Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present study stems from a concern with the possible occurrence of alcohol abuse on a university campus. The major focus is an exploration of the drinking habits of mostly undergraduate students. An adequate understanding of the above would simplify the task of the university authorities of formulating a relevant alcohol policy and action plan. The survey involves a self-completion questionnaire. The data analysis concentrated on Pearson's correlations and chisquare tests. Significant relationships between the level of alcohol use on the one hand and gender, residence, language, other substance abuse, sport participation, religion, moral values, and sexual activity on the other hand was found. Finally a profile of high-risk, heavier drinking students are provided. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die huidige studie spruit uit 'n besorgdheid oor die voorkoms van alkohol misbruik op 'n universiteitskampus. Die primêre fokus is 'n verkenning van die drinkgewoontes van hoofsaaklik voorgraadse studente. 'n Omvattende begrip van bogenoemde sal die taak vergemaklik van die universiteitsowerhede om 'n toepaslike alkoholbeleid en -aksieplan te formuleer. Die ondersoekende studie behels 'n selfvoltooings vraelys. Die data-analise fokus op Pearson se korrelasies en chi-kwadraat toetse. Beduidende verbande is gevind tussen vlak van alkohol gebruik aan die een kant en geslag, verblyf, taal, ander substansgebruik, sportdeelname, godsdiens, morele waardes en seksuele aktiwiteit aan die ander kant. Laastens word 'n profiel van die hoë risiko, swaarder drinkende studente verstrek.

Thesis ((M. A.(Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / The influences of alcohol abuse amongst the youth have been linked to multiple risk factors. Alcohol abuse among the youth is costing the country a lot of money every year. The aim of the study was to explore and describe risk factors of alcohol abuse amongst the youth in Musina Town, Limpopo Province. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative approaches (mixed method). An exploratory-descriptive research design was utilised. The population of the study was drawn from learners and church leaders. A triangulation of sampling designs were employed in this research project: stratified-target and purposive sampling designs. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science and Nvivo software. The study revealed that an easy access to purchase alcohol, affordability of alcohol, peer pressure, self-esteem, stress, permissive parents, family members who drink and poor legislations enforcement put young people at risk of indulge binge drinking. Moreover, the study revealed that those above-mentioned risk factors have a negative impact on the well-being of young people. Young people who indulge into alcohol abuse end up contracting sexual transmitted infection and/or having unplanned pregnancy which later result in abortion. Alcohol abuse amongst the youth has been a contributing factor to social problems. The above study indicated, peers pressure, poor legislation enforcement, accessibility substances, affordability of alcohol, self-esteem and stress plays a significant role in influence youth’s decision to use or not use alcohol. To that end, the risk factors of alcohol abuse amongst the youth influences the behavioural change which later encourages maladaptive behaviours such as heavy episodic drinking at parties. The findings of the study point to the disbursements of funds for research purposes and in particular to Social Work scholars to do more research on risk factors of alcohol abuse in deep rural areas.

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / See the attached abstract below

Abstract in English / The overall aim of this study was to construct and describe a conceptual framework that can serve as a frame of reference for organisational stakeholders to sustain a community coalition to manage alcohol misuse as a risk factor of HIV infection in a specific community in the North West Province, South Africa. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) design that was qualitative and theory generative in nature was followed in this study. A phased approach with specific objectives aligned to the PAR cycle, namely observe (Phase One), reflect (Phase Two), plan (Phase Three) and act (Phase Four), was followed. These phases were actualised through an exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design, guided and theoretically influenced by critical theory. Data in Phase One were collected through 10 key informant interviews. Data were collected in Phases Two to Four through 10 dialogue meetings. Data collected in the four phases were used to construct and describe the conceptual framework that was evaluated by five experts in the field of mental health and substance misuse for refinement (Phase Five). Thematic data analyses was done to identify emerging themes. Key issues identified were that the community is characterised by fragile community coalitions that hamper the management of alcohol misuse as a risk factor of HIV infection. Factors to be considered to sustain the coalition were identified as sharing a common vision, promoting a trusting relationship, formalising the coalition, transformational leadership, strengthening organisational unity, and access to financial resources. This research adds knowledge in the field of mental health and substance misuse by providing a sustainable community coalition conceptual framework for organisational stakeholders to manage alcohol misuse as a risk factor of HIV infection. The conceptual framework could be used to inform policy, further research, education and improve practice in the field of mental health and substance misuse. Although the study was limited to a specific geographical area of a community in the North West Province, South Africa, the findings can be adapted to fit a specific setting. / Health Studies / D Litt et Phil. (Health Studies)

Thesis (M. A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Background: Alcohol abuse amongst the youths is one of the major problems the world is facing today, especially in rural communities where most young people are unemployed and have little to do with their time. Aim: This aim of the study is to understand risk factors contributing towards alcohol abuse amongst the youth of Solomondale community. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative research approach to explore risk factors that contribute to the prevalence of alcohol abuse amongst the youth of Solomondale community of Ga-Dikgale Traditional Authority, Limpopo Province. Exploratory research design was used in this study. The population of the study was youths of Solomondale community between the ages of 14 and 35 who consume alcohol. The researcher used a non-probability sampling method through the application of a snowball sampling technique. The technique suggested that each person may be asked to provide information that may suggest how other respondents maybe located for semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data saturation was reached at respondent number six. Data was analysed through thematic content analysis. Findings: The findings of this study are anticipated to have the capacity to assist in the prevention of alcohol abuse at a rural community level. The findings of the study revealed that the physical availability of alcohol in a community has the potential to create an opportunity for youth to indulge in alcohol. They further revealed that children/youth learn more from observations of the adults’ behaviour, and therefore, if adults drink in front of a young person, that person is likely to drink when they shift away from that adult. Moreover, according to the respondents, generally the unavailability of a parent in a child’s life has negative effects towards their upbringing, which ultimately creates unfavourable social conditions that may lead to alcohol abuse by such persons. Finally, domestic violence has not been found to have effect on any form of alcohol abuse amongst the youth of Solomondale community. viii Recommendations: This study has made a number of recommendations. Alcohol and other substance abuse call for preventative and intervention measures in rural communities. Issues such as educating the parents and guardians on how to improve their parenting skills in relation to alcohol consumption and the dangers thereof can go a long way if taken into consideration. The government of the Republic of South Africa should come up with programmes that are culturally relevant and appropriate aimed at keeping young people off the streets, and at developing their skills in order to enhance their wellbeing and ultimately communities in the country. / University of Limpopo

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Clinical results have indicated that abuse of multiple drugs/substances has devastating health and social consequences. The combined abuse of alcohol and the highly addictive methamphetamine has worsened the drug epidemic in South Africa, especially in the Western Cape Province. Using non-linear ordinary differential equations, we formulate a deterministic mathematical model for alcohol-methamphetamine coabuse epidemic. We prove that the growth of the co-abuse epidemic is dependent on the threshold parameters of the individual substances of abuse. The substance with the maximum reproduction number dominates the epidemic. We also prove that the equilibria points of the co-abuse sub-models are locally and globally asymptotically stable when the sub-model threshold parameters are less than unity. Using parameters values derived from the sub-model fittings to data, a population estimate of co-users of alcohol and methamphetamine under treatment is estimated with a prevalence of about 1%. Although the results show of a small proportion of co-users of alcohol and methamphetamine in the province, the prevalence curve is indicative of a persistent problem. Numerical simulation results reveal that co-abuse epidemic would persists when both reproduction numbers are greater than one. Results from sensitivity analysis shows that the individual substance transmission rates between users of methamphetamine and/or alcohol and the general susceptible population are the most vital parameters in the co-abuse epidemic. This suggests the need to emphasise on preventive measures through educational campaigns and social programs that ensure minimal recruitment into alcohol or methamphetamine abuse. Model analysis using the time-dependent controls (policies) emphasizes the need to allocate even more resources on educational campaigns against substance abuse and on effective treatment services that minimizes or eliminates rampant cases of relapse into substance abuse. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kliniese resultate toon dat die misbruik van meer as een dwelmmiddel verwoestende gesondheids-en sosiale gevolge het. Die gekombineerde misbruik van alkohol en die hoogsverslawende methamphetamine het die dwelm-epidemie in Suid-Afrika vererger, veral in die Wes-Kaapse provinsie. Deur van nie-lineere gewone diffensiaalvergelykings gebruik te maak, formuleer ons ’n deterministiese wiskundige model vir epidemie van die gesamentlike misbruik van alkohol en methamphetamine. Ons toon aan dat die groei van die sogenaamde mede-misbruik epidemie afhanklik is van die drumpelparameters van die individuele middels wat misbruik word. Die middels met die grootste voortbringende syfer domineer die epidemie. Ons bewys ook dat die ekwilibriumpunte van die mede-misbruik submodelle plaaslik en globaal asimptoties stabiel is wanneer die sub-model drumpelparameters kleiner as een is. Deur die submodelle op werklike data te pas word waardes vir die drumpelparameters afgelei en word daar beraam dat daar ongeveer 1% van die populasie mede-misbruikers van alkohol en methamphetamine onder behandeling is. Alhoewel die data ’n klein persentasie van mede-misbruikers van alkohol en methamphetamine in die provinsie toon, dui die voorkomskurwe op ’n groeiende endemie en voortdurende probleem. Resultate uit numeriese simulasie toon dat die mede-misbruik epidemie sal voortduur indien beide reproduserende syfers groter as een sal wees. Resultate van sensitiwiteitsanalise toon dat die individuele middeloordragkoerse tussen gebruikers van methamphetamine en/of alkohol en die gewone vatbare populasie die mees noodsaaklike parameters in die mede-misbruik epidemie is. Dit stel voor dat daar meer klem gelê moet word op voorkomingsmaatreëls deur opvoedkundige veldtogte en sosiale programme om te verseker dat minder alkohol en/of methamphetamine misbruik sal word. Model-analise wat gebruik maak van tyd-afhanklike kontroles (beleide) lê verder klem op die feit dat selfs meer hulpbronne aan opvoedkundige veldtogte teen dwelmmisbruik toegewy moet word, asook die effektiewe behandeling wat gevalle van terugval in dwelmmisbruik sal minimeer of elimineer.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is caused by maternal drinking during pregnancy. Pre-natal drinking has a range of deleterious effects including physical, mental and behavioural consequences for the affected child. Although FASD is completely preventable, it is irreversible with consequences that last into adulthood. The range of effects of FASD forms a spectrum with fully developed FAS on the one end and no effects on the other end of the spectrum. The Western Cape has one of the highest recorded rates of FAS in the world. This seriously affects almost all systems in society and strains the already overburdened educational-, health-, social- and judicial systems. For this reason preventing FASD is of the utmost importance and requires a comprehensive approach on multiple levels. This study explores and describes FASD prevention services in the Bonnievale, Robertson, Ashton and Montagu-areas – a wine-producing area in the Western Cape. Available FASD prevention services on all levels of prevention, the focus-areas of the different prevention activities, collaboration and co-ordination between the role-players and obstacles in delivering prevention services, was examined. By adopting an ecological approach, FASD prevention services could be investigated on multiple levels. This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research. An exploratory design and a purposive sampling method were used. Participants were interviewed individually and with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. The findings of the empirical investigation show that, although prevention efforts are applied on the universal, selective and indicated levels of prevention, a lack of formal prevention efforts that are actively pursued - especially on the level of indicated prevention - exists. This is aggravated by the absence of formal co-ordination of services and structured systems of referrals. NGO‟s and government departments are, as a result, not clear about their respective roles and responsibilities and women with the highest risk for having a child with FAS, therefore, fall through the cracks of the system. This happens partly because social workers are often perceived as the only agents for social change in the community. According to the ecological approach all levels (micro, meso and macro) of organizations in the social environment should work together for change by repeating prevention messages on the different levels and thereby reinforcing it. In the study area, however, most FAS prevention services were on the micro-level with few on the meso-level and virtually none on macro-level. Participants identified a lack of co-ordination, unplanned families, a lack of resources, a lack of training and training material and low levels of education as obstacles in service delivery. Recommendations resulting from the study indicate that FAS prevention will benefit from structured, formal programs on all levels of prevention. This will require non-government organizations and government departments to co-ordinate services and to develop a formal system of referral amongst the role-players. Training of personnel in clinics, NGO‟s, government departments and volunteers, as well as the development of training material targeted at people on different levels of education, should receive attention. It is, in conclusion, recommended that community organizations and structures such as churches, places of business, farmer‟s associations and liquor outlets are actively involved in the prevention of FASD. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Fetale Alkohol Spektrum Afwykings (FASA) word veroorsaak deur alkoholgebruik tydens swangerskap. Alkoholgebruik tydens swangerskap het „n reeks skadelike effekte, insluitend fisiese, psigiese en gedragsafwykings in die geaffekteerde kind. Alhoewel FASA heeltemal voorkombaar is, is dit onomkeerbaar en duur die gevolge daarvan voort in volwassenheid. Die reeks effekte van FASA vorm „n spektrum met volledig ontwikkelde FAS aan die een kant en geen effekte nie aan die ander kant van die spektrum. Die Wes-Kaap het een van die hoogste aangetekende voorkomssyfers van FAS in die wêreld. Dit affekteer feitlik alle sisteme in die samelewing en plaas nog meer druk op die reeds oorlaaide opvoedkundige-, gesondheids-, maatskaplike- en regssisteme. Om hierdie rede is die voorkoming van FASA van uiterste belang en word „n omvattende benadering op veelvuldige vlakke vereis. Hierdie studie ondersoek en beskryf FASA voorkomingsdienste in die Bonnievale-, Robertson-, Ashton- en Montagu-area – „n wynproduserende streek in die Wes-Kaap. Die beskikbaarheid van FASA voorkomingsdienste op alle vlakke van voorkoming, die fokus-areas van die verskillende voorkomingsaktiwiteite, samewerking en koördinering van dienste tussen die rolspelers, sowel as struikelblokke in voorkomingsdienste, is ondersoek. Deur die ekologiese benadering aan te neem, kon FASA voorkomingsdienste op veelvuldige vlakke ondersoek word. Die studie kombineer kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsing. Die ontwerp van die studie is verkennend en daar is „n doelbewuste steekproef gedoen. Indivuduele onderhoude met deelnemers is met behulp van semi-gestruktureeerde vraelyste gevoer. Die bevindinge van die empiriese ondersoek toon dat, alhoewel voorkomingspogings aangewend word op die universele, selektiewe en indikatiewe voorkomingsvlakke, daar 'n gebrek bestaan aan formele voorkomingspogings wat aktief nagestreef word, veral op die indikatiewe vlak. Dit word vererger deur die afwesigheid van formele koördinering van dienste en gestruktureerde verwysingsisteme. Nie-regeringsorganisasies en staatsdepartemente het gevolglik nie duidelikheid oor hul onderskeie rolle en verantwoordelikhede nie. Die gevolg hiervan is dat vroue met die hoogste risiko om geboorte te skenk aan kinders met FAS, deur die krake in die sisteem val. Dit geskied deels omdat maatskaplike werkers dikwels gesien word as die enigste agente vir maatskaplike verandering in die gemeenskap. Volgens die ekologiese benadering behoort alle vlakke (mikro, meso en makro) van organisasie in die sosiale omgewing saam te werk om verandering teweeg te bring deurdat voorkomingsboodskappe op die verskillende vlakke te herhaal en sodoende te versterk word. In die studie-area is die meeste voorkomingsdienste egter op mikro-vlak gelewer met min op meso-vlak en feilik geen op makro-vlak nie. Deelnemers aan die studie het „n gebrek aan koördinasie van dienste, onbeplande gesinne, „n gebrek aan hulpbronne, „n gebrek aan opleiding en opleidingsmateriaal en lae vlakke van geletterdheid geïdentifiseer as struikelblokke in dienslewering. Aanbevelings wat uit die studie voortvloei, dui aan dat FASA voorkomingsdienste sal baat vind by gestruktureerde, formele programme op alle vlakke van voorkoming. Dit sal vereis dat nie-regeringsorganisasies en staatdepartemente hul dienste koördineer en „n formele verwysingstelsel tussen die verskillende rolspelers ontwikkel. Opleiding van personeel in klinieke, NRO‟s, staatsdepartemente en vrywilligers, sowel as die ontwikkeling van opleidingsmateriaal wat persone op verskillende vlakke van opvoeding teiken, behoort aandag te geniet. Dit word laastens ook aanbeveel dat gemeenskapsorganisasies en strukture byvoorbeeld kerke, besighede, boere-verenigings en verkoopspunte vir alkohol, aktief betrek word by die voorkoming van FASA.

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)