HIV/AIDS and persons with disabilities

Date
2011-03
Authors
Willems, Melanie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main aim of this research paper will be to discuss the impact of HIV on persons with disabilities. The study used a quantitative approach, with a KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) survey done amongst 74 respondents from the Cape Town Association for the Physically Disabled, Tygerberg Association for the Physically Disabled and Drakenstein Centre for Persons with Disabilities. The questionnaires included close-ended as well as open-ended questions. Data was analysed through five themes in the questionnaire: It included information on their demographic background, their risk sexual behaviour, their HIV/AIDS knowledge levels, their attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and general issues regarding HIV/AIDS. Results show that very few of the respondents are having sex. This could be due to peer pressure from parents not to engage in sexual activities. It is not clear whether persons with disabilities are at risk of HIV infection – it warrants for further investigation. Respondents indicated that HIV is a relevant issue for persons with disabilities. Most knowledge questions were answered satisfactorily. With this said, it seems there are still many issues (especially around the treatment options available for HIV positive individuals) that respondents were unsure of. Overall findings point toward a definite need to invest in further research on this topic so to obtain a better understanding of the relationship between persons with disabilities and HIV infection.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel met hierdie studie was om die impak wat MIV op mense met gestremdhede het, onder die loep te plaas. Daar is met die studie 'n kwantitatiewe benadering toegepas, met 'n KIP-(kennis, ingesteldheid en praktyk)opname wat onder 74 respondente onderskeidelik van die Kaapstadse Vereniging vir Fisiese Gestremdes, die Tygerbergse Vereniging vir Fisiese Gestremdes en die Drakensteinse Sentrum vir Mense met Gestremdhede gedoen is. Die vraelys het geslote sowel as oop vrae ingesluit. Data is deur middel van vyf temas in die vraelys geanaliseer – dit het inligting ingesluit oor hulle demografiese agtergrond, die riskantheid van hulle seksuele gedrag, die vlak van hulle kennis oor MIV/VIGS, hulle ingesteldheid teenoor MIV/VIGS en enkele algemene aangeleenthede rakende MIV/VIGS. Uitslae dui daarop dat bitter min van die respondente seksueel aktief is. Dit kan wees weens portierdruk van die kant van hulle ouers om nie deel te hê aan seksuele aktiwiteite nie. Dit is nie duidelik of mense met gestremdhede die gevaar loop om MIV op te doen nie en dit regverdig verdere ondersoek. Respondente het daarop gedui dat MIV vir mense wat gestremd is 'n relevante aangeleentheid is. Die meerderheid vrae rakende hulle kennis van MIV is bevredigend beantwoord. Dit in ag geneem, blyk dit dat daar nog vele aangeleenthede (veral wat betref die beskikbare behandelingsmoontlikhede vir individue wat MIV-positief is) bestaan waaroor die respondente onsekerheid in hulle gemoed het. Globale bevindinge dui op 'n besliste behoefte vir nog navorsing oor hierdie onderwerp ten einde beter insig te verkry oor die verwantskap tussen mense met gestremdhede en MIV-infeksie.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, AIDS (Disease), HIV infections, People with disabilities -- Health and hygiene
Citation