support group. The study aims to explore the positive and negative experiences of being in an HIV support group and aims to gain an understanding of the role support plays in the lives of those living with HIV. A qualitative research design was used to explore the above mentioned aim. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five individuals, (three women and two men) who had experienced HIV support groups. The interviews were transcribed and then analysed according to the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The findings of this study revealed five super-ordinate themes, which revealed not only the positive and negative experiences of being in a support group, but also the challenges that the participants‟ experienced before joining the group. Getting a sense of the participants‟ experience before joining the group allowed the researcher to get a better understanding of how useful or not the support group has been in helping them deal with the challenges of living with HIV. The themes included: „struggling to survive after diagnosis‟, „struggling to cope: adopting negative coping skills‟, „experiencing a turning-point: a will to survive‟, „attending support group: a sweet experience‟ and lastly, „attending support groups: a bitter experience‟. Findings suggest that for these participants, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages of being in a support group. Therefore this study suggests that face to face support groups are a viable and even necessary option for support. These findings support previous research and literature in regards to the importance of social support in the form of support groups in effectively assisting HIV positive people in their journey to adjust to the consequence of living with HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Assessment of indigenous forest degradation and deforestation along the wild coast, near Port St John’s, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Katende, Lukyamuzi Lucky Fulgentius
- Authors: Katende, Lukyamuzi Lucky Fulgentius
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Deforestation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forest degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forest management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30649 , vital:31006
- Description: Indigenous forests along the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape Province have experienced both degradation and deforestation over the past decades. In early 2000, steps were taken to rehabilitate some of the degraded areas. Nevertheless, there is no monitoring mechanism in place, so little is known about the extent of degradation and impact of the rehabilitation efforts. The present study assesses the extent to which deforestation and degradation of the indigenous forests have occurred, and evaluates rehabilitation efforts in the study area around Port Saint John’s. Forest degradation was defined as the decrease in forest cover density while deforestation was defined as an increase in the trend of light forests and/ or a decrease in dense forests. The details for this study were obtained from multi – temporal remotely sensed data for a period between 1982 and 2013 (31 years). Multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery for 1982, 1986, 1989, 2002, 2009 and 2013 was acquired and analysed. On the basis of prior knowledge of the area, the supervised classification approach was used. The Maximum likelihood supervised classification technique was used to extract information from satellite data. The classified images were filtered using a majority filtering procedure to reduce noise. Google Earth (Astrium) ancillary images were used to refine the classification based on expert rules. The derived changes in the degraded and rehabilitated areas were further validated through field visits. The overall image classification accuracy generated from Landsat image data ranged from 80% to 90%. It was noted that the area of dense forest almost doubled between 1986 and 1989, coinciding with a 59% decrease in the light forest. Subsequently, dense forests increased by 14,820 ha while light forests decreased by 16,690 ha between 1989 and 2002. The subsequent reduction in light forest coverage is explained by the establishment of the Participatory Forest Management (PFMA) approach by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) which reversed the degradation trend. However, specific degradation hotspots were identified, particularly where new settlements have been established. The emergence of the non-vegetated area increased gradually from 7% in 1986 to 23.4% in 2013. Notably, dense forest was observed to have experienced higher rates of forest degradation and deforestation than the light forest. The highest number patches were 4 recorded between 2002 and 1998, followed by between 2010 and 2013 and lastly 1986. Based on spatial connectedness of patches, the year 1986 had the highest landscape connectedness of forest vegetation (CONAT = 35.3) followed by 2002 and 1996 while the year 2010 and 2013 had the lowest landscape contiguity. Over the study period, the distribution of patches clearly shows that forest degradation and deforestation rates were lower in the years 1986, 1998 and tremendously increased in the later period of between 2010 and 2013. However, as a result of rehabilitation efforts, dense forest was seen to steadily gain more land than light forest. Finer details of degradation trends could not be easily picked from the images used in the study, given their spatial resolution limitations. That notwithstanding, the trends identified are good for overview decisions. The study has also established that de-agraianisation, forest restoration and rehabilitation greatly contributed to increased forest cover. Therefore, with more use of GIS by forest managers, and imagery of the high resolution being readily available, forests will in future be easily monitored using remote sensing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Katende, Lukyamuzi Lucky Fulgentius
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Deforestation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forest degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forest management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30649 , vital:31006
- Description: Indigenous forests along the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape Province have experienced both degradation and deforestation over the past decades. In early 2000, steps were taken to rehabilitate some of the degraded areas. Nevertheless, there is no monitoring mechanism in place, so little is known about the extent of degradation and impact of the rehabilitation efforts. The present study assesses the extent to which deforestation and degradation of the indigenous forests have occurred, and evaluates rehabilitation efforts in the study area around Port Saint John’s. Forest degradation was defined as the decrease in forest cover density while deforestation was defined as an increase in the trend of light forests and/ or a decrease in dense forests. The details for this study were obtained from multi – temporal remotely sensed data for a period between 1982 and 2013 (31 years). Multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery for 1982, 1986, 1989, 2002, 2009 and 2013 was acquired and analysed. On the basis of prior knowledge of the area, the supervised classification approach was used. The Maximum likelihood supervised classification technique was used to extract information from satellite data. The classified images were filtered using a majority filtering procedure to reduce noise. Google Earth (Astrium) ancillary images were used to refine the classification based on expert rules. The derived changes in the degraded and rehabilitated areas were further validated through field visits. The overall image classification accuracy generated from Landsat image data ranged from 80% to 90%. It was noted that the area of dense forest almost doubled between 1986 and 1989, coinciding with a 59% decrease in the light forest. Subsequently, dense forests increased by 14,820 ha while light forests decreased by 16,690 ha between 1989 and 2002. The subsequent reduction in light forest coverage is explained by the establishment of the Participatory Forest Management (PFMA) approach by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) which reversed the degradation trend. However, specific degradation hotspots were identified, particularly where new settlements have been established. The emergence of the non-vegetated area increased gradually from 7% in 1986 to 23.4% in 2013. Notably, dense forest was observed to have experienced higher rates of forest degradation and deforestation than the light forest. The highest number patches were 4 recorded between 2002 and 1998, followed by between 2010 and 2013 and lastly 1986. Based on spatial connectedness of patches, the year 1986 had the highest landscape connectedness of forest vegetation (CONAT = 35.3) followed by 2002 and 1996 while the year 2010 and 2013 had the lowest landscape contiguity. Over the study period, the distribution of patches clearly shows that forest degradation and deforestation rates were lower in the years 1986, 1998 and tremendously increased in the later period of between 2010 and 2013. However, as a result of rehabilitation efforts, dense forest was seen to steadily gain more land than light forest. Finer details of degradation trends could not be easily picked from the images used in the study, given their spatial resolution limitations. That notwithstanding, the trends identified are good for overview decisions. The study has also established that de-agraianisation, forest restoration and rehabilitation greatly contributed to increased forest cover. Therefore, with more use of GIS by forest managers, and imagery of the high resolution being readily available, forests will in future be easily monitored using remote sensing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Effect of femininity on sexual health decision making of young females
- Authors: De Wet, Elna
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Teenage girls -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Women -- Identity , Adolescents -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30298 , vital:30928
- Description: South Africa is characterised by high levels of HIV infections and unwanted pregnancies, despite the vast amount of interventions aimed at combatting this issue. It becomes important to explore why these interventions are not actively achieving what they aim to. A major cause for concern is the increase in risky sexual behaviour in the adolescence and young adult (15-24 year) age group. In various cultures, women’s socialization has a direct impact on their ability to prioritize their sexual health. Steeped in patriarchal ideology, many South African cultures prioritise the power of masculinity over and above the femxle experience. Improved partner communication leads to decreased risky sexual behaviour, but it becomes tricky when the relationship is characterized by a gender power imbalance. This study is aimed at understanding South African femxle sexual health by focussing on 1) the extent to which the overarching traditional beliefs about femininity is related to their sexual self-efficacy. Furthermore, it is aimed at 2) the extent to which they engage in sexual activity and behaviour that would protect them from STIs and unwanted pregnancies. Research design is quantitative and include an online survey for femxle students between the ages of 18 and 24, enrolled at the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. The data was analysed statistically, where after the research findings will be interpreted from the perspective of Feminist Psychological Theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: De Wet, Elna
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Teenage girls -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Women -- Identity , Adolescents -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30298 , vital:30928
- Description: South Africa is characterised by high levels of HIV infections and unwanted pregnancies, despite the vast amount of interventions aimed at combatting this issue. It becomes important to explore why these interventions are not actively achieving what they aim to. A major cause for concern is the increase in risky sexual behaviour in the adolescence and young adult (15-24 year) age group. In various cultures, women’s socialization has a direct impact on their ability to prioritize their sexual health. Steeped in patriarchal ideology, many South African cultures prioritise the power of masculinity over and above the femxle experience. Improved partner communication leads to decreased risky sexual behaviour, but it becomes tricky when the relationship is characterized by a gender power imbalance. This study is aimed at understanding South African femxle sexual health by focussing on 1) the extent to which the overarching traditional beliefs about femininity is related to their sexual self-efficacy. Furthermore, it is aimed at 2) the extent to which they engage in sexual activity and behaviour that would protect them from STIs and unwanted pregnancies. Research design is quantitative and include an online survey for femxle students between the ages of 18 and 24, enrolled at the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. The data was analysed statistically, where after the research findings will be interpreted from the perspective of Feminist Psychological Theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Topic : an appraisal of youth social entrepreneurship for positive youth development in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ntlemeza, Aphiwe Ziyanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Youth development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Rural Development
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10974 , vital:35971
- Description: This study explores social entrepreneurship projects which are specifically run by the youth in an attempt to mitigate poverty and unemployment in the Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape. It also evaluates the extent to which selected social entrepreneurship interventions have contributed to employment creation and income generation. Furthermore, not only does the study investigate social entrepreneurship opportunities available for rural youth in Amathole but goes further to evaluate the sustainability of existing social entrepreneurship projects. The challenges faced by rural youth in pursuing social entrepreneurship are also explored. In so doing, the study is underpinned by the Positivist Youth Development (PYD) theory. The study found that the youth of Amathole District Municipality have a positive attitude towards social entrepreneurship. They engage in a variety of social enterprises. However, the youth face many constraints such as lack of access to finance, lack of business skills, lack of entrepreneurial education and lack of technical support. All these constraints are interrelated and lead to issues of unsustainability and limited income generation and employment creation. Informed by these constraints, the study recommends coordinated awareness campaigns and government (national/provincial) response about social entrepreneurship and community needs within Amathole. To further understand social entrepreneurship, there is need for further studies to investigate the attitudes and constraints of women towards social entrepreneurship as well as youth’s understanding of social entrepreneurship in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ntlemeza, Aphiwe Ziyanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Youth development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Rural Development
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10974 , vital:35971
- Description: This study explores social entrepreneurship projects which are specifically run by the youth in an attempt to mitigate poverty and unemployment in the Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape. It also evaluates the extent to which selected social entrepreneurship interventions have contributed to employment creation and income generation. Furthermore, not only does the study investigate social entrepreneurship opportunities available for rural youth in Amathole but goes further to evaluate the sustainability of existing social entrepreneurship projects. The challenges faced by rural youth in pursuing social entrepreneurship are also explored. In so doing, the study is underpinned by the Positivist Youth Development (PYD) theory. The study found that the youth of Amathole District Municipality have a positive attitude towards social entrepreneurship. They engage in a variety of social enterprises. However, the youth face many constraints such as lack of access to finance, lack of business skills, lack of entrepreneurial education and lack of technical support. All these constraints are interrelated and lead to issues of unsustainability and limited income generation and employment creation. Informed by these constraints, the study recommends coordinated awareness campaigns and government (national/provincial) response about social entrepreneurship and community needs within Amathole. To further understand social entrepreneurship, there is need for further studies to investigate the attitudes and constraints of women towards social entrepreneurship as well as youth’s understanding of social entrepreneurship in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
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