The potential of visual and participatory approaches to HIV literacy in South Africa

• Main Author: Wienand, Annabelle
• Other Authors: Godby, Michael
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Historical Studies
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8174

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-150). === An estimated 18.8 % of South African adults aged 15-49 are currently living with HIV. While HIV literacy campaigns and other strategies have aimed to reduce HIV incidence, there remains a general lack of knowledge of the biomedical nature of the disease. This not only inhibits attempts to reduce HIV transmission, but also discourages voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), accessing clinic care and the uptake of antiretroviral therapy. This dissertation identifies the essential role played by community health workers and treatment activists who offer 'HIV literacy' in their communities and assist the formal health care system. The aim of this study was to complement these initiatives with the development and analysis of a visual and participatory HIV literacy workshop.