This study examines the lifestyle decisions of people who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in King Williams Town, Eastern Cape. The study was motivated by the ever growing number of people who are now living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore the researcher intended to examine their decisions regarding sexual choices, reproductive health, diet, physical fitness and their coping strategies.
The study found that there is very low uptake of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT). Most people only get tested if they are compelled by other factors, like illness and pregnancy. It also found that HIV positive people continue to engage in risky sexual behaviour regardless of their positive status. In addition it also found that HIV positive status does not affect sexual activity and social support from family and friends is a very important factor that is helping the respondents to cope with HIV diagnosis.
The study found that there is very low uptake of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT). Most people only get tested if they are compelled by other factors, like illness and pregnancy. It also found that HIV positive people continue to engage in risky sexual behaviour regardless of their positive status. In addition it also found that HIV positive status does not affect sexual activity and social support from family and friends is a very important factor that is helping the respondents to cope with HIV diagnosis.
Annamarie, Baggett, L., Ironson, G., LaPerriere, A., August, S., Klimas, N.,Schneiderman, N., Fletcher, M.A. (2008). Cognitive-Behavioral StressManagement Intervention Buffers Distress Responses and Immunologic ChangesFollowing Notification of HIV-1 Seropositivity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59 (6), 906-915.
Basu, A, Gupta D Krishna G. (1997). The household impact of adult morbidity and mortality: some implications of the potential epidemic of AIDS in India. Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
Bradshaw, D, & Nannan, N. P. Ijumba & A. Ntuli. (Eds). (2004). In South African Health Review,2003/4. Johannesburg: Health Systems Trust., Journal of Health Status Vol 4(3&4),pp 343- 357
Beresford, B. (2004). Pioneering Treatment Access in a Rural Area of South Africa.Development. Cape town: Juta
Bletzer, KV. 2007. Identity and resilience among persons with HIV: A rural African American experience. Qualitative Health Research 17 (2):162-75. February.
Billings,A.G. & Moos, R.H. (1981).The role of coping responses and social resources in attenuating the stress of life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 139–157.
Boyce.C (2006). Conducting in-depth interviews: A Guide for Designing and Conducting In-Depth Interviews for Evaluation Input Vol 2pp26-35
Cohen,L(1979) “Social Change and Crime Rates Trends : A Routine Activity Approch” American Sociological Review 44:588-605
Campbell, C. (1998a). Representations of gender, respectability and commercial sex in the shadow of AIDS: A South African Case Study. Social Science Information, 37(4), 687–707.
Catania, J. A., Turner, H. A., & Choi, K. H. (1992). Coping with death anxiety: Help-seeking and social support among gay men with various HIV diagnoses. AIDS, 6, 999-1005.
Chimwaza, AF Watkins SC. 2004. Giving care to people with symptoms of AIDS in rural sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS Care 16 (7):795-807.
Cluver, LGardner F. 2007. Risk and protective factors for psychological well-being of perspectives. AIDS Care 19 (3):318-25.
Cotton, S, Puchalski C, Sherman SS al et. 2006. Spirituality and Religion in P C. Giannini, A. Mohn & F. Chiarelli. “Physical Exercise and DiabetesDuring Childhood” (2006) 77: Suppl. 1 Acta Biomed at 18-25,online: Acta Biomedica atients with HIV/AIDS. J Gen Intern Med 21:s5-13.
Denzin, K.R, Lincoln, Y. S, (2005) The Discipline an d Practice of Qualitative Research Thousand Orks, CA Sage Productions
Cooper D 1995 (“Life is still going on”): Reproductive intentions among HIV-positive women and men in South Africa 2006 Open University Press: Cambridge
Derpatment of local Government (2007).: 2 Eastern Cape State of the Environment Report:(2007). Eastern Cape: Department of local government report.
Dorrington, R. E., Johnson, L.F, Bradshaw, D., & Daniel, T. (2004). The Demographic Impact of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. National Indicators for 2006. Cape Town: Centre for Actuarial Research, South African Medical Research Council and Actuarial Society of South Africa.
Emlet, CA. (2006). An Examination of the Social Networks and Social Isolation in Older and Younger Adults living with HIV/AIDS. Health and Social Work 31 (4):299-08.
Freduenthal, S. (2001). A Review of Social Science Research. Department of Research Cooperation, Sida/SAREC.
Freeman, M, Nkomo N, Kafaar Z Kelly K. 2007. Factors associated with prevalence of mental disorder in people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. AIDS Care 19 (10):1201-09.
Hlongwana,K Mkhize S. (2007). HIV/AIDS through the lens of Christianity: Perspectives from a South African urban support group. Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 4 (1):556-63.
Huber, J (1995) .Centennial essay: Institutional perspectives on sociology .American Journal of Sociology 101 ,191-216
Jackson .H(2002). AIDS Africa: Continent in crisis. SAFAIDS, Publishing Company.
Karla. M (1997),A world of silence ,Living with HIV in Matabeleland ,Zimbabwe. Royal Tropical institute –Amsterdam.
Lazarus.R.S and Folkman. (1991)Stress, Appraisal and Coping New York Springer Publishing Company.
Loue, S Sajatovic M. 2006. Spirituality, coping and HIV risk and prevention in a sample of severely mentally ill Puerto Rican women. Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 83 (6):1168-82.
Mahajan, AP al et. 2007. An overview of HIV/AIDS workplace policies and programmes in southern Africa. AIDS 21 (Suppl 3):S31-39.
Medecens Sans Frontierers. (2003). Saving Lives! Giving Leadership. HIV Treatment in Lusikisiki. Unpublished document.
MacMillan,J.H., and Schumacher,S.;(1993).Research in Education: A Conceptual Introduction.3rd edition. New York : Haper Collins Colllege Publisher .
M.A Schiltz and Th.G.M Sandfort HIV-positive people, risk and sexual behaviour Social Science & Medicine Volume 50, Issue 11, June 2000, Pages 1571-1588
Mnyika, K. S., Klepp, K. L., Kvale, G., Schreiner, A., & Seha,A. M. (1995). Perceived function of and barriers to condomuse in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions of Tanzania. AIDS Care, 7, 295–305.
Miles ,M.B., and Huberman ,A.M.; (1994). An expanded Source Book on Qualitative Data Analysis:2nd edition ,London: Sage Publication.
Norman, A, Chopra M Kadiyala S. 2007. Factors related to HIV disclosure in 2 South African communities. American Journal of Public Health 97 (10):1775-81.
Pinkerton,S.D., & Abramson, P. R. (1997). Effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV transmission. Social Science and Medicine, 44, 1303–1312.
Rosnow, R.L & Rosenthal, R.,(1991). Essentials of behavioral research: Methods and data analysis (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Robert K. Yin. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Fourth Edition. SAGE Publications. California, 2009
Rintamaki, LS, Davis TC, Skripkauskas S, Bennett CL, et al. 2006. Social stigma concerns and HIV medication adherence. AIDS Patient Care & STDs 20 (5):35968.
Pettifor, A.E., Rees, H.V., Steffenson, A. Hlongwa-Madikizela, L., MacPhail, C., Vermaak, K., & Klienschmidt, I. (2004). HIV and Sexual Behaviour among Young South Africans: A National Survey of 15-24 Year Olds. Johannesburg:Reproductive Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand.
Sipuka, N., Mayekiso, T.V., & Nyambali, S. (2002). A Community Field-Work Approach in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. A paper presented at the 14th International Congress on Child Abuse & Neglect, Denver, Colorado
Simoni, JM, Mason HR, Marks, Ruiz MS, et al. 1995. Women's self-disclosure of HIV infection: rates, reasons and reactions. J of Consult Clin Psychol 63:474-78.
Sun, H, Zhangm J Fu X. (2007). Psychological status, coping, and social support of people living with HIV/AIDS in Central China. Public Health Nursing 24 (2):132-40.
Struwig. F, and Stead. G. (2001) Planning, designing and reporting.research. Cape Town, Pearson Education South Africa.
Strauss,A.and Corbin,J.(1990).Basic of Qualitative Research Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications
Solomon V, van Rooyen H, Griesel R, Gray D, Stein J, Nott V. Critical Review and
Analysis of Voluntary Counselling and Testing -Literature in Africa. Durban: Health
Systems Trust; 2004
UNAIDS. 2006a. 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. Geneva.UNAIDS
UNAIDS. 2006b. Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic: A UNAIDS 10th Anniverisary Special Edition. UNAIDS. Geneva.
United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA). (2004). Overview of Adolescent life. Retrieved March 24, 2004 from http://www.unfpa.org/adolescents/overview.htm
UNAIDS. 2007. UNAIDS Epidemic Update. March 4, 2008. www.unaids.org Makwakwa, E, E (2003) The Promotion of Voluntary HIV testing among hostel dwellers by community nurses. Unpublished masters’ dissertation Rand Afrikaans University Johannesburg.Press,p-5
Seligman,M (1996)The optimistic child. New York: HarperCollins.
Shillinger K (1999) Male circumcision cited for differing HIV rates among Africans in Boston Globe On line ,
Shisana, O. and Simbiya J (2002) South African National HIV prevelance, Behavioural and Mass Media, HSRC Study of HIV/AIDS: Household survey, Cape Town:HSRC.
Simbayi, L.C., Chauveau, J., & Shisana, O. (2004). Behavioural Responses of SouthAfrican Youth to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: A Nationwide survey. Aids Care, 16 (5), 605-618.
Shisana, O., Rehle, T., Simbayi, L.C., Parker, W., Zuma, K., Bhana, A., Connolly, C., Jooste, S., Pillay, V. (2005). South African National HIV Prevalence, HIV Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey, 2005. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
Van Dyk and Van Dyk P.J. (2003) “What is the point of knowing” Psychosocial Barriers to HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling Programmes in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 33(2), 118-125.
UNAIDS/WHO 2001-The impact of VCT and Testing. Global Review of the Benefits and Challenges. Geneva UNAIDS/WHO.
UNAIDS/WHO (2002) HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing. A getaway to prevention and care. Geneva.UNAIDS/WHO
Njagi, F and Maharaj, P(2006)Access to Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services ,Perspectives of Young People. South Africa Review of Sociology, 37(2),113-127
WHO’s 2004 GlobalStrategy for Diet, Physical Activity and Health
World Health Organization, Constitution of the World Health Organization, 45th ed. (2006), online: WHO,
Basu, A, Gupta D Krishna G. (1997). The household impact of adult morbidity and mortality: some implications of the potential epidemic of AIDS in India. Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
Bradshaw, D, & Nannan, N. P. Ijumba & A. Ntuli. (Eds). (2004). In South African Health Review,2003/4. Johannesburg: Health Systems Trust., Journal of Health Status Vol 4(3&4),pp 343- 357
Beresford, B. (2004). Pioneering Treatment Access in a Rural Area of South Africa.Development. Cape town: Juta
Bletzer, KV. 2007. Identity and resilience among persons with HIV: A rural African American experience. Qualitative Health Research 17 (2):162-75. February.
Billings,A.G. & Moos, R.H. (1981).The role of coping responses and social resources in attenuating the stress of life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 139–157.
Boyce.C (2006). Conducting in-depth interviews: A Guide for Designing and Conducting In-Depth Interviews for Evaluation Input Vol 2pp26-35
Cohen,L(1979) “Social Change and Crime Rates Trends : A Routine Activity Approch” American Sociological Review 44:588-605
Campbell, C. (1998a). Representations of gender, respectability and commercial sex in the shadow of AIDS: A South African Case Study. Social Science Information, 37(4), 687–707.
Catania, J. A., Turner, H. A., & Choi, K. H. (1992). Coping with death anxiety: Help-seeking and social support among gay men with various HIV diagnoses. AIDS, 6, 999-1005.
Chimwaza, AF Watkins SC. 2004. Giving care to people with symptoms of AIDS in rural sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS Care 16 (7):795-807.
Cluver, LGardner F. 2007. Risk and protective factors for psychological well-being of perspectives. AIDS Care 19 (3):318-25.
Cotton, S, Puchalski C, Sherman SS al et. 2006. Spirituality and Religion in P C. Giannini, A. Mohn & F. Chiarelli. “Physical Exercise and DiabetesDuring Childhood” (2006) 77: Suppl. 1 Acta Biomed at 18-25,online: Acta Biomedica atients with HIV/AIDS. J Gen Intern Med 21:s5-13.
Denzin, K.R, Lincoln, Y. S, (2005) The Discipline an d Practice of Qualitative Research Thousand Orks, CA Sage Productions
Cooper D 1995 (“Life is still going on”): Reproductive intentions among HIV-positive women and men in South Africa 2006 Open University Press: Cambridge
Derpatment of local Government (2007).: 2 Eastern Cape State of the Environment Report:(2007). Eastern Cape: Department of local government report.
Dorrington, R. E., Johnson, L.F, Bradshaw, D., & Daniel, T. (2004). The Demographic Impact of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. National Indicators for 2006. Cape Town: Centre for Actuarial Research, South African Medical Research Council and Actuarial Society of South Africa.
Emlet, CA. (2006). An Examination of the Social Networks and Social Isolation in Older and Younger Adults living with HIV/AIDS. Health and Social Work 31 (4):299-08.
Freduenthal, S. (2001). A Review of Social Science Research. Department of Research Cooperation, Sida/SAREC.
Freeman, M, Nkomo N, Kafaar Z Kelly K. 2007. Factors associated with prevalence of mental disorder in people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. AIDS Care 19 (10):1201-09.
Hlongwana,K Mkhize S. (2007). HIV/AIDS through the lens of Christianity: Perspectives from a South African urban support group. Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 4 (1):556-63.
Huber, J (1995) .Centennial essay: Institutional perspectives on sociology .American Journal of Sociology 101 ,191-216
Jackson .H(2002). AIDS Africa: Continent in crisis. SAFAIDS, Publishing Company.
Karla. M (1997),A world of silence ,Living with HIV in Matabeleland ,Zimbabwe. Royal Tropical institute –Amsterdam.
Lazarus.R.S and Folkman. (1991)Stress, Appraisal and Coping New York Springer Publishing Company.
Loue, S Sajatovic M. 2006. Spirituality, coping and HIV risk and prevention in a sample of severely mentally ill Puerto Rican women. Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 83 (6):1168-82.
Mahajan, AP al et. 2007. An overview of HIV/AIDS workplace policies and programmes in southern Africa. AIDS 21 (Suppl 3):S31-39.
Medecens Sans Frontierers. (2003). Saving Lives! Giving Leadership. HIV Treatment in Lusikisiki. Unpublished document.
MacMillan,J.H., and Schumacher,S.;(1993).Research in Education: A Conceptual Introduction.3rd edition. New York : Haper Collins Colllege Publisher .
M.A Schiltz and Th.G.M Sandfort HIV-positive people, risk and sexual behaviour Social Science & Medicine Volume 50, Issue 11, June 2000, Pages 1571-1588
Mnyika, K. S., Klepp, K. L., Kvale, G., Schreiner, A., & Seha,A. M. (1995). Perceived function of and barriers to condomuse in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions of Tanzania. AIDS Care, 7, 295–305.
Miles ,M.B., and Huberman ,A.M.; (1994). An expanded Source Book on Qualitative Data Analysis:2nd edition ,London: Sage Publication.
Norman, A, Chopra M Kadiyala S. 2007. Factors related to HIV disclosure in 2 South African communities. American Journal of Public Health 97 (10):1775-81.
Pinkerton,S.D., & Abramson, P. R. (1997). Effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV transmission. Social Science and Medicine, 44, 1303–1312.
Rosnow, R.L & Rosenthal, R.,(1991). Essentials of behavioral research: Methods and data analysis (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Robert K. Yin. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Fourth Edition. SAGE Publications. California, 2009
Rintamaki, LS, Davis TC, Skripkauskas S, Bennett CL, et al. 2006. Social stigma concerns and HIV medication adherence. AIDS Patient Care & STDs 20 (5):35968.
Pettifor, A.E., Rees, H.V., Steffenson, A. Hlongwa-Madikizela, L., MacPhail, C., Vermaak, K., & Klienschmidt, I. (2004). HIV and Sexual Behaviour among Young South Africans: A National Survey of 15-24 Year Olds. Johannesburg:Reproductive Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand.
Sipuka, N., Mayekiso, T.V., & Nyambali, S. (2002). A Community Field-Work Approach in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. A paper presented at the 14th International Congress on Child Abuse & Neglect, Denver, Colorado
Simoni, JM, Mason HR, Marks, Ruiz MS, et al. 1995. Women's self-disclosure of HIV infection: rates, reasons and reactions. J of Consult Clin Psychol 63:474-78.
Sun, H, Zhangm J Fu X. (2007). Psychological status, coping, and social support of people living with HIV/AIDS in Central China. Public Health Nursing 24 (2):132-40.
Struwig. F, and Stead. G. (2001) Planning, designing and reporting.research. Cape Town, Pearson Education South Africa.
Strauss,A.and Corbin,J.(1990).Basic of Qualitative Research Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications
Solomon V, van Rooyen H, Griesel R, Gray D, Stein J, Nott V. Critical Review and
Analysis of Voluntary Counselling and Testing -Literature in Africa. Durban: Health
Systems Trust; 2004
UNAIDS. 2006a. 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. Geneva.UNAIDS
UNAIDS. 2006b. Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic: A UNAIDS 10th Anniverisary Special Edition. UNAIDS. Geneva.
United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA). (2004). Overview of Adolescent life. Retrieved March 24, 2004 from http://www.unfpa.org/adolescents/overview.htm
UNAIDS. 2007. UNAIDS Epidemic Update. March 4, 2008. www.unaids.org Makwakwa, E, E (2003) The Promotion of Voluntary HIV testing among hostel dwellers by community nurses. Unpublished masters’ dissertation Rand Afrikaans University Johannesburg.Press,p-5
Seligman,M (1996)The optimistic child. New York: HarperCollins.
Shillinger K (1999) Male circumcision cited for differing HIV rates among Africans in Boston Globe On line ,
Shisana, O. and Simbiya J (2002) South African National HIV prevelance, Behavioural and Mass Media, HSRC Study of HIV/AIDS: Household survey, Cape Town:HSRC.
Simbayi, L.C., Chauveau, J., & Shisana, O. (2004). Behavioural Responses of SouthAfrican Youth to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: A Nationwide survey. Aids Care, 16 (5), 605-618.
Shisana, O., Rehle, T., Simbayi, L.C., Parker, W., Zuma, K., Bhana, A., Connolly, C., Jooste, S., Pillay, V. (2005). South African National HIV Prevalence, HIV Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey, 2005. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
Van Dyk and Van Dyk P.J. (2003) “What is the point of knowing” Psychosocial Barriers to HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling Programmes in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 33(2), 118-125.
UNAIDS/WHO 2001-The impact of VCT and Testing. Global Review of the Benefits and Challenges. Geneva UNAIDS/WHO.
UNAIDS/WHO (2002) HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing. A getaway to prevention and care. Geneva.UNAIDS/WHO
Njagi, F and Maharaj, P(2006)Access to Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services ,Perspectives of Young People. South Africa Review of Sociology, 37(2),113-127
WHO’s 2004 GlobalStrategy for Diet, Physical Activity and Health
World Health Organization, Constitution of the World Health Organization, 45th ed. (2006), online: WHO,
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Published by Human Resource Management Academic Research Society (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
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