Health behaviour change of people living with HIV after a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction intervention in North-West Province in South Africa

All over We world, health behaviour is considered a complex, lar reaching and powerlul phenomenon. People's lives are influenced by Weir own or others health behaviour on a daily basis. Whether it has to do with smoking, drinking, pollution, global 1 arming or HIV management, i L ouches Lives and it challenges personal and commUllily responses. Health behaviour, and healW behaviour change, probably holds We key to many a person's immediate or prolonged life or death outcomes. The same can be said about communities, culture groups and nations. This SAN PAD-funded study focused on research questions relating to health behaviour change or people living vith HIV (III.WH) in We North-West Province in South Africa. It investigated whether a comprehensive comillU m ty-based HIV stigma reduction intervention caused health behaviour change in P1 H. An quantitative single system research design with one pre- and our repetitive post-tests utilizing purposive sampling as used to lest change-over-time in We health behaviour of 18 PLW H. The results of We study indicated statistical and/or practical significant change-over-time. The in not only addressed the health behaviour of Pl.WH, but also their HIV stigma experiences. HIV signs and symptoms and Weir quality of life in We context of being HIV positive. The recommendations include popularization of the comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction intervention and extending it to include a second intervention to strengthen health behaviour and quality of life for PI.WH in the community at large.