The health picture in the developing world is still very bleak. The varlOUS Black populations of South Africa (be they Africans, Indians or Coloureds) are part of this developing world. In a total world population of 4,607 million (of which 75 % are in the developing world); there are 10.3 million annual infant deaths (0-11 months) (of which 97 % are ln the developing countries); and 4.3 million annual child deaths (1-4 years) (of which 98 % are in the developing countries).*l The infant mortality rate (IMR) (infant deaths per 1,000 live births) in 1980 for the developing countries as a whole, and for Southern Africa specifically is 100; as compared to the IMR of 20 for developed countries. South Africa has an IMR of 90 (1982). However, a few relatively simple and inexpensive methods could enable parents themselves to bring about a revolution ln child survival and development. The idea that could make this revolution possible is primary health care. The vehicles that could make this revolution achievable are the spread of education, communications and social organization. The techniques which could make this revolution affordable even with very limited resources, are growth monitoring, oral rehydration therapy, breast-feeding and immunization (GOBI). These four principle life line techniques are low-cost, available now, achieve rapid results and a l most universally relevant. They involve people in taking more responsibility for their own health, and thus promote primary health care. In combination they offer an even greater degree of protection against the synergistic alliance of malnutrition and infection which is the central problem of child health and child development today. *3 In addition, three other changes-female education, family spacing and food supplementation (FFF) are also among the most powerful levers for raising the level of child survival and child health. Although more costly and more difficult to achieve, these changes in the lives of women are of such potential significance that they must also now be count ed among the breakthrough in knowledge which could change the ratio between the health and wealth of nations. *3 However, against this information is the stark reality that only up to 15 % of the world's families are using oral rehydration therapy (ORT), the revolutionary low-cost technique for preventing and treating diarrhoeal dehydration, the biggest single killer of children in the world. *4 This then rai ses the vital question that although the potential for child survival and a healthy and normal child development is there, to what extent is the average mother aware of and implementing these cost-effective methods of GOBI-FFF in her own situation? These questions are thus addressed in this study in an African and an Indian urban communities ln Natal/Kwa Zulu. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1985.

Thesis (M.Sc.) (Honours) -- University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, 1999. / A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Honours), March, 1999. Bibliography : leaves 117-125.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Introduction Under-5 year mortality in South Africa is increasing and effectiveness of primary care is a key factor. Adherence to IMCI guidelines by primary care nurses is critical. The IMCI guidelines provide a standardized integrated approach to delivering quality care. Nurses in South Africa are currently using a paper-based guideline. The automated guideline in the format of a convertible personalised computer tablet aimed to improve training in IMCI and the quality of clinical decision making. The automated guideline was designed to systematically guide the nurse through the algorithms thus reducing errors and making care more effective. This study evaluated the use of automated guidelines in improving the training of nurses. Methods A sample size of thirty Professional Registered Nurses (PNs) was selected from the one year Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science at Stellenbosch University. Observational study design compared 15 PNs who used and 15 who did not use the automated guidelines during training. Nurses were compared in terms of their knowledge of IMCI after classroom based teaching and adherence to IMCI in clinical training practices. Results Both groups improved their knowledge of IMCI, but were not significantly different at the end of the classroom teaching. Nurses in the automated group showed significant improvement in their clinical practice (p<0.05): gathering information on HIV risk (50% vs. 93%) or immunisations (68% vs. 93%); making a complete assessment of the patient (61% vs. 100%), prescribing correct medication (50% vs. 85%), correct dose (42% vs. 85%) and safety netting (78% vs. 96%). Conclusion The use of automated guidelines showed potential for improving adherence to IMCI in the Western Cape. Further research is needed to determine if the widespread use of the automated version by PNs translates into better quality of care and improved health outcomes.

This project examines the role of immunization registries and their effect on a health care delivery system. Recent efforts to attain coverage of child populations by recommended vaccines have included initiatives by federal and state agencies, as well as private foundations, to develop and implement statewide community-based childhood immunization registries.

Statistics on HIV/AIDS are alarming. Very little is known about how communities are actually coping with this disease and what methods seem to be working to empower them to deal with it. Psychosocial distress is one of the dimensions of the impact of AIDS on children and families, and stresses the necessity to enhance the capacities of extended families and friends to be able to deal with these psychosocial issues. Using qualitative research and a case study as the strategy of inquiry, this dissertation of limited scope explores and describes the factors influencing the capacity of extended families in providing psychosocial support to AIDS orphans. A literature study was done to give a theoretical overview on the following aspects: * AIDS orphans * The extended family and HIV/AIDS To reach the first objective of this study, an empirical study was done and semi-structured interviews were used to obtain information from four extended families in the Mukwe area of the Kavango Region in Namibia. The literature study and the empirical study enabled the researcher to draw conclusions on the factors which influence the capacity of extended families to provide psychosocial support to AIDS orphans. The information was analysed, interpreted and published in this research report so as to reach the other objectives of this study. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play therapy)

A distressing consequence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and of the increasing numbers of orphans and decreasing numbers of caregivers is the emergence in ever larger numbers of child-headed households (CHHs). The complexity of issues affecting CHHs and the lack of research on this subject means that CHHs are not well understood. This sometimes prompts support agencies to provide emotionally driven recommendations suggesting that it is better for a child to be in an orphanage than to live in a CHH. This exploratory study, involving heads of 105 CHHs over a 12 month period and 142 participants in various focus group discussions (FGD) and interviews, suggests the need for a change in perspective. It addresses the question of CHH quality of life, coping strategies and household functioning and attempts to bring this into a productive dialogue with community child care activities, NGO and statutory support and child care and protection policies. Research data suggests that the key determining factor contributing towards the creation of a CHH is `pre-parental illness' family conflict. Another contributing factor is that siblings want to stay together after parental death. Quality of life assessments indicate that despite significant adversities, over 69% of CHHs reported a 'medium' to 'satisfactory' quality of life and demonstrate high levels of resilience. As regards vulnerability to abuse, it is found that while CHH members are more vulnerable to external abuse, they experience little within their household. Contrary to public perceptions about CHHs lacking moral values, CHH behaviour might actually be more responsible than non-CHH peer behaviour as their negative experiences appear to galvanize them into adopting responsible behaviour. Community care and neighbourhood support in older townships are better established compared with newer suburbs. Sufficient community care capacity enables CHHs to function, thus avoiding a situation where households disintegrate and household members end up as street children. CHH coping responses seem to be mainly influenced by individual and community factors, and by social, spiritual and material support. The interplay between these and the CHH's ability to engage in the required coping task impacts on the coping outcome at household level. National and international government and non-governmental child service providers in Southern Africa need to recognize that an adequately supported CHH is an acceptable alternative care arrangement for certain children in communities with high adult AIDS mortality and where adult HIV-prevalence exceeds 10%. / Development Studies / D. Ltt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

The study explored the psychosocial needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) affected by HIV and AIDS in Gokomere, a rural area of Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. The participants of the study included OVCs, caregivers and members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and faith-based organisations (FBOs). The data was gathered using semi-structured in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion. The audio-taped data was transcribed, coded and interpreted to generate themes, categories and sub-categories. The main psychosocial needs of OVCs affected by HIV and AIDS were found to be the need for relationships, succession planning, social protection and emotional and spiritual support. Kinship care emerged to be the most important form of care for OVCs while home-based care and child-headed households emerged as new forms of care for OVCs. This study recommends that coordinated efforts by the government, NGOs/FBOs/CBO and the community at large is needed to address the challenges facing OVCs affected by HIV and AIDS. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Placement of orphans under kinship foster care is a common occurrence in social work practice, especially around Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga Province. Social workers are facing the challenge of an alarming increase in foster care cases due to the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the area. Thus the social workers are trapped in a situation of having to place orphans in kinship foster care, without adequate preparation nor the opportunity to explore the feelings and experiences of being in a child-headed household. This study aimed at exploring and describing the experiences and expectations of orphans who were in charge of child-headed households, regarding their preparation for being placed in kinship foster care and their subsequent placement in such care. Research findings revealed that some orphaned children who had previously been heading a child-headed household and were now placed in kinship foster care were continuing to head the households despite the fact that an order had been issued by the children’s court for them to be under the care and guidance of kin foster parents. The non-involvement of orphaned heads of households in any decisions that affect them emerged in the findings of the study as a critical issue. Another important finding was that some orphaned children in kinship foster care experienced the abuse of the foster care grant by their kin foster parents. The research study has made provision for conclusions and recommendations to all role-players responsible for placing child-headed households in kinship foster care in order to enhance the efficacy of kin foster care placement. / Department of Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

Statistics on HIV/AIDS are alarming. Very little is known about how communities are actually coping with this disease and what methods seem to be working to empower them to deal with it. Psychosocial distress is one of the dimensions of the impact of AIDS on children and families, and stresses the necessity to enhance the capacities of extended families and friends to be able to deal with these psychosocial issues. Using qualitative research and a case study as the strategy of inquiry, this dissertation of limited scope explores and describes the factors influencing the capacity of extended families in providing psychosocial support to AIDS orphans. A literature study was done to give a theoretical overview on the following aspects: * AIDS orphans * The extended family and HIV/AIDS To reach the first objective of this study, an empirical study was done and semi-structured interviews were used to obtain information from four extended families in the Mukwe area of the Kavango Region in Namibia. The literature study and the empirical study enabled the researcher to draw conclusions on the factors which influence the capacity of extended families to provide psychosocial support to AIDS orphans. The information was analysed, interpreted and published in this research report so as to reach the other objectives of this study. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play therapy)

A distressing consequence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and of the increasing numbers of orphans and decreasing numbers of caregivers is the emergence in ever larger numbers of child-headed households (CHHs). The complexity of issues affecting CHHs and the lack of research on this subject means that CHHs are not well understood. This sometimes prompts support agencies to provide emotionally driven recommendations suggesting that it is better for a child to be in an orphanage than to live in a CHH. This exploratory study, involving heads of 105 CHHs over a 12 month period and 142 participants in various focus group discussions (FGD) and interviews, suggests the need for a change in perspective. It addresses the question of CHH quality of life, coping strategies and household functioning and attempts to bring this into a productive dialogue with community child care activities, NGO and statutory support and child care and protection policies. Research data suggests that the key determining factor contributing towards the creation of a CHH is `pre-parental illness' family conflict. Another contributing factor is that siblings want to stay together after parental death. Quality of life assessments indicate that despite significant adversities, over 69% of CHHs reported a 'medium' to 'satisfactory' quality of life and demonstrate high levels of resilience. As regards vulnerability to abuse, it is found that while CHH members are more vulnerable to external abuse, they experience little within their household. Contrary to public perceptions about CHHs lacking moral values, CHH behaviour might actually be more responsible than non-CHH peer behaviour as their negative experiences appear to galvanize them into adopting responsible behaviour. Community care and neighbourhood support in older townships are better established compared with newer suburbs. Sufficient community care capacity enables CHHs to function, thus avoiding a situation where households disintegrate and household members end up as street children. CHH coping responses seem to be mainly influenced by individual and community factors, and by social, spiritual and material support. The interplay between these and the CHH's ability to engage in the required coping task impacts on the coping outcome at household level. National and international government and non-governmental child service providers in Southern Africa need to recognize that an adequately supported CHH is an acceptable alternative care arrangement for certain children in communities with high adult AIDS mortality and where adult HIV-prevalence exceeds 10%. / Development Studies / D. Ltt. et Phil. (Development Studies)