Mental health care in South Africa has long been governed by inequalities (Foster & Swartz, 1997). During apartheid, those who did not speak English and Afrikaans could not access mental health services in the same way as those who did (Foster & Swartz, 1997). One main reason for this is the majority of mental health practitioners could not, and were not required to speak languages other than English and Afrikaans (Swartz, 1991). The South African mental health literature suggests that language and communication must be prioritised if there is to be an improvement in mental health care services for those individuals who do not speak English and Afrikaans (Bantjes, 1999; Drennan & Swartz, 1999; Swartz & Drennan, 2000; Swartz & MacGregor, 2002). Drawing on Prasad's (2002) interpretation of Gadamer's critical hermeneutic theory and utilising thematic networks analysis (Attride-Stirling, 2001), this study investigated the process of translated clinical assessment interviews within a psychiatric hospital in the Eastern Cape Province within South Africa. Results of the study revealed that contextual factors, issues concerning linguistic and cultural heritage, clinicians' role expectations regarding translators' role performance, as well as relational dynamics regarding individual levels of control and influence within the translation triad, all impacted on the effectiveness of communication, translation and service provision. These fmdings are supported by literature on the theory and practice of translation that identifies these issues as prominent (Robinson, 2003). Specific recommendations regarding the formalisation of translation practices within the hospital setting, as well as the familiari~ation of clinical practitioners and psychiatric nurses with the intricacies of translation processes are offered.

Text in English / In South Africa, retention of newly qualified professional nurses in public health institutions upon completion of their year of compulsory remunerated community service remains a challenge that exacerbates the shortage of professional nurses in these institutions. The literature indicates that many newly qualified professional nurses leave the public health institutions due to lack of professional development support and heavy workloads while they are still finding their feet. A mixed-methods design of concurrent triangulation approach was used to answer the question: How are the newly qualified professional nurses supported in terms of induction and professional development during community service in South Africa? Triangulation was achieved by using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Induction/orientation documents from public health institutions were analysed using a checklist. A survey questionnaire with mixed quantitative closed items (1–43) and qualitative open-ended questions (43–46) was sent to newly qualified professional nurses who had recently completed community service. Focus groups held with operational nurse managers and individual interviews with coordinators of community service for nurses yielded rich qualitative data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe and synthesise data. The qualitative findings confirmed the quantitative findings. Findings were lack of professional development support in some public health institutions, informal, non-comprehensive support where given, shortage of experienced professional nurses, reluctance by some professional nurses and operational nurse managers to supervise newly qualified nurses, and increased workload due to the shortage of experienced professional nurses in the public health institutions. Inadequate clinical skills, poor discipline and lack of professionalism in the newly qualified professional nurses also played a part. Respondents suggested constructive recommendations for the induction and professional development support of the newly qualified professional nurses, and these were incorporated in the recommended guidelines for the induction and professional development support of newly qualified professional nurses during community service. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Text in English / Learner pregnancy in secondary schools of South Africa is a public health problem that requires the involvement of parents, teachers and health workers in order to promote maternal and child health and retain learners in school. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of teachers, parents and pregnant learners regarding facilitation of health for pregnant learners and then develop a model to facilitate social support for pregnant learners attending secondary schools in order to attain and maintain health for the mother and her newborn baby and prevent school dropout. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual theory generating study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to collect data from ten pregnant learners, ten teachers and five parents who were purposely selected and voluntarily participated. Data was analysed using Tesch’s open coding method where six themes emerged. The themes were then discussed with literature control. The findings revealed that pregnancy amongst secondary school learners in Limpopo Province is a challenge to teachers, parents and pregnant learners regarding social support for pregnant learners to continue attending school and remaining healthy. A concept analysis was performed and revealed facilitation of social support as the main concept, and then other concepts related to it were identified and classified. The model was developed through the steps of theory generation and was then submitted to a panel of experts for evaluation who found it useful to nursing practice and society in general. The model promotes interaction between the role players in education to address learner pregnancy and can also be useful in addressing other challenges in the schools. It is facilitated by a school health nurse but can also be facilitated by a teacher or a social worker in cases where a school health nurse is not available. The guidelines for the implementation of the model were formulated and described. Pregnant learners, as recipient of social support, should submit themselves to the support offered by the social network and communicate their needs openly to the professional nurse, their parents and teachers, so that they can receive adequate social support. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies) / 1 online resource (xv, 206 pages) : illustrations (some color), maps (some color)

A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual study was undertaken to explore and describe how clinic nurses practice their role regarding growth development monitoring and anthropometric measurement of children and interpretation of their values. An accessible population of twelve clinic nurses of all categories were purposively recruited to participate in the study. In depth individual interviews were conducted to generate data. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed by the researcher verbatim. The direct quotes of participants were coded and arranged into meaning units for analysis. Tech’s (1990:142-145) eight steps of analysis to analyse the textual qualitative data as cited by Creswell (2009:186) was used until themes, categories and subcategories were identified and developed. Data analysis was triangulated by using Atlas.ti computer software version 7.0 to organise text, audio data files coding, memos and findings into project files. An independent coder analysed data for validation using content analysis. Data analysis revealed that nurses had challenges in ways of doing practice evidenced by inconsistencies and discrepancies in GDM, APM of children and incorrect interpretation of their values. Non-compliance to protocols from both nurses and parents was a significant finding. Shortage of resources was reported as a major hindrance. Guidelines were formulated to guide clinic nurses. Recommendations were proposed that the matter be taken up by nurse managers, educators and leadership from the Department of Health / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The aim of the study was to determine factors contributing to late booking amongst pregnant women at Ekurhuleni health district in order to offer recommendations for enhancing early booking. Interpretative phenomenological analysis design was used. Data were collected using semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews from 20 purposively selected pregnant women. Each interview was audio recorded and lasted between 45-60 minutes. Fields notes were taken to triangulate data collection method. Audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were thematically analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework for data analysis. Results indicate that healthcare service related factors such as human resources, infrastructure and the type of service rendered at the clinic contribute to late bookings. Client related factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs and knowledge deficit also contribute to late bookings. Recommendations are made addressing both healthcare service and client related factors in order to enhance early booking among pregnant woman at Ekurhuleni district. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing science)

Text in Afrikaans / Practical research has shown that children experiencing learning restraints may suffer from high stress levels. These children encounter difficulty adapting to normal scholastic challenges and their performance often appear marginalised. The objective of this study is to explore the phenomenon of stress experienced by three eleven year old learners with learning restraints in the intermediate phase. The literature study on this topic has shown that learning restraints not only affect a child scholastically, but in his entire being. Based on this understanding, learning restraints may cause stress due to habitual underachievement in the learning environment. These learners might not necessarily have extremely poor cognitive abilities, but perceive themselves as incompetent or "dumb". In the empirical study, projection techniques were mainly utilised to determine stress levels experienced by learning restrained learners, from their internal frame of reference. From these findings, certain recommendations are proposed for psychotherapy. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counseling)

Social workers in private practice / Social work in South Africa appears to have low status and a negative ”welfare” image. The general public seems to regard social workers and the profession with disdain and for the most part is ignorant of what social workers do apart from handing out grants and removing children from their families. This exploratory research focuses on social workers in private practice - how they view their professional selves, the factors that contribute to the development of their professional selves and the factors that hinder or facilitate this development. The impact of public opinion on social workers in private practice is explored and possible solutions to problems experienced by these private practitioners are sought. Modern and postmodern paradigms are summarised as a background to the Rogerian theory, constructivist philosophy and social constructionist theory that underlie this research. The researcher explores the perceptions of each respondent who shares his/her particular reality with the researcher through the meanings he/she attributes to his/her experiences. / Social work / M.A (Social Science (Mental Health))

The study aimed to explore and described the assessment of patient’s satisfaction with the quality of health care services rendered by the Crossroads Community Health Centre (CHCC). The target population comprised of adult male and female patients who have attended the clinic more than once. One hundred and twenty patients participated in the study. The convenience sampling method was used to select the respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Validity and reliability were ensured. The Chronbach’s alpha reliability test was used to measure the internal consistency of the likert scale questionnaire items and was less than 0.4 for sections B-F, and 0.675 for section E. Descriptive and inferential data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16.0 for Windows, release 16.0.1 with the assistance of a statistician. The findings indicated a positive perception of the quality of health care services rendered by the Crossroads CHCC. It was concluded that despite a positive perception of the health care services, there was a percentage of the respondents that rated the quality of the service as poor in relation to environmental cleanliness, staff attitudes, long waiting times, medications shortage, the complaints system reporting and health care service drainage to other CHCC where patient’s resided. The issue of quality improvement in these aspects was noted to be crucial and recommendations were made to improve the quality of the health care service at Crossroads CHCC. / Healh Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the management of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy at Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). This entailed an assessment of the levels of awareness amongst employees, and an assessment of employees’ knowledge of the policy and its implementation. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to randomly selected employees. It was found that the respondents’ level of awareness of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy at Stats SA was satisfactory. Although some differences were observed, overall it seems that Stats SA was successful in promoting general awareness of its policy and its contents. However, as far as the respondents’ attitudes and opinions relating to the implementation of the policy at Stats SA are concerned, several issues still need to be addressed. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The prevalence of Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in South Africa has been welldescribed in previous research studies and yet little is known about the nutritional status of toddlers in the Vosloorus Township. Using the research questions as the conceptual framework for the study, an exploratory descriptive survey was conducted to determine. • What factors give rise to malnutrition in the Vosloorus Township? • Why do toddlers on the PEM Programme fail to achieve their expected target weight? Data was collected by means of structured interviews from a sample of 50 mothers in the Vosloorus Township whose toddlers were on the PEM Programme. The fmdings indicated that the poor socio-economic conditions of the majority of households, especially unemployment, low levels of education and ignorance, contributed towards the development of malnutrition amongst toddlers and their failure to thrive on the PEM Programme. Recommendations to reduce levels of malnutrition and transform existing nutrition programmes were made. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)