Reasons for low male participation in HIV and AIDS support groups : a focus on Mahalapye sub district, Botswana
| dc.contributor.advisor | Du Toit, Jan | |
| dc.contributor.author | Rudo, Makiwa Thato | |
| dc.contributor.other | Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Science. Dept. of Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2014-06-03T12:28:20Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2014-06-03T12:28:20Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2012-03 | |
| dc.description | Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aim: Male involvement in HIV Support groups has been noted to be low (Heyer et al, 2008; Maboshe, 2008; Russel & Schneider, 2000). The aim of the study was to explore factors affecting the participation of males in HIV support groups and examine their perceptions and understanding of the benefits of participating in HIV support groups. The study also set out to explore the reasons of low male participation in HIV and AIDS support groups. The study was conducted in Mahalapye, Botswana. Methodology: An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted to generate data. This method was chosen for it suitability in formulating more precise questions for further research. A total of three focus groups with six to ten participants were conducted with HIV positive men above the age of 21. Participants were selected from Mahalapye West Airstrip Clinic using the purposive sampling procedure. Data was analyzed using the general inductive approach which is used for analyzing qualitative data where the analysis is guided by specific objectives. Themes were created from actual phrases used in specific text segments. Results: The findings revealed that there is a some lack of knowledge about the existence of support groups for PLWHA. Those that are aware have both positive and negative feelings about them. Support groups were perceived to be helpful, a platform for PLWHA to vent and share their experiences and a source of knowledge about treatment and healthy lifestyles. Reasons cited for low participation are: mixed gender groups which compromise the men’s comfort levels and ability to fully express themselves; lack of confidentiality; accessibility of venue; work schedule; fear of stigma and discrimination: fear of disclosure; inconvenient times of support groups. Recommendations: Gender considerations to be incorporated in strategic frameworks for tackling HIV and AIDS, increase awareness of HIV and AIDS support groups for PLWHA, educate communities about the negatives effects of stigmatizing and discriminating against PLWHA and conduct more research about the effects that support groups have on PLWHA in an effort to support and emphasize their importance. This could potentially increase the number of males that attend them. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Doel: Die doel van die studie was om faktore wat deelname van mans in MIVondersteuningsgroepe beïnvloed, te verken en hul persepsies van die voordele van deelname aan die groepe te ondersoek. Die studie het ook redes van lae manlike deelname aan die ondersteuningsgroepe ondersoek. Die studie is uitgevoer in Mahalapye, Botswana. Metodologie 'n Ondersoekende kwalitatiewe benadering is aangeneem om die data in te samel. Hierdie metode is gebruik weens die geskiktheid daarvan in die formulering van meer akkurate vrae vir verdere navorsing. 'n Totaal van drie fokusgroepe met ses tot tien deelnemers is uitgevoer met MIV-positiewe mans bo die ouderdom van 21. Deelnemers is gekies uit Mahalapye Wes-vliegveld kliniek met behulp van die doelgerigte steekproeftrekkingsproses. Data is ontleed met behulp van die algemene induktiewe benadering wat gebruik word vir die analise van kwalitatiewe data, waar die analise deur spesifieke doelwitte gelei word. Temas is geskep van werklike frases wat gebruik word in 'n spesifieke teks segmente. Resultate: Die resultate het getoon dat daar 'n gebrek is aan kennis oor die bestaan van ondersteuningsgroepe vir mense wie met MIV/VIGS leef. Diegene wat daarvan bewus is, het beide positiewe en negatiewe houdings oor hulle. Ondersteuningsgroepe word gesien as behulpsaam, en blyk 'n platform te wees vir mense met MIV en VIGS om hul frustrasies en ervaringe te deel, asook om 'n bron van kennis te wees oor die behandeling daarvan en 'n gesonde lewenstyl. Redes vir lae deelname is gemengde geslagsgroepe wat die mans se vlakke van gerief en die vermoë om hulself ten volle te druk, inhibeer; gebrek aan vertroulikheid; toeganklikheid van die ontmoetingsplek; werkskedules; vrees vir stigma en diskriminasie; vrees vir bekendmaking van hul status en ongeleë ontmoetingstye van ondersteuningsgroepe. Aanbevelings: Die insluiting van geslagsoorweging binne strategiese raamwerke vir die aanpak van MIV en VIGS, verhoogde bewustheid van MIV-en vigs-ondersteuningsgroepe vir mense wie leef met MIV/VIGS, gemeenskapsopvoeding rakende die negatiewe gevolge van stigmatisering en diskriminasie en meer navorsing oor die effek wat steungroepe het op mensie wie leef met MIV/VIGS in 'n poging om ondersteuning te bied en die belangrikheid daarvan te beklemtoon. Dit kan die aantal mans wat steungroepe bywoon potensieel verhoog. | af_ZA |
| dc.format.extent | 51 p. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/86867 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_ZA | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University | en_ZA |
| dc.rights.holder | Stellenbosch University | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Theses -- HIV/AIDS management | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Dissertations -- Industrial psychology | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Theses -- Industrial psychology | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Sellf-help groups -- Botswana -- Mahalapye Sub District | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | HIV infections -- Botswana -- Mahalapye Sub District | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | HIV positive persons -- Social networks -- Botswana -- Mahalapye Sub District | en_ZA |
| dc.title | Reasons for low male participation in HIV and AIDS support groups : a focus on Mahalapye sub district, Botswana | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_ZA |