Research has shown that children born low birth weight (i.e., ≤2500 grams) and/or premature (i.e., birth prior to 37 weeks gestation) are at increased risk of experiencing developmental delays, as well as long-standing executive functioning and academic challenges. Despite these well-known risks, children born low birth weight are under-enrolled nationally in Part C Early Intervention (EI) services intended to support developmentally vulnerable children. Little is known regarding why EI enrollment is low in this high risk population, especially given children born LBW are readily identifiable as at increased risk of delays at birth. This study explored EI referral outcomes from a high risk infant follow up program serving children with complex early medical histories that place them at increased risk of experiencing developmental delays to determine how many children referred to EI were ultimately evaluated and enrolled in the program. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study included a quantitative phase characterizing the EI referral outcome and a qualitative phase consisting of interviews with families to explore the parent/caregiver's experience of the EI referral process. Data analysis included descriptive statistics to characterize the sample and Pearson Chi Square and independent samples t-tests to investigate child characteristics associated with successful referral. Qualitative interviews were transcribed and coded for themes in an iterative and cyclical fashion. Results indicate that only 62% of the children who were referred for EI services were evaluated by the program, with about the same percentage of those evaluated being found eligible (67%). Of those who were not found eligible, about a third of children should have qualified based on previous testing and/or medical conditions. However, these qualifying medical conditions were often not clearly documented on the referral form, and not all forms included documentation of the scores from developmental testing. There were also a significant number (71%) of Oregon children referred to EI but never evaluated who were likely to have qualified based on medical history and/or results from developmental testing. There were several key themes identified following analysis of the qualitative interviews. Most critically, the parent/caregiver's perception of the need for the EI referral was identified as an essential factor in facilitating a successful connection to EI. Other key themes included the need to honor the many different demands placed on the caregivers of these high risk children, as well as the necessity of providing clear explanation of the purpose of both the visit to the high risk infant follow up program and the EI referral. The Chronic Care Model is used as a framework for discussing implications for practice.

Text in English, isiZulu and Afrikaans / The topic of work-life balance has gained much attention in recent years. A focal point remains the effects of maternal employment on the well-being of women and children, despite shifts in society towards gender equality. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of mothers who either had chosen to stay at home after having children or to continue with full-time employment; and how their decision impacted their lives. This qualitative study, based on the Social Constructionist paradigm, and Second Order Cybernetics and Feminist Theories, included interviews with four full-time employed and four stay-at-home South African mothers. The data were analysed using hermeneutic analysis. The findings suggest that the participants’ tensions regarding motherhood and employment were strongly influenced by structural obstacles at work and at home, interpersonal relationships with other mothers, as well as intrapersonal experiences. Breastfeeding was identified as a prominent topic within the various themes. / Eminyakeni yamuva nje ukulinganisela phakathi komsebenzi nokuphila kwasekhaya kube undabamlonyeni. Indaba eseqhulwini kuseyiwo umthelela wokusebenza komama enhlalakahleni yabesimane nezingane, yize sekube nezinguquko emphakathini endabeni yokulingana kobulili. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo kwakuwukuhlola lokho okwehlele omama abakhethe ukuhlala ekhaya ngemva kokuzalwa kwezingane noma abaqhubeka besebenza isikhathi esigcwele; nokuthi isinqumo sabo sibe namuphi umthelela ekuphileni kwabo. Lolu cwaningo olwalubheka umnyombo, olusekelwe embonweni weNhlanganyelo Yomphakathi, kanye ne-Cybernetics Yohlelo Lwesibili Nemibono Yabalweli Besifazane, lwalubandakanya izingxoxombuzo nomama abane baseNingizimu Afrika abasebenza isikhathi esigcwele kanye nabanye abane abahlala ekhaya. Ulwazi lwahlaziywa kusetshenziswa uhlaziyo lokucubungula okulotshiwe. Okwatholakala kubonisa ukuthi izinto ezaziyingqinamba kubabambiqhaza ngokuphathelene nokuba umama nokusebenza zazilawulwa kakhulu yizithiyo zesikhundla emsebenzini nasekhaya, ubudlelwano nabanye omama, kanye nalokho ababhekana nakho uma bezihlola ekujuleni. Ukuncelisa ibele kwakubhekwa njengesihloko esiqavile phakathi kwalezo zihloko ezinhlobonhlobo. / Die kwessie van ‘n werk-lewe balans geniet die afgelope paar jaar baie aandag. 'n Brandpunt in die literatuur is steeds die gevolge van ma’s se indiensneming op die welstand van vroue en kinders, ondanks verskuiwings in die samelewing ten opsigte van geslagsgelykheid. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die ervarings van vroue te ondersoek wat óf kies om tuis te bly, óf om voltyds te bly werk wanneer hulle kinders kry; en hoe die besluit hul lewens beïnvloed. Die kwalitatiewe studie, gebaseer op ‘n sosiaal-konstruksionistiese uitgangspunt, en ekosistemiese en feministiese teorieë, het onderhoude met vier voltydse werknemers en vier tuisbly ma’s in Suid-Afrika ingesluit. Die data is ondersoek met behulp van hermeneutiese analise. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat die deelnemers se spanning rakende. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The aim of this research was to support new mothers in groups, so that they can function optimally as educators. During the research mothers with babies up to three months of age were used by means of a support group. This research project was done after it became evident from a literature study that new mothers suffered with unique problems during this adaption phase. In the empirical survey the researcher gave attention to the new mothers' specific needs and problems during this trimester. The researcher aimed to explore the experiences of the new mother as educator through weekly group sessions. From the results it was clear that there was a need of support from other mothers that is going through the same experiences. In this way new mothers could receive emotional support and obtain knowledge regarding relevant issues experienced during this unique life phase. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Ghana subscribed to the global target of reaching at least 50% of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of birth by the year 2030. Policies and programmes to promote exclusive breastfeeding have been formulated and implemented in the country. In spite of these efforts, existing evidence showed that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months post-delivery has been declining over the past decade. It was therefore important to understand behavioural factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding among teenage-mothers and propose a behavioural conceptual model based on the understanding of exclusive breastfeeding from the perspective of the teenage-mothers and their social environments. The study was conducted in three phases using multistrand mixed methods within the pragmatism philosophical framework. The Theory of Planned Behaviour and the six steps framework for developing models to address public health issues were used as frameworks in the study. In the first phase, the researcher used qualitative exploratory descriptive design to gain an understanding of the behavioural determinants of exclusive breastfeeding from the perspective of teenagers aged between 13 - 19 years attending antenatal care services at public facilities. Data were generated through focus group discussions and analysed using Group-level thematic and content analysis. In the second phase, longitudinal descriptive correlational designs were used to establish the relationships between the exclusive breastfeeding intentions during the prenatal period and actual breastfeeding practices at six months post-delivery. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data during the last visit of antenatal care visits and six months post-delivery. Data generated were analysed through descriptive inferential statistics. In the last phase, the researcher used meta-inferences to identify the key concepts of conceptual model from the integrated qualitative and quantitative results. Theoretical triangulations were used to define and establish relationships between the concepts and to structure the conceptual model. The integrated results of the two phases of the study showed that exclusive breastfeeding practices among teenage-mothers within the social context of Ghana are determined by certain personal and social related behavioural factors. The approval of the exclusive breastfeeding practice by the teenagers’ mothers and nurses/midwives’ capabilities to provide effective breastfeeding education were the strongest determinants of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months among teenage-mothers in Ghana. From these results, the researcher proposed an integrated behavioural conceptual model that provides an understanding of exclusive breastfeeding practice and the process of promoting exclusive breastfeeding among teenage-mothers in the social context of Ghana. The findings of this study have implications for public health policy-makers, health services managers, health sciences education and further research. / Health Studies / D. Lit. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The aim of this research was to support new mothers in groups, so that they can function optimally as educators. During the research mothers with babies up to three months of age were used by means of a support group. This research project was done after it became evident from a literature study that new mothers suffered with unique problems during this adaption phase. In the empirical survey the researcher gave attention to the new mothers' specific needs and problems during this trimester. The researcher aimed to explore the experiences of the new mother as educator through weekly group sessions. From the results it was clear that there was a need of support from other mothers that is going through the same experiences. In this way new mothers could receive emotional support and obtain knowledge regarding relevant issues experienced during this unique life phase. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The study was done to assess the information and care the men and women have on PCC and develop strategies that could improve provision of PCC that could advance maternal and newborn outcome after pregnancy in Malawi. Most for the interventions to improve pregnancy outcome are done too late in Malawi but there is an opportunity during preconception period to plan to improve the health of the couple so that the goal of a healthy mother and baby is attained. The objectives were to: explore and describe the knowledge men and women of childbearing age have on HTSP and PCC, identify variables that influence men and women to acquire appropriate knowledge on PCC and finally to develop strategies that could assist provision of PCC in developing countries like Malawi. Adverse issues that affect the couples could be addressed promptly before the occurrence of pregnancy. A quantitative non-experimental descriptive-correlation design method was used to determine the knowledge men and women of childbearing have on HTSP and PCC. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 men and women of childbearing age. The target population for the study was prospective parents that are couples that have an intention to conceive, women of childbearing age that could be accessible at family planning, gyneacological and under-five clinics between the ages of 18-35 years. A questionnaire was adapted from a study conducted in Texas. SPSS version 20 was used to analyse the data by generating frequencies and chi- square. Kruskal Wallis test was used to determine relationship between variables and knowledge on preconception care. The constructs examined were psychological preparation, reproductive health care and the physical care that are provided to ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome. With a 100% response rate the findings indicated a gap of information and care on PCC.Services on PCC were not available in the clinics which indicated a great need to empower health care providers on PCC that could reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rate. The findings were used to develop relevant preconception strategies that would assist health providers to give PCC that would improve maternal and newborn outcomes in Malawi. / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Text in English / This study aimed at exploring Barriers to compliance with exclusive breastfeeding and timely introduction of complementary feeding practices in Ofla District, Tigray Region in Ethiopia. A quantitative exploratory descriptive study was conducted to explore and describe the barriers that restrict mothers /caregivers to comply with exclusive breast feeding practice until six months and with introduction of solid, semi-solid and soft foods at six months in Ofla District. Data were collected using structured questionnaire, from a total of 112 samples of which 75 mothers and care givers with children aged 0-5 months and 38 children aged 6-8 months participated. The data were entered into a computer and analysed though the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings revealed that there are barriers related Doer mothers and Non-Doer mothers perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, cues for actions, perceived social acceptability and positive and negative attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding and initiation of complementary feeding. On the other hand, the participant’s perception of both groups with regard to perception of Divine (God’s) Will on two child feeding practices was insignificantly the same. Both groups perceived that children could get sometimes malnourished because of spiritual or supernatural causes. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)