Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, Discipline of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2004. / "May 2004" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-270).

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed on June 23, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1939.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1982.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1939.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-01, page: 0342. Adviser: Kristy O. Murray. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1982.

Thesis (doctoral)--La Salle University, 2001. / ProQuest dissertations and theses ; AAT 3108294. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-147).

M. Psych. (Educational Psychology) / The high child sexual abuse rate in South Africa and all over the world makes these cases a reality for educational psychologists practising today. Equineassisted psychotherapy is a relatively new field in psychology, and research shows that this therapeutic intervention can have a very significant impact on people. Sexual abuse leaves children with psychological effects (Beitchman, Zucker, Hood, DaCosta & Akman, 1991) ranging from intrapersonal problems such as low self-esteem and feeling emotionally overwhelmed to interpersonal problems resulting in communication and relationship challenges (Mandrell, 2006). According to Kidson (2012), equine-assisted therapy deals very well with such issues as well as self-concept, self-efficacy and self-acceptance. These issues correlate well with the effects of child sexual abuse and the issues that the therapist needs to deal with in the therapeutic sessions (Conte & Scheumann, 2011). Seeing the possibilities that equine-assisted therapy held for a therapist working with a case of sexual abuse, I inquired in terms of the involved systemic influences and experiences. The study investigated the experiences of the therapist, the client and the parents when using equine-assisted psychotherapy in a case of sexual abuse. The study attempted to identify themes that could explain these experiences and maybe make a contribution to the field of equine-assisted psychotherapy, specifically pertaining to work with sexual abuse cases. I made use of a phenomenological, qualitative case study design to explore the experiences of the participants. The data collection methods included interviews, field notes and observations. Artefacts were used to aid the researcher in the observation process but also to help the researcher explain the findings in Chapter 4. Furthermore, creative expressive arts therapy tools were used in the interviews to assist the participants in expressing their experiences regarding the equine-assisted therapy process. Data was analysed using the phenomenological data analysis process. This process is al about “being true to the phenomenon”. The first step in this research was to transcribe the interview recordings. Using the transcribed text, the field notes and the observations, the researcher then identified units of general meaning. Out of the units of general meanings, themes were identified. In the findings, three themes were identified: equine-assisted therapy, an empowering life changing experience; the extent to which active engagement with horses assist in expressing emotions; and the equine-assisted therapy process and therapeutic experience. The limitations and strengths of the research were also explained and discussed. Subsequently, recommendations were made for possible future research that evolved from the study’s findings.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a problem for both developed and developing countries. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates in the 15-49 years old group. The discovery that these infections playa vital role in the transmission of HIV raised their profile and made their control one of the central strategies of stopping the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In response to the challenge of improving the quality of care for people infected with STIs in the public health sector, the South African Ministry of Health adopted the syndromic management approach, recommended by the World Health Organisation as suitable for resource-poor settings, for use in primary health care clinics. In addition to providing guidelines on clinical management of STIs, the syndromic approach requires health providers to counsel and educate patients about STIs, encourage patients to complete treatment even if symptoms abate, promote condom use and the treatment of all sexual partners. While the management guidelines are clear and detailed around the diagnostic and medication issues, the processes of education and counseling are not as clearly outlined. Furthermore, although the syndromic approach is a viable way of providing good quality care to larger sections of the population than could be serviced through dedicated STI clinics, it requires health providers working in primary health care clinics, most of whom are professional nurses, to perform some tasks for which they may not be adequately trained. This study evaluated the quality of care for persons infected with ST!s by examining the extent to which the syndromic approach was being implemented in primary health care clinics. Interviews, using semi-structured interview schedules, were conducted with ST! patients and health providers in twenty-four clinics located in four provinces. In depth qualitative interviews were also conducted with a sub-sample of the patients. For further triangulation the methods of participant observation, through the use of simulated patients, and focus group discussions with various community groups were used. The findings of the study indicate that although primary health care clinics in South Africa are well-resourced, the management of patients with ST!s is inadequate. Adherence to the various aspects of syndromic management was poor. Similar to other studies in South Africa, the attitudes of health providers towards patients with ST!s were found to be problematic, a finding that has implications for health-seeking behaviours. The thesis argues that a large part of the problem is related to the multiple roles that nurses have to play in primary health care settings, as well as the content and methodology of the training of nurses who manage ST! patients. It further argues for the constitution of the basic health team at primary health clinics to be multi-disciplinary, and for a multi-disciplinary input in the training of health providers.