This study, conducted in Pietermaritzburg and surrounding rural and township areas, is a critical exploration of the training of mid-level Community Based Rehabilitation workers with a specific focus on the ability of course participants to understand and address the oppression and empowerment of people with disabilities. The aim of the study was to develop a conceptual framework for curriculum construction of a midlevel Community Based Rehabilitation course, through examining a Community Based Rehabilitation course and the changes that were made to it. The study was conducted within a critical theory paradigm. The social model of disability and an understanding of disability as a form of oppression were the key constructs that guided the research. Participatory action research was used in the initial phase of the research, followed by a second phase that adopted a life history approach. The initial phase of the study consisted of one cycle of action research, beginning with a reflection on the existing curriculum. The action research cycle then moved through stages of planning changes to the curriculum, implementing the changes, observing the effects of the changes and reflecting again. Data collection comprised interviews with staff members, students and community rehabilitation facilitators who had previously completed the Community Based Rehabilitation course, as well as focus groups with people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. Several participatory rural appraisal techniques were also used with the students. The action research cycle raised further questions about how the life experiences of the students influenced their responses to the changed curriculum. This stimulated the development of the second phase of the research which used life history methodology, comprising in-depth interviews with four students. The study found that several changes occurred in the students’ attitudes and understanding as well as in some of the activities they undertook. Some students worked with rather than for people with disabilities, indicating a change in the power relationship with their clients. The students were able to analyse their own oppression and that of people with disabilities, unlike previous students. The students also engaged in social action for the rights of people with disabilities. These findings cannot be solely attributed to the changes in curriculum. However, they raise the possibility that Community Based Rehabilitation personnel can work to address the oppression of people with disabilities rather than focusing entirely on technical rehabilitation, which is a common approach in the literature. An analysis of the life histories revealed that those students identified as ‘activists’, more willingly engaged in social action during the Community Based Rehabilitation course than other students. This challenges the dominant discourse in the literature of Community Based Rehabilitation personnel as rehabilitation workers rather than activists. One key contribution of this thesis is to research methodology through its combination of life history methodology and action research in the study. A second is its proposed framework for curriculum construction that incorporates findings from the action research and the life histories. This framework, with its macroenvironment, organisational and student influences on the curriculum, contributes to the under-theorised field of Community Based Rehabilitation training. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu Natal, 2008.

Health Studies / (M.P.H. (Health Studies))

Thesis (Ph.D.(Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Community education has driven change in societies for time immemorial. The successes of educational services in influencing socio-economic issues in societies across the globe are captured through empirical studies. There are community education services conducted in the Gravelotte community, but they seem not to address socio-economic needs. The level of illiteracy and joblessness is not abated. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which community education services in the Gravelotte community influences socio-economic issues. Qualitative study approach was employed in the study to investigate the subject. The research paradigm engaged was Interpretive within a case study. I used three methods to collect data which were in-depth individual interviews, document analysis and participant observation. Ten participants were interviewed individually using open-ended interview guides. Minutes, journals and related documents were analysed for data triangulation. I participated and observed public meetings and stakeholders’ gatherings within the area under study. The study was conducted in the small semi-urban area of Gravelotte community in Ba-Phalaborwa municipality with a population of about 500 residents of mixed races. The sampling was done purposively as the participants were requested to respond to a matter relative within the community. The generated data was thematically analysed. I interpreted the data generated from informants to make conclusions on answering the main research question. The study brought forth the following findings. There is no secondary school in the Gravelotte community which is detrimental for socio economic development in the area. Community education programmes offered in Gravelotte have significant successes. Several graduates from the TVET college can find employment and some of them start their businesses. The ABET centre in Gravelotte Primary assists mine workers to earn better salaries. There is evidence of success in the education programmes provided in the Gravelotte community. However, the study discovered that the programmes were offered amidst challenges. Planning, participation and partnership were identified as obstacles to proper implementation of education programmes. The use of common planning to deal with educational goals is most required to enhance the success of educational programmes. There is an increased appreciation by the local community to participate in educational matters. Partnerships are being forged between the local community, the municipality and the mines to address the successful implementation of educational programmes. The study recommends that one primary school in the area be empowered to proceed to include a secondary school or provide education up to grade 9. Additionally, that more research is directed into the gap between provision and demand in the future such that the challenges can be extensively investigated. Likewise, that further researches be encouraged to investigate the ability of TVET colleges to collaborate with local communities with intent to find solutions on educational challenges. In conclusion, the study clearly outlines the effects that education has on the socio-economic issues within the Gravelotte community. There are diverse opinions that support each other in areas that are very important for socio-economic development

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As poverty is becoming a growing concern in South Africa, poor families should not be seen as service recipients but more concern should be directed to their empowerment. Community work is an essential method to utilize for the empowerment of poor families since it involves working with people from individual up to community level. The Department of Social Development does not have guidelines based on the utilization of community work; as a result this method is not utilized to its full potential. The purpose of the study was to formulate guidelines on the utilization of community work on the family level. In order to achieve this aim, the objectives of this study, which mainly focused on describing the socio-economic circumstances of the poor families and the utilization of community work, were explored. An exploratory study was utilized in order to achieve the stated goal and objectives. The population for the study consisted of practicing social workers in the Department of Social Development. Purposive sample was used. The research methodology was a quantitative design with a data collection instrument being in the form of a questionnaire. To be able to gain insight about the utilization of community work, the questionnaire consisted of both closed and open-ended questions. Literature review enabled the researcher to compile a questionnaire. The empirical study focused on the knowledge and skills of social workers in utilizing community work. In addition, data was obtained on the community work process as a main procedure to follow when implementing community work. Despite the respondents' theoretical knowledge of community work, it was concluded that community work is utilized at a minimal level. The most utilized social work method by the respondents is casework. The reason for the lack of community work practice is based on the fact that the Department of Social Development does not have guidelines with regards to community work. It was recommended that the Department of Social Development should formulate a new regulation that will oblige the social workers to practice community work. In-service training should be held quarterly. Supervision should be offered regularly. Relevant qualification and extensive social work experience should be considered as a minimum requirement for managerial positions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel armoede 'n al groter probleem in Suid-Afrika raak, behoort arm gesinne in 'n toenemende mate nie net slegs as ontvangers van dienste beskou word nie, maar moet ook aandag geskenk word aan hulle bemagtiging. Aangesien gemeenskapswerk betrokke is by die persoon sowel as die persoon in die gemeenskap, kan dit beskou word as die aangewese metode om arm gesinne te bemagtig. Die Departement Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling beskik oor geen riglyne vir die aanwending van gemeenskapswerk nie en gevolglik word die metode nie ten volle benut nie. Die studie het ten doel om riglyne vir die implementering van gemeenskapwerk op die vlak van die gesin te formuleer. Derhalwe word die klem op die beskrywing van die sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede van arm gesinne en die gebruik van gemeenskapswerk as metodiek geplaas. 'n Verkennende studie is gebruik om die navorsingsoogmerke te bereik. Respondente vir die studie was praktiserende maatskaplike werkers in diens van die Departement van Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling. 'n Doelbewuste steekproef is benut. Daar is hoofsaaklik op kwantitatiewe navorsing gefokus en inligting is deur middel van vraelyste ingewin. Ten einde insig te ontwikkel in die gebruik van gemeenskapswerk is beide oop en geslote vrae gebruik. Die literatuurstudie het die navorser in staat gestel om die vraelys saam te stel. Die empiriese studie was gerig op die kennis en vaardighede waaroor gemeenskapswerkers beskik en hoe dit geïmplementeer word. Addisionele empiriese inligting is ook ten opsigte van die proses van gemeenskapswerk verkry. Dit het aan die lig gekom dat ten spyte van voldoende teoretiese kennis van gemeenskapswerk die metode minimaal gebruik word. Gevallewerk word steeds die meeste tydens intervensie aangewend. 'n Gebrek aan riglyne vir die gebruik van gemeenskapswerk, word as die rede waarom gemeenskapswerk nie implementeer word nie, aangevoer. Dit word aanbeveel dat die Departement Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling regulasies vir die uitvoering van dienste deur middel van die gemeenskapswerk metode moet instel. Hierdie riglyne behoort maatskaplike werkers te inspireer om die voordele van gemeenskapswerk te ondersoek en aan te wend. Indiensopleiding behoort op 'n kwartaallikse basis te geskied. Supervisie moet geredelik beskikbaar wees. Relevante kwalifikasies en uitgebreide praktykervaring as minimum vereistes vir bestuursposte sal oorweeg moet word.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Disability can be physical or mental and have different causes, which determine how it is classified. This study will concentrate on physical disability. In the past, the causes of disability were associated with many beliefs of which most perceived disability as something bad. In Botswana, even though people now understand the causes of disability, they still associate it with something bad or have not fully accepted disabled people. The beliefs surrounding physical disability are worse due to the fact that the disability is visible. The way people perceive physical disability does not only affect the disabled person, but also their families. As the causes of disability vary and can develop prior to birth or be acquired later in life, they affect the different age groups in different ways. This study will focus on physical disability in school children and will explore the impact it has on their mother’s psychosocial needs. The physical disability of school children has different challenges depending on the type of disability. The challenges can be physical, social, economic and psychological. Due to these challenges these children are considered to have special needs and require special care. The special care involves providing for their special basic needs and their medical, social and psychological needs at home and at school. The physically disabled school children also use special equipment which helps them with their daily actives. This equipment needs special care and these children therefore need to go for regular checkups. They also need to be assisted with how to use this equipment at home and school. The challenges of physically disabled school going children are administered by social workers under the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme. The CBR must assist with improving the lives of disabled children and their families. When the social workers attend to the disabled school going child, they concentrate on the medical part of the child’s disability, often forgetting other needs. They also do not attend to the mother and her needs, as she is the primary carer. This study was conducted in Letlhakeng village in Botswana. Twenty (20) biological mothers of physically disabled school going children were interviewed using a semi structured questionnaire. The sampling was a non probability purposive sample and the study used both quantitative and qualitative methods of research. The quantitative study has shown that the mothers in the area have limited education and are non-skilled. They are still active and most of them are single parents engaged in low income economic activities or not doing anything and they have a reasonable number of children. Their housing structures are poor and not accessible for the disabled children. The results indicated that mothers know about disability, but the causes have not been fully communicated to them. Even though they consider physical disability to have a natural cause, they still associate it with other beliefs according to which the disability could have happened at birth or after birth. This indicates that cultural beliefs still have an impact. The mothers send their children to school but their schooling is not taken seriously as the mothers do not know about programmes like special education that can help their children. They still have negative feelings when the child is at school. In addition the mothers are not comfortable with the school environment and still believe a disabled child does not have the capacity to learn. The qualitative study showed that mothers have psychosocial needs which are not provided for, as they feel that CBR does not involve them and assist them accordingly. This therefore deprives them of the information and confidence to provide for their disabled children. The mothers do not interact well with their relatives and the community due to the negative attitudes they have towards the disabled. They also lack support from them and from the social workers, because at the time of this study there was no social worker in the area. The mothers showed that they have the burden of caring for their disabled children and this is affecting them physically, economically, socially and psychologically. The role of social work in rehabilitation is still not taken seriously as indicated by the fact that the post at the rehabilitation office has remained vacant for so long. Overall, mothers have psychosocial needs and experience difficulties in coping with the burden of providing for their physically disabled school going children and the social workers are not playing their role in this regard to assist them. The recommendation is made for advocacy to assist the physically disabled children and their families especially the mothers as the primary caregivers and to improve the role of the social worker. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gestremdheid kan liggaamlik of geestelik wees en het verskillende oorsake waarvolgens dit geklassifiseer kan word. Hierdie studie fokus op liggaamlike gestremdheid. In die verlede is die oorsake van gestremdheid met allerlei gelowe vebind, wat meestal as negatief beskou is. Selfs al is die oorsake van gestremdheid vandag bekend, is daar steeds mense in Botswana wat gestremdheid as iets boos beskou of diegene met gestremdhede nie ten volle aanvaar nie. Die gelowe rondom liggaamlike gestremdheid is selfs eger omdat die gestremdheid sigbaar is. Die manier waarop mense liggaamlike gestremdheid beskou, beïnvloed nie net die gestremde persone nie, maar ook hulle gesinne. Aangesien die oorsake van gestremdheid verskil en dit by geboorte of later opgedoen kan word, beïnvloed dit verskillende ouderdomsgroepe op verskillende maniere. Hierdie studie fokus op liggaamlike gestremdheid by skoolkinders en ondersoek die impak daarvan op hulle moeders se psigososiale behoeftes. Die liggaamlike gestremdheid van skoolkinders bied verskillende uitdagings na gelang van die soort gestremdheid. Die uitdagings kan liggaamlik, maatskaplik, ekonomies en sielkundig wees. Hierdie uitdagings beteken dat die kinders beskou word as kinders met spesiale behoeftes wat spesiale sorg nodig het. Die spesiale sorg behels dat voorsiening gemaak moet word vir hulle spesiale basiese behoeftes, asook hulle mediese, maatskaplike en sielkundige behoeftes tuis en by die skool. Liggaamlik gestremde skoolkinders gebruik ook spesiale toerusting wat hulle in staat stel om hulle daaglikse aktiwiteite te kan uitvoer. Aangesien hierdie toerusting deel uitmaak van spesiale sorg, word die kinders gereeld medies ondersoek. Hulle moet ook hulp kry om die toerusting tuis en by die skool te gebruik. Die uitdagings wat die skoling van liggaamlik gestremde kinders bied word ooreenkomstig die Gemeenskapsgebaseerde Rehabilitasieprogram (GBRP) deur maatskaplike werkers aangebied. Die GBRP is gemik daarop om kinders met gestremdhede én hulle ouers se omstandighede te verbeter. Wanneer die maatskaplike werkers met skoolgestremde kinders werk, fokus hulle op die mediese sy van die kind se gestremdheid en vergeet dikwels van die ander behoeftes. Hulle sien ook nie om na die moeder – wat die hoofversorger is – en háár behoeftes nie. Die studie is uitgevoer in die dorpie Letlhakeng in Botswana. Onderhoude is gevoer met twintig biologiese moeders van skoolgaande liggaamlik gestremde kinders deur gebruik te maak van ʼn halfgestruktureerde vraelys. Die steekproefneming behels ʼn doelgerigte niewaarskynlikheidsteekproef en die studie gebruik kwantitatiewe sowel as kwalitatiewe navorsingsme. Die kwantitatiewe studie dui daarop dat die moeders in die gebied oor ʼn lae opvoedingsvlak beskik en weinig vaardighede het. Ofskoon hulle nog aktief is en die meeste van hulle die hoof van die huishouding is, is hulle betrokke by ekonomiese aktiwiteite wat lae inkomste bied. Ander beskik oor geen inkomste nie, terwyl die getal kinders binne die nasionale gemiddeld is. Die huisstruktuur is swak en ontoeganklik vir kinders met gestremdhede. Die resultate dui daarop dat die moeders vertroud is met gestremdheid, maar dat die oorsake daarvan nie volledig aan hulle oorgedra is nie. Selfs al besef hulle dat liggaamlike gestremdheid wel ʼn natuurlike oorsaak het, assosieer hulle dit steeds met ander gelowe wat by geboorte of na geboorte ʼn rol kon speel. Dit dui daarop dat kulturele gelowe wel ʼn impak op hulle het. Alhoewel die moeders hulle kinders laat skoolgaan, word die skoling nie in ʼn ernstige lig beskou nie, aangesien die moeders onbewus is van spesialeonderrigprogramme wat hulle kan help. Hulle bly dus negatief oor hulle kinders se skoolbywoning. Verder het die moeders nie vertroue in die skoolomgewing nie en meen gestremde kinders se leervermoë is ontoereikend. Die kwalitatiewe studie wys dat moeders psigososiale behoeftes het waarin daar nie voorsien word nie. Hulle meen die GBRP betrek hulle nie en staan hulle nie dienooreenkomstig by nie. Dít ontneem hulle dus die inligting en selfvertroue om vir hulle gestremde kinders te kan voorsien. Die moeders kommunikeer nie juis met familielede en die gemeenskap nie weens die familielede en gemeenskap se ingesteldheid. Die moeders kry nie bystand van hulle óf van maatskaplike werkers nie. Met die studie is daar vasgestel dat daar geen maatskaplike werkers in die omgewing is nie. Dit was duidelik dat die moeders gebuk gaan onder die las om hulle gestremde kinders te versorg en dat dit hulle liggaamlik, ekonomies, sosiaal en sielkundig beïnvloed. Die rol van maatskaplike werk in rehabilitasie word steeds nie ernstig opgeneem nie en daarom staan die rehabilitasiekantoor dikwels vir lang tye leeg. Oor die algemeen het moeders psigososiale behoeftes en hulle vind dit moeilik om die las te hanteer wat die skoling van hulle liggaamlik gestremde kinders op hulle plaas, terwyl daar onvoldoende maatskaplike werkers is om bystand hiermee te verleen. Daar word vervolgens aanbevelings gedoen en voorspraak gelewer om die gesinne en families van liggaamlik gestremde kinders te help, veral betreffende die rol van die moeders as versorgers en om maatskaplike werkers se betrokkenheid te verbeter.

Locational decisions based on stigma and low funding have handicapped the efficiency of community based mental healthcare in the United States since 1963. However, the pattern of services in the 21st century American South remains largely unknown. This thesis addresses this gap in knowledge by using a mixed methodology including location allocation, descriptive statistics, and qualitative site visits to explore the geography of community clinics offering both physical and mental health services. The City of Houston has proposed using these facilities to anchor new supportive housing, but introducing more fixed costs to a mismatched system could create more problems than solutions. The findings of this study suggest the presence of an unnecessary concentration of services in the central city and a spatial mismatch between accessible clinics and the poor, sick people in need. Furthermore, this research reveals a new suburban pattern of vulnerability, calling into question long-held assumptions about the vulnerability of the inner city. Building supportive housing around existing community clinics, especially in the central city, may further concentrate vulnerable people thereby contributing to intensifying patterns of service-seeking drift and the continued traumatization of mentally ill homeless persons in Houston.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of California, San Diego, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed June 18, 2008). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-81).

The following treatise first frames the role of CBOs in responding to the HIV/Aids crisis in relation to their position in the global health governance system through a literature survey that moves from an analysis of the global structures down to the local. The survey covers the role of international organisations, international NGOs (INGOs), national governments, local NGOs and CBOs and outlines the context in which Masizakhe is working within the global health governance structure. Secondly the research design and methodology are outlined focusing on the longitudinal, case study and participant--‐observation approaches. Hypotheses, conceptualisation, definitions, key variables are described and data collection methods and fieldwork practice extrapolated upon. Following that data capturing, editing and analysis are discussed in conjunction with shortcomings and sources of error. In the fourth chapter the research discusses the history, structure and outlines the research findings by comparing what has changed within the organisation over time, presenting and discussing the results. The outcomes of this research have shown that existing problems in this particular CBO are very difficult to overcome without committed, sustained support from donors, government, community and the organisation’s members. CBOs are often hamstrung by a series of intersecting factors which hamper their ability to problem--‐solve, even when the route to overcoming the problem is clear, particularly when the capacity and will to do so is not always present from both within the organisation and from outside support systems. These challenges then impact on the overall quality of and ability to deliver the services the organisation is structured to deliver. The major challenge for the organisation remains the inconsistent donor cycle and resultant instability thus created within an organisation already working in a highly volatile, unstable situation marked by poverty and disease. Thus the title, The Aids of Aid?, captures the essence of Masizakhe’s struggle with its own syndrome of problems. It summarises a comment made by the project secretary said that: “Sometimes it feels like we are not only fighting for the health of our people – We are fighting for the health of our organisation. We are a sick organisation trying to help sick people. All we need is donors and funding –we can’t live without them, and when they don't give, we get sick” (Stamper, Pers Comm, 2011). The other emergent challenges were a battle internally with ‘founder syndrome’, lack of management transparency and a dysfunctional board.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Zambia is reported to have high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality due to low contraceptive prevalence rates, over 50% of births not being attended to by skilled persons, and teenage pregnancies. A number of organisations (stakeholders) have invested in the training of adolescent reproductive health peer educators with the aim of empowering them to be role models to their peers in reproductive health, but Zambia does not have a generic and locally developed training programme for peer educators. The purpose of this study was to develop a training programme that would produce competent and more effective peer educators for Zambia. The objectives were to determine the characteristics of the ideal peer educator. Further objectives were to ascertain the factors that contribute to or impair the development of the ideal peer educator, and to determine whether training programmes that were being used were producing ideal peer educators and enhancing healthy lifestyle behaviours. Key stakeholders participated in group interviews were they presented and critiqued their training programmes. Emerging out of this process was a draft training programme, developed by the stakeholders. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with adolescent peer educators from Lusaka, Kafue, Livingstone and Maheba refugee camp. Data were analysed by triangulating the outcomes of the group interviews (with the stakeholders) with the outcomes of the FGDs and reviewed literature. The FGDs highlighted the characteristics of an ideal peer educator as well as factors that contribute towards his/her competence development. Numerous factors were reported that had a negative impact on the development of an ideal peer educator. The peer educators reported that their training had had a positive effect on their lifestyle behaviours. While they had gained more knowledge on HIV and AIDS, they recommended more training on other health issues. The study found that at community level, peer educators were not being given adequate respect because the concept of voluntary work was not readily accepted and they were regarded as failures in life. Major demotivating factors were the lack of payment of incentives and the fact that peer educators were not certified. Peer educators did not receive sufficient support from programme managers/coordinators to enable them to become more effective at community level. Weaknesses in the way the training programmes were conducted were also discerned. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that more life skills’ development be promoted for peer educators. Training should be contextualised for the communities in which the peer educators work. The developed training programme, which should be used as a guide, should be repackaged to suit the profiles (e.g. values) of the different communities. Adolescents and various social sectors (inclusive of indicated stakeholders) ought to be involved in diagnosing community needs so as to influence both peers and communities in a way that would promote adolescent reproductive health. This study also recommends a more informal way of practising peer education, which would produce trainees who would be peer educators and role models in any given setting. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na berig word is die hoë siekte- en sterftesyfers onder moeders in Zambië daaraan te wyte dat voorbehoedmiddels nie algemeen gebruik word nie, dat meer as 50% van geboortes plaasvind sonder die bystand van bekwame persone, en dat daar ‘n hoë voorkoms van tienerswangerskappe is. ‘n Aantal organisasies (belanghebbers) het in die opleiding van adolessent- portuurgroep-opvoeders in reproduktiewe gesondheid belê ten einde hierdie portuurgroep-opvoeders te bemagtig om as rolmodelle in reproduktiewe gesondheid op te tree. Zambië het egter nie ‘n eie generiese, plaaslik-ontwikkelde opleidingsprogram vir portuurgroep-opvoeders nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om ‘n opleidingsmodel en opleidingsprogram te ontwikkel wat bekwame en meer effektiewe portuurgroep-opvoeders vir Zambië sou kon oplewer. Die doelstellings was om die kenmerke van ‘n ideale portuurgroep-opvoeder te bepaal en om die faktore te identifiseer wat óf tot die ontwikkeling van ‘n ideale portuurgroep-opvoeder bydra óf sy/haar ontwikkeling strem. Daar moes ook vasgestel word of bestaande opleidingsprogramme ideale portuurgroep-opvoeders oplewer en gevolglik gesonde leefstylgedrag bevorder. Die navorser het groeponderhoude gebruik en betekenisvolle belanghebbers genooi om hulle opleidingsprogramme aan te bied, te beoordeel en krities te bespreek. ‘n Konsepopleidingsprogram wat deur die belanghebbers ontwikkel is, het uit hierdie proses ontstaan. Fokusgroepbesprekings (Engels: Focus Group Discussions of FGDs) is met adolessente portuurgroep-opvoeders van Lusaka, Kafue, Livingstone en die Maheba-vlugtelingekamp gehou. Data is ontleed deur die uitkomste van die groeponderhoude (met die deelhebbers) met die uitkomste van die fokusgroepbesprekings en die bespreekte literatuur te trianguleer. Die fokusgroepbesprekings het die soeklig op die kenmerke van die ideale portuurgroepopvoeder asook op die faktore wat tot sy/haar bekwaamheidsontwikkeling bydra, laat val. Talle faktore wat ‘n negatiewe uitwerking op die ontwikkeling van ‘n ideale portuurgroep-opvoeder het, is ook vasgestel. Die portuurgroep-opvoeders het bevestig dat hul opleiding ‘n positiewe invloed op hul lewenstylgedrag gehad het. Terwyl hulle genoem het dat hulle meer kennis oor MIV en VIGS opgedoen het, het hulle aanbeveel dat daar ook meer klem op ander gesondheidskwessies behoort te wees. In hierdie studie is daar bevind dat portuurgroepopvoeders op gemeenskapsvlak nie met voldoende respek behandel word nie. Die begrip van vrywillige werk word nie geredelik aanvaar nie, en die opvoeders word as mislukkings beskou. Faktore wat besonder ontmoedigend inwerk is die gebrek aan ‘n aansporingsloon en die feit dat portuurgroep-opvoeders nie sertifikate ontvang nie. Portuurgroep-opvoeders het ook nie voldoende ondersteuning van programbestuurders/- koördineerders ontvang om hulle in staat te stel om meer effektief op gemeenskapsvlak op te tree nie. Daar is voorts swakhede opgemerk in die wyse waarop die opleidingsprogramme uitgevoer is. Gegrond op die bevindinge van hierdie studie, word daar aanbeveel dat die ontwikkeling van lewensvaardighede tot ‘n groter mate bevorder word. Opleiding behoort gekontekstualiseer te word vir die gemeenskappe waarbinne die opvoeders werk. Die bestaande opleidingsprogram, wat as ‘n riglyn gebruik behoort te word, behoort herstruktureer te word om by die profiele (bv. die waardes) van die verskillende gemeenskappe in te pas. Adolessente en verskillende sosiale sektore (insluitend die aangeduide belanghebbers) behoort betrokke te wees by die bepaling van die gemeenskap se behoeftes ten einde beide portuurgroepe en gemeenskappe so te beïnvloed dat adolessente- reproduktiewe gesondheid bevoordeel sal word. Hierdie studie beveel ook aan dat portuurgroep-opvoeding op ‘n informeler grondslag beoefen behoort te word sodat die kwekelinge uiteindelik in enige gegewe omgewing suksesvolle portuurgroepopvoeders en rolmodelle sal kan wees.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to investigate the perspectives of a group of teenage mothers from a disadvantaged community, on their need for support and suggestions for a community support programme. This study forms part of a community support project in which the Department of Educational Psychology of the University of Stellenbosch is currently involved. The findings of this study will be applied to plan effective interventions for teenage mothers. I made use of a qualitative research design and approached the study from an interpretive paradigm to gain insight in and an understanding of the participants’ perspectives. The focus group interview was my primary method of research. The data generated by six focus group interviews were verified through individual interview data. I also used a biographical questionnaire to obtain background information from each participant. Furthermore, I made comprehensive notes on my personal reflections and observations about the research process, and this became part of the research data. Through the process of data analysis, seven themes were identified. These themes are: material support; financial support; contact between the father and his child(ren); knowledge, advice and information; emotional support; practical support and access to employment. The participants also made suggestions for a support programme. The findings of the study indicate that programmes aimed at job creation, the accessibility of the government grant and support groups in the community could lead to enhanced support for teenage mothers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is onderneem om 'n groep tienermoeders uit 'n benadeelde gemeenskap se perspektiewe oor ondersteuning te ondersoek, veral ten opsigte van hulle behoeftes aan ondersteuning en hulle voorstelle vir 'n gemeenskapsondersteuningsprogram. Die studie vorm deel van 'n gemeenskapsondersteuningsprojek waarby die Departement Opvoedkundige Sielkunde van die Universiteit Stellenbosch tans betrokke is. Die bevindinge van die studie sal aangewend word om effektiewe intervensies vir tienermoeders te beplan. Ten einde insig en begrip vir die deelnemers se perspektiewe te ontwikkel, het ek van 'n kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp gebruik gemaak en die studie vanuit 'n interpretivistiese paradigma benader. My primêre metode van ondersoek was ses fokusgroeponderhoude. Die data wat op hierdie manier gegenereer is, is deur middel van individuele onderhoude geverifieer. Ek het ook gebruik gemaak van 'n biografiese vraelys om agtergrondinligting oor elke deelnemer te verkry. Omdat ek binne ‘n kwalitatiewe navorsingsproses werk, was my persoonlike refleksies en waarnemings deel van die navorsingsproses. Deur middel van die proses van data-analise het sewe temas uit die data na vore gekom. Die volgende temas is geïdentifiseer: materiële ondersteuning; finansiële ondersteuning; kontak tussen die pa en sy kind(ers); kennis, raad en inligting; emosionele ondersteuning; praktiese hulp en toegang tot werk. Die deelnemers het ook voorstelle vir 'n ondersteuningsprogram gemaak. Die bevindinge van die studie dui daarop dat programme ten opsigte van werkskepping, die toeganklikheid van die staatstoelaag en ondersteuningsgroepe in die gemeenskap moontlik tot groter ondersteuning van tienermoeders sal bydra.