Resilience: Key Factors Associated With Resilience of Older People in Botswana

This study aims to determine key factors that predict resilience in older people. A cross-sectional design and quantitative methods were used for this study. Four districts were selected in Botswana using cluster random sampling. Data on resilience from 378 older adults aged 60 years+ [Mean Age (SD) = 71.1(9.0)] was collected using snowballing technique. Data on socio-demographics, protective and risk factors were also collected from urban and rural areas. CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) analysis was used to predict the strengths of the relationships among resilience and all predictor variables because the data were skewed. Five major predictor variables reached significance to be included in the model: depression, QOL, social impairment, education, and whether participants paid for services or accessed free services, along with high self-esteem (p \u3c .001), security, and self-efficacy (p \u3c .05). The presence of depression symptoms (χ2 = 23.7, p = .001, df = 1) and self-esteem (χ2 = 39.6, p \u3c .001) had the greatest influence on resilience. Older people with no depression symptoms but had low QOL still had social impairment (χ2 = 3.9, p \u3c .05). Older people with no depression symptoms had moderate to high QOL but had low resilience as a result of paying for services (χ2 = 7.4, p \u3c .02). Both protective and risk factors had a significant influence on resilience. Knowledge about the predictors of resilience in older people may assist stakeholders devise effective intervention, especially now with COVID-19 ravaging the country. Additionally, policies and programs inclined to assist older people may be established and implemented

Towards respecting children’s rights, obligations and responsibilities : the Zimbabwean case

This article reports on an attempt to demonstrate the importance of putting theory into practice in a way that will impact on the lives of children who are currently being denied their basic rights. Purposive sampling of schools in urban areas in Harare Province, Zimbabwe, was used with data collected from 147 participants (M age¼16.9, SD¼1.38) that was subjected to quantitative analysis. Data were gathered on participants’ views on children’s rights and obligations and their understanding and implementation of the Bills of Rights. Children acknowledged that their rights were being implemented although inadequately; adults living in urban areas were perceived to have knowledge of children’s rights and were said to implement them. To resolve the challenges to the implementation of children’s rights and obligations, a multi-sectoral approach is required.http://spi.sagepub.com/hb201

Developing the Silver Economy and Related Government Resources for Seniors: A Position Paper

The precarious rights of senior citizens, especially those who are highly educated and who are expected to counsel and guide the younger generations, has stimulated the creation internationally of advocacy associations and opinion leader groups. The strength of these groups, however, varies from country to country. In some countries, they are supported and are the focus of intense interest; in others, they are practically ignored. For this is reason we believe that the creation of a network of all these associations is essential. The proposed network would act as a support for the already-existing policies of the United Nations' High Commission for Human Rights, of independent experts, and of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People. All three have long ago recommended the creation of a recognized instrument for uniting presently scattered efforts. The proposed network, therefore, will seek to promote the international exchange of relevant expertise, and it will reinforce the commitments and actions that single countries are currently taking to meet these objectives. For example, informative public events can be organised to promote particular support initiatives and to provide an opportunity for new members of the network to be presented. The network will promote health for senior citizens, disease prevention, senior mobility, safe free time for seniors, alimentary education, protection against new risks and dangers, as well as equity in the services necessary for seniors to adopt new information and communication technologies. In the case of retired academic members, the network will promote equality with respect to continuing use of digital technologies (particularly email), continuing access to research libraries, and the guaranteed ability for seniors to fund their own research programs and to deliver free seminars

Developing the Silver Economy and Related Government Resources for Seniors: A Position Paper

The precarious rights of senior citizens, especially those who are highly educated and who are expected to counsel and guide the younger generations, has stimulated the creation internationally of advocacy associations and opinion leader groups. The strength of these groups, however, varies from country to country. In some countries, they are supported and are the focus of intense interest; in others, they are practically ignored. For this is reason we believe that the creation of a network of all these associations is essential. The proposed network would act as a support for the already-existing policies of the United Nations’ High Commission for Human Rights, of independent experts, and of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People. All three have long ago recommended the creation of a recognized instrument for uniting presently scattered efforts. The proposed network, therefore, will seek to promote the international exchange of relevant expertise, and it will reinforce the commitments and actions that single countries are currently taking to meet these objectives. For example, informative public events can be organised to promote particular support initiatives and to provide an opportunity for new members of the network to be presented. The network will promote health for senior citizens, disease prevention, senior mobility, safe free time for seniors, alimentary education, protection against new risks and dangers, as well as equity in the services necessary for seniors to adopt new information and communication technologies. In the case of retired academic members, the network will promote equality with respect to continuing use of digital technologies (particularly email), continuing access to research libraries, and the guaranteed ability for seniors to fund their own research programs and to deliver free seminars

Spousal Abuse in Zimbabwe: Nature and Extent across Socio-Economic Class, Gender and Religiosity

This study investigated the nature and extent of spousal abuse among the different sexes, social classes, religious and non-religious families in Zimbabwe.  Five types of spousal abuse were considered: physical, emotional, economical, sexual and psychological. The relationships between these types of spousal abuse by gender, social class and religious affiliation were tested. A total of 130 informants (mean age=33.8 years; s.d= 6.8 years) who knew families with abuse took part in this study.  Participants provided quantitative and qualitative data on the types and prevalence of spousal abuse they perceived in families they knew. The prevalence of spousal abuse did not differ by gender. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of spousal abuse between working class and middle class families. The prevalence of spousal abuse was lower among religious families. The study contradicted the view that spousal abuse was higher among the low socio-economic groups and females

Sociodemographic Factors and Health-Related Characteristics That Influence the Quality of Life of Grandparent Caregivers in Zimbabwe

Very few studies have examined quality of life (QOL) in elderly carers of orphaned children in African settings. This study explored sociodemographic factors and health-related characteristics that influence QOL of grandparent carers in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional study stratified by district was done to collect information on socioeconomic factors, health-related characteristics, and QOL of grandparent carers ( N = 327; age: M = 62.4, SD = 11.2). Data were collected on socioeconomic factors, self-perceived health, health care access, chronic disease condition, health insurance status, types of health care services, and medications taken using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the associations between QOL and the predictor variables. Caregivers’ level of education (odds ratio [OR] = 3.0; confidence interval [95% CI] = [1.0, 27]), fostering orphans only (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = [0.2, 0.7]), self-perceived health (OR = 10.2; 95% CI = [4.5, 25]), medical insurance (OR = 9.8; 95% CI = [1.9, 54]), and satisfaction with health care services (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = [1.2, 4.4]) were associated with QOL, after adjusting for all influencing factors. The results confirm that QOL is compromised by specific demographic and self-rated health characteristics. Thus, eradicating poverty and providing services and changing caregiver’s perceptions about self-rated health may enhance QOL among grandparent caregivers

Apostolic faith church organization contexts for health and wellbeing in women and children

Objective. The study explored contexts for health and wellbeing for women and children influenced by the structural behavior of an Apostolic faith church organization in Zimbabwe. Methods. Twenty-three purposively selected members of an African indigenous Apostolic church (males = 12; females = 11; age range 22-95 years) were informants to a focus group discussion session. They provided data on the institutional behaviors that were culturally-historically embedded in the organization's activities. Data were analyzed thematically and using cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) to foreground essential themes. Results. The church organization provided social capital to support health and wellbeing in members. However, the culturally embedded practices to minimize decision making by women and child members potentially compromised their health and wellbeing. Conclusion. The findings suggest that the structural activities of the church for health and wellbeing could also have the paradoxical effect of exposing women and children to health risks from obligatory roles

The theory of planned behavior as a behavior change model for tobacco control strategies among adolescents in Botswana.

BACKGROUND:Behavioral intentions (motivational factors), attitudes, subjective norm (social pressures), and perceived behavioral control promote or discourage smoking behavior among adolescents. OBJECTIVE:To assess students' behavioral intentions, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on smoking using the Theory of Planned Behavior. The prevalence of smoking among the adolescents is also calculated. METHODS:In this cross-sectional study, structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from adolescents in primary and secondary schools. Data on demographics, behavioral intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards smoking were collected. Pearson product moment correlations and logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with current smoking. RESULTS:A total sample of 2554 (mean age = 15; Range = 12-18 years) students participated in the study. Twenty-nine percent (n = 728) of the students had tried smoking at least once. Smoking was predicted by attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention.There was a strong association between having a parent or guardian, caregiver or close friend who smoked (p < 0.001) and being a smoker. The majority of students (57%) conveyed that adults talked to them about the harmful effects of cigarette smoking and 50% had discussed smoking concerns with their friends. Students who had positive attitudes towards smoking like "smoking makes you confident" were more likely to be current smokers (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.03-2.59). The feeling or conviction that they could refuse a cigarette if offered was an impediment from smoking (OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.13-0.26). CONCLUSIONS:Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control contributed significantly to the students' smoking. Right attitudes must be cultivated and behavioral control must be strengthened for early effective interventions to curtail smoking among adolescents

Factors contributing to the upsurge of sexually transmitted infections in Gaborone, Botswana

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) remain a major public health problem in subsaharan African countries, particularly Botswana. In Gaborone, STIs increased from 24 272 in 2015 to 28 106 in 2016 (16%), despite intense advocacy for behavior change by stakeholders to reduce HIV and AIDS prevalence. This study aimed to establish the risk factors associated with STIs.Materials and Methods: A case-control design was used to study 90 cases and 153 controls (Mean age= 28; SD= ± 6.48; age range= 18 – 60 years) enrolled from two health facilities. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires and participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were captured and analyzed using SPSS statistical software (version 25).Results: Traveling long distances to access condoms from clinics or pharmacies was a risk factor for contracting STIs among males [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 3.46; 95% CI 1.37-8.73]. Negative attitudes, for instance, reduction of quality of sex (pleasure) caused by condom use, was found to be a risk factor among females (AOR= 4.15; 95% CI 1.71-10.08). Additionally, belonging to a particular religion, that is, Pentecostal, was a deterrent to contracting STIs for both genders (AOR=0.27; 95% CI 0.11-0.68).Conclusions: Knowledge of the deleterious effects of STIs was not sufficient to curb contracting any of the infections. Barriers to easy access of condoms such as traveling long distances and negative attitudes towards condom use are obstacles to maintaining healthy behaviors. Stakeholders should increase condom collection points and change negative attitudes through the use of cost-benefit analysis in the AIDS era.Keywords: STIs, Precede-Proceed model, condom use, risky behavior, negative attitude