University teaching and social cohesion in the age of AIDS: A South African case study

In the context of ongoing social divisions, lack of coherent leadership by government, and even divisiveness over medical advances and public health mandates, how might universities respond? What university actions can support social cohesion in a society splintered by class, race, gender, colonial legacies, the history of apartheid, and HIV/AIDS? More specifically, what approaches to university teaching of HIV/AIDS might foster social cohesion? During 2006, I interviewed 22 instructors at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) at three campuses. The interviewees were faculty members in education, sociology, history, psychology, theology, gender studies, and theater. I observed numerous classes that focused on HIV/AIDS and interviewed approximately 40 undergraduate, honours (4th year), and graduate students. I found that the curriculum and teaching went beyond the technical, individualistic, rational, self-interested assumptions and approaches (such as how to distribute information and condoms) typical of much safe-sex education. The courses explicitly critiqued assumptions, beliefs, and stereotypes that contribute to social divisions and stigma. The teaching efforts consciously included cultural understandings, specifically Zulu cultural understandings of health, community responses, and individuals within communal relationships. The approaches explicitly connected HIV/AIDS with social divisions and inequities of power. The teaching promoted an awareness that public health initiatives (and church or counseling responses) are fraught and controversial. Thus, the teaching tried to place its own ideas within history and society, offering a post-colonial/critical understanding of knowledge, theories, and social “solutions.” In foregrounding social divisions in relation to AIDS, these programmes promoted a critical-edged social cohesion.     

RESEARCH SECTION: The acceptability of psychosocial support interventions for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS: an evaluation of teacher ratings

The AIDS epidemic has created many orphans around the globe. A majority of these orphans live in sub‐Saharan Africa. Children orphaned by HIV/AIDS face many daunting challenges in their struggle to cope with life. The issues they face due to the loss of their parent(s) include poverty, the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and stress. This study carried out by Morgan Chitiyo of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Darlington Changara of Midlands AIDS Caring Organisation and George Chitiyo of Tennessee Technological University discusses how different psychosocial and educational interventions have been developed to help the children to overcome these challenges. However, few of the interventions have been empirically tested to determine their efficacy. The authors set out to evaluate the treatment acceptability of a psychosocial support programme using a group of teachers who had received training and were participating in the implementation of the programme across their schools. Findings from the study indicate high acceptability ratings of the programme.     

Writing in policy,writing out lives

In this paper we argue that education policy on HIV and AIDS is policy about life. As such, the contexts and the realities of teachers and learners in the classroom need to be embedded in the policy. We make a case that HIV and AIDS policy needs to extend beyond the prevention mode to one that includes care and support in the policy context. Through the stories of three HIV positive teachers in Zimbabwean primary schools, we show the real people and the real bodies that inhabit the classrooms where policy seeks to find expression. In so doing we illustrate that policy on HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe is blind to the lives and contexts of teachers and learners.     

基于RNA干扰的抗HIV-1研究

艾滋病是由艾滋病毒感染而引起的传染病,目前在全世界广为流行,但目前还没有彻底的根治方法。该文简要综述了RNA干扰技术在抑制艾滋病毒感染中的研究进展、存在的问题和发展前景。     

Out-of-school and ‘at risk’?: Socio-demographic characteristics,AIDS knowledge and risk perception among young people in Northern Tanzania

This paper investigates the reasons why young people in urban and rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania do not attend school, their socio-demographic characteristics, AIDS knowledge and risk perception. A structured face-to-face interview was conducted with 1007 young people between the ages of 13 and 18. Findings suggest that non-attendance is the product of a complex interaction of economic, individual, family and school-related factors. Boys have more AIDS knowledge than girls, and those from urban areas are more knowledgeable than their rural counterparts. AIDS knowledge increased significantly at each level of education. Those with the highest risk perception were male, of young age and from rural areas. Expanding access to AIDS information, particularly in rural areas, while concomitantly addressing the social and structural determinants of educational attainment is crucial to improving the health of young people.     

A cross-cultural collaborative: creating textbooks and learning materials and a sustainable partnership for African children

Abstract

This article describes a case study of the South Carolina State University (SCSU)-Zanzibar Textbook and Learning Materials Program (TLMP). A Needs Assessment Plan (NAP), consisting of interviews, observations and debriefings, and including a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA), was implemented to determine the need for textbooks and learning materials. The purpose of the collaborative was to support capacity building in Zanzibar and provide textbooks and learning materials for children in this Sub-Saharan African region. The outcomes were achieved by developing, publishing, and delivering approximately one million culturally relevant textbooks for secondary students, as well as supplementary learning materials. Some of the Education For All (EFA) goals served as a guide for the TLMP's commitment to improve education and social awareness (i.e., gender, HIV/AIDS), and professional development through textbooks. Methodological considerations were framed by case study processes for a) describing, monitoring and analyzing causal effects, and b) a participatory research approach. The methods promoted an equitable process, giving voice to all participants. Consistent with the findings, results were culturally relevant textbooks and improved capacity for Zanzibari participants. Thus, a comprehensive process evolved, resulting in a sustainable partnership between SCSU and Zanzibari stakeholders. The success of the project was confirmed at an historic ceremonial event, Biology textbooks and learning materials were delivered in January 2008, and Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics textbooks are scheduled to be delivered in September 2008.     

毒品及艾滋病致孤儿童集中教育救助实践探索——以边疆少数民族地区某小学为例

云南省某边疆少数民族地区,项目县将部分义务教育阶段的毒品及艾滋病致孤学生全免费集中于县直属某小学的各班级,通过社会各界捐助和学校经费倾斜,解决他们的学习、生活及医疗等问题。实施在校期间由学校集中救助教养、寒暑假期由乡镇政府接回交给原代理监护人看管的方式,历经四年多的实践探索,初步形成学校集中救助毒品及艾滋病致孤儿童的特色教育救助模式。     

浅析大学《艾滋病防治》通识课教学的改革与深化——案例教学法在通识课中的运用

将案例教学法引入《艾滋病防治》通识课教学近5年的实践证明,案例教学法从理论上完善了现代大学教学方法,从实践上得到了广大学生的好评,对帮助学生拓宽知识面,提高对本学科的兴趣,自身防治艾滋病和在社会上义务宣传防治艾滋病均起到了很好作用。     

我国艾滋病感染者就业歧视产生的主要原因

在我国,艾滋病感染者遭遇就业歧视的主要原因在法律层面上是由于法出多门、立法层次较低、内容不完善、法律可操作性不强、执法监督力度不够,从而法律不能充分保障艾滋病感染者的就业权利;在社会层面上,由于人们缺乏对艾滋病的正确认识,对艾滋病及其感染者心存疑虑和恐惧,因而表现出对艾滋病感染者的排斥和歧视。