HEARD Disability Research and Advocacy Projects

The field of disability and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa still lacks valuable empirical research. Therefore HEARD is committed to filling this gap through the initiation of research, bringing together scholars and disabled persons organisations (DPOs), and by collaborating with other research institutions. As an applied research organisation HEARD takes dissemination and advocacy seriously and is dedicated to projects providing leadership within southern Africa. HEARD has been involved in the following research or advocacy projects:

• Depression and HIV Intervention Study
• The Disabling Effects of HIV in the Era of ARV Treatment
• The Sepo Study in Zambia
• Re-Presenting Mental Health: Managing Multiple Meanings in Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Resource Poor AIDS-affected Communities in South Africa
• Mainstreaming Disability into Research - The Young Carer Project
• The Human Rights Project
• Film Stepping into the Unknown - A Film about People with Disabilities who also live with HIV
• Good Practice Collection on Disability and HIV
• Academic Publications

Depression and HIV Intervention Study 2011-2012

More and more evidence is available on the interrelationship of mental health and HIV, with depression and anxieties being one of the biggest issues. Yet only very little is known about this challenge and responses to this health crisis are lacking in hyper epidemic countries such as South Africa. Therefore this study attempts to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a model for the psychological treatment of depression in HIV positive-women in South Africa using a task-shifting approach. The study is embedded in the model of Interpersonal therapy a form of therapy which has shown to be successful with regards to depression in general. The study is lead by Inge Peterson (PI, UKZN) and Jill Hanass-Hancock (HEARD)

The Disabling Effects of HIV in the Era of ARV Treatment - A Pilot Study, 2010-2011

This study investigates the disabling effects of HIV, AIDS and its treatment in the era of ARV treatment. The study is using the ICF framework as a lens to look at the effects of HIV and AIDS in the southern African region. As the first of its kind in southern Africa this study is exploratory and pilots a research tool which has been adapted from a northern context. The study is lead by Dr. Jill Hanass-Hancock in conjunction with the co-investigators, Dr. Stephanie Nixon (ICDR, Canada) and Dr. Hellen Myezwa (WITS University, South Africa)

Click here for the issue brief.

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Re-Presenting Mental Health: Managing Multiple Meanings in Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Resource Poor AIDS-affected Communities in South Africa

This research takes interest in community mental health supports in AIDS impacted communities and, in understanding how differing representations of mental ill health and treatment impact service delivery and uptake in resource poor communities. It focuses on three distinct groups of actors within this space: potential service users, service providers and national and international policy. It also seeks to identify opportunities to increase the voice of lay community members (service users) in outlining their own care, through creating supportive environments for grassroots responses to be supported and facilitated by the formal mental health service sectors. This study is managed by Rochelle Burgess and is a qualitative bolt on study for the Carer-Child Wellbeing Project.

The Sepo Study in Zambia - The Experience of People with Disabilities who are also HIV positive, 2009-2011

This project is a joint venture between the International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation (ICDR) in Canada, HEARD in South Africa and Disability, HIV and AIDS Trust (DHAT) a regional Disabled Peoples Organisation in southern Africa. The project is lead by Dr. Stephanie Nixon from ICDR and looks into the experiences of peoples with disabilities who are also HIV positive in Zambia. Data collection and analysis is been conducted in 2010. The report will be available in 2011.

• Poster: The Intersectionality of HIV and Disability in Zambia. Results from the Sepo Study
• Abstract: “Are we not human?!”: The Need for Anti-Stigma Interventions for People Living with HIV and Disability in Zambia
• Power Point: Disability and HIV: "one of the most critical issues facing populations from Africa to the Carribean, Asia and beyond"
 

Mainstreaming Disability into Research - The Young Carer Project, 2009-2011

The Young Carers Ukunakekela Project, a collaboration between Oxford University, HEARD and Brown University, is mainstreaming issues of disability into wider HIV/AIDS research. This study focuses on children who care for unwell or disabled adults in the home - whether HIV-related or otherwise - and examines the impacts of disability on people's well-being, their capacity to care for children, and family dynamics. For more information visit: www.youngcarers.netau.net.

• Primary results of this study were presented at the CCABA Symposium in Vienna 2010.
• Policy brief: Abuse and extreme poverty drive increased transactional sexual exploitation amond AIDS-affected youth
• Newspaper article: Children of the AIDS pandemic

Human Rights Project, 2009-2010

HEARD is undertaking a disability project that aims to examine legal and human rights dimensions of HIV/AIDS and disability in Southern and Eastern Africa through analysing the National Strategic Plans and HIV policies in these countries. This information will be available in 2010 and will be particularly aimed at governments but will will also be relevant to DPOs and ASOs in Africa. The research project was launched in September 2009 and the reports are available here:

• NSP framework for disability inclusice HIV-programming
• Policy Brief
• Report on NSPs and HIV/AIDS
• Legal framework report
• Legal framework policy brief
• Inclusion of Disability in NSPs in Southern and Eastern Africa. Analysis Tool.
• Inclusion of Disability in NSPs in Southern and Eastern Africa. Analysis Guide.

Stepping into the Unknown - A Film about People with Disabilities who also live with HIV, 2009-2010

This documentary features four people with disabilities who are also infected or affected by HIV and AIDS. The movie was undertaken with the support of the Disability, HIV and AIDS Trust (DHAT). The documentary was shot in March 2010 and launched at the Disability Zone of the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, July 2010. Currently the film is used as an advocacy tool in support of other HEARD and DHAT projects but also in wellness days in the private sector.

To view the film click here. Also available are the key messages and a document on how the project was made.

Good Practice Collection, 2009-2010

HEARD has created a collection of Good Practices on disability and HIV.

These are featured on our website under the resource section. The collection also includes manuals and tools developed or adopted in African contexts and provide guidance to resources available elsewhere. The site also collects resources related to human rights. The site provides links to download or purchase these tools and manuals. The Good Practice Collection was also exhibited at the Disability Zone of the XVIII World AIDS Conference in Vienna 2010.

Academic Publications, 2009

With contributions from its vibrant network, HEARD has completed a special issue on HIV/AIDS and disability in the Journal of the International AIDS Society, which is to go online in November 2009. This is most likely the first special issue on disability and HIV in a peer reviewed scientific journal. HEARD has also contributed to the academic literature through a number of other publications, which can be found in our library.

An issue brief, Considerations for Policy and Practice, is also available here.