Abstract:

An estimated 5.2 million people were living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa in 2008, more than in any other country. It is believed that in 2008, over 250,000 South Africans died of AIDS. National prevalence is around 11%, with some age groups being particularly affected. Almost one-in-three women aged 25-29, and over a quarter of men aged 30-34, are living with HIV. HIV prevalence among those aged two and older also varies by province with the Western Cape (3.8%) and Northern Cape (5.9%) being least affected, and Mpumalanga (15.4%) and KwaZulu-Natal (15.8%) at the upper end of the scale. HIV in South Africa is transmitted predominantly heterosexually between couples, with mother-to-child transmission being the other main infection route.

The impact of the AIDS epidemic is reflected in the dramatic change in South Africas mortality rates. The overall number of annual deaths increased sharply from 1997, when 316,559 people died, to 2006 when 607,184 people died. This rise is not necessarily due solely to HIV and AIDS but it is young adults, the age group most affected by AIDS, who are particularly shouldering the burden of the increasing mortality rate. In 2006, 41% of deaths were attributed to 25-49 year olds, up from 29% in 1997. This is a strong indicator that AIDS is a major, if not the principal factor in the overall rising number of deaths .

QUESTION 1

From this abstract, formulate the following:

1.1 Title of the study.

1.2 Problem statement.

1.3 Hypothesis.

1.4 Main research question and 3 sub-questions.

1.5 Research design (also state whether you will use qualitative or quantitative design or both and why).

1.6 Which data collection methods will you use and why? Discuss at least 2 methods in order to ensure triangulation?

1.7 Which population would you choose for this study and why?

1.8 What sampling technique will you use for this study and why? 1.9 Design 8 questions which you would ask your respondents for this study.