The qualitative research approach, applying an explorative, descriptive and contextual strategy of enquiry was used to address the research question formulated, - How do child and youth care workers support child-headed households in the community? In this process the needs, relationships, interactions and encounters which occur between child and youth care workers and young people in child-headed households are described. The research was conducted with children from two child-headed households (12 children in all) and three community child and youth care workers from the Isibindi project in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The findings confirm that the integration of child and youth care work characteristics in the daily life events of the children, contributed to services to children that are therapeutically caring, reclaiming and reflective of the African spirit of Ubuntu – demonstrating a relevant and unique South African expression of child and youth care practice. / Sociology / M. Tech. (Child and Youth Care)

This paper describes a participatory action research project involving a group of the aged from the Makgoba community. The focus of this study was the establishment ofa service centre by the rural aged. In the course of this project, the researcher discovered how the rural aged were empowered through the participatory action research process. This process enabled the aged to accomplish their goals, and so to grow and develop. In particular, they improved their lives, and enhanced their self esteem and dignity. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science : Mental Health)

The collection and utilisation of statistical data is an integral component of rendering primary health care services. This study aimed to assess the utilisation of statistics on certain statistical forms submitted regularly to the Department of Health, by professional nurses at local authority primary health care clinics. Results revealed the following important shortcomings: • Statistics on different forms are viewed in isolation, resulting in a lack of necessary comparisons being made to determine trends. • Several targeted issues in the Reconstruction and Development Programme received insufficient attention, for example, immunisations, teenage pregnancies, tuberculosis treatment, sexually transmitted diseases. • A general managerial inability to analyse, display and utilise collected data by professional nurses. Recommendations centred around increasing the knowledge regarding maternal health care, more focus on prioritised areas of the Reconstruction and Development Programme, appropriate training regarding analysis and utilisation of collected statistics at local primary health care level. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing)

The transformation of child and youth care ran concurrently with the political transformation in South Afriola. One of the projects aimed at establishing the transformation of child and youth care, was Project Go. This project placed a moratorium on the transfer of children 'deeper' into the child care system. It aimed at reunifying children ln residential care wtth their families. Furthermore, the projed assessed the children in the system with the aim of accommodating them in the least restrictive, most empowering child care facility. This narrative action research study focused on the effects of Project Go and the transformations on the children at the Children's Haven M T R Smit This study can also be described as emanciipatory action research. This qualitative study is positioned within a social construction discourse. Knowledge was socially constructed through multiple reflexive conversations. I researched the background to the transformation of the child and youth care system and investigated the implications of the transformation for the children at t.he Children's Haven M T R Smit,as well as for the child care workers and management of the haven. A narrative approach was employed. I relied on the Foucauldian discourse to come to some understanding of issues of power and resistance. Following Foucauldian thought, I investigated discourses constituting the care that the children at the Children's Haven M T R Smit received. This investigatlon led me to formulate some understanding of the history of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) the body responsible for the management of the haven since it was founded in the earty 1920s. 0nce I reached an understanding of some of the historical developments of the DRC (which l learned was closely linked lo Afrikaner politics), I explored some implications of the transformation for the DRC's future involvement with the children in its care. This exploration led me to a comparison of the theology of the DRC and black liberation theology, focusing on prophetic practice. Although not an initial aim of this study, I learned that the transfornation of child and youth care held implications not only for the pastoral practice of the DRC, but also for the helping professions such as psychology, social work and child care. l focused briefly on the ethics and some limitations of care provided by the profession of psychology. I reflected on the implications of the transformation of child and youth care for the helping professions. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology (Pastoral Therapy))

In 1995 a participatory research project was undertaken in the Gauteng Welfare Deparbnent by two outside researchers. The subject for the research was the management of change in the Gauteng Welfare Department. During the research, the researcher observed how the discouraged, apathetic and negative group became animated and empowered. On the basis of this observation, the researcher undertook to do a case study which reflects on the interactional process and cohesion which transpired within the participatory research process. / Social Science / M.A. Social Science (Mental Health)

High prevalence of mental illness in South African and limited Mental Health Care (MHC) resources call for ways to supplement the overburdened system to meet the rehabilitative and supportive needs of service users as stipulated in the MHC Act no. 17 of 2002. Various psychological, social, and financial difficulties plaguing MHC users require holistic treatment intervention to help them cope with their conditions. This study explored the meaning of a Tshwane District community-based support group for MHC out-patients to help illuminate the value the group had for the members. A Social Constructionist epistemology informed the qualitative research approach. Data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews and employing a collage-making method. The main themes illuminated by thematic analysis suggest that the group provided the members with a sense of belonging, mental and physical mobilisation and stimulation, a source of support, multiple learning experiences, and contributed to personal transformation and growth. / Psychology / M.A. (S.S. (Research Consultation))

Even though the prevalence of HIV has declined, South Africa continues to have a large number of people who are infected with HIV. Most communities still have to deal with the effects of HIV and AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children. One way of mitigating the effects of HIV and AIDS is strengthening families and communities to provide stable care to orphans. However, most families do not have the capacity to provide sufficient care to orphans hence the need for external support from the community and civil society organisations, in this instance provided through the loveLife goGogetter programme. The findings proved that the goGogetters relied on the support they received through the relationships and networks established in the community to enable them to provide effective service to orphans. The study demonstrated the importance of community networks in providing for the basic needs of orphans. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Text in English / Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS among adolescent girls. It is estimated that there are 5,24 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). These estimates would mean that about 2.36 million people living with HIV/AIDS would be young women and girls aged 15-24 years. The latest household survey conducted by the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) revealed that the prevalence of HIV is three to seven fold in girls and young women aged 15-24 than boys and young men (HSRC 2014) This resurgence in HIV incidence is occurring at a time when it is believed the epidemic has reached a plateau following aggressive behavioural, biomedical and structural interventions by the Department of Health, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and civil society in general. A probability sampling method, involving a random selection of elements was used to select 130 young women and girls aged 18-24 presenting at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital by simple random sampling. Data were collected by self-administering questionnaires. High unemployment and greater age-disparity in the relationships were found to have a direct correlation with HIV incidence in the population under study. This study also shows that inconsistent condom use, low rate of medical male circumcision of male partners, coupled with lower HIV counselling and testing than the national average, was associated with new HIV infections, in spite of high level of condom availability, knowledge of HIV issues and an exposure to an array of behavioural change communication interventions. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Intensifying interventions to improve the quality of care that children receive from parents/ primary caregivers is mandated by several strategic objectives, such as the National Plan of Action for Children 2012-2017 (South Africa 2012), the White Paper on Families in South Africa (2013), and the Children’s Amendment Act 41 of 2007 (South Africa 2007). Parenting programmes remain popular parenting interventions (Daly, Bray, Bruckauf, Byrne, Margaria, Pecnik & Samms-Vaughan 2015:18; Richter & Naicker 2013:9) reporting outcomes of enhanced parent-child relationships, improved behaviour of children, and reduced parental stress. There is a concern that parenting programmes offered in South Africa lack evidence of their efficacy (Wessels 2012:9) and cultural and contextual relevance for the recipients (Begle, Lopez, Cappa, Dumas & de Arellano 2012:56; Richter & Naicker 2013:1). The study developed a locally specific parenting support intervention for parents/ primary caregivers living in the low-cost housing development of Welbedacht East using the Intervention Development Design model. Parents/ primary caregivers were involved throughout the study, contributing to the intervention’s applicability, as well as its contextual and cultural relevance. Bioecological and social inclusion theories framed the study. A qualitative research approach supported by an exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. Two purposive samples (parents/ primary caregivers and community champions) were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke 2006) produced the findings that were presented at a consultation workshop attended by research participants and relevant stakeholders where the parameters of the intervention were determined. These were subsequently developed into the elements and intervention protocols by four indigenous community experts following the Delphi process. Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) approach to trustworthiness as presented by Porter (2007:85) and Thomas and Magilvy (2011:152) was used. Cultural competence was maintained throughout and ethical considerations were observed to circumvent harm to participants and uphold the integrity of the research process. The perceptions of the parents/ primary caregivers were consistent with scholarly indicators of ‘good enough’ parenting, but the contextual stressors they experienced challenges their ability to fulfil some of these indicators. An intervention was needed to increase parental capacity to improve parent-child relationships, cultivate life skills for improved psychological health, and advance the financial independence of parents. It was concluded that a parenting programme on its own would fail to address the most pressing needs of parents/ primary caregivers living in disadvantaged circumstances and custom-made parenting support interventions were needed to increase parental capacity to manage the structural challenges that compromised parenting, such as socioeconomic interventions of a social developmental nature. / Social Work / D. Phil. (Social Work)

Farm workers in South Africa have limited access to health care and health-related information. In this qualitative study, the implementation of a workplace HIV/AIDS policy was evaluated using data gathered through interviews and observation. It was found that, although the farm workers were knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS, this knowledge was insufficient. It was found that the lives of farm workers are deeply affected by HIV and AIDS. It is also suggested that the agricultural sector is not yet able to deal effectively with HIV and AIDS and that, in this regard, urgent planning is needed in respect of HIV and AIDS policies and interventions / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)