During the past decade, South Africa has become the country with the highest number of HIV/AIDS infections in the world. In the wake of the widely spread HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa, hundreds of thousands of children are left parentless. Since limited research exists on the psycho-educational needs of children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa, the focus of this study was on their psycho-educational development. A literature study was conducted to investigate the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa and its consequences for the psycho-educational development of AIDS orphans. A qualitative investigation was undertaken and interviews were conducted with caregivers of AIDS orphans at two care centres in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The aim of the investigation was to identify the psycho-educational needs of AIDS orphans as perceived by their caregivers. Moreover, the investigation also aimed at identifying factors that impede the psycho-educational development of AIDS orphans, and to determine the extent to which these day care centres meet the psycho-educational needs of these orphans. The following psycho-educational needs of AIDS orphans emerged from the investigation: - the need to socialise and communicate - the need to cope with parental death - the need for acceptance - the need for security and care - the need for love and belonging - the need to deal with negative emotions Physical and material needs were added to the above needs, since these were frequently mentioned during the course of the interviews. Factors that seriously impeded the psycho-educational development of AIDS orphans were abuse and neglect. The investigation also revealed that the care centres were to a large extent able to meet a broad spectrum of these orphans’ psycho-educational needs, especially at the care centre where the AIDS orphans were able to sleep over and received the full-time attention caregivers. Since the extended family system can no longer fully carry the burden of hundreds of thousands of AIDS orphans in South Africa, care centres situated in the affected communities can offer a viable alternative to traditional models of care. The study emphasised the need for further research on the needs of AIDS orphans as well as increased support of AIDS orphans on local, provincial and national levels. / MEd (Learner support), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The HIV epidemic does not only affect people living with HIV or AIDS but has a large impact on the children. They are being stigmatised by association. There is paucity in research on HIV stigma interventions. In addition, existing interventions aimed at reducing HIV stigma are not community based and very few are aimed at HIV-affected children. The purpose of this study was to assess the change on psychological well-being of HIV-affected children after a Community based HIV Stigma Reduction and Wellness Enhancement Intervention, and to explore and describe their experiences thereof. This study formed part of a larger Community based HIV Stigma Reduction and Wellness Enhancement Intervention project. A mixed method convergent parallel design involving quantitative and qualitative data collection, analyses and integration of findings was applied. The sample was drawn from populations in the greater Potchefstroom urban area and rural Ganyesa in the North West Province. The children as participants in this study were children of PLHA in the larger study and were recruited using snowball sampling (n=11) and were between the ages 15 and 21 years. The quantitative component utilised a one group pre-test-repetitive-post-test design which was analysed by using IBM SPSS (ver. 20) by comparing t-test scores and F-ratios in ANOVA. The qualitative component of the study employed a holistic multiple case study approach and qualitative interpretive description and data were analysed by using thematic content and document analyses. The results indicated no significant difference between the urban and the rural groups in the subscales and total scores of mental well-being. The results of the total scores projected that the participants’ mental health was in the region of moderately mentally healthy. The in-depth interviews confirmed the three dimensions of the subscales indicating that they have verbalised similar experiences to the itemised subscales of emotional, social and psychological well-being. The intervention was a meaningful experience to the children. They gained knowledge about HIV stigma and how to cope with it; as well how to build relationships amongst themselves and with the PLHA. They gained a better understanding of their parents suffering from HIV and other PLHA as well as support of one another being in this difficult situation. Conducting the project led to them becoming empowered to act as leaders in HIV stigma reduction. The results of the in-depth interviews showed that the children gained a greater awareness of the process of the stigma and experienced a general increase in their knowledge throughout the workshop and the project. They formed meaningful relationships with other children and deepened their relationships with their parents and other PLHA. The children were empowered through these interventions to advocate against HIV stigma despite the challenges they faced. They gained confidence and experienced personal growth through their participation in the project. It is recommended that the findings of the study be applied in education to raise awareness of HIV stigma among psychology students and for training of practicing psychologists on their role in reducing HIV stigma and enhancing well-being of the PLHA and those living close to them. It could also be meaningful if the intervention were to be used for practice purposes where support is given to the newly diagnosed PLHA and those associated with them. Further research can be done to test sustainability of the intervention in a different context and with a bigger sample. / Thesis (MA (Research Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

During the past decade, South Africa has become the country with the highest number of HIV/AIDS infections in the world. In the wake of the widely spread HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa, hundreds of thousands of children are left parentless. Since limited research exists on the psycho-educational needs of children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa, the focus of this study was on their psycho-educational development. A literature study was conducted to investigate the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa and its consequences for the psycho-educational development of AIDS orphans. A qualitative investigation was undertaken and interviews were conducted with caregivers of AIDS orphans at two care centres in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The aim of the investigation was to identify the psycho-educational needs of AIDS orphans as perceived by their caregivers. Moreover, the investigation also aimed at identifying factors that impede the psycho-educational development of AIDS orphans, and to determine the extent to which these day care centres meet the psycho-educational needs of these orphans. The following psycho-educational needs of AIDS orphans emerged from the investigation: - the need to socialise and communicate - the need to cope with parental death - the need for acceptance - the need for security and care - the need for love and belonging - the need to deal with negative emotions Physical and material needs were added to the above needs, since these were frequently mentioned during the course of the interviews. Factors that seriously impeded the psycho-educational development of AIDS orphans were abuse and neglect. The investigation also revealed that the care centres were to a large extent able to meet a broad spectrum of these orphans’ psycho-educational needs, especially at the care centre where the AIDS orphans were able to sleep over and received the full-time attention caregivers. Since the extended family system can no longer fully carry the burden of hundreds of thousands of AIDS orphans in South Africa, care centres situated in the affected communities can offer a viable alternative to traditional models of care. The study emphasised the need for further research on the needs of AIDS orphans as well as increased support of AIDS orphans on local, provincial and national levels. / MEd (Learner support), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

An estimated 30 to 36 million people worldwide are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In 2009 about 5.7 million of the 30 to 36 million people who are infected with HIV were living in South Africa, making South Africa the country with the largest number of people infected with HIV in the world (UNGASS, 2010). Van Dyk (2008) states that HIV infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are accompanied by symptoms of psycho–social distress, but relatively little is known of the direct effect of HIV and AIDS on psychological well–being. The psychological distress is mainly due to the difficulties HIV brings to daily life and the harsh reality of the prognosis of the illness (Van Dyk, 2008). It is not clear whether people infected with HIV who are unaware of their HIV status show more psychological symptoms than people in a group not infected with HIV. The research question for the current study was therefore whether people with and without HIV infection differ in their psycho–social symptoms and strengths before they know their HIV status. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial health profiles of people with and without HIV and AIDS before they knew their infection status. A cross–sectional survey design was used for gathering psychological data. This was part of a multi–disciplinary study where the participants’ HIV status was determined after obtaining their informed consent and giving pre– and post–test counselling. This study falls in the overlap of the South African leg of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study (PURE–SA) that investigates the health transition and chronic diseases of lifestyle in urban and rural areas (Teo, Chow, Vaz, Rangarajan, & Ysusf, 2009), and the FORT2 and 3 projects (FORT2 = Understanding and promoting psychosocial health, resilience and strengths in an African context; Fort 3 = The prevalence of levels of psychosocial health: Dynamics and relationships with biomarkers of (ill) health in the South African contexts) (Wissing, 2005, 2008) on psychological well–being and its biological correlates. All the baseline data were collected during 2005. Of the 1 025 participants who completed all of the psychological health questionnaires, 153 (14.9%) were infected with HIV and 863 were not infected with HIV (since the HIV status of nine of the participants was not known, they were not included in the study). In the urban communities 435 participants completed the psychological health questionnaires, of whom 68 (15.6%) were infected with HIV and 367 were not infected with HIV. In the rural communities, 581 participants completed the psychological health questionnaires, of whom 85 (14.6%) were infected with HIV and 496 were not infected with HIV. The validated Setswana versions of the following seven psychological health questionnaires were used: Affectometer 2 (AFM), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Community Collective Efficacy Scale (CCES), Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC–SF), New General Self–efficacy Scale (NGSE), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Descriptive statistics were determined for all measures for all the participants with, and without HIV. Significant differences in psychosocial profiles among individuals with and without HIV and AIDS and also between those in the rural and urban areas were determined by means of t–tests and by a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Practical significance was determined by the size of the effects. The results for the entire group showed statistically significant differences between the two groups of participants who were infected with HIV and those not infected with HIV regarding their sense of coherence and their perspective on the community’s capacity to succeed in joint activities, but these differences were of only small practical significance. The HIV–infected participants in the urban areas displayed statistically and practically a lower sense of coherence and viewed themselves as less capable of meeting task demands in community contexts, than did the participants not infected with HIV. Though the participants not infected with HIV in the rural group had, statistically and practically, a significantly greater capacity to succeed in joint community activities than the participants infected with HIV, an interesting finding was that the participants infected with HIV experienced more positive affect than the participants not infected with HIV. The research showed that people with and without HIV infection differ in some respects in their psycho–social symptoms and strengths even before they are conscious of their HIV status. It is striking that the differences found on the psychological measures for the participants reflected a personal sense of social coherence and perspective on their community’s capacity to succeed in joint activities, which was lower in the case of participants infected with HIV, and might therefore have led to high–risk social behaviours and consequent infections. It might be that the participants with a relatively lower sense of social coherence, integration, and co–operation towards collectively achieving meaningful goals were more inclined to manifest behaviours that would lead to detrimental consequences (in this case HIV infection) for themselves and others. The higher level of positive affect in the rural group of the participants infected with HIV is still unexplained and requires further research. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

HIV/AIDS treatment is costly. Lesotho as a resource–limited country depends mostly on donor funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and care. Knowledge of how much was spent on treatment of HIV/AIDS was lacking. This leads to overstocking of some ART medicines resulting in expiry. Sufficient funds need to be secured for the treatment programme. The main objective of the study is to assess the cost of antiretroviral medication treatments, by specifically assessing the cost of antiretroviral regimens, antiretroviral side effects, and the cost of medicines used for prophylaxis and treatment of opportunistic infections as well as the cost of monitoring laboratory tests and dietary supplements. The study engaged both public and private ART clinics in the Maseru District in Lesotho. The study population consisted of 1 424 patients and study period was between 12 and 56 months from January 2004 to August 2008. Retrospective observational method was used. The cost for HIV/AIDS treatment comprised the cost of antiretroviral medicines and those used for their side effects, opportunistic infections (OI) prophylaxis and treatment, dietary supplements as well as monitoring laboratory tests. Prescribed daily dose (PDD) was used to calculate the cost of all the medicines used. To determine significant differences in average costs for various regimens d– values were used, while a cost/prevalence index was used to determine whether the cost was worth spending on the population or not. Cost–effectiveness ratio was also utilized in order to assess whether the cost born was worth the benefit. The main findings revealed that regimens 1a (stavudine/lamivudine/nevirapine) and 1c (zidovudine/lamivudine/nevirapine) were the least expensive (cost/prevalence index of 0.6 and 0.7 respectively). Regimens containing efavirenz were found to be more expensive than those containing nevirapine (cost/prevalence index of 1.2 and 1.7 respectively). When using d–values, there was a significant difference between the cost of regimens 1a and 1b, 1a and 1d, 1c and 1d and the information could be used for regimen switching decisions. Increase in CD4 cell count was more in stavudine–based regimens than in zidovudine–based regimens, which cost less per treatment. Cost effectiveness ratio was lower in 1a with R9.42/1cell/mm3 of CD4 cell count increase, and the highest was 1d with R31.77/1cell/mm3 of CD4 cell count increase. Therefore it was concluded that stavudine–based regimens are less costly as they have the lowest cost– effectiveness ratio in the Lesotho clinic environment. / Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The objective of this study is to explore the impact of a social group work programme in the lives of adolescent orphans in foster care in the North–West province who are also affected by HIV and AIDS, and to enhance their social functioning. Keywords: Adolescent, foster care, foster parent, social work, social group work, empower, family, orphan, HIV and AIDS There are a growing number of children in need of care in South Africa who are placed with foster parents. The biggest reason for foster placement is due to the rising mortality rate of biological parents due to HIV and AIDS. Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives, research procedures and research methodology. The limitations of the research are also investigated and the definitions of key words. The research was conducted in two phases. The needs assessment was conducted in phase one and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the social group work programme in phase two. The problem statement in section A is based upon the following: It was found that insufficient research is being conducted on the problems and circumstances of adolescent orphans in South Africa. It is evident that the physical and emotional needs of adolescent orphans are not being fulfilled. The HIV and AIDS pandemic have a negative effect on the quality of daily life for orphans under foster care. The problem statement gave rise to five research aims. The overarching research design conformed to the Development and Utilization Research model. The model was divided into five phases that guided the research. The single–system design was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data. A literature study was conducted around the themes of foster care, foster parents, social group work, and circumstances of the foster care situation. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report on the research outcomes Each article is dealt with as a self–contained unit focusing on specific research objectives that were achieved via specific research methods. These methods were employed to collect the necessary data for the design and evaluation of the social group work programme. Article 1: The circumstances and needs of the adolescent orphan in foster care. The aim of this article is to identify the circumstances and needs through a self–designed and structured schedule. Thirty adolescent orphans in foster care from the researcher's case load were identified to take part in the research. Twenty adolescent orphans were selected by means of accidental sampling. Ten (N = 10) were selected for the experimental group and ten (N = 10) were selected for the control group. The results indicated the problems and needs experienced by adolescent orphans. These could be used for discussion during a social group work programme designed to provide knowledge, teach skills, and improve the social functioning of the group. Article 2: The role of the social worker during service delivery to adolescent orphans in foster care. The nature and extent of foster care in the North–West province was investigated by means of the completion of questionnaires. The role of the social worker regarding services to adolescent orphans in foster care was also investigated. A self–structured questionnaire was used for data collection purposes and 85 questionnaires were sent to social workers in the North–West province. The results show the state of existing programmes and the opinions of social workers on topics that could be included in a social group work programme. The data was used in Article 2. Article 3: A social work intervention programme for adolescent orphans in foster care. The programme was developed according to the data received from the 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care and the 85 (N=85) social workers in the North–West province. The programme was presented to 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care. Social group work was used as method to present the programme. The group gained knowledge and received skills training, both of which served to enhance their social functioning. Article 4: The evaluation of a social group work programme for adolescent orphans in foster care The purpose of this article is to evaluate the social group work programme. Three standardized measuring instruments were used. The Generalized Contentment Scale, the Index of Family Relations, and the Personal Self–esteem Profile were used. These instruments were used three times: once before intervention, once during intervention and once after intervention. The control group 10 (N=10) also completed the questionnaire three times but did not attend the social group. A self–developed questionnaire was completed before and after each session. A self–developed evaluation was completed after the final session to assess the effectiveness of the programme. Section C - Summary, conclusions and recommendations. Section D - contains the appendices with the results of the three standardized measuring instruments that were used for data collection. Section E - Contains the Bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

An estimated 30 to 36 million people worldwide are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In 2009 about 5.7 million of the 30 to 36 million people who are infected with HIV were living in South Africa, making South Africa the country with the largest number of people infected with HIV in the world (UNGASS, 2010). Van Dyk (2008) states that HIV infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are accompanied by symptoms of psycho–social distress, but relatively little is known of the direct effect of HIV and AIDS on psychological well–being. The psychological distress is mainly due to the difficulties HIV brings to daily life and the harsh reality of the prognosis of the illness (Van Dyk, 2008). It is not clear whether people infected with HIV who are unaware of their HIV status show more psychological symptoms than people in a group not infected with HIV. The research question for the current study was therefore whether people with and without HIV infection differ in their psycho–social symptoms and strengths before they know their HIV status. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial health profiles of people with and without HIV and AIDS before they knew their infection status. A cross–sectional survey design was used for gathering psychological data. This was part of a multi–disciplinary study where the participants’ HIV status was determined after obtaining their informed consent and giving pre– and post–test counselling. This study falls in the overlap of the South African leg of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study (PURE–SA) that investigates the health transition and chronic diseases of lifestyle in urban and rural areas (Teo, Chow, Vaz, Rangarajan, & Ysusf, 2009), and the FORT2 and 3 projects (FORT2 = Understanding and promoting psychosocial health, resilience and strengths in an African context; Fort 3 = The prevalence of levels of psychosocial health: Dynamics and relationships with biomarkers of (ill) health in the South African contexts) (Wissing, 2005, 2008) on psychological well–being and its biological correlates. All the baseline data were collected during 2005. Of the 1 025 participants who completed all of the psychological health questionnaires, 153 (14.9%) were infected with HIV and 863 were not infected with HIV (since the HIV status of nine of the participants was not known, they were not included in the study). In the urban communities 435 participants completed the psychological health questionnaires, of whom 68 (15.6%) were infected with HIV and 367 were not infected with HIV. In the rural communities, 581 participants completed the psychological health questionnaires, of whom 85 (14.6%) were infected with HIV and 496 were not infected with HIV. The validated Setswana versions of the following seven psychological health questionnaires were used: Affectometer 2 (AFM), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Community Collective Efficacy Scale (CCES), Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC–SF), New General Self–efficacy Scale (NGSE), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Descriptive statistics were determined for all measures for all the participants with, and without HIV. Significant differences in psychosocial profiles among individuals with and without HIV and AIDS and also between those in the rural and urban areas were determined by means of t–tests and by a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Practical significance was determined by the size of the effects. The results for the entire group showed statistically significant differences between the two groups of participants who were infected with HIV and those not infected with HIV regarding their sense of coherence and their perspective on the community’s capacity to succeed in joint activities, but these differences were of only small practical significance. The HIV–infected participants in the urban areas displayed statistically and practically a lower sense of coherence and viewed themselves as less capable of meeting task demands in community contexts, than did the participants not infected with HIV. Though the participants not infected with HIV in the rural group had, statistically and practically, a significantly greater capacity to succeed in joint community activities than the participants infected with HIV, an interesting finding was that the participants infected with HIV experienced more positive affect than the participants not infected with HIV. The research showed that people with and without HIV infection differ in some respects in their psycho–social symptoms and strengths even before they are conscious of their HIV status. It is striking that the differences found on the psychological measures for the participants reflected a personal sense of social coherence and perspective on their community’s capacity to succeed in joint activities, which was lower in the case of participants infected with HIV, and might therefore have led to high–risk social behaviours and consequent infections. It might be that the participants with a relatively lower sense of social coherence, integration, and co–operation towards collectively achieving meaningful goals were more inclined to manifest behaviours that would lead to detrimental consequences (in this case HIV infection) for themselves and others. The higher level of positive affect in the rural group of the participants infected with HIV is still unexplained and requires further research. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

HIV/AIDS treatment is costly. Lesotho as a resource–limited country depends mostly on donor funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and care. Knowledge of how much was spent on treatment of HIV/AIDS was lacking. This leads to overstocking of some ART medicines resulting in expiry. Sufficient funds need to be secured for the treatment programme. The main objective of the study is to assess the cost of antiretroviral medication treatments, by specifically assessing the cost of antiretroviral regimens, antiretroviral side effects, and the cost of medicines used for prophylaxis and treatment of opportunistic infections as well as the cost of monitoring laboratory tests and dietary supplements. The study engaged both public and private ART clinics in the Maseru District in Lesotho. The study population consisted of 1 424 patients and study period was between 12 and 56 months from January 2004 to August 2008. Retrospective observational method was used. The cost for HIV/AIDS treatment comprised the cost of antiretroviral medicines and those used for their side effects, opportunistic infections (OI) prophylaxis and treatment, dietary supplements as well as monitoring laboratory tests. Prescribed daily dose (PDD) was used to calculate the cost of all the medicines used. To determine significant differences in average costs for various regimens d– values were used, while a cost/prevalence index was used to determine whether the cost was worth spending on the population or not. Cost–effectiveness ratio was also utilized in order to assess whether the cost born was worth the benefit. The main findings revealed that regimens 1a (stavudine/lamivudine/nevirapine) and 1c (zidovudine/lamivudine/nevirapine) were the least expensive (cost/prevalence index of 0.6 and 0.7 respectively). Regimens containing efavirenz were found to be more expensive than those containing nevirapine (cost/prevalence index of 1.2 and 1.7 respectively). When using d–values, there was a significant difference between the cost of regimens 1a and 1b, 1a and 1d, 1c and 1d and the information could be used for regimen switching decisions. Increase in CD4 cell count was more in stavudine–based regimens than in zidovudine–based regimens, which cost less per treatment. Cost effectiveness ratio was lower in 1a with R9.42/1cell/mm3 of CD4 cell count increase, and the highest was 1d with R31.77/1cell/mm3 of CD4 cell count increase. Therefore it was concluded that stavudine–based regimens are less costly as they have the lowest cost– effectiveness ratio in the Lesotho clinic environment. / Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The objective of this study is to explore the impact of a social group work programme in the lives of adolescent orphans in foster care in the North–West province who are also affected by HIV and AIDS, and to enhance their social functioning. Keywords: Adolescent, foster care, foster parent, social work, social group work, empower, family, orphan, HIV and AIDS There are a growing number of children in need of care in South Africa who are placed with foster parents. The biggest reason for foster placement is due to the rising mortality rate of biological parents due to HIV and AIDS. Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives, research procedures and research methodology. The limitations of the research are also investigated and the definitions of key words. The research was conducted in two phases. The needs assessment was conducted in phase one and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the social group work programme in phase two. The problem statement in section A is based upon the following: It was found that insufficient research is being conducted on the problems and circumstances of adolescent orphans in South Africa. It is evident that the physical and emotional needs of adolescent orphans are not being fulfilled. The HIV and AIDS pandemic have a negative effect on the quality of daily life for orphans under foster care. The problem statement gave rise to five research aims. The overarching research design conformed to the Development and Utilization Research model. The model was divided into five phases that guided the research. The single–system design was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data. A literature study was conducted around the themes of foster care, foster parents, social group work, and circumstances of the foster care situation. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report on the research outcomes Each article is dealt with as a self–contained unit focusing on specific research objectives that were achieved via specific research methods. These methods were employed to collect the necessary data for the design and evaluation of the social group work programme. Article 1: The circumstances and needs of the adolescent orphan in foster care. The aim of this article is to identify the circumstances and needs through a self–designed and structured schedule. Thirty adolescent orphans in foster care from the researcher's case load were identified to take part in the research. Twenty adolescent orphans were selected by means of accidental sampling. Ten (N = 10) were selected for the experimental group and ten (N = 10) were selected for the control group. The results indicated the problems and needs experienced by adolescent orphans. These could be used for discussion during a social group work programme designed to provide knowledge, teach skills, and improve the social functioning of the group. Article 2: The role of the social worker during service delivery to adolescent orphans in foster care. The nature and extent of foster care in the North–West province was investigated by means of the completion of questionnaires. The role of the social worker regarding services to adolescent orphans in foster care was also investigated. A self–structured questionnaire was used for data collection purposes and 85 questionnaires were sent to social workers in the North–West province. The results show the state of existing programmes and the opinions of social workers on topics that could be included in a social group work programme. The data was used in Article 2. Article 3: A social work intervention programme for adolescent orphans in foster care. The programme was developed according to the data received from the 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care and the 85 (N=85) social workers in the North–West province. The programme was presented to 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care. Social group work was used as method to present the programme. The group gained knowledge and received skills training, both of which served to enhance their social functioning. Article 4: The evaluation of a social group work programme for adolescent orphans in foster care The purpose of this article is to evaluate the social group work programme. Three standardized measuring instruments were used. The Generalized Contentment Scale, the Index of Family Relations, and the Personal Self–esteem Profile were used. These instruments were used three times: once before intervention, once during intervention and once after intervention. The control group 10 (N=10) also completed the questionnaire three times but did not attend the social group. A self–developed questionnaire was completed before and after each session. A self–developed evaluation was completed after the final session to assess the effectiveness of the programme. Section C - Summary, conclusions and recommendations. Section D - contains the appendices with the results of the three standardized measuring instruments that were used for data collection. Section E - Contains the Bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:32:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_bruna_curcio.pdf: 7472121 bytes, checksum: b7f2b517d0687e52e051d45e308fb2eb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-12-05 / The aim of the study was to investigate: 1) the ultrastructural morphologic characteristics in equine oocytes subjected to different times of exposure to cryoprotectant solutions and 2) the effect of initial cumulus morphology and cryoprotectants in the nuclear in vitro maturation (IVM) of the vitrified immature equine oocytes. The oocytes were obtained from ovaries from a slaughterhouse. In the first study 30 oocytes where divided in three groups: Control group (G1, n=10); Group 2 (G2, n=10), the oocytes were vitrified for exposure to VS-1 for 3min and VS-2 for 1min; Group 3 (G3, n=10), exposure to VS1 for 1.5min and VS-2 for 30sec. The oocytes were vitrified in open-pulledstraws (OPS). The ultrastructural characteristics where observed using a transmission electron microscope. The oocytes were classified as: I) oocytes morphologically normal; II) oocytes which presented intermediate damage but had completed organelles, and III) oocytes with severe morphological abnormalities. In the second study, compact (Ccp; n=248) and expanded (Cex; n=264) cumulus oocyte complexes were divided in three groups: Control, Treatment-1 (T1 - Ethylene glycol-EG + Dimetyl sulfoxide-DMSO + SIB) and Treatment-2 (T2 - Formamide + EG + DMSO + Polyvinylpyrrolidone + SIB). The control group was immediately matured in vitro, the other immature oocytes were vitrified in OPS and then matured in vitro. The maturation stage was observed under a fluorescence microscope (Hoechst 33342). The results of ultrastructural morphology were rated as Class I: 80% oocytes of G1, 30% of G2 and 60% of G3; Class II: 0% oocytes of G1, 20% of G2 and 30% of G3 30%, and Class III: 20% oocytes of G1, 50% of G2 and 10% of G3. The maturation rates (metaphase II - MII) were: 41% Control group, 38,3% T1 and 33,3% T2 (P>0,05). In the control group, the MII rates were higher in Cex oocytes (53,2%) than those Cco oocytes (29,3%; P<0,05). The initial cumulus morphology didn t significantly affect MII rates after vitrification (P>0,05). However, Cex oocytes had higher MII rates than Ccp oocytes in T1 (50% vs 27,3%) and T2 (45,7% vs 21,6%). It can be concluded that the reduction in time of exposure to cryoprotectant solutions resulted in better preservation of ultrastructural characteristics of equine oocytes submitted to vitrification. Immature equine oocytes can be IVM after vitrification/re-warming, and satisfactory MII rates can be obtained. The initial cumulus morphology did not affect nuclear in vitro maturation of equine oocytes after vitrification. / Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: 1) analisar características morfológicas ultra-estruturais em oócitos eqüinos submetidos à vitrificação; 2) avaliar a maturação nuclear in vitro (MIV) de oócitos eqüinos vitrificados em soluções contendo bloqueadores sintéticos da formação de gelo (SIB); 3) considerar a influência das características das células do cumulus-oophorus no momento da coleta sobre a maturação nuclear in vitro. Foram utilizados complexos cumulusoócito obtidos de ovários provenientes de éguas de abatedouro. No primeiro experimento 30 oócitos foram divididos em 3 grupos: Grupo controle (G1, n=10); Grupo 2 (G2, n=10), vitrificados após exposição de 3min em VS-1 e 1min em VS-2; Grupo 3 (G3, n=10), exposição por 1,5min à VS-1 e 30s à VS-2. A vitrificação foi realizada em palhetas abertas estiradas (OPS). As características ultra-estruturais foram observadas em microscópio eletrônico de transmissão, sendo os oócitos classificados em três categorias: I) Oócitos sem alterações; II) oócitos com alterações intermediárias e III) oócitos com alterações severas. No segundo experimento, oócitos cumulus compacto (Ccp; n=248) e cumulus expandido (Cex; n=264) foram divididos em três grupos: Controle, Tratamento-1 (T1 - Etilenoglicol-EG + Dimetilsulfóxido-DMSO + SIB) e Tratamento-2 (T2 - formamida + EG + DMSO + Polivinilpirrolidona + SIB). O grupo controle foi MIV imediatamente após a coleta, o restante foi vitrificado imaturo em OPS e submetido a MIV após o reaquecimento. O estágio de maturação após incubação foi avaliado em microscópio de fluorescência (Hoechst 33342). Na avaliação de ultra-estrutura foram classificados no escore I 80% oócitos G1, 30% do G2 e 60% do G3; Classificação II: 0% dos oócitos G1, 20% do G2 e 30% do G3; e Classificação III: 20% dos G1; 50% do G2 e 10% do G3. Na avaliação da maturação, o índice de oócitos que atingiram MII foi 41% Controle, 38,3% T1 e 33,3% T2 (P>0,05). Nos oócitos do grupo controle, o índice de MII foi superior em oócitos Cex (53,2%) do que oócitos Ccp (29,3%; P<0,05). A avaliação da influência das características das células do cumulus na vitrificação não detectou diferença (P>0,05). Contudo oócitos Cex obtiveram maiores índices de MII do que oócitos Ccp em T1 (50% vs 27,3%) e T2 (45,7% vs 21,6%). Pode-se concluir que a diminuição do período de exposição às soluções de vitrificação resultou em melhor preservação das características ultra-estruturais de oócitos eqüinos submetidos à vitrificação. Oócitos eqüinos imaturos podem ser MIV após vitrificação/reaquecimento, obtendo índices satisfatórios de MII. As características das células do cumulus, no momento da coleta, não interferem no índice de maturação nuclear in vitro de oócitos eqüinos após vitrificação.