Worldwide, changes in the family have become more evident. Many of the traditional roles that families used to play are now performed by other institutions, such as schools, churches, a variety of welfare agencies and non-governmental organizations. Families in South Africa are no exception, as many South African families are faced with challenges that have a negative impact on their ability to sustain themselves and their members. The previous Minister of Social Development, Doctor Zola Skweyiya, rightly acknowledged that, in order to address the needs of vulnerable groups in our communities effectively, we need a particular focus on the role of the family, both as a developmental and as a supporting institution. In responding to these challenges, the Department of Social Development developed a new Manual on Family Preservation Services (Department of Social Development, 2008b), with the aim of training social service professionals to deliver family preservation services. In order for the programme envisaged by the developers of the Manual to be implemented efficiently, the Norms and Standards Policy on Developmental Social Welfare Services (Department of Social Development, 2007a:52-57) mandates the roll-out of the training and education by all provinces. Thus all social service professionals are mandated to implement family preservation services as stipulated by the Norms and Standards Policy on Developmental Social Welfare Services (Department of Social Development, 2007a) and the Draft National Family Policy (Department of Social Development, 2008a). In her role as one of the trainers on family preservation services who was also responsible for monitoring and evaluating these services in the provinces, the researcher observed the inadequacy and inconsistency of the concept of family preservation services in reporting among social service professionals despite the training and capacity-building carried out by the Department of Social Development. The researcher therefore investigated, first, whether the formulation of the Manual on Family Preservation Services lacks clarity relating to the theoretical framework and operational definition of key concepts which are supposed to assist social service professionals in rendering effective family preservation services. Second, she interviewed 20 social workers regarding their experiences on the formulation and implementation of the Manual. This is a small sample in terms of representing social workers in the country. In total, 37 social workers were originally interviewed, but, because it transpired that they had never attended any training on the Manual for Family Preservation Services, their data were excluded from the empirical study, even though they are implementing these services. The researcher was therefore interested in analysing the formulation of the Manual on Family Preservation Services and also analysed the experiences of social workers regarding the formulation and implementation of the Manual, with the aim of identifying gaps and improving service delivery to families. The researcher reviewed prior literature on systems theory, which is fundamental in addressing family dynamics, the family life cycle and its stages. She also considered literature on family preservation services on four levels of service delivery, the stages of the policy cycle and the overview of the Draft National Family Policy, as well as the Manual of Family Preservation Services. In this study, the researcher adopted an explanatory design, which is a form of mixed methods research. The overall purpose of an explanatory design is to gather qualitative data that help to explain or build upon initial quantitative results from the first phase of the study. In order to collect quantitative data, the researcher used a checklist for a content analysis of the formulation of the Manual on Family Preservation Services. She then conducted semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data about social workers’ experiences regarding the formulation and implementation of the Manual on Family Preservation Services in eight provinces. The researcher did a pilot test of the semi-structured interview schedule, which helped her to refine two questions that were understood differently by the two social workers who participated in the pilot test. After latent coding, the quantitative data were analysed manually, while the qualitative data were coded according to Creswell’s model for qualitative data analysis. The quantitative empirical results revealed some limitations in the formulation of the Manual on Family Preservation Services. Such limitations include an unclear definition of the concept of family preservation services, the omission of objectives from the Manual, confusion with regard to the theoretical frameworks applied, a lack of clarity on the role of volunteers, the process of providing training and capacity-building to social service professionals, monitoring and evaluation plan. These findings were confirmed by the social workers who were interviewed. They exposed the confusion that exists on the definition of family preservation services, the objectives, the theoretical frameworks, the role of volunteers, high case-loads, which they linked to a shortage of social workers and the fact that resources, training and capacity-building on family preservation services are not prioritized. It was therefore recommended that the issues highlighted above be addressed and be included in a revised Manual, and that relevant material also be provided to social service professionals who need to implement family preservation services. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / tm2015 / Social Work and Criminology / DPhil / Unrestricted

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / This study investigates problems around provision of social housing with a specific focus in social housing programmes in South Africa. Research is looking at challenges faced by the municipality in making sure housing beneficiaries receive houses of their own. This challenge arises from the ability of government to provide enough and adequate houses to people with housing demand. The government has promised to provide for each citizen a roof over their head however the apparent housing allocation and distribution process has been slow with some parts of the society being excluded from the housing subsidy. Since 1994 after democracy took place, the government has built 1 million houses however this was not enough to secure houses for all, as many individuals are still living in shacks with little or no access to basic services. This paper looks at the challenges and experiences in social housing learnt by housing beneficiaries mainly in the Siyanyanzela Informal Settlement.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Background: Absenteeism is a worldwide problem in health care facilities. Absenteeism results in low standard of care and in the dissatisfaction of clients as routine care activities tend to be disrupted due to the shortage of staff. Nurses are perceived to be under continued stress due to increased pressure at the workplace, which results in dissatisfaction, conflicts and absenteeism. Although the topic has been researched, very little information is available about nurse absenteeism in care facilities for intellectually disabled persons. Absenteeism often occurs because of low commitment by the staff members, illnesses, and job dissatisfaction. Nurse absenteeism impacts negatively on the activities of the facilities because the work becomes disorganized and schedules are delayed and patient care may be compromised. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported reasons for absenteeism amongst nurses working in a facility for intellectually disabled persons in the Western Cape. The objectives were to describe the safety and security reasons, physical conditions, and work relations that contributed to absenteeism of nurses in this facility. Research design and method: A quantitative descriptive approach was utilised, using a self-completed questionnaire. Study setting and population: The study was conducted in a facility for intellectually disabled persons in Western Cape. The study population comprised all the permanently employed nurses working in a facility for intellectually disabled persons in the Western Cape in 2017. The population of nurses in this facility was N=191. Ten nurses (3 RNs, 3 ENs and 4 ENAs) who were not part of the actual study, participated in a pilot study, another ten nurses were nurse managers who were not included. Twenty nurses were on leave, therefore the study population for this study was 151 nurses (n=151). All inclusive sampling was used. Data analysis: Data was managed and analysed using SPSS version 24. Data is presented in tables, graphs and charts. Results: The majority of participants 76% reported that the physical environment contributed to their absenteeism. 54.6% of the respondents were concerned about physical injuries that they often sustain whilst caring for their clients. 56.6% of respondents reported that the psychosocial environment was also perceived to be unconducive. Absenteeism was also influenced by the lack of equitable access to training opportunities. Other factors reported included heavy workloads which lead to burnout (62%n=67). Conclusions and recommendations: There is a need for the improvement of the infrastructure in the institution, the introduction of wellness programmes in the workplace and support of nurses to limit burnout. Equitable access to training and opportunities for and career development should be encouraged by nurse managers.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This study assesses the role of service delivery protests (SDPs) in promoting access to services such as water, electricity, and housing in Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The study was conceptualised within the context of escalating frequency and scale of SDPs in South Africa. Although the first decade of democracy saw a decline in protests, some groups and movements protested. However, since 2005, when SDPs took national prominence, South Africa has experienced soaring levels of dramatic protests. This frequency of SDPs invites research. Why have SDPs (e.g., for housing, water, and electricity) increased despite the government promising a ‘Better life for all’ for nearly three decades, and how have they unfolded?

Modern methods of contraception are freely available in Albania, yet contraceptive prevalence among Albanians is relatively low (11%). Abortion on the other hand has long been the mainstay of family planning in the country. Emergency contraception is not very popular in Albania either, even though two different levonorgestrel-only EC pills (NorLevo® and Postinor®) are widely available in Albanian pharmacies. This study aimed to investigate potential factors that influence women’s choices of contraception. In 2016, we conducted a multi-method qualitative study with women and service providers in Albania. Women were invited to report their knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practices surrounding contraception in an online survey. Also, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with key informants to better understand the current reproductive health landscape in the country. Additionally, we conducted structured interviews with pharmacists in Tirana to assess their training and practices with regard to different available contraceptive methods. Misinformation, lack of awareness, fear of judgement and embarrassment, and lack of infrastructure are the strongest influencers of women’s choice of contraception in Albania. Training of health service providers, as well as development of materials for distribution are warranted to improve knowledge and uptake of contraception among women.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / South African health professionals’ competencies, especially those of managers have been placed under the spotlight. In the community health centres (CHCs) situated in low socio-economic status areas in Cape Town, a shortage of human resources has been an area of importance, as it exacerbates the impact of competence and service delivery by the healthcare managers.

This study is set out to conduct a comparative analysis of mainstream and alternative media to understand how The Cape Times mainstream newspaper and GroundUp alternative online media outlet framed the 2017 “service delivery protests” in Cape Town, South Africa. Scholarly literature has demonstrated that the mainstream media marginalises the voices of certain communities and that the alternative media can fill this gap. Often, marginalised communities use protests to attract media coverage, as a way of reaching both the public and elected officials. Ultimately, numerous protest groups find it difficult to get the attention they desire, while news coverage of the social conflict is framed within a protests paradigm. The study analyses differences in the two media outlets’ coverage of social conflict, including the use of delegitimising devices such as the prominent use of official sources for quotes, while using dramatic frames that tend to ridicule protest action and portray them as violent. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in a multimethod approach. The data was found in the SA Media news clippings database, supplemented by searches on Google and the GroundUp search engines. Coverage of the protest in GroundUp was in line with the literature, which states that the horizontal nature, bottom-up and fluid traditions of alternative media may be a more appropriate conduit for protest communications and social movement (Van De Donk et al, 2004; Dahlberg, 2007). The key finding of this study was that the mainstream Cape Times deviated from the protest paradigm, using the protesters as sources in preference to officials. This finding is a departure from the reviewed literature, which indicated that the mainstream media has a habit of following the protest paradigm when covering protests events, marginalising and dehumanising protesters and relying on official sources (Mcleod & Hertog, 1999). It also links to previous scholarship that has established a strong connection between the commercialisation of the media and the robust representation of official sources in the media.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters (Information Science) in the Department of Library and Information Studies at the University of Zululand, 2017 / This study investigates the different medical records management regimes within public and private hospitals in the Umhlathuze Area, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The study made a comparison and examined whether the current management practices support service delivery in the context of the Batho Pele principles. In doing this, the study reviewed extensive literature on records management standards and theories, legislative framework of medical records in order to establish the extent of the level of compliance to the set regulatory framework in the management of medical records in South Africa. It also assessed the depth of the integration of ICTs in the management of medical records in South Africa. The targeted study sample in both the public and private hospital was 193. Of these, only 180 responded and this represented a respondent‟s rate of 93.5%. The study was largely a quantitative research. The study adopted a survey research design and used multiple forms of data collection techniques such as structured questionnaires, observations and document review. Quantitative data collected was analysed to obtain some descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis to derive particular themes pertinent to the study. The two sets of results were compared and contrasted to produce a single interpretation and then conclusions were drawn. The study findings established that the records management practices in both hospitals were not well entrenched thus undermining quality health service delivery. This was evidenced by lack of awareness and existence of the records management policies and procedures manual; lack of adherence records management standard; lack of security measures, with rampant cases of missing files, folios and torn folders; delays in access and use of records; lack of an elaborate electronic records management programme and low levels of skill and training opportunities in records management. The use of paper records is still dominant in the public hospital; while the electronic medical record system was in place in the private hospital with some degree of success even though implementation challenges continue to exist. The integration of ICTs in the management of medical records was more evident in the private hospital while the public hospital continues to be underfunded undermining the current capacity for effective medical records management. The role of accurate, reliable and trustworthy medical records in the ii | P a g e context of quality health service delivery in accordance with Batho Pele principle in both hospitals remains problematic. In order to enhance the role of medical records for quality service delivery, the study recommended that a regulatory framework for records management should be developed and implemented in both hospitals. It is also recommended that more technical and human resource capacity is required in the public hospital to help speed up the services to its user while the private hospitals need to entrench their evolving capabilities in medical records management. The study further recommends that training around records management should be provided to all staff that deal with medical records management in both hospitals.

No description available.

Despite legal and technological advances, women still face barriers to abortion care in legally restricted or low-resource settings. The advent of medication abortion using misoprostol with or without mifepristone, has enabled women to self-manage their abortions outside of the formal healthcare system. Self-managed abortions are often assisted by telemedicine services, which provide women with evidence-based guidance on managing the abortion process on their own. This thesis explores two separate abortion telemedicine services operating in legally restricted and/or low resource settings – a global online telemedicine service and an abortion support hotline in Venezuela – and evaluates the outcomes associated with each. By interviewing counsellors at a Venezuelan abortion support hotline and the women who used the service, we gained a stronger understanding of the hotline’s successes, barriers, and areas for improvement. We conclude that abortion telemedicine services provide effective and acceptable care, in general, and we recommend greater access to misoprostol in Venezuela.