The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to receiving services for women suffering with Postpartum Depression (PPD) in the San Bernardino and Riverside County areas. 11 - 20% of mothers experience symptoms of PPD, which if left untreated can negatively impact the mother-infant relationship, ultimately affecting the entire family unit. Past studies have identified a variety of barriers to receiving treatment for PPD. However, research has not focused specifically on the obstacles mothers face in these two neighboring counties. The study utilized an online self-administered questionnaire developed by the researchers to identify barriers to treatment for PPD. There were 41 participants from San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The questionnaire was intended to be distributed to service providers that come into contact with this vulnerable population; primarily social workers, licensed therapists, masters of social work (MSW) students student interns, physicians, registered nurses, and midwives. However, because a snowball sampling technique was used, it was possibly sent to other professionals who come into contact with this population. Our study found that most of the barriers identified in previous studies also applied to our participants. The barriers rated highest in terms of limiting access to PPD services were a physician’s lack of time with patients, knowledge of PDD symptoms, the patient’s relationship to physician, and limits in coverage, as well as knowledge of services covered, lack of emotional support from significant other and/or family members, and transportation challenges including distance from providers. Additional barriers that were recognized in the literature and in our research, were education barriers, cultural barriers, stigma associated with postpartum depression, fear of child welfare officials, lack of culturally sensitive screening tools, and fears surrounding the use of medication. The results from this study may help practitioners and researchers better understand the barriers women with PPD face in accessing services, and may help service providers tailor their treatments and services accordingly. Additionally, the knowledge gained from the research may also inspire policy changes to improve women’s access to PPD services.

Despite Canada’s universal healthcare system, there exist numerous barriers that prevent LGBTQ2S+ populations from accessing healthcare services such as sexual health. Through pulling from community-based research principles and utilizing a critical social science framework, this research explores the availability and accessibility of sexual health services for LGBTQ2S+ individuals living in a rural Ontario community. After extensive consultations with multiple key informants, two focus groups were conducted with individuals from a community-based collaborative where members had the dual role of being service providers and community members. It is important to note that gaining access to the collaborative was made possible due to the resources and networks provided by the AIDS Network, a community charitable organization. Using a thematic analysis of the data, three major themes surfaced: the negative effects of heteronormativity, queerphobia, and transphobia within healthcare settings; barriers to accessing sexual healthcare; and community responses and strategies. These findings are reflected in the literature concerning issues of healthcare access for LGBTQ2S+ populations, but these research findings are unique given they are specific to both sexual health and rural communities. Implications for social work education, practice, and research include tapping into the potential of collaboratives; creating LGBTQ2S+-specific policies; making space for community voices, especially within academia; and recommendations for healthcare providers. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

This qualitative study examines the current barriers of services to transition age youth (TAY) who are newly emancipated from foster care. Data collection was derived from eight in depth interviews with local administrators within San Bernardino County with experience with youth and services within the TAY population. Study themes focused on how professionals suggested to engage TAY, tactics to instilling hope, highlighting successful services, and providing professional insight on working with the unique population. Present day research emphasizes the importance of the emotional capacity of TAY, which is a key theme within the present study. As current rates of homelessness, the dependency of government assistance programs, and mental health services increase for the TAY population, the need for improved services is apparent. Study results indicated five distinct themes pertaining to youth impediments and the need for foster system adjustments, and include: unmet mental health needs, available housing facilities, mistrust from the youth, the integration from Peer and Family Assistant’s, and systemic barriers.

Ce mémoire s’intéresse aux expériences de femmes en processus de sortie de la prostitution. Il vise à comprendre les obstacles auxquels ces femmes sont confrontées pour pouvoir bénéficier d’interventions sociales accessibles et facilitant leur sortie de la prostitution. Cette recherche qualitative prend appui sur 11 entretiens individuels réalisés auprès de femmes âgées de 26 à 55 ans et habitant Montréal, les Laurentides et l’Abitibi. Bien que nombre de femmes aux prises avec la prostitution souhaitent en sortir, on compte peu d’interventions sociales pour les aider en ce sens. Les services publics sont largement insuffisants à la fois du point de vue de leur accessibilité et de leur réponse aux besoins de ces femmes. Peu d’études s’intéressent aux services d’aide à la sortie de la prostitution, notamment au Québec. Ce mémoire privilégie une perspective féministe abolitionniste et un cadre épistémologique de la théorie standpoint. Les résultats mettent en lumière les obstacles à l’accessibilité des interventions sociales, dont le cloisonnement des services et le refus manifeste d’offrir de l’aide aux femmes. Cette recherche rend compte également de l’expérience de pratiques d’intervention entravant le processus de sortie : 1) les pratiques punitives, 2) celles proposant une aide limitée aux femmes ou 3) leur adaptation à la prostitution. La conclusion de ce mémoire propose la mise en œuvre de pratiques sociales novatrices qui prennent en compte les contraintes sociales qui mènent les femmes à l’industrie du sexe et les y maintiennent ainsi que les conséquences de l’expérience même de la prostitution sur elles. / This thesis focuses on the experiences of women in the process of leaving prostitution. It aims to understand the barriers these women face in order to receive social interventions that are accessible and that facilitate their exit from prostitution. This qualitative research builds on 11 individual interviews with women aged between 26 and 55 years and living in Montreal, the Laurentians and Abitibi. Although many women in prostitution want to exit, there are few social interventions to help them in this regard. Public services are largely inadequate both regarding their accessibility and their response to the needs of these women. Few studies have focused on support services to facilitate exiting prostitution, especially in Quebec. This thesis is anchored in a feminist abolitionist perspective with standpoint theory as the epistemological framework. The results highlight the barriers to accessibility of services including compartmentalisation of services and a manifest refusal to provide social support interventions for women. This study also gives an account of the experience of interventions that hinder the exiting process: 1) punitive practices, 2) those providing limited assistance to women or 3) their adaptation to prostitution. The conclusion proposes the implementation of innovative social practices that take into account the social constraints that lead women into the sex industry and keep them there as well as the consequences of the very experience of prostitution on them.

This study sought to determine if ANC and PMTCT services are utilized within the first trimester of pregnancy by the women in East Ekurhuleni sub-district. Quantitative descriptive research was conducted on 390 eligible pregnant women and data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The results indicated that women start ANC late despite their knowledge of first trimester as the best time to start ANC. Actions that would motivate them to start ANC early were explored and barriers were identified. / Health Studies / MA (Public Health)

This study sought to determine if ANC and PMTCT services are utilized within the first trimester of pregnancy by the women in East Ekurhuleni sub-district. Quantitative descriptive research was conducted on 390 eligible pregnant women and data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The results indicated that women start ANC late despite their knowledge of first trimester as the best time to start ANC. Actions that would motivate them to start ANC early were explored and barriers were identified. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)