Purpose This research project was an attempt to determine situational aspects of HIV and AIDS among the designated farming communities in the Vhembe and Mopani districts of Limpopo Province. Questions arising from the pilot project were premised on the capacity of farmers in these areas to adequately address the daunting reality and prevalence of HIV and AIDS in their communities. Research Design and Methodology The research was designed to facilitate the integration of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A sample of 228 respondents was involved in a triangulated participatory action research method. To the extent that the data collection techniques were triangulated in both nature and focus, HIV/AIDS-related data and information within the designated farming communities was attained with a maximum degree of validity. The data collection techniques used in this regard were: questionnaires, which were distributed to 228 respondents; participant observation; exploratory investigation; unstructured interviews; naturalistic observation; focus group interviews and discussion; and review of documents. The reviewed documents include (primary) sources on HIV/AIDS by the Department of Health and (secondary) sources of literature by various authors presenting a range of perspectives on HIV/AIDS in farming areas. Findings The results of the study revealed the absence of a coordinated policy on HIV/AIDS in particular, and health in general; and a vacuous prevalence of basic HIV/AIDS-related information. For instance, knowledge on condom usage as a prevention strategy was ostensibly scant. Currently, primary healthcare services in the area are not available. The sampled farm workers themselves unanimously corroborated that there was no HIV/AIDS policy on the SAFM farms. Conclusion Based on the main findings established above, it has become indispensable that comprehensive and multidisciplinary HIV/AIDS policy interventions be initiated by all the relevant stakeholders. Local and provincial healthcare authorities need to provide policy guidelines for the development of such policy, taking the particular needs and circumstances of farm workers. The pervasive degree of insufficient HIV/AIDS knowledge among this group necessitates that such a policy should integrate both a labour perspective and healthcare orientation, rather than perpetuating a separation of the two paradigms. This form of integration ensures that the observance of a human rights dimension becomes a sacrosanct component of the prevention of HIV/AIDS among farm workers, as well as their education concerning their healthcare-related rights as farm employees. Furthermore, the prevalence of a national HIV and AIDS policy is mainly aimed at facilitating broad guidelines, not addressing the specific contexts of every public, corporate and rural employment sector (DoH, 2007: 11-12; Muhlemann, et al., 1992: 479). In order that the education, prevention and treatment initiatives in the Vhembe and Mopani farming communities are achieved, the most important parameters of the policy should indicate: ,,X The systematic institutionalisation of local, provincial, and national HIV and AIDS programmes, notwithstanding the provision of healthcare facilities such as clinics; ,,X The promotion of basic healthcare education in general, and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among farm workers in particular; ,,X The development of HIV/AIDS work place policy by SAFM as employer; ,,X The systematic involvement and formation of partnerships between policy makers, local and international funders, HIV/AIDS healthcare workers and practitioners, NGOs and SAFM. As a critical factor and unit of analysis in the study, SAFM is expected to fulfil a developmental function among its employees, their families, and the local communities. This function could be enhanced further with the collaboration between SAFM and other farmers in the distribution of basic information regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases at the workplace, as well as extensive healthcare education and training for their farming personnel. Trained personnel, especially managers, are a salient factor in the implementation of organisational health and safety requirements (DoH, 2007: 6, 8; Muhlemann, et al., 1992: 478-479). / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

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)

This study evaluates a sex education programme administered in an Indian high school. To this end, a literature search, empirical study and qualitative data were used to measure the effectiveness of the Education for Living programme. Adolescents are blamed for having pennissive attitudes, or for indulging in amoral sexual behaviour without considering the consequences. The fact is, sexual development of young people is affected in a fundamental sense by what is taking place around them. Many of the taboos, which operated in society years ago, have disappeared. This study looks into the history of the South African Indian community. In particular, this study focuses on the community's values, attitudes and traditional practices toward sexuality, sex and marriage. It further highlights how the processes of westemisation and modernisation have eroded many of these aspects of traditional Indian culture. The study concludes by examining the emergence of new-found patterns of behaviour and attitudes. It is not the intention of this study to provide any conclusive documentation on the subject of the Indian adolescent. However the major findings of this study have been fommlated as recommendations and implications for further research. Since sexuality is an ever-changing, life-long experience, there is a need for continuous acquisition of accurate sexual knowledge. Carefully designed programmes may serve to allay fears, dispel myths, diminish confusion, enhance communication within families and promote health and wellbeing across generations. / Social Work / M.A. (SS) (Mental Health)

The system of care for persons suffering from mental retardation is in a state of upheaval. Considering the mentally handicapped as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of those residing in the community of District 22 (sub-district 222), KwaZulu-Natal, thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory was carried out, using 167 respondents. The study revealed that despite being mentally retarded, they were still regarded as valuable members of the community, their needs did not differ from the needs of others in the rest of the world and that mental retardation is still rated low in the prioritization of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of such persons. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

South African health systems are struggling to cope with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Home based care has become an invaluable resource that relieves overburdened and under-resourced hospitals. Home based carers provide basic nursing care and support to patients and their families, in the patient's home. Little is know about what motivates home based carers. Minimal research has been undertaken to investigate the expectations and experiences of these noble voluntary helpers. This study was conducted with a sample of home based carers at Community Outreach Centre, St Mary's, Mariannhill. Being field focused it used a qualitative research approach and participatory action research methodology. Focus group discussions were conducted with home based carers to explore their needs, motivations and expectations of Community Outreach Centre. The study enlightens us about issues related to home based care that directly affect them. Despite the painful realities of their lives, they appeared positive about serving as volunteer home based carers. / Social work / M.A. Social Science (Social Work)

The study was about the process evaluation of the development of the YOUNG WORKERS CAMPAIGN (YWC) Programme to document and analyses the involvement and participation of stakeholders in the development process. The purpose of the study was on the assessment of stakeholder participation and involvement in the development of the YWC to maximise the effectiveness, acceptability and sustainability of the intended programme. Informant interviews, focus group interviews and document analysis were the primary means of collecting data for this research study. The main findings are as follows: Few of the stakeholders were involved in the conceptualisation phase of the YWC Programme and their roles in the development process were not clearly described. Stakeholder analysis was not done and their involvement in decision-making was limited. In order to address the problem of participation, YWC stakeholders should pass through a process of stakeholder analysis, that is, they should be assessed in terms of contribution and value-adding to the development process. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies HIV/AIDS)

In this study, guidelines were developed for used by social workers to provide emotional support to children in foster care. The child in foster care as well as the services rendered in respect of such a child have been discussed in a literature study. The principles of Gestalt therapy were also discussed as these were used as part of the empirical study and as basis for the guidelines for social workers. A qualitative research design was used to complete the empirical study and case studies were used. Children between six and twelve years who have been in foster care for less than two years and who needed emotional support were selected for the study by means of a purposeful test sample. The research results showed that children in foster care are in need of emotional support. To provide such emotional support to the child in foster care, guidelines have been developed for social workers which they can apply when providing services to the child. These guidelines also serve as the conclusions and recommendations of the study. / Social Work / (M. Diac. (Play Therapy))

This explorative, descriptive quantitative survey attempted to determine whether the reduced number of consultations and admissions of sick children less than five years in Emfuleni sub- district clinics is due to the utilisation of the IMCI strategy or other health services. The research population comprised of all the mothers/caretakers of children less than five years who utilised the clinics and those who consulted the private medical doctor. The convenient sample consisted of 169 candidates. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire and analysed using the SAS/Basic computer statistical software package. Findings of the study revealed a need to address the major concern about the waiting time and operational times in all the three clinics. Recommendations were made that staff allocation procedures and policies be reviewed in order to abate long waiting periods at the clinics where children with childhood illnesses are treated. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

In this study the researcher attempted to determine the current role expectations of a clinic manager in a primary health care setting, to identify factors determining and influencing the role of a clinic manager, to determine what effect the current role expectations had on the management of primary health care services rendered at the clinic, to establish the developmental needs of clinic managers to enable them to adhere to their role expectations, and to identify and recommend measures to support clinic managers in the execution of their managerial role by addressing the identified deficiencies. The researcher selected a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. Clinic managers of fixed clinics in the Free State province were randomly selected to participate in the study and a questionnaire was utilised as data-collection instrument. The study found that the clinic manager's role is comprehensive and varies from telephonic booking patients to assessment of the quality of primary health care programmes. A number of non-managerial functions were identified, such as consultation of patients, management of medicine, dispensing of medicine and ordering of stock. It was also found that the respondents were not involved in a number of management functions such as financial and human resource management, and adherence to the implementation of standards. Factors that negatively influenced the clinic managers' management role included: * Lack of time due to the large number of patients they had to consult due to the shortage of staff. * Shortage of staff. * The execution of non-managerial tasks. Although it was found that the current role of the clinic manager was confusing as it entailed much more than just clinic management, it is foreseen that the role of the clinic manager could in future be clarified if the recommendations are implemented. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Adolescent substance abuse is a major problem facing the world today. In order to understand the reasons for adolescent substance abuse behaviour, various theoretical perspectives were utilised and strategies to curb substance use were also identified. The study was conducted in the rural areas of Zeerust, North West province of South Africa. The participants included 12 male adolescents, whose ages ranged from 12 to 15 years. A qualitative, explorative research design was employed. Data was gathered using semi-structured interviews, genograms and observations. Thematic analysis was used to analyse audio-taped data. The study found that substances abused by the participants include alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and heroin. Their reasons for using these substances include individual, family and environmental factors. However, peer group pressure was identified as the primary factor for adolescent substance use. This study emphasises the painful nature of substance abuse among adolescents, yet at the same time it succeeds in highlighting the strategies that can be employed to address substance abuse among adolescents. In addition, this study recommends a concerted effort by all the stakeholders in addressing the substance abuse problem. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)