The development, implementation and evaluation of a locus of control-based training programme for HIV and AIDS risk reduction among university students

There is an escalation of HIV and AIDS among the youth in South Africa and other developing countries. Research on HIV and AIDS risk factors has tended to focus more on poverty, gender, race, illiteracy, and violence than personality factors that could influence an individual` s health-protective behaviour. Previous studies have also shown that wealth, education, race, and gender may not make an individual more or less vulnerable to HIV infection. This study argued that locus of control could influence an individual` s health-protective behaviour and that external locus of control could be a risk factor in HIV and AIDS risk reduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a locus of control-based training programme in reducing HIV and AIDS risk among university students. The locus of control-based variables that formed the training programme for HIV and AIDS risk reduction among university students were: social systems control, self-control, fatalism, achievement-oriented behaviour, deferment of gratification, personal values and expectancies, and social alienation. These locus of control-based variables were regarded as contexts in which individuals could exhibit health risk behaviours. A sample of 257 first-year university students participated in the study. There were (N = 170) female participants and (N = 87) male participants drawn from the University of the Witwatersrand. The study was a pretest-posttest repeated measures design. Data were analysed using t tests, correlations, multiple regression, structural equation modelling, and repeated measures tests. The results of this study showed significant differences in health risks between participants with an external locus of control and participants with an internal locus of control. There was a significant relationship between locus of control-based variables and HIV and AIDS risk. The locus of control-based training programme significantly modified personality and significantly reduced locus of control-based health risks and HIV and AIDS risk. Directions for future research on locus of control, health risks, and HIV and AIDS risk could focus on the development and implementation of various locus of control-based training programmes in South Africa. Locus of control should be targeted as a health risk factor in HIV and AIDS risk reduction training programmes

Home-based care for parents with AIDS: impact on children's psychological functioning

Objective: This study explored the concept of home-based care for people living with full-blown AIDS and the impact of this on their children's psychological functioning. There were 30 children in the study whose parents had full-blown AIDS. The comparison group comprised 30 children. The parents of the children in the comparison group reported that they did not have full-blown AIDS and were not registered as AIDS patients with their community home-based care group.Method: The children's psychological functioning and performance on cognitive tasks were examined, using the Impact of Event Scale — Revised, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), the Stress Symptoms Checklist, the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), the British Ability Scales and Daniel and Diack's Graded Spelling Test.Result: The results of the study showed that children whose parents had full-blown AIDS showed mental distress and low cognitive performance on numerical and spelling skills.Conclusion: The findings of the study seem to suggest that although the home-based care concept is a noble and global idea, it should be accompanied by psychological support mechanisms to mitigate the effects of traumatic stress that normally follow exposure to a traumatic event. Suggestions for further research on the topic are discussed.Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2007, 19(1): 29–4

Exploring the Challenges of Evidence-based HIV and AIDS Prevention Interventions in Africa

The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges associated with evidence-based interventions in HIV prevention in Africa. New technologies are being developed and tried in Africa to reduce HIV infection and to treat people living with HIV and AIDS. The HIV prevention clinical trials are conducted in selected African countries. Some of the countries that participate in HIV prevention clinical trials are Benin, Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The sponsors of HIV prevention research are looking for better and safer methods that could be developed to improve current healthcare products used in HIV prevention and treatment. The study surveyed the challenges associated with HIV prevention technologies highlighting both positive indicators of success and negative indicators of technology failure. Attendant health risks associated with prevention failure are discussed. Direction for future studies could focus on HIV risk reduction in clinical trials

Violence, Interpersonal Trust and Gullibility in HIV Risk in Africa

The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of using Rotter’s social learning theory in understanding violence, interpersonal trust and gullibility in HIV prevention. The study examines social learning concepts and how they can be applied to HIV prevention programmes in violent circumstances. The study surveyed forms of violence prevalent in Africa that can make people vulnerable to HIV infection. The forms of violence discussed in this paper are: political violence, intimate partner violence, violence against minority groups, domestic violence, violence against orphaned and vulnerable children, and violence against gays and lesbians. The argument of this paper is that violence is more likely to lower people’s levels of interpersonal trust and it could be associated with gullibility in HIV prevention.AFRICA INSIGHT Vol 42 (1) – June 201

Research PaperPredicting HIV risk using a locus of control-based model among university students

Objective:The purpose of the study was to predict HIV risk using a locus of control-based intervention. The locus of control-based variables that were used in this study were social systems control, self-control, fatalism and achievement-oriented behaviour. The study sample was made up of 257 university students whose ages ranged from 17–20 years. All the students were black. Method: The study assessed participants’ perceived health control perceptions using Rotter’s locus of control scale, social systems control scale, self-control scale, fatalism scale, the intellectual responsibility questionnaire and HIV risk assessment questionnaire. The study performed correlational and linear regression analyses using statistical software SAS to  establish the relationship between locus of control-based factors and HIV risk. Results: The results showed significant correlations between locus of control-based variables and HIV risk. The locus of control-based model significantly predicted variance in HIV risk. Conclusion: Directions for future research on the relationship between locus of control-based interventions and HIV risk could focus on the development of locus of control-based HIV risk reduction interventions in South African universities. Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2010, 22(2): 119–12

Women and indigenous knowledge systems in rural subsistence farming: the case of climate change in Africa

This paper assesses indigenous knowledge systems used by women in rural subsistence farming in Africa. The focus is on indigenous knowledge systems that help farmers to survive and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. They apply this knowledge in the absence of modern technology to grow crops and raise livestock and poultry. A survey of literature revealed various indigenous technologies that women use in crop, livestock and poultry production. The analysis of indigenous knowledge systems includes seed and breed selection, seed protection and preservation, weeding and intercropping, free-range farming and the use of indigenous technologies in livestock and poultry treatment. Science and technology should benefit rural women: they should be able to use appropriate technologies, and to upgrade their technical skills and increase their knowledge of sustainable agriculture

Women's use of indigenous knowledge in Africa

The aim of the study was to assess the role of indigenous knowledge systems used by women in rural development. A theoretical approach was used to assess the role of women in rural areas and small towns in economic development. It is posited that rural women in Africa contribute towards economic development through sustainable rural developmental projects. It is argued that women have shown significant economic contribution with respect to rural water source development, crop production, fish farming, mushroom production, honey production, biogas energy production and artisanal mining. Rural women work individually at household level and in groups as cooperatives to develop their communities, districts, and provinces. African governments are challenged to facilitate rural development through the provision of legislative and operational frameworks that guide women using indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous production methods. Statutory regulation of economic activities legitimises operations and provides safety to people and the environment. African governments are implored to be responsive and deliver on the constitutional mandate to empower women by facilitating domestic, regional, and international trade involving goods produced by rural women in Africa. Rural development is hampered by lack of markets and agents to promote rural produce. The production of fresh foods is affected by lack of refrigeration facilities although indigenous storage methods are used to preserve crops, fruits, and vegetables. The development of indigenous alternative energy sources such as biogas would stimulate economic development in rural areas and small towns. Biofuels are renewable energy sources that are promoted to replace non-renewable energy resources. It is argued that biofuels should be promoted in rural development as renewable energy is environmentally-friendly and reduces global warming. Future studies could focus on the economic contribution of rural women in reducing poverty and dependence on government

Examining Perceptions of Sexual Harassment among Recent Female Graduates in the Workplace

The aim of the study was to examine perceptions of sexual harassment among recent female graduates in Johannesburg. A qualitative methodology was used to assess participants’ perception of sexual harassment in the workplace. There were eight black unmarried women who volunteered to participate in the study. The snowballing technique was used to recruit participants. Participants were graduates from universities and tertiary colleges. The women were interviewed and the data was analysed qualitatively using thematic content analysis. The results showed that sexual harassment was perceived negatively as a violation of human rights, even though the concept was understood differently by participants. Directions for future research could focus on enablers and inhibitors of reporting sexual harassment among recent graduates in the workplace