HIV-related research

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HIV-related research
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Social, behavioural and economic research at the PHRU has informed many of the interventions. PHRU recognises the importance of taking a household approach to treating HIV.

Adherence

Kids count: The children's ART adherence resource pack (2006)

An initiative of the Adherence Networking Group, this pack includes resources to assist those involved in the planning, provision and support of ART interventions in children. The pack includes: information essential for effective counselling of children and caregivers, such as medical, legal and developmental perspectives; key issues in adherence counselling for caregivers and children; information sheets which can be used as handouts in training or given to caregivers; detailed information on specific psychosocial issues, such as VCT for children, disclosure, grief and loss, sexuality, developmental and parenting challenges; examples of strategies used to support children and their caregivers; and, finally, a list of resources that may be needed to assist caregivers and children.

UPDATED: Download the Children's ART Adherence Resource Pack [PDF, 5.3MB]

Download the Children's ART Adherence Training Guide [PDF, 4.5MB]

Adherence resource pack (2005)

Developed by the Adherence Networking Group, this resource pack provides highly relevant information on adherence to anti-retroviral treatment in an easily accessible form. It is aimed at lay counsellors and professionals interested in adherence support and training. The pack includes material on ART adherence counselling and support; a trainer's guide; information sheets; sample training curricula and a list of support resources.

Download the adherence resource pack.

Household surveys

Household vulnerability and child health

In 2002, PHRU conducted a large household survey in Soweto to determine the impact of HIV/AIDS on household vulnerability and child health.

This was a cross-sectional survey of 4,912 households, based on household type, i.e. private sector housing, council housing, backyard dwellings, hostels and informal settlements.

The sample included detailed information on 22,724 individuals, 8,523 of whom were children.

The survey was completed in early 2003 and has provided an invaluable database on the Soweto population.

A report titled “The Effects of Adult Morbidity and Mortality on Household Welfare and the Well-being of Children in Soweto” has been completed.

Download the Soweto household report.

Economic impact

A study on the impact of HIV/AIDS on economic well-being was conducted by Dr Veni Naidu for her doctoral thesis. The study focused on developing a methodology to measure economic impact at a household level.

This household survey was conducted by PHRU in collaboration with the Economic Policy Research Unit of the University of Cape Town and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.

The research was sponsored by USAID, DfID and AUSAID, and was administered by JEAPP.

Masculinity and men’s sexual behaviour

An ethnographic study was conducted by Sakhumzi Mfecane in Soweto on heterosexual men which has given some insight into male sexuality and a male perspective on relationships and sexual engagement.

Sexual risk behaviours for HIV transmission among men who have sex with men have not been well described. Since the majority of infections occur via heterosexual intercourse in Africa, HIV prevention and testing needs of MSM have received little attention.

A pilot qualitative study on 48 men was conducted in Soweto and Hillbrow in South Africa. The study suggests that MSM are at high risk of infection and that targeted intervention to improve the quality of health care for MSM are urgently needed.

Currently, a collaboration between University of California, San Francisco, and PHRU is exploring these issues further.

Living with HIV and dying of AIDS

The aim of the project was to gain a greater understanding of the emotions of people infected and affected with HIV, what support structures within the household and community exist and the various meanings of death in the context of the socio-cultural background in Soweto.

HIV/AIDS and the media

The HIV/AIDS and the Media is an innovative project that brings together expertise of HIV/AIDS researchers and journalists.

It is a collaborative project with the School of Journalism (University of the Witwatersrand).

The fellowship program, funded by Johns Hopkins University, provides opportunities for working journalists and researchers to investigate aspects of HIV coverage in the media.

For more information and to download reports visit Journ-AIDS.