Text in English / The aim of this study was to gain understanding of community service nurses’ experiences of health care services at Tshwane district public hospital. This qualitative study followed an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach to explore the community services nurses’ experiences of health care services at Tshwane district public hospital. Data were collected from 11 purposively selected community service nurses using a semi-structured interview format. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework for data analysis. Four super-ordinates emerged from data analysis: (1) Resources, (2) Work environmental relations, (3) Supervision and support and, (4) Impact of community service experiences. The study revealed that the health care services rendered at the hospital studied are substandard. Community service nurses reported several challenges experienced during their placement in the hospital under study. Lack of human and material resources, supervision and support contributed to hindrance of smooth acquisition of their clinical skills and experience. These challenges resulted in the psychological and emotional drain of the participants. There is a need for development of guidelines to ensure constant and adequate support to all the community service nurses placed at Ratanang Hospital. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The escalating number of people infected by HIV and AIDS poses a challenge to current resources both at the hospital and household level. Community/Home based care is a viable option in response to the scourge of HIV/AIDS to compliment secondary and tertiary care as well as providing support to affected families in coping with the stress of caring for their terminally ill family members. This study explored the effectiveness of the implementation of Community/Home based care services by focusing on three sites at Bushbuckridge i.e. Cunningmore, Maviljan and Hluvukani. Findings revealed that family members were satisfied to have community caregivers entering their homes to provide care and support to their AIDS ill family members. Significant barriers were highlighted by families and community caregivers that hinder effective implementation of the programme, for instance, cultural sensitivity. The study proffered recommendations on how to deal with these issues. / SOCIAL WORK / MA(SS) (SOCIAL WORK)

The escalating number of people infected by HIV and AIDS poses a challenge to current resources both at the hospital and household level. Community/Home based care is a viable option in response to the scourge of HIV/AIDS to compliment secondary and tertiary care as well as providing support to affected families in coping with the stress of caring for their terminally ill family members. This study explored the effectiveness of the implementation of Community/Home based care services by focusing on three sites at Bushbuckridge i.e. Cunningmore, Maviljan and Hluvukani. Findings revealed that family members were satisfied to have community caregivers entering their homes to provide care and support to their AIDS ill family members. Significant barriers were highlighted by families and community caregivers that hinder effective implementation of the programme, for instance, cultural sensitivity. The study proffered recommendations on how to deal with these issues. / SOCIAL WORK / MA(SS) (SOCIAL WORK)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of implementing community based care for moderately mentally retarded persons in a specific centre in the Port Elizabeth area. The objectives of the study were to identify • the needs of the moderately mentally retarded children. • the physical, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation means of meeting these needs. • how involved the communities, parents and government were in the care of moderately mentally retarded children. A quantitative, exploratmy and descriptive design was used. A sample of 50 moderately mentally retarded children was utilised. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The major research findings indicate that community care for MMRPs could only be feasible with sufficient resources, expertise and community involvement. All these aspects appeared to be lacking in the centre where this research was conducted raising questions as to benefits which the mentally retarded children and their parents and the community could derive from these services. However recommendations were made on identified shortcomings, problems and needs. / Health Science / M.A.(Nursing Science)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of implementing community based care for moderately mentally retarded persons in a specific centre in the Port Elizabeth area. The objectives of the study were to identify • the needs of the moderately mentally retarded children. • the physical, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation means of meeting these needs. • how involved the communities, parents and government were in the care of moderately mentally retarded children. A quantitative, exploratmy and descriptive design was used. A sample of 50 moderately mentally retarded children was utilised. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The major research findings indicate that community care for MMRPs could only be feasible with sufficient resources, expertise and community involvement. All these aspects appeared to be lacking in the centre where this research was conducted raising questions as to benefits which the mentally retarded children and their parents and the community could derive from these services. However recommendations were made on identified shortcomings, problems and needs. / Health Science / M.A.(Nursing Science)