THE ROLES OF SOCIAL AUXILIARY WORKERS IN DROP-IN-CENTRES: ADDRESSING THE BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIV

South Africa bears the largest burden of children living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. These children battle with multiple vulnerabilities in their lives. This qualitative study explored the roles of ten purposively sampled social auxiliary workers in addressing the biopsychosocial needs of children living with HIV at drop-in centres in Sedibeng District Municipality, South Africa. The study concluded that many of the biopsychosocial needs that children living with HIV face are not being comprehensively addressed. The study proposes the capacitation of social auxiliary workers on paediatric HIV and the biopsychosocial approach as well as improved funding for drop-in centres to increase the depth of services rendered to, and address the growing needs of, children living with HIV.&nbsp

The roles of social auxiliary workers in drop-in-centres : addressing the biopsychosocial needs of children living with hiv

South Africa bears the largest burden of children living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. These children battle with multiple vulnerabilities in their lives. This qualitative study explored the roles of ten purposively sampled social auxiliary workers in addressing the biopsychosocial needs of children living with HIV at drop-in centres in Sedibeng District Municipality, South Africa. The study concluded that many of the biopsychosocial needs that children living with HIV face are not being comprehensively addressed. The study proposes the capacitation of social auxiliary workers on paediatric HIV and the biopsychosocial approach as well as improved funding for drop-in centres to increase the depth of services rendered to, and address the growing needs of, children living with HIV.http://socialwork.journals.ac.za/pubam2022Social Work and Criminolog

Developing a psychoeducational programme for caregivers of people with intellectual disability

DATA AVAILABILITY: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, B.K.G.BACKGROUND : In the Western Cape, South Africa, a significant number of individuals with intellectual disabilities are cared for by caregivers who receive little or no compensation, education or support. Despite the unique challenges faced by these caregivers, no psychoeducational programmes have been implemented for this particular population. OBJECTIVES : The study aimed to examine the factors contributing to caregiver distress and develop a solution in the form of a psychoeducational programme for caregivers METHODS : A mixed-methods research approach was employed. The qualitative phase involved exploratory research to gather fundamental information and gain new insights into caregiver distress. The quantitative phase utilised a ‘one-group pre-test, post-test design’ with a Likert-scale questionnaire to enable meaningful interpretations and comparisons of the psychoeducational programme’s impact and value. The paired t-test was employed to determine significant differences between pre-test and post-test results. RESULTS : The statistical findings demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge, with 99%of respondents indicating a positive impact in reducing caregiver distress and 85% feeling better equipped to care for individuals with intellectual disabilities. CONCLUSION : The psychoeducational programme developed in this study had a positive effect on reducing caregiver distress. CONTRIBUTION : This knowledge provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals in designing relevant intervention programmes, offering support and providing resources not only for individuals with intellectual disabilities but also for their caregivers.http://www.ajod.orgSocial Work and Criminolog

The feasabilty of Employee Assistence Programmes for rural schools in Limpopo

Multiple factors have an impact on schools in rural areas. Most of these factors relate back to either the conditions of the environment; behaviour of children, structural challenges in schools and working conditions of teachers. In combination these factors not only contribute to poor school performance but also to high incidence of teacher social problems. This article critically examines the potential of introducing an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) at rural schools as a resource in support of developing rural school capacity. Utilising focus group methodology to gather data from teaching personnel post an introductory workshop, the feasibility of such programme is examined. Findings confirmed that although the concept is feasible, its implementation would require skillful modeling to accommodate the multi-factor nature of the system in which it is supposed to function. Guidelines are provided to facilitate the introduction of such a comprehensive EAP model.gv201

THE EXPERIENCES OF SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa presents a high prevalence of mental health problems, with one in six South Africans being diagnosed with anxiety, depression and substance-use problems (excluding more severe conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia). The incidence of mental health problems is ranked third after HIV and other infectious diseases in determining the disease burden. Social workers are key professionals in rendering interventions and services aimed at treating persons with mental health problems. In this qualitative study, ten purposively sampled social workers providing mental health services at a mental health facility in Tshwane, South Africa were interviewed. The thematic analysis generated seven themes, four of which are discussed. The findings reveal that social workers are adequately capacitated to provide mental health services and are one of the key mental health service providers. Recommendations for practice are provided

The experience of social workers providing mental health services at a mental health facility in Tshwane, South Africa

South Africa presents a high prevalence of mental health problems, with one in six South Africans being diagnosed with anxiety, depression and substance-use problems (excluding more severe conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia). The incidence of mental health problems is ranked third after HIV and other infectious diseases in determining the disease burden. Social workers are key professionals in rendering interventions and services aimed at treating persons with mental health problems. In this qualitative study, ten purposively sampled social workers providing mental health services at a mental health facility in Tshwane, South Africa were interviewed. The thematic analysis generated seven themes, four of which are discussed. The findings reveal that social workers are adequately capacitated to provide mental health services and are one of the key mental health service providers. Recommendations for practice are provided.https://socialwork.journals.ac.za/pubSocial Work and CriminologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

Being black in a white skin : beliefs and stereotypes around albinism at a South African university

BACKGROUND : Partly because of the legacy of apartheid, and despite being a constitutional democracy, South Africa continues to be a deeply divided society, particularly along racial lines. In this context many people with albinism do not fit neatly into black and white categories and are likely to experience social discrimination and marginalisation. OBJECTIVES : The study endeavoured to explore the beliefs and practices regarding albinism within a South African university, and the availability of support services. METHOD : The research was located within an interpretive qualitative paradigm and was framed within the theories of stigma, discrimination and ‘othering’. Interviews were conducted with five students with albinism and 10 students without albinism. RESULTS : Findings confirmed the existence of myths and stereotypes regarding albinism. Students with albinism tended to exclude themselves from the rest of the student community to avoid discrimination and stereotypes around their condition. CONCLUSION : People with albinism can teach us about social constructions of race, colour and relations between minority groups and the majority culture. Results have implications for schools, disability units at universities, and albinism societies in terms of opening up channels of communication between people with albinism and the general public and fostering knowledge and awareness thereof.http://www.ajod.orgam201

KEY INFORMANTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON FOOD SECURITY AMONG FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS IN KENYA

Social connectedness plays an important role in protecting food security, which requires multidisciplinary input from fields such as nutrition, agriculture, public health, social work and community development. This qualitative study explored food security among female-headed households (FHHs) in Kenya, as part of a larger mixed methods doctoral study. Fifteen key informants monitoring food security were interviewed in the qualitative phase and the thematic analysis generated nine themes, of which two are discussed. Results reveal that dietary diversity in FHHs is poor: they often experience severe food insecurity. Recommendations for  practice, policy, and future research are provided

The perceptions of teachers regarding the establishment of an EAP in the Department of Education, Malamulele, Limpopo

M.A.The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a worksite-based program designed to assist in the identification and resolution of productivity problems associated with employees impaired by personal and work-related concerns. Although EAPs have been established in government departments in South Africa in recent years, this model has not yet been tried in the Department of Education, Malamulele district. The Department of Education can be described as a work environment that has many characteristics common to most other work environments, but it appears that there are characteristics that are unique to the particular context that have to be considered before establishing an EAP in such context. This study will attempt to provide fresh perspectives to the Department of Education; it may happen that this model can be introduced subsequent to the submission of the recommendations. EAP is regarded as a component for workforce development and quality of work-life in contemporary organizations; therefore it is vital that this program should be established in the Department of Education. The primary aim of this study is to explore the perceptions and needs of teaching personnel regarding the feasibility and the implementation of EAP in the work environment. The objectives are as follows: to peruse the available literature relevant to the research topic, to collect qualitative data from teachers by means of focus groups, to compile a profile of perceptions and needs for the formulation of proposal regarding the feasibility of implementing an EAP in the educational setting, to transcribe, analyze and present the data that was collected in a way that it can generate knowledge about the feasibility of EAP in the rural area of Malamulele, to submit recommendations to the Department of Education and to identify and recommend areas for future research. The study was conducted with 12 teachers and 7 managers (principals) in the Department of Education, Malamulele district, Limpopo. The research findings postulate that teachers perceive EAP as vital and also feasible for their work environment. They articulate that it should have been established long time ago

Culture and help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of Limpopo, South Africa : unearthing beliefs of mental health care users and caregivers

The study employed a qualitative approach to explore the cultural beliefs of mental health care users (MHCUs) and caregivers regarding help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Forty participants were interviewed, comprising 30 MHCUs and 10 caregivers. Mental illness was ascribed to witchcraft (uvuloyi) and help was mostly sought from traditional and religious healers as the first steps on the path of help-seeking, whereas Western forms of care were usually considered as a last resort. The factors found to influence help-seeking behaviour amongst the participants included lack of knowledge regarding mental illness; traditional beliefs; stigma and discrimination; and the side effects of the antipsychotic medication. The study suggests the importance of psychoeducation for caregivers and the community regarding mental illness and cultural competence in serving communities with cultural beliefs about mental illness. Media platforms should be utilised to raise public awareness. The study also suggests collaboration between different stakeholders working with MHCUs.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cmhr202023-08-12hj2022Social Work and Criminolog