Victor Daitz Chair in HIV/AIDS Research/UKZN Strategic AIDS Initiative

Three of the University of KwaZulu-Natal?’s students investigating topics related to HIV and AIDS at Master?’s degree level presented on their research at a forum hosted by the Victor Daitz Chair in HIV/AIDS Research, on behalf of the UKZN Strategic AIDS Initiative, at the Howard College Campus in the last week of July.

Ms Nicola Deghaye spoke on ?“The cost of scaling up the provision of anti-retroviral therapy in hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal?”, and Ms Meiko Josephine Dolo presented on ?“The role of spirituality in the life of people living with HIV and AIDS?”. The third speaker was Ms Rugira Modeste, whose research covers ?“Self-care symptom management strategies among women living with HIV/AIDS in an urban area in eThekwini district?”.

According to the Forum Co-ordinator, Ms Jacqui Handingham, explained that the purpose of the forum is to provide a platform for younger researchers to share their ideas, present their work and receive constructive criticism or praise for their research and presentations.

?“There seems to be great interest in such ?‘friendly?’ fora,?” says Hadingham. ?“Many researchers find giving their first presentations very intimidating, especially if the audience becomes negative or confrontational, as can happen when some aspects or findings of the study are not widely known or are controversial. So, for less experienced researchers, these fora are an induction into the world of peer review and debate in a supportive environment.?”

?“The work being done by young researchers is amazing,?” she adds. ?“There is so much passion and commitment - it is very encouraging. We had planned to host a Forum every few months, but given the success of this session, it might well develop into a series of sessions held every two months, alternating between the Howard College, Medical School and Pietermaritzburg campuses.?”

For the pdf versions of the researchers?’ presentations, click on the documents in the righthand column.

For more information about the researchers, contact HIVAN?’s AIDS Research Co-ordinator, Jacqueline Hadingham. Tel: [27] (031) 260 4620 e-mail: [email protected]