O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar como as mulheres com deficiência são recebidas nos serviços de atenção primária e como essas mulheres e os/as profissionais que lhes assistem dão sentidos às práticas desenvolvidas. As mulheres com deficiência ainda contam com ações inexpressivas voltadas para as suas necessidades nos serviços de atenção primária em saúde, que embora privilegie a clientela feminina, pouco reconhecem as especificidades desse segmento, como por exemplo, aspectos relativos aos seus direitos sexuais e reprodutivos. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa que entrevistou 39 profissionais de três serviços de atenção primária de uma região da cidade de São Paulo, bem como 15 mulheres com variados tipos e graus de deficiência, na idade reprodutiva, usuárias destes serviços. Sete dessas mulheres são mães de mais de um filho, e três tiveram filhos após a aquisição da deficiência, o que corrobora o fato de parcela significativa de mulheres com deficiência ter vida sexual ativa e necessitar de atenção relativa à sua saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Os profissionais afirmam que a presença de mulheres com deficiência na idade reprodutiva em geral é rara, e apontam que suas necessidades de saúde são mais determinadas pelo tipo e grau da deficiência do que por determinantes socioculturais de gênero. Reconhecem lacunas em sua formação para abordarem deficiências e questões de gênero - o que se revela no predomínio de concepções baseadas no senso comum - e apontam a necessidade de os serviços investirem na acessibilidade física, comunicacional e de atitudes. Já as usuárias relatam dificuldades de acesso aos serviços, que inclui falta de transporte, barreiras arquitetônicas, barreiras na comunicação, atitudes preconceituosas e pouco acolhedoras de alguns profissionais. Avaliam como positivo a oferta de cuidado no domicílio para aquelas que não conseguem ir ao serviço / This study aimed to investigate how women with disabilities are received in primary health care facilities and how these women and primary care providers who assist them give meaning to the practices developed. Women with disabilities still have few actions aimed at their needs in primary health care services. Despite the attention given to the female population in primary health care facilities, they still dont recognize specificities of women with disabilities, such as issues related to their sexual and reproductive rights. Through a qualitative research 39 providers were interviewed in three primary health care facilities in a region of São Paulo city, and also 15 women with different types and degrees of disability, reproductive age, users of these services. Seven of these women are mothers of more than one child, and three of them had children after the acquisition of disability, which corroborates the fact that a significant portion of women with disabilities are sexually active and need attention on sexual and reproductive health. The providers said that the presence of disabled women of reproductive age in general was scarce, and reported that their health needs were more determined by the type and degree of disability than by socio-cultural determinants of gender. They recognized gaps in their training to address disability and gender - which reveals the predominance of concepts, based on common sense - and highlighted the need for services to invest in physical accessibility, communication and attitudes. For the other side, the users have reported difficulties in accessing services, which included lack of transportation, physical and communication barriers, prejudice and unwelcoming attitudes of some providers. They evaluated as positive the provision of home care for those who couldn´t go to the service

M.Sc. (Research Psychology) / Mental health is known to be adversely affected by gender inequality and poverty. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that psychological disorders affect half the global population (WHO, 2010) and South African estimates posited that 16.5% of the population presented with common mental disorders in 2007 (Williams et al., 2008). Depression and anxiety disorders in women, specifically, are posing a major public health concern in developing countries due to inadequate treatment (Aidoo & Harpham, 2001). Protective factors, namely intrapersonal, interpersonal, community and cultural factors, were identified by Ungar (2008) as a mechanism that promotes resilience and alleviates the effects of adversity. In order to develop knowledge geared toward intervention strategies to promote mental health in socio-economically disadvantaged women in urban communities, this study employed an explanatory mixed methods research design (which included both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews) to establish an incidence of depressive symptoms, and levels of ego-resilience, among women in Doornkop, Soweto. This was done in order to explore, first, the relationships between selected socio-demographic variables and depression and ego-resilience, and second, to investigate if there was a relationship between depression and ego-resilience. Finally, the study aimed to gain an understanding of how women perceived the role of protective resources in their lives which might promote positive mental health outcomes. The statistical component of the study found a weak negative correlation between the two constructs of depression and ego-resilience. Symptoms of depression appeared to be related by exposure to a high number of difficult life experiences, and particularly in instances of having been a victim of crime or violence. While ego-resilience seemed to be related to increased participation in community groups, it also correlated with adversity, namely, unemployment. This led the researcher to the conclusion that for this sample, depression and ego-resilience were independent constructs, and although they were divergent concepts, both were shaped by exposure to adversity. The interview data further explored exogenous sources of resilience as set out by Ungar (2008). These findings highlighted the importance of interpersonal relations on feelings of well-being. While the protective factors varied in the sources from which they arose (from children, romantic partners, parents, peers and community groups to music and television, and faith in God), they all provided a sense of purpose, belonging and self -worth, which enabled positive feelings. The main recommendation that arose from the research was the need for community education about mental illness, the services available to communities, and the importance of developing and maintaining family and community systems of support. These measures may go some way toward enhancing resilience in women and reducing vulnerability to mental disorders arising from experiences of adversity. Furthermore, a focus on community-based interventions, such as education and life skills, is vital in shifting the focus of interventions from mental illness to the promotion of mental health. Ongoing research is fundamental to developing our existing knowledge of both psychopathology and the promotion of mental well-being in women in socio-economically deprived communities. Research, in light of the challenges facing community mental health services in poor areas, could include foci on the beliefs of professionals including the knowledge and skills required to deliver effective mental health services. Knowledge of this nature should serve to enhance our understanding of the complexities of mental health and inform the development of innovative and appropriate treatment modalities that are oriented to the particular needs of women in resource-poor communities.

M.Cur. / Community nurses have a very important role to play in the planning of health promotion programmes and implementation of the necessary interventions for patients and groups with obesity problems. Obesity is one of the health problems that requires signficant behavioural changes in one's lifestyle as part of such interventions. The research study sought to explore the perceptions of both the patients and the community nurses of the phenomenon of obesity as a health risk, and to identify any areas that could give rise to problems when health promotion actions were planned for obese people. It was specifically important to obtain the perceptions of the community nurse of obesity, since the level of knowledge of the health problem as well as her personal attitude towards this problem, will be crucial in the manner and quality of her interventions. The study explored patients' and nurses' perceptions about obesity as a health risk (Phase I and 2). Factors in the internal and external environments of the obese individual were identified and analysed into categories and subcategories. The study is qualitative and explorative in nature, data was collected through the use of semistructured interviews, and Giorgi's method of data analysis was used. Literature control was done to examine how existing literature compared with data obtained from semistructured interviews on the nature of obesity as a health problem. Obesity is clearly a health risk and affects the person's totality of life experiences as demonstrated by the resultant patterns of interactions between the internal and external environments of an obese person. Results of the data analysis and literature control gave rise to the need to structure recommendations to give the community nurse the capacity and support that was identified as necessary for her to be able to carry out her nursing intervention.

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No description available.

Through a phenomenological qualitative approach, this study examined possible differences of introverted versus extraverted adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse with regard to the coping mechanisms they chose. Preference modalities of introversion and extraversion were measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and data was collected through a semi-structured interview designed by the researcher. The interview contained questions about the 21 subjects' perceptions of their abuse and the ways in which they coped. Specific coping mechanisms included but were not limited to eating disorders, alcohol and/or drug abuse, high risk behavior, depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints. Results indicated that for both groups, the degree to which each of the individual coping mechanisms was used congregated at the level of "a driven pattern of behavior lasting for at least 7 days" or "on-going use resulting in severe problems". Extraverts showed higher percentages of severe use of the six coping mechanisms than did introverts. Depression was the most frequently used coping mechanism of both the introverts and the extraverts. Introverts showed higher percentages of stopping the use of eating disorders, alcohol/drug abuse, high risk behavior, and depression. Extraverts had higher percentages of discontinued use of anxiety and somatic problems. Introverts reported more somatic complaints, while extraverts reported more severe somatic problems. The most often reported somatic complaints of both groups were arthritis, migraines, sleep difficulty, nightmares, and gastrointestinal problems. The majority of each group used most of the coping mechanisms at some time, suggesting a need for therapeutic intervention that considers the possibility of difficulties stemming from combined use of many of these coping mechanisms in addition to focusing on the trauma of the sexual abuse itself.

A qualitative, descriptive, explorative, and contextual research design was selected for this study. The purpose was to explore the phenomenon of mass hysteria among the Basotho in Lesotho and to develop guidelines which may facilitate early intervention and better management and control of mass hysteria outbreaks. The study area covered four of the ten districts in Lesotho. Four high schools where recent outbreaks of mass hysteria have been reported were included in the study. Semi-structured individual interviews and focus group interviews were conducted to collect the data. Purposive sampling was used to select young women in high schools who experienced mass hysteria; teachers who were present during mass hysteria episodes; a parent; and traditional healers and religious leaders who were involved in treating the affected.Thirteen individual interviews were held respectively with one victim of mass hysteria from a rural area, four school principals,a parent,five traditional healers, a priest and apastor. Three focus group interviews were conducted with thirty affected young women from three different high schools and two focus group interviews were held with twenty teachers from two different high schools.The data were transcribed verbatim and content analysis was done using open and axial coding. Four themes emerged from the findings, namely: manifestations of mass hysteria among the Basotho; interventions used by the Basotho to alleviate mass hysteria; Basotho’s views about the phenomenon of mass hysteria; and effects of mass hysteria onthe Basotho. The findings show that young women in Lesotho experience both physical and psychological symptoms during mass hysteria episodes and that it has a contagious effect. The interventions used by the Basotho to alleviate mass hysteria include traditional healing, herbal remedies, exorcism and prayer.The Basotho have different views about mass hysteria attributing it to either supernatural forces or natural illness. Episodes of mass hysteria have a negative impact on the victims,their families, and those who witnessed the episodes, causing confusion, fear and anxiety. Guidelines were compiled to assist teachersand health workers to improve the management and control of mass hysteria episodes in Lesotho. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This research study was exploratory in nature and used a qualitative approach to learn firsthand from the intimate, personal and subjective experiences of African American women about the importance of spirituality and religiosity in their everyday lives.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference between athletes and non-athletes by addressing prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders, the risk factors associated with the disease(s), and health concerns for those suffering with disordered eating.

Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))—University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Statistics show that young, heterosexual, low-income women are the fastest growing HIVinfected population in South Africa and in the rest of the world. Despite the rapidly growing numbers of women with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), there is a scarcity of research that focuses primarily on how poor minority and disadvantaged women of colour experience being HIV-positive, how these women actually live and cope with their diagnosis. Furthermore, no research studies on minority groups, such as the Coloured women in the Western Cape, exploring these issues have been reported. Consequently, there is an urgent need for research studies in South Africa to explore the range of discourses revealed by low-income and minority women regarding their lives and experiences of HIV/AIDS, in order to generate understanding and knowledge which could contribute to possible interventions, support and care. The present study aimed to: 1) explore the psychosocial concerns and mental health needs of HIV-infected low-income Coloured mothers in everyday life; 2) construct a testable Grounded Theory regarding the illness experience of low-income Coloured mothers; and 3) recommend guidelines for health workers. The study was a systematic analysis and documentation of how the illness (HIV/AIDS) was constructed in narratives of one particular group of women in South Africa. Eleven suitable and willing HIV-infected Coloured mothers were recruited by means of convenience and theoretical sampling. The research study was conducted within a socialconstructionist framework where the focus was on how HIV-infected, low-income Coloured women make sense of their world and illness experience. Grounded Theory was applied within the framework of qualitative research to analyse the data and to explore the participants’ constructions of the illness. As qualitative measure, a semi-structured in-depth interview schedule was developed according to Grounded Theory protocol. To reach the aims of the present study, questions focused on specific behaviours, experiences, thoughts and feelings that related to living with a positive HIV-diagnosis. In the participants’ accounts of their illness experience, two dominant discourses were identified: a discourse of HIV/AIDS, within which the illness was constructed as an stigmatised, incurable and deadly illness; as a shameful illness that someone should be blamed for; and as being associated with secrecy, silence, separation, pain and suffering, loss, and loneliness, as well as a discourse of mothering, what it means to be a “good” woman/mother; constructed as someone that should primarily take care of her children and family, and not be separated from them, or neglect or abandon them through illness or death. It is suggested that the two dominant discourses found in the participants’ accounts of their illness experiences, namely the meaning of HIV/AIDS as an illness (a stigmatised, incurable, and deadly illness, a shameful and blameworthy illness, an illness of secrecy, silence, separation, pain and suffering, loss, and loneliness), and the imperatives of mothering, what it means to be a “good” woman/mother (the primary caregiver of children, someone who is connected, physically strong, healthy and productive, and someone who is able to cope with her caregiving responsibilities even when in distress herself) are irreconcilable. It seems that these distressing and disempowering experiences of being HIV-infected, while also being a primary caregiver and mother of children, caused the participants in the present study severe psychological distress and suffering. Given these discourses and the context of the participants’ lives within their specific socio-economic circumstances, namely their lack of emotional and social support from friends and family, abusive relationships, substance abuse, economic hardships, absence of treatment options, as well as their experience of an incapacitating, incurable, stigmatised illness causing them severe physical and psychological distress, it was argued that the majority of the participants in the present study were in some state of depression and were in need of psychosocial support and mental healthcare.