THE EXPERIENCES OF ADOLESCENTS ORPHANED BY HIV/AIDS-RELATED CONDITIONS

The work environment of social workers in South Africa is riddled with new and complex socialproblems, often draining the available resources (Giese, Meintjes, Croke & Chamberlain,2003:7). Personnel in rural areas are confronted with huge numbers of orphaned children in needof urgent statutory intervention, mostly because of the economic burden brought about by their“orphan” status. Very little time can be spent on the socio-emotional care of these children, as theemphasis largely falls on the provision of basic needs, such as grants, school uniforms and food

From a synchronous systems model to an ecological approach to rehabilitation of the stroke patient

The literature on stroke reveals an increasing interest in the role played by social and emotional factors in rehabilitation after stroke. A comprehensive literature survey shows profiles of spontaneous recovery, the significance of a team approach to rehabilitation, patterns of prognostic significance for long-term recovery and adaptation and formulations of rehabilitation models for the Western world. The importance of depression as a major factor in demotivation to participate in rehabilitation and achieve long-term quality of life post-stroke emerges. From the literature survey a research design was formulated for the ecological study of a sample of 51 stroke patients at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital near Pretoria. The questionnaire was structured according to the Synchronous Systems Model, and data gathered from the biological, personal and environmental spheres of patients. Data was collected by a multidisciplinary team at three assessment times, three days, two weeks and three months post-stroke. These corresponded to the acute physical phase of stroke, the end of the hospitalisation period, and an assessment of patients once they had been discharged back into the community. Descriptive statistics were obtained on all variables and principle axis factor analysis was performed to verify the factorial structure of the tests. In order to establish whether group scores changed between assessments, t-tests for dependent measures were applied. Pearson Product Moment correlations were computed for the purpose of establishing relationships between variables. The results revealed dramatically differing biographical characteristics of the sample of stroke patients both premorbidly and at three months after the stroke. Significant recovery profiles emerged in both the physical and neuropsychological spheres at both the 14 day and 3 month assessments. Depression and the functioning at home and at work social sphere of role emerged as profiles of deterioration. At 14 days, depression was related to physical and cerebral functioning. This changed at three months, with depression also being significantly related to aspects of social functioning. On the basis of these results, depression after stroke was conceptualised as a severance of relational connectedness in the social ecological functioning of stroke patients. An ecological approach to rehabilitation is proposed that would seek to reframe the identity of stroke patients and establish relational connectedness post-stroke.PsychologyD. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology

Comparative Analysis of Practice Research in Australia and the UK : The Shift to Practice-driven Research

Australia and the UK share many historic connections. These connections have influenced developments in welfare systems, and the bi-directional migration of social work practitioners between Australia and the UK has helped to support the sharing of knowledge in social work education, research and practice. However, developments in practice research in both countries has largely been influenced by local activity rather than cross-national collaboration, though there have been similar growth trajectories. This article uses a comparative case study methodology to analyse the development of practice research in Australia and the UK since the Salisbury Statement on social work practice research. Each case study explores and provides examples of the nature of the relationship between practitioners and academic researchers; how practice questions are generated; how methodologies are selected; how data are collected within social work practice and the impact of practice research on practice in both countries. The comparative analysis provides a unique insight into how local, and often small, projects provide a more significant narrative about the creation of knowledge in social work practice. These insights have the potential to inform and stimulate the development of practice research in other countries which are earlier in the journey towards practice-driven research

Optimising allied health psychological treatments in primary health care: Piloting a randomised controlled trial of social worker training in focused psychological strategies (The SW-fps Study)

The SW-fps Study was part of a broader body of research which aims to improve access to evidence-based psychological treatments in primary health care. Over the last decade, major mental health reforms in Australia, such as the Better Outcomes and Better Access programs, have greatly increased community access to psychological treatments through a range of funding models designed to support provision of psychological treatments by allied health providers. More recently social workers, amongst other allied health professionals, are beginning to utilise the Medicare incentives to provide psychological treatments in primary mentalThe research reported in this paper is a project of the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, which is supported by a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development Strategy

Optimising the primary mental health care workforce: how can effective psychological treatments for common mental disorders best be delivered in primary health care?

The research reported in this paper is a project of the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, which is supported by a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development Strategy

The relationship between obesity, leptin, adiponectin and the components of metabolic syndrome in urban African women, Free State, South Africa

Objectives: Obesity prevalence is increasing worldwide. In South Africa, older and urbanised African women have significantly higher rates of obesity. Limited information is available on the relationship between anthropometric parameters, adipokines and metabolic health status of African women. This study investigated the relationship between obesity, adipokines and the components of metabolic syndrome in urban African women.Methods: This study included 135 urban African women that were 26–63 years of age, identified with metabolic syndrome in the urban leg of the Assuring Health for All in the Free State (AHA-FS) study. To establish anthropometric status, the following measures were taken: body weight, height and waist circumference. Blood was drawn to determine leptin, adiponectin levels and metabolic status.Results: Adiponectin levels in obese women were significantly decreased compared to normal weight women. Leptin levels and leptin:adiponectin ratios (L:A) were increased in the obese group compared to the overweight and normal weight groups. Leptin and L:A showed strong positive correlations with body mass index and waist circumference. Adiponectin levels decreased as the number of components of metabolic syndrome increased. The L:A ratio was significantly lower in women with elevated triglycerides and significantly higher in women with elevated blood glucose levels. Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in women with elevated blood glucose.Conclusion: This study confirms the inverse relationship between adiponectin and leptin with increased body adiposity. Results indicate that waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels are the metabolic syndrome components most closely associated with altered adiponectin and leptin levels and L:A in urban African women with metabolic syndrome.Keywords: adipokines, adiponectin, components of metabolic syndrome, leptin, L:A ratio, obesit

Towards the Development of an Intervention to Address Social Determinants of Non-Communicable Disease in Kerala, India: A Mixed Methods Study

In India, cardiovascular disease (CVD), with hypertension as its foremost risk factor, has the highest prevalence rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and a rising mortality. Previous research has found a clustering of behavioural and social risks pertaining to NCDs, though the latter are infrequently addressed in public health interventions in India. This paper reaches toward the development of a social intervention to address social determinants of NCD relating to hypertension and diabetes. We used Theory of Change (ToC) as a theoretical approach to programme design. Mixed methods were used, including qualitative interviews with community members (n = 20), Accredited Social Health Activists (n = 6) and health professionals (n = 8), and a stakeholder workshop (n = 5 participants). The recruitment of participants from one local area in Kerala enabled us to map service provision and gain a holistic understanding of how to utilise the existing workforce to target social risk factors. The findings suggest that social interventions need to focus on ensuring health behaviour information reaches all parts of the community, and that those with more social risk factors are identified and supported to engage with treatment. Further research is required to test the resulting intervention model

Practice Research Partnerships in Social Work : Addressing Impact and Credible Evidence

Purpose: This article builds on the Practice Research Collaboratives (PRCs) as an initiative that developed from the Fifth Conference on Practice Research to provide a platform for practice researchers to engage actively around impact and influence. Research question: The unique features of research activities that enable transformational impact in three cases in social work practice research involving long-term community and university research partnerships. Methodology: Literature review and comparison of case studies. Results: The cases show how the processes of implementation are not only seen as linear, but constantly evolving at the same time as intervention fidelity in social work is crucial to improving outcomes for people, which can have transformative impacts for individuals and systems alike. Conclusion: We conclude by describing the importance of understanding the feasibility of complex problems and complex social situation which requires meaningful communication between partners, transparency and involvement of all players throughout the process

The Hong Kong Statement on Practice Research 2017 : Contexts and Challenges of the Far East

This statement on social work practice research highlights the contributions of scholars, practitioners, and conference participants in the Fourth International Conference on Practice Research (ICPR) in 2017, hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in May 2017. It focuses on the contexts and challenges of carrying out practice research in the Far East and beyond as well as raises pertinent questions about the development of practice research. It begins with a brief description of the context of social work practice research in the Far East. The second part explores the organizational and community contexts and challenges of practice research with special attention to the perspectives of practitioners. It concludes with reviewing some of the continuing challenges that will guide the program planning for the Fifth ICPR in 2020 in Melbourne, Australia, located at the crossroads between East and West.Peer reviewe