This study looks at two community mental health facilities. The one setting is that of a state aided organisation, while the other is a non-government organisation (NGO). These two settings are contrasted in terms of how they conceptualise the concept 'community', their physical settings and facilities, and the activities and processes at each setting. The differences in the day-to-day operational processes, and activities according to their respective philosophies - psychiatric medical model and ecological model - are explored and captured from the participants through utilising qualitative data gathering methods such as interviews, observations and the personal experiences of the researcher. The information obtained from each participant in both settings reflect how they think, feel and behave towards their work. This information contributes to an understanding of how community mental health clinics operate. Finally the recommendations are of how work could be done differently, making them both more community orientated. / M. A.(Clinical Psychology)

Background: This study derived from the concerns raised by nurse educators, clinical preceptors, and some nursing students in public nursing colleges in Gauteng following the implementation of the provincial selection criteria and processes. While these criteria could be seen as a means of standardising the admission into the Basic Nursing Diploma Programme at public nursing colleges, anecdotal reports from nurses in education institutions and clinical practices indicated a lack of professionalism, high attrition rates among these cohorts of students. The researcher believed that any meaningful selection criteria and processes should be on the views expressed by people who have been through the process as students or educators. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the selection criteria and processes followed by nursing colleges in the Gauteng Province to admit students into Basic Nursing Diploma Programme with the view of proposing selection criteria and processes that would secure the admission of the best candidates to this programme in public nursing colleges in Gauteng Province. Design: Quantitative descriptive survey design with self-completion questionnaire was used to generate data for this study. Out of 571 questionnaires distributed, 492 were returned and considered for analysis. Summary descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS version 21. Results: Four of the 13 items analysed were viewed by more than 70% of the respondents as less important and irrelevant to the selection of best candidates for nursing professional education. Proposal for changes supported by the rational for these changes were made by the respondents. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study proposed a framework that could guide the provincial authority in developing admission criteria that will ensure the selection of best candidates for Basic Diploma Nursing Programme in the province. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The purpose of the study was to explore the understanding and implementation of the guidelines by nurses to detect mental disorders in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) management in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study aimed to recommend measures to strengthen implementation practices. Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach was conducted. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select primary health professional nurses trained in HIV programme at primary health care facilities in Capricorn District. Data were collected through focus groups and in-depth individual interviews approach using the interview guide. The interviews started with focus group discussions as primary method and in-depth individual interviews as follow-up. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using Creswell’s data analysis steps. Four themes emerged from data: understanding of HIV management guidelines; implementation of the guidelines; strengthening of mental health screening and competencies required for mental health screening. The study revealed that the nurses who did not have psychiatric nursing as an additional qualification lacked confidence and skills to conduct mental health screening in HIV positive infected individuals. However, they used their background nursing knowledge to manage clients. They all experienced challenges with information provided in the guidelines to screen for mental health in HIV management. Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that there should be integration of mental health and HIV and development of practical assessment tools for mental health screening. The study acknowledges the importance of equipping nurses with adequate skills to diagnose altered mental health states among HIV infected individuals. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

AIM: This study aimed to explore the influences of monitoring and evaluation on the performance of managers in a primary health care setting in Qumbu sub district health department of Oliver Tambo district municipality. METHODS: A Phenomenological approach was adopted in this study. Specifically, an Interpretative phenomenological analysis design was used to explore the influences of monitoring and evaluation on the performance of managers in a primary health care setting in Qumbu sub district health department of Oliver Tambo district municipality. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview format on 8 conveniently selected clinic managers. Data were analysed using Smith’s (2005) Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework. RESULTS: Three thematic categories emerged from data analysis: performance of clinic managers, support for clinic managers, and monitoring and evaluation system. The findings of this study have implications for practice, training and research. CONCLUSION: Clinic managers experienced various obstacles, which affect the influence of monitoring and evaluation on their performance. These obstacles have implications in the context of the quality of service provision. / Health Studies / M.P.H.

Farm workers in South Africa have limited access to health care and health-related information. In this qualitative study, the implementation of a workplace HIV/AIDS policy was evaluated using data gathered through interviews and observation. It was found that, although the farm workers were knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS, this knowledge was insufficient. It was found that the lives of farm workers are deeply affected by HIV and AIDS. It is also suggested that the agricultural sector is not yet able to deal effectively with HIV and AIDS and that, in this regard, urgent planning is needed in respect of HIV and AIDS policies and interventions / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

In 1995 a participatory research project was undertaken in the Gauteng Welfare Deparbnent by two outside researchers. The subject for the research was the management of change in the Gauteng Welfare Department. During the research, the researcher observed how the discouraged, apathetic and negative group became animated and empowered. On the basis of this observation, the researcher undertook to do a case study which reflects on the interactional process and cohesion which transpired within the participatory research process. / Social Science / M.A. Social Science (Mental Health)

Health practitioners collect health data on a daily basis at health facility levels in order to monitor and evaluate the performance of priority national health programmes (District Health Plan 2012:6). Routine data quality for health programmes monitoring need a collective intervention to ensure clear understanding for what data to be collected at primary health care setting. The aim of the study is to explore the understanding of routine health data, determine the use of routine data and feedback mechanism at primary health care clinic setting. Quantitative descriptive research design was used to answer the research question on this research study. Structured data collection questionnaire was used for the study to accomplish the research purpose and reach the study objectives. A total of 400 participants was sampled, and 247 responded. One of the findings was that the understanding of routine health data by Health Practitioners was at 82.6% (% = f/n*100, f= 3242 and n= 3926). / Health Studies

Health practitioners collect health data on a daily basis at health facility levels in order to monitor and evaluate the performance of priority national health programmes (District Health Plan 2012:6). Routine data quality for health programmes monitoring need a collective intervention to ensure clear understanding for what data to be collected at primary health care setting. The aim of the study is to explore the understanding of routine health data, determine the use of routine data and feedback mechanism at primary health care clinic setting. Quantitative descriptive research design was used to answer the research question on this research study. Structured data collection questionnaire was used for the study to accomplish the research purpose and reach the study objectives. A total of 400 participants was sampled, and 247 responded. One of the findings was that the understanding of routine health data by Health Practitioners was at 82.6% (% = f/n*100, f= 3242 and n= 3926). / Health Studies

In 1995 a participatory research project was undertaken in the Gauteng Welfare Deparbnent by two outside researchers. The subject for the research was the management of change in the Gauteng Welfare Department. During the research, the researcher observed how the discouraged, apathetic and negative group became animated and empowered. On the basis of this observation, the researcher undertook to do a case study which reflects on the interactional process and cohesion which transpired within the participatory research process. / Social Science / M.A. Social Science (Mental Health)

Farm workers in South Africa have limited access to health care and health-related information. In this qualitative study, the implementation of a workplace HIV/AIDS policy was evaluated using data gathered through interviews and observation. It was found that, although the farm workers were knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS, this knowledge was insufficient. It was found that the lives of farm workers are deeply affected by HIV and AIDS. It is also suggested that the agricultural sector is not yet able to deal effectively with HIV and AIDS and that, in this regard, urgent planning is needed in respect of HIV and AIDS policies and interventions / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)