scholarly journals Aggregate Search Engine Query Trend Reveal Trade-off in Interest and Awareness on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde Okunoye
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Web Searches ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The World ◽  
Hiv Aids

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus (AIDS), caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a leading cause of mortality on the African continent and world. HIV and AIDS are among the greatest public health challenges confronting health authorities around the world. The greatest burden of HIV and AIDS is felt in sub-Saharan countries, with Nigeria and South Africa having the greatest incidence of the disease in the world. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, but with effective treatment and healthy living, HIV infection will not develop into AIDS. With increased awareness campaigns by national, regional and international health institutions, there has been an increased awareness on HIV and AIDS across the world. Using data from web searches on HIV/AIDS submitted online on the most widely used search engine Google from 2004-2020, a trade-off pattern is seen in the web searches on HIV and AIDS in Nigeria and South Africa showing the decline in search interest for AIDS relative to HIV. This trend mirrors progress on the ground in both countries, with a decline in AIDS-related deaths and people living longer with the HIV virus. This observed trend might be an indicator that multilateral efforts at combating HIV/AIDS, particularly through awareness raising and behavioural interventions in these two most endemic countries are bearing fruit, not just on the ground, but also reflected in the online information seeking on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

scholarly journals Online search trend reveals declining interest in AIDS-related searches relative to HIV-related searches in South Africa (v. 2 Under Peer Review)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde Okunoye
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The World ◽  
Hiv Aids

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a leading cause of mortality on the African continent and world. HIV and AIDS are among the greatest public health challenges confronting health authorities around the world. The greatest burden of HIV and AIDS is felt in sub-Saharan countries, with Nigeria and South Africa having the greatest incidence of the disease in the world. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, but with effective treatment and healthy living, HIV infection will not develop into AIDS. With increased awareness campaigns by national, regional and international health institutions, there has been an increased awareness on HIV and AIDS across the world. Using data from search query trends on HIV/AIDS submitted online on the most widely used search engine Google from 2004-2019, a decline in search interest for AIDS relative to HIV is revealed in South Africa. This trend mirrors progress on the ground in South Africa, with a decline in AIDS-related deaths and people living longer with the HIV virus. This observed trend might be an indicator that multilateral efforts at combating HIV/AIDS, particularly through awareness raising and behavioural interventions in South Africa is bearing fruit, not just on the ground, but also reflected in the online information seeking on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

scholarly journals The professional nurse’s experience of the dying process of the terminal Aids patient

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Bester ◽  
Engela Du Plessis ◽  
Minrie Greeff
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Full Text ◽  
The World ◽  
Hiv Aids

The increase in HIV/AIDS raises international concern. Statistics indicate that South Africa has the fastest increasing HIV-infection rate in the world. Opsomming Die toename in MIV/VIGS wek internasionale kommer. Statistiek toon dat Suid-Afrika die snelstygendste MIVbesmettingskoers ter wêreld het. *Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.

scholarly journals Online search trend reveals declining interest in AIDS-related searches relative to HIV-related searches in South Africa (v.3)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde Okunoye
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Aids Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

BACKGROUNDThe Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a leading cause of mortality on the African continent and world. HIV and AIDS are among the greatest public health challenges confronting health authorities around the world, with Nigeria and South Africa having the greatest incidence of the disease in the world. There is little research into how Africans meet their health information needs on HIV/AIDS online, and this research gap impacts programming and educational responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. METHODSData on search trends on HIV and AIDS for South Africa was found using the search terms ‘’HIV’ and ‘’AIDS’’ (categories: health, web search), on Google Trends. This was compared with data on estimated adults and children living with HIV, and AIDS-related deaths in South Africa, the Joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS, and also with search interest in the topics ‘’HIV’’ and ‘’AIDS’’ on Wikipedia Afrikaans, the most developed local language Wikipedia service in South Africa. Nonparametric statistical tests were conducted to support the trends and associations identified in the data.RESULTS Google Trends shows a statistically significant decline in search interest for AIDS relative to HIV in South Africa. This trend mirrors progress on the ground in South Africa, significantly associated with a decline in AIDS-related deaths and people living longer with the HIV virus. This trend was also replicated on Wikipedia Afrikaans, where there was a greater interest in HIV than AIDS.LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDYThis paper reports on how in general, interest in search terms ‘’HIV’’ and ‘’AIDS’’ mirrors the decline in AIDS cases and the increase in people living with HIV in South Africa. Nevertheless, there is an acknowledgement that the population of health information seekers on HIV/AIDS online may be quite different from the offline population. For instance, not everyone living with HIV/AIDS may be connected online or use search engines, and there is a difference in the number of people connected to the Internet over the years of the study 2004 – 2019. Hence, this paper is not an exact mapping of the online behaviour of all the people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. CONCLUSIONThis observed trend might be an indicator that multilateral efforts at combating HIV/AIDS, particularly through awareness raising and behavioural interventions in South Africa is bearing fruit, not just on the ground, but also reflected in the online information seeking on the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A major obstacle to combating the impacts of disease in developing countries is the paucity of high-quality health data, particularly understanding the health information needs of people. Without understanding people’s everyday concerns, health organizations and policymakers are less able to effectively target education and programming efforts for all gender and age-groups. The information needs of people, and their everyday concerns are often expressed via search engine queries as millions go online to meet health information needs.

scholarly journals The perception amongst a population of high school students in South Africa about ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS*

2012 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. T. Melwa ◽  
O. A. Oduntan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
School Students ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Hiv Aids

HIV and AIDS can result in visual impairment, therefore it is important that those who have or atrisk of contracting the disease have a basic knowledge of its ocular manifestations, so that they may seek eye care early. This study assessed the per-ceptions of a sample of senior high school students at the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa about the ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS and its management. Questionnaires were distributed to the students in their classrooms after school hours and upon completion were collected the same day. Data analysis revealed that 27.8% of the participants agreed that HIV/AIDS can affect the eyes. Another 27.8% responded that HIV/AIDS could cause dry eyes. Less than a third (31.4%) indicated that the disease could cause red eyes, 31.5% and 38.1% respectively indicated that HIV/AIDS could cause cancer of the eyelids and the eyeball.  About half of the respondents (52%) agreed that the disease could cause swollen eyelids; while about 46% agreed that vision loss or blindness could occur in HIV/AIDS.  Many (65.6%) indicated that an ophthalmologist or an optometrist should be consulted for HIV/AIDS-related eye problems and only 16.5% reported that traditional healers could be consulted. Perception about the ocular manifestations of HIV and AIDS is poor among the participants, suggesting a need for awareness campaigns and education.  (S Afr Optom 2012 71(3) 117-122)

scholarly journals The social construction of HIV/AIDS

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Goldstein ◽  
H G Pretorius ◽  
A D Stuart
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Construction ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
Hiv Aids

An in-depth look is taken at the specific discourses surrounding the debilitating HIV/AIDS epidemic sweeping South Africa and the world. Opsomming Hierdie artikel poog om ‘n indiepte ondersoek te loods na die spesifieke diskoerse rondom die MIV/VIGS epidemie in Suid-Afrika en die wêreld. *Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.

Searching for Information on the World Wide Web with a Search Engine: A Pilot Study on Cognitive Flexibility in Younger and Older Users

2010 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 490-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurelie Dommes ◽  
Aline Chevalier ◽  
Marilyne Rossetti
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
World Wide Web ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Search Method ◽  
Web Searches ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The World

This pilot study investigated the age-related differences in searching for information on the World Wide Web with a search engine. 11 older adults (6 men, 5 women; M age = 59 yr., SD = 2.76, range = 55–65 yr.) and 12 younger adults (2 men, 10 women; M = 23.7 yr., SD = 1.07, range = 22–25 yr.) had to conduct six searches differing in complexity, and for which a search method was or was not induced. The results showed that the younger and older participants provided with an induced search method were less flexible than the others and produced fewer new keywords. Moreover, older participants took longer than the younger adults, especially in the complex searches. The younger participants were flexible in the first request and spontaneously produced new keywords (spontaneous flexibility), whereas the older participants only produced new keywords when confronted by impasses (reactive flexibility). Aging may influence web searches, especially the nature of keywords used.

scholarly journals BUDAYA HIDUP SEHAT (Sebuah Tinjauan Bioetis)

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 240
Author(s):  
William Chang
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Value Of Life ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
Initial Analysis ◽  
Hiv Aids

This paper intends to highlight HIV and AIDS in the context of a culture of healthy living. The initial analysis underlines health care as a key responsibility of each individual. Thus, neglect of this responsibility invites a critique of our way of life which is itself sick. The reasons for and results from HIV and AIDS cannot be ignored. One important step to anticipate and overcome the HIV infection and AIDS sickness is to form an underlying positive attitude and establish a culture of healthy living, which supports a healthy lifestyle, is responsible, and sustains the value of life and healthy living. Kata-kata kunci: HIV, AIDS, perawatan, kesehatan, budaya, sehat, sikap, positif.

scholarly journals Challenges facing SMMEs during their first two years of operation in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandiso Ngcobo ◽  
S. Sukdeo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The World ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Unemployment is a serious problem that is facing South Africa (SA) and many countries across the globe. As a result, Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) have been identified as some of the suitable entities for job creation in SA. However, not many of the SMMEs experience success to the point that they can significantly contribute to the alleviation of unemployment. The objective of this paper is therefore to investigate possible challenges that SMMEs experience. The findings generally point to a need for awareness campaigns as some of the concerns raised by the participants are not legitimate. Even though the investigation was conducted in SA in the province of KwaZulu-Natal the findings are considered relevant for the rest of the country and many other parts of the world experiencing similar challenges

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding HIV and AIDS among High School Learners in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-92
Author(s):  
Thanduxolo Fana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Risky Behaviour ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Globally, millions are infected with HIV/AIDS, and more than half of them are adolescents aged between 12-25 years. Inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes, and risky practices are major barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention. This study seeks to establish the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among high school learners in South Africa. Methods: Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 422 learners from two high schools using pre-tested questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Results: Participants had good HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and practice levels, however, misconceptions about transmission, negative attitudes, and risky behaviour or practices were also found. Knowledge was associated with age, social status, and sources of information. Attitudes were associated with gender, age, race, social status and sources of information. Practices were associated with age, race, social class, and sources of information (p = < 0.05). Conclusion: Sex education (life orientation) in school and HIV/AIDS awareness programs in communities need to be intensified in order to rectify misconceptions, negative and discriminatory attitudes, unsafe and risky practices, as schools and healthcare workers were found to be the main source of HIV/AIDS information.

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