by Lee Yuet Ming, Isabella. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-92). / Abstract and questionnaire also in Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vii / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.viii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Background of the study --- p.1 / Purpose of the study --- p.2 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Concept of family as a system --- p.3 / Family as a supportive system to patients --- p.7 / Critical illness as a family crisis --- p.8 / Family needs of critically ill patients --- p.14 / Met and unmet needs --- p.21 / Person most suitable to meet the family needs --- p.24 / Summary --- p.26 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHOD OF THE STUDY / Aims and objectives --- p.28 / Operational definitions --- p.28 / Design --- p.29 / Sampling --- p.31 / Access --- p.32 / Data Collection --- p.33 / Ethical considerations --- p.42 / Data analysis --- p.43 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- RESULTS / Demographic data --- p.47 / Results from the questionnaire - CCFNI --- p.50 / Results from the interview --- p.56 / Summary --- p.63 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- DISCUSSION / Administration of the revised CCFNI --- p.65 / Critical illness threatened the stability of the family system --- p.65 / Relative importance of the family needs --- p.66 / "Additional cognitive, emotional and physical family needs" --- p.67 / Reactions to the patient's critical illness and hospitalization --- p.72 / Unmet needs of the family --- p.73 / Persons suitable to meet the important family needs --- p.75 / Relationship of family needs with demographic variables --- p.76 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- "LIMITATION, IMPLICATION & RECOMMENDATION" / Limitation of the study --- p.78 / Implication for nursing practice --- p.80 / Recommendations for further research --- p.83 / REFERENCES --- p.85

Background and Purpose Caregivers of patients with stroke are central in providing for the patient‟s needs, facilitating participation of the patient in their daily functional ability, maintaining functional improvements gained in rehabilitation and the long-term well-being of stroke survivors. The strain and ultimate decrease in quality of life of the caregiver can lead to breakdown in the support they provide to the patient. The well-being and quality of life of the caregiver is therefore of vital importance in the rehabilitation of the patient with stroke. It is therefore necessary to evaluate relevant factors in the South African context that affect the quality of life of the caregiver, so as to foresee and prevent possible breakdown in the support provided by the caregiver to the patient with stroke. The objectives of the study are to establish the functional level of patients six to 36 months post-stroke, the level of strain and quality of life of the caregiver six to 36 months post-stroke, and the influence of demographic factors, caregiver strain and patient‟s functional ability on quality of life of the caregiver. Method A cross-sectional study was performed on 35 patients six to 36 months post-stroke and their primary caregiver, obtained from a sample of convenience from six local clinics/hospitals in the Johannesburg area. Demographic information was gathered from both patient and caregiver by means of a questionnaire. The Barthel Index (BI) was used to assess the patients‟ functional ability at the point of interview. Caregiver strain and caregiver quality of life were measured using the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) and EQ-5D and EQ-5D VAS respectively. Results Of the 35 patients with stroke, 19 (54.3%) were male, and 16 (45.7%) were female, with the mean age of 55.9 years. Of the 35 primary caregivers, 6 (17.1%) were male, and 29 (82.9%) were female, with the mean age of 50.7 years. Sixty percent of patients ranged from being independent in functional ability to being moderately dependent on the caregiver for their functional ability. Seventy seven percent of caregivers reported severe strain as a result of caring for the patient with stroke. Thirty one percent of caregivers reported midrange (50/100) quality of life using the EQ-5D VAS. No association was established between patient‟s functional ability and caregiver quality of life (Pearson x²=0.59). Negative association was established between caregiver strain and quality of life (Kendall‟s Tau-b=-0.23), however it was of marginal significance (Pearson x²=0.06). Logistic regression showed caregivers under severe strain were 1.6 times of higher odds to experience a decrease in quality of life than caregivers with less strain. Caregiver age showed a negative correlation with caregiver quality of life (Kendall‟s Tau-b=-0.48; Pearson x²=0.009). Logistic regression showed older caregivers were 0.19 times of higher odds to experience a decrease in quality of life than younger caregivers. Conclusion There is no association between the patient‟s functional ability and the quality of life of the caregiver six to 36 months post-stroke. A negative association is shown between caregiver strain and caregiver age, and caregiver quality of life. The realm of caregiver quality of life is both dynamic and contextual. Knowledge of the effects of the contextual factors enables the health services and professionals to respond appropriately to assist in foreseeing and alleviating those factors that negatively affect caregiver quality of life. As it is understood that caregivers provide support for the patient with stroke, promoting the caregiver‟s well-being in turn will promote patient care and their ultimate well-being.

Thesis (M Med (Family Medicine))--University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 2008. / The current study explores reasons provided by caregivers for the administration of African traditional medicines in children. This study seeks to understand the caregivers‟ knowledge, motivation, and the context for traditional medicine administration. The study took place in the children‟s ward at St. Rita‟s Provincial Hospital in Sekhukhune District of Limpopo. An explorative qualitative design was adopted using free-attitude interviews. Purposeful sampling was used to select nine key informants. Healthcare is sought for preventive and curative purposes, depending on mothers‟ cultural beliefs, from either traditional or conventional systems, or both. Contexts of health care include home, traditional, faith and conventional. Perception and differentiation childhood illness form the basis of healthcare-seeking behaviour. Mothers show varying patterns of healthcare utilization with respect to severity of childhood illness. Identity and authority factors act as internal and external stimuli, respectively, in administration traditional medicine to children. The mothers‟ patterns of seeking care in the health system suggest childcare pluralism. Since mothers advocate for their children, and defend their culture, modifying their care-seeking behaviour requires acknowledgement of their cultural practices. The collective household decision-making necessitates endorsement of holistic family-oriented iv practices. Reduction of traditional medicine toxicity requires emphasis of preventive and health promotion strategies.

Thesis (M Cur)-- University of Limpopo, 2012. / ABSTRACT Background and problem statement The increase in AIDS related deaths of parents leave many children orphaned and some of these children live with HIV. These children are cared for by primary caregivers who are mostly elderly women. The primary caregivers experiences challenges when caring for the children living with HIV. These challenges may be physical, spiritual, psychological and social. The researcher conducted a study in order to explore the experiences of primary caregivers caring for children living with HIV. Aim and objectives The aim of the study was to promote the mental health of primary caregivers who provide care for children living with HIV attending the Wellness Clinic at the Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal. The objectives of this study were to: i) describe the biographical data of primary caregivers who provide care for children living with HIV; ii) explore and describe the experiences of primary caregivers who provide care for children living - with HIV; and iii) make recommendations which are based on the findings of this study in order to assist the nursing personnel at the Wellness Clinic in the promotion of the mental health of primary caregivers based on the findings of this study. Research Design and method A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was utilised to enable the primary caregivers to share with the researchers their experiences of caring for children living with HIV. The setting was the Wellness Clinic at the Jubilee hospital, Hammanskraal. Ethical principles were adhered to in order to protect the rights of the primary caregivers. Throughout the process, the methods to ensyre trustworthiness of the study were foll9wed. A purposive sample of eight primary caregivers was chosen for the unstructured interviews. Data were analysed by the researcher and an independent coder using the Tescn method. Research Findings Consensus was reached after consultation with an independent coder,- about the following categories i) primary caregivers' experiences in caring for a child living with HIV related to the self of the caregiver; ii) primary caregivers' experiences related to the decision to disclose the child's HIV status to various role-players were influenced by stigmatisation and discrimination related to HIV and AIDS; iii) primary caregivers' challenges when caring for a child living with HIV; and iv) the mobilisation of resources by primary caregivers to assist them in caring for a child living with HIV. Findings were contexualised by implementing a literature control and recommendations were made to promote their mental health. Conclusions Primary caregivers who cared for children living with HIV in this study were mostly elderly women who were related to the children. They took over the care of the children living with HIV after the children's parents had died. Although they were faced with many challenges, their concern for the children's wellbeing made them to give the children loving care. They found strength and support from prayer, faith and hope in God. The primary caregivers also appreciated the support they received from the health care workers at the Well"ness Clinic. Key words: caring, mental health, HIV, children, primary caregiver

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, School of Nursing, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (March 2, 2006) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Florida, 2003. / Title from title page of source document. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing