Healthy children : healthy future employees

Date
2010-03
Authors
Harrison, Deborah-Sue
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die lewe van 50 kinders wat MIV positief is . Die doel van die studie is die verkryging van inligting wat aangewend kan word vir die beter begrip van kinders wat MIV positief is en daarmee moet saamleef. Die studie het gefokus op ‘n spesifieke area van KZN, ‘n area van Suid-Afrika wat gekenmerk word deur ‘n besondere hoë voorkoms van MIV/Vigs, hoë vlakke van werkloosheid en hoë vlakke van armoede. Die studie toon aan dat werksafwesigheid en lae produktiwiteit verder verhoog word deur MIV-voorkoms binne die werksmag en dat dit ‘n verdere negatiewe uitwerking op die werksmag het. Verskeie belangrike voorstelle vir die meer effektiewe bestuur van MIV/Vigs word gemaak, veral vir daardie gevalle waar kinders betrokke is.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa’s National prevalence is currently hovering at 11%, and while workers in the field can take comfort from slightly lower annual incidents it has become difficult to exaggerate the suffering caused by HIV/AIDS in South Africa, with statistics showing that 1 in 5 adults are infected. This study interrogates aspects of the lives of 50 HIV positive children and a comparative HIV negative group in an attempt to better understand the risk factors for children and the factors that promote resilience. The aim of the study is to provide data and information which could improve and inform prevention programmes focused on children thereby decreasing HIV prevalence. The study focuses on a peri-urban area in KZN and is implemented in high schools. The area is beset by unemployment and the resulting poverty. The schools are state managed schools providing education to large numbers of children from middle-income (parents are teachers, nurses etc) to poor children whose families depend upon grants for survival. It could well be considered an average peri-urban setting. It has been shown that absenteeism and low productivity are exacerbated by HIV infection in the workforce. An HIV negative generation is one of many essential elements for an improvement in workers’ productivity and to ensure that funds invested in skills development are available to promote progress in South Africa in the future.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
Children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal, HIV/AIDS -- Prevention -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal, HIV risk factors -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management
Citation