published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Sociology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

No description available.

Five semi-structured interviews were held with key informants of various organisations both on and off campus in order to gain an understanding of the context of drug-taking by university students in Pietermaritzburg. Thereafter, an holistic, single case study was undertaken to describe and explain significant predisposing, precipitating and maintaining factors present in an experiential analysis of a university student's drug-taking. Two semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted in collaboration with Rory, and a diary was written by him for the duration of one month. He also submitted a poem which he previously wrote, as well as a letter addressed to himself, both which reflected on his experiences of drug-taking. The data was subsequently intertwined with a brief review ofthe literature as well as with the theories ofUrie Bronfenbrenner, Albert Bandura and Erik Erikson, in order to interpret and understand the data meaningfully. Authoritarian parenting style, poor family functioning, parental values regarding drinking, and lack of positive father-son interaction appear to have predisposed Rory to start drinking and taking drugs. Rory's sense ofidentity confusion, peer models ofdrinking and taking drugs, and lack of parental monitoring seem to have precipitated Rory's drug-taking. His continued association with drug-using peer groups, his search for a sense ofbelonging following his parents' divorce, permissive parenting style, as well as the availability and pleasurable effects of drugs have maintained his drug-taking. Experiential case studies can play a positive role in generating future conceptual frameworks to understand drug-taking, to prevent drug use, and to effectively treat drug-taking individuals. The Ecological Theory of Urie Bronfenbrenner The Social Learning Theory of Albert Bandura The Psychosocial Theory of Erik H. Erikson 8 12 16 18 5. 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 An Understanding of the Context The Student Counselling Centre The Campus Health Centre South Mrican National Council for Alcoholism South Mrican Narcotics Bureau A University Residence / Thesis (M.A.)- University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

Background: Approximately 170 million persons are infected with the hepatitis C viral infection (HCV), globally. Of this number, 3.2 – 4 million persons in the U. S. are infected with HCV. Although previous research has indicated a decrease in the rates of Hepatitis C in the U.S. approximately 12,000 deaths occur annually from those who suffer from chronic liver disease, as a result of being chronic carriers of HCV. Being a recipient of blood transfusions prior to 1992, intravenous drug users (IDUs), or persons with multiple sex partners are associated with increased risk for HCV infection. IDUs constitute the largest cohort for those infected with HCV. Due to the few clinical manifestations HIV and HCV share and HIV patients living longer due to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), Many individuals infected with HIV are discovering co-morbidities with HCV. Methods: Secondary Data from the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (SENDSS) were used to analyze all confirmed cases of hepatitis C in the state of Georgia for the year 2009. All subjects in this analysis were confirmed as Hepatitis C infected. Descriptive frequencies for all categorical data were tested and analyzed, which included: gender, race, geographic region, disease status, age distribution, risk factor data such as injection drug use, blood transfusion prior to 1992, long term hemodialysis, accidental needle stick, tattoo, sexual contacts, and incarceration. Binary logistic regression for univariate and multivariate analysis was used to test the associations between geographic region of all HCV cases and their demographic characteristics. Results: Descriptive analysis of the prevalence of HCV cases in Georgia in 2009 reveal higher rates of HCV in rural regions (GOA) of the state among White males of non-Hispanic origin. In this same region, these cases were more likely to report risk factors involving injection drug use, blood transfusions prior to 1992, incarceration, or tattoos. Prevalence of most cases of HCV in Georgia for the year 2009 are seen in those age 20 – 30 and those 40 – 60. A higher number of those reporting intravenous drug use in metropolitan Atlanta (MSA) are Black of non-Hispanic origin. Bivariate logistic regression reveals that White Non-Hispanics living in rural areas of Georgia (GOA) have a 3.48 higher odds of being infected with Hepatitis C than Black Non-Hispanics (OR = 3.48, p < 0.001, CI 2.54 – 4.77). Conclusion: Resources for prevention of Hepatitis C should be directed to marginalized communities within Georgia regions outside of the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area. The primary focus of prevention should also be tailored to new initiates of intravenous drug use and those 20 – 30 and 40 – 60 years of age. Further knowledge and understanding of behaviors that put individuals at risk for acquiring Hepatitis C, such as intravenous drug use, in rural Georgia may warrant interventions tailored to benefit these communities from acquiring or spreading Hepatitis C.

Darbo pavadinimas: 10 – 12 klasių mokinių gyvenančių namuose su tėvais ir globos namuose požiūris į narkotines medžiagas. Darbo objektas: Kauno rajono vidurinių mokyklų 10 – 12 klasių mokinių gyvenančių namuose su tėvais ir globos namuose nuomonės apie narkotines medžiagas ir jų vartojimą. Tyrimo tikslas: Išsiaiškinti 10 – 12 klasių mokinių gyvenančių namuose su tėvais ir globos namuose turimas žinias apie narkotines medžiagas bei atskleisti, kiek turimos žinios lemia narkotinių medžiagų vartojimą. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Išsiaiškinti 10 – 12 klasių mokinių gyvenančių namuose su tėvais ir globos namuose turimas žinias apie narkotines medžiagas ir jų poveikį sveikatai. 2. Nustatyti 10 – 12 klasių mokinių gyvenančių namuose su tėvais ir globos namuose požiūrį į narkotinių medžiagų vartojimą. 3. Išsiaiškinti 10 – 12 klasių mokinių gyvenančių namuose su tėvais ir globos namuose asmeninę patirtį vartojant narkotines medžiagas. Darbo metodai: 1. Mokslinės literatūros analizė. 2. Anketinė apklausa. Respondentams buvo pateikta A. Zaborskio, L. Šumskio, N. Žemaitienės tyrime (2009) naudota anketa. 3. Statistinė analizė. Atsakymų pasiskirstymas pateiktas procentais. Naudotas Chi – kvadrato kriterijus, reikšmingumui tarp 10 – 12 klasių. mokinių atsakymų skirtumui nustatyti. Jei p<0,05 – skirtumas tarp atsakymų pasiskirstymų statistiškai reikšmingas, o jei p>0,05 – skirtumas tarp atsakymų pasiskirstymų statistiškai nereikšmingas Hipotezė: Kauno rajono 10 – 12 klasių mokinių... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The approach to drugs of 10th – 12th high schools students living at home with their parents and home care Object of a research: Approach to drugs and application of Kaunas area 10th -12th high schools students living at home with theirs parents and home care. Goal of a research: Figure 10th – 12th high school students living at home with his parents and home care available knowledge about drugs and to reveal the extent of available knowledge leads to drug use. Tasks of a research: 1. Figure 10th – 12th high schools students living at home with his parents and home care available knowledge about drugs and their effects on health. 2. Analyze the approach to drugs use of 10th – 12th high schools students living at home with his parents and home care. 3. Investigate personal experience with drugs of of 10th – 12th high schools students living at home with his parents and home care. Hypothesis: 10th – 12th high school students living at home with his parents and home care knowledge about drugs is associated with drugs use and distribution of Kaunas area schools. Methods of a research: 1. Analysis of scientific literature. 2. Questionnaire. Respondents were given A. Zaborskis, L. Šumskis, N. Žemaitienė investigation (2009) used questionnaire. 3. Statistical analysis. The distribution of responses by percentage. Used Chi – square criterion, the significance of between 10th – 12th high school students responses to determine the difference. If p<0,05 – the difference between... [to full text]

Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti ir palyginti mokytojų ir mokinių (merginų ir vaikinų) požiūrį į vartojančius narkotikus ir/ar rizikingai vartojančius alkoholį paauglius. Tyrime dalyvavo 60 mokytojų (moterų) ir 120 mokinių (60 merginų ir 60 vaikinų) iš trijų mokyklų: dviejų Kauno miesto ir vienos Kauno rajono. Tyrime naudoti šie metodai: 1) požiūriui į narkotikus vartojančius asmenis įvertinti - Klausimynas apie visuomenės požiūrį į vartojančius narkotikus asmenis, sukurtas N. Singleton (2010); 2) požiūriui į rizikingai alkoholį vartojančius asmenis įvertinti - Klausimynas apie visuomenės požiūrį į vartojančius narkotikus asmenis modifikuotas į Klausimyną apie visuomenės požiūrį į rizikingai alkoholį vartojančius asmenis su darbo vadove doc. dr. I. Pilkauskiene. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad mokytojos pasisako už didesnę narkotikus vartojančių asmenų integraciją į visuomenę lyginant su vaikinais, o mokytojų ir merginų požiūris apie narkotikus vartojančių asmenų integraciją į visuomenę nesiskiria. Mokytojos ir mokiniai jaučia vienodą baimę vartojantiems narkotikus asmenims. Merginos labiau negu mokytojos priima narkotikus vartojančius asmenis, o mokytojų ir vaikinų požiūris į priėmimą narkotikus vartojančių asmenų atžvilgiu nesiskiria. Mokiniai labiau negu mokytojos užjaučia narkotikus vartojančius asmenis. Tyrimo rezultatai atskleidė, mokytojų ir mokinių požiūrį į vartojančius rizikingai alkoholį asmenis: mokytojų ir mokinių požiūris į rizikingai alkoholį vartojančių asmenų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study was to assess and compare the teachers and students (girls and boys) approach to drug users and/or heavy drinking among adolescents. There were 180 participants of the study - 60 teachers (female) and 120 students (60 girls and 60 boys) from three schools: two of Kaunas city and one of Kaunas district. The following methods were used in this study: 1) Public attitudes to drug users which was created by N. Singleton (2010); 2) Public attitudes to drug users questionnaire was modified to public attitudes to heavy drinkers with the scientific adviser doc. dr. I. Pilkauskiene. The results of the study showed that the teachers are advocating for a greater integration of people into society compared with boys, but the difference between teachers‘and girls‘attitude about drug users’ integration into society was not found. Teachers and adolescents feel the same fear of people with drug dependence. Girls more than the teachers accept drug users but the teachers and boys approach to acceptance of people with drug dependence was no different. Adolescents tend to feel more sympathy for people with drusg dependence than the teachers. Study results revealed the approach of teachers' and students' to heavy drinking persons: attitude of teachers and adolescents towards heavy drinkers’ integration into society was no different, but the girls more than the teachers feel sympathy for heavy drinking people, though between teachers and boys the difference was not found. The... [to full text]

Background: Much of the research on injection drug use practices has focused on adult populations and relatively little is known about safer and/or unsafe injection practices among youth who use injection drugs (YWID). Unsafe practices may be risk factors for blood borne illnesses, abscesses or other infections, and overdose. Multiple factors may create barriers to the access of clean supplies and the ability to practice safer injection. It is important to understand how YWID engage in safer and/or unsafe injection practices so that use of safer practices may be supported. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the understandings and practices of safer and/or unsafe injection drug use among YIWD, as well as key social factors influencing these understandings and practices. Methods: Ten semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with YWID aged 18 to 29 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Voluntary informed consent was obtained prior to conducting the interviews. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed, then analyzed using a modified approach to grounded theory for key themes and subthemes. Results: The experiences of the YWID can be categorized into two overarching themes. The first theme relates to the power of the drugs and the control (or, at times, lack of control) YWID have over safer practices. This theme explores how access to clean supplies and understandings of safer use can influence the control YWID have over safer practices. The second theme describes experiences YWID have with “getting clean,” or gaining power over drugs, including experiences with methadone maintenance treatment. Discussion: YWID can and do practice safer use, however multiple factors, such as the perception of cleanliness in injection practices and the availability of clean needles in the community, impact how YWID understand and practice safer injection drug use. Barriers that impede YWID’s ability to practice safer use need to be addressed.