The problem this research seeks to address is the support educators receive in teaching HIV and AIDS topics in the classroom. The reason for the choice of topic is to contribute to the revival of HIV and AIDS education in all schools in South Africa. This exploratory study uses the empowerment theory and presents the qualitative research findings based on in-depth interviews with six educators, four school managers and two parents. Thematic content analysis is used to analyse the data. The study found out that the Department of Education had in the past two years provided training workshops for principals of schools, educators and peer educators in the last two years yet the findings from the two schools under study painted a different picture all together. Findings from the interviews show that any support from the Department of Education or any other stakeholder involved in education, such as the Teacher Unions, happened some years ago. Some of the respondents were not very comfortable on this topic as to most of them HIV and AIDS education is not really being taught as it used to years ago. Finally, the research made some recommendations to these two schools on what could be done as a way of reviving HIV and AIDS education to help children and youths to grow up better able to challenge HIV and AIDS. This is in line with the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEC) 2011 report that the education sector has a critical role to play in terms of the delivery of effective HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness programmes. The findings were important as they highlighted the need for the Department of Education to monitor and evaluate the implementation of HIV and AIDS policies in all public schools. They also they gave recommendations on the way forward on HIV and AIDS education in primary schools. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

The problem this research seeks to address is the support educators receive in teaching HIV and AIDS topics in the classroom. The reason for the choice of topic is to contribute to the revival of HIV and AIDS education in all schools in South Africa. This exploratory study uses the empowerment theory and presents the qualitative research findings based on in-depth interviews with six educators, four school managers and two parents. Thematic content analysis is used to analyse the data. The study found out that the Department of Education had in the past two years provided training workshops for principals of schools, educators and peer educators in the last two years yet the findings from the two schools under study painted a different picture all together. Findings from the interviews show that any support from the Department of Education or any other stakeholder involved in education, such as the Teacher Unions, happened some years ago. Some of the respondents were not very comfortable on this topic as to most of them HIV and AIDS education is not really being taught as it used to years ago. Finally, the research made some recommendations to these two schools on what could be done as a way of reviving HIV and AIDS education to help children and youths to grow up better able to challenge HIV and AIDS. This is in line with the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEC) 2011 report that the education sector has a critical role to play in terms of the delivery of effective HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness programmes. The findings were important as they highlighted the need for the Department of Education to monitor and evaluate the implementation of HIV and AIDS policies in all public schools. They also they gave recommendations on the way forward on HIV and AIDS education in primary schools. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

Health related absenteeism was identified as a problem in the schools in the Molopo region, needing a multi-disciplinary approach which included the parents. A conceptual framework on absenteeism was used as a guideline for the descriptive research design. Using a convenience sampling technique 426 absentees, 22 teachers and 2 school nurses filled in three separate questionnaires in ten schools selected to determine the extent of absenteeism due to health related and other problems, the control measures taken and the awareness of school personnel. Health problems were identified as the main reasons for absenteeism. Inadequate communication between the schools and parents as well as lack of guidelines on the control of absenteeism, were other problems identified. Recommendations made related to the provision of school health services that promote the health status of the pupils based on Primary Health Care principles, parental involvement in school health matters and the formulation of policies aimed at controlling absenteeism in schools. / Health Sciences / M.A. (Nursing Science)

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)

Health related absenteeism was identified as a problem in the schools in the Molopo region, needing a multi-disciplinary approach which included the parents. A conceptual framework on absenteeism was used as a guideline for the descriptive research design. Using a convenience sampling technique 426 absentees, 22 teachers and 2 school nurses filled in three separate questionnaires in ten schools selected to determine the extent of absenteeism due to health related and other problems, the control measures taken and the awareness of school personnel. Health problems were identified as the main reasons for absenteeism. Inadequate communication between the schools and parents as well as lack of guidelines on the control of absenteeism, were other problems identified. Recommendations made related to the provision of school health services that promote the health status of the pupils based on Primary Health Care principles, parental involvement in school health matters and the formulation of policies aimed at controlling absenteeism in schools. / Health Sciences / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Injuries, illnesses and deaths happening in schools are a growing menace in Gauteng province, South Africa. This qualitative research study sought to evaluate the administrative efficacy of first aid (FA) provisioning in Gauteng schools in the wake of rampant injuries, deaths and disfigurement among learners and teachers, as documented in the local print and electronic media. An emergent research design underpinned by a phenomenological theoretical perspective unravelled the administrative efficacy of the provisioning of FA in two pre-schools, two primary schools and two high schools in Gauteng province. Observations in one school, semi-structured face-to-face interviews with one pre-school manager, three FA appointed persons, one deputy headmaster and a subject head of department, as well as focus group discussions with learners and teachers in two schools, were the data-gathering tools. A thematic analysis approach was the method adopted to analyse data. Research findings indicate very low levels of FA literacy and competency among learners, teachers, pre-school managers and principals in the sampled schools. I recommend and advocate a national conversation aimed at instituting a massive drive to make it mandatory for all learners and teachers to be trained in FA. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

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)

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)

This is a descriptive study with a quantitative, non-experimental and contextual design, with the objective of describing the knowledge of female adolescents with regards to the implications of pregnancy. The study took place in the Bengo Province, more specifically in the school of the suburb Bairro da Açúcareira and the sample was constituted by 100 female adolescents, within the age group 13 to 19 years. Simple random sampling was used for the selection of the sample. For the collection of data a structured questionnaire with closed questions was used. Based on the data obtained the researcher draws the following conclusion: there is a need to develop educational programmes pertaining to the consequences of pregnancy, not only for adolescents but also for the teachers and parents, as the respondents indicated that teachers and parents would be the ideal people for this type of discussion; on the other hand, and of extreme importance, there is a need for specific assistance to adolescents at health centers and hospitals of the province with regard to the lack of entertainment for adolescents in the province is also an aspect that deserves attention on the part of the government of the Province of Bengo. / Health Studies / M.A (Health Studies))

This is a descriptive study with a quantitative, non-experimental and contextual design, with the objective of describing the knowledge of female adolescents with regards to the implications of pregnancy. The study took place in the Bengo Province, more specifically in the school of the suburb Bairro da Açúcareira and the sample was constituted by 100 female adolescents, within the age group 13 to 19 years. Simple random sampling was used for the selection of the sample. For the collection of data a structured questionnaire with closed questions was used. Based on the data obtained the researcher draws the following conclusion: there is a need to develop educational programmes pertaining to the consequences of pregnancy, not only for adolescents but also for the teachers and parents, as the respondents indicated that teachers and parents would be the ideal people for this type of discussion; on the other hand, and of extreme importance, there is a need for specific assistance to adolescents at health centers and hospitals of the province with regard to the lack of entertainment for adolescents in the province is also an aspect that deserves attention on the part of the government of the Province of Bengo. / Health Studies / M.A (Health Studies))