Social Work Honors Report

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Alcohol consumption among undergraduate social work students at a South African university
(2017) Nyandu, Andiswa
Alcohol consumption among tertiary students is becoming an urgent public health problem in many parts of the world, including South Africa and has the potential of adversely affecting students’ performance at university. The aim of this study was to investigate the drinking patterns of undergraduate students in the Social Work Department at the University of the Witwatersrand; the factors that contribute to drinking among these students; and the perceived effects of drinking on students’ academic performance. The research was guided by social learning theory and social control theory. A cross-sectional, quantitative, survey research design was employed and the entire population of undergraduate social work students was invited to participate in the study and 145 students completed a group administered questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The main findings were that the prevalence of alcohol use among the respondents was relatively high (88%) with two-fifths participating in binge drinking, and that enjoyment was the primary reason for drinking. However, despite the high prevalence of drinking behaviour, a high proportion (78%) reported not performing poorly on a test or exam due to alcohol consumption in the past 12 months. The research enhances knowledge of drinking patterns among students and yields recommendations for the prevention of alcohol abuse among those studying to become future healthcare professionals, and for university counselling services aimed at supporting students. Key words: alcohol consumption; undergraduate university students; drinking patterns; social work students
ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY: The perceptions of Female sex workers using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on their use of PrEP at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto.
(2018) Vuma, Gloria
Background: In South Africa PrEP was primarily intended for sex workers, who have the highest HIV prevalence in South Africa and experience high levels of stigma and discrimination in societies. The services that have been put into place in partnership with the targeted group which is the sex workers are user-friendly. Yet the conclusion to use PrEP remains an individual choice and no one is coerced into using it.Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of women sex workers using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis regarding their experiences on using PrEP as one of the antiretroviral drugs recently brought in South Africa as prevention from HIV, (the study will be conducted specifically at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit; situated in Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto). The Secondary objectives of this study are; to explore the experiences of women sex workers on the use of PrEP, to explore the experiences and perceptions of women sex workers who use PrEP on unprotected sex and to explore what influences women sex workers to take PrEP regardless of the number of side effects versus its health benefits. Method: The study is qualitative as it will be exploring people’s lived experiences, their opinions and their subjective truths, and it will make use of case study individual interviews (semi-structured interviews) to collect data. The sample to be used includes 2 women sex workers who are PrEP users in the Baragwanath Hospital and have used PrEP for more than four months. A Narrative analysis will be used when analysing the data that will be gathered from the research study. Findings: The findings are presented in a form of themes that emerged as a result of the data collected through the interview schedules. The findings are also related to other studies with a similar interest to the study topic. Overall the findings suggested just PrEP is a harmful and an effective drug for preventing HIV. KEY WORDS: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis HIV prevention Unsafe sex Women at risk of HIV
Attitudes of black African mothers towards the use of traditional healing and Western medicine in treatment of newborn infants
(2017) Lekgothoane, Nteseng
Many Black African mothers take their newborn infants to a traditional healer not long after birth for them to be given treatment to protect them against bad spirits and to aid in their growth and development. However, there are some Black African mothers who do not believe in traditional medicines but rather in western medicine and practices; while others use a combination of approaches. The aim of the study was to understand the different attitudes that mothers of newborn infants have towards the use of traditional and/or western medicine for the treatment of newborn infants. The study employed a qualitative research paradigm which allowed for the understanding of different beliefs and practices of mothers of newborn infants. An interview schedule was used to facilitate data collection. Eighteen participants were recruited through snowball sampling, and thereafter the participants’ responses were analysed using thematic analysis. The study was guided by the Afrocentric approach. A key finding that emerged from the research was that participants were of the view that monthly visits to western-based healthcare clinics were necessary to track the growth and development of their children, while consultations with traditional healers were limited to approximately three visits in the first few months of life. The mothers who were interviewed also indicated a preference for the use of western medicine as opposed to traditional healing. The main conclusion reached was that the use of traditional healing and western medicine are not necessarily mutually exclusive and that mothers were able to see the value of both approaches, despite a preference for biomedicine. Findings also underscored the importance of an Afrocentric theoretical approach for guiding a research project of this nature. Key words: newborn infants, maternal beliefs, traditional healer, traditional medicine, western medicine
Biomedical health care and African traditional healing in the treatment of HIV and AIDS : complementary or competing cosmologies
(2016) Mendu, Elvis
Challenges and opportunities experienced by people with a physical disability in Alexandra, Gauteng
(2017) Mthembu, April Yolanda
Physical disability can interfere significantly with the functional adaptation and emotional wellbeing of people with disability and their families. While adjustment to physical disability varies across people, research has shown that physical disability can contribute to widespread disability and impairment in physical functioning for most people over time. Research evidence indicates that people with a physical disability are frequently exposed to marginalisation and stigmatisation within society. However, limited research focused on both the challenges and opportunities experienced by people with physical disability, especially in disadvantaged communities. The primary aim for this study was to explore the challenges and opportunities encountered by people with a physical disability residing in Alexandra, Gauteng. This study adopted the qualitative research design to gather information or data. The type of qualitative design that was employed in this study was the phenomenological approach where the researcher focused on lived experiences of the participants related to topic being researched. The method used to gather data was face-to-face where the research tool was the semi-structured interviews were employed to collect information from research participants. Findings were analysed using a thematic analysis. Approximately 10 adults with a physical disability were purposively selected from Alexandra Disability Centre, which is sanctioned to render services to people with a physical disability. It is envisaged that the research findings will yield to insights to people with physical disability challenges and recommendations that can assist people who render services to people with physical disability were made regarding how they can be treated and encouraged in communities. Keywords: physical disability, challenges, opportunities, empowerment, employment
Challenges faced by Congolese refugees after arriving in South Africa
(2016) Mahlangu, Winnie
In partial fulfilment of the requirement of the degree Bachelor of Social Work
Coping strategies employed by third year social work studies to manage emotionally challeges
(2017) Mthimkhulu, Mbono
Describing the psychosocial challeges faced by disadvantaged girl children under a specific holistic education model
(2016) Holman, Drew
The research aimed at decribing the psycho-social challenges that a specific group of disadvantaged girls (aged 15-17) face. These girls have been selected to complete their secondary schooling on a full scholarship at a private school funded by a wealthy benefactor in South Africa. The school was designed specifically for disadvantaged South African girl children who have displayed either academic or leadership excellence. This research looked at the effects of attending this school on the student’s relationships with their friends and family, culture and acculturation, and the way these challenges have impacted their functioning at the school. The school has adopted a holistic approach to education meaning that it acknowledges the importance of the students’ emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual and psychological spheres. The research has enhanced the understanding of the psychosocial challenges the students navigate by identifying common themes within the data from which some recommendations were made. Ultimately the themes that are described will lay the foundation for further research at the institution. This study followed a qualitative research design. The population for the research was obtained by using purposive, non-probability sampling techniques. Data was gathered by making use of an interview schedule while conducting semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used for analyzing the data. Key Words Descriptions, psychosocial, challenges, girl-child, holistic education model.
Effects of Nyaope of families with a family member that is addicted to the drug Nyaope
(2017) Nkosi, Hlengiwe Setty
The use of Nyaope amongst South Africans has risen dramatically since it first appeared on the streets. Real concerns have been voiced about the negative effects this street drug has had on communities in South Africa. Some townships in South Africa claim to have been ruined by Nyaope. There were various reasons to conduct the study; firstly families experience many negative effects associated with having an addicted member in their family; for example the addition of family members on nyaope causes disharmony and conflicts within families of the addicted individuals. Moreover families experience despair, shame and helplessness; nevertheless families also feel intimidated by the addicted person due to their undesirable behaviour and therefore find it hard to cope within the family and within the community. The primary aim for this study is to explore the effects and challenges of nyaope on families. This study adopted the qualitative research design to gather information/data. The type of qualitative design that was used in this study was the case study where the researcher focus on different cases related to the topic being researched. Moreover the method that was used to gather information was face-to-face interviews where the research tool was the semi-structure interview schedule. Findings were analysed using the thematic analysis. Anticipated value of findings for the study was that it is challenging in a micro, meso and macro level to live with persons using the drug nyaope, hence there are different and/or various negative effects in all three dimensions. The findings of the study was there are various challenges experienced by families that have a family member who is addicted to the drug nyaope and those involve emotional distress and physical manifestation of that stress, there is stigma attached to having a family member that is addicted to nyaope and there are also financial challenges experienced by families that have a family member that is addicted. Moreover there are various resources that were identified in the course of this study that families normaly resort to in dealing with the situation of having a family member that is addicted to nyaope. However every family deals with the problem of having a family member that is addicted to nyaope in a different way that are suitable or best for the as a unit.
The effects of socio-economic status on the stress of University students
(2016) Raff, Mirriam
Previous international research suggests there is a relationship between socioeconomic status and stress levels at college, or University. The aim of this study was to determine whether students at the University of the Witwatersrand socio economic status affected their stress levels. The sample of thirty two students included both students from privileged backgrounds and those that were from underprivileged backgrounds, in varying degrees. The data was collected through paper based questionnaires over a ten week time period. The methodological standpoint with which the research wished to engage with the study was quantitative in nature and therefore the approach of the study and administration of instruments and data analysis were necessarily quantitative in nature. The relationship between the dependant (stress) and independent (Socio-economic status) variables were highlighted. The researcher chose to use a quantitative approach for the study given that the variables under investigation in the current study are believed to be manifest and as such utilised a questionnaire (Mueller & Hancock, 2010). The measuring of variables based on the questionnaire, in order to express the relationship between socio-economic status, and stress by using effect statistics such as correlations, relative frequencies, and differences between means in order to test the correlation between the two variables. In order to explore this relationship, a point biserial correlation was conducted and its respective assumptions were tested. Secondary questions explored whether differences existed between students with a job, versus those without a job, students from two parent families, and those who are not, and students who are the first to study in their families, and those who are not Furthermore, results of the questionnaires were quickly and easily quantified by the researcher which allowed the data to be analyzed more scientifically and objectively. The information from the survey gives the University of Witwatersrand a clearer understanding of the stress students experience based on their socio economic status. Key Words: Socioeconomic status, stress, students, relationship.
An Enquiry into Attitudes of Female Students towards the Use of Injectable Contraceptives: The Case of Wits University
(2017) Munemo, Cleopas
The emergence of injectable contraceptives provides women with multiple options to choose, among a wide variety of contraceptives methods. Although injectable contraceptives remain a viable alternative for a lot of females, contemporary studies demonstrate an increase in the use of injectable contraceptives by young adult females. In most cases, they are the least experienced in terms of sexual health and yet are under constant exposure during college years. The purpose of this study was to explore Wits student’s perceptions of injectable contraceptives and to establish their knowledge of and preferences among other contraceptive methods. The study adopted a qualitative approach to select participants for data collection and analysis. The study made use of one interview with a key informant. Again, the study made use of information gathered from a focus group consisting of five female participants only, that have used or are using injectable contraceptives. The study employed thematic analysis to analyse the collected raw data following the six-phase suggested by (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The information generated from this study helps us gain more insight on the issue of injectable contraception especially those that affect female university students.
The experience of black female lectures in the Faculty of humanities at the university of the Witwatersrand
(2017) Maseko, Mbali
With the call for transformation post 1994, major changes with regards to policies, leadership, diversity of staff and an increase in the number of Black students, have occurred in the South African institutions of higher learning to redress the inequalities of the apartheid era. Included in these changes is the call for an increase in the number of Black female lectures. This research project explored the experiences of black female lecturers in the Humanities Faculty at the University of the Witwatersrand. A qualitative research approach was used. The research project was explorative in nature. The participants were 9 Black female South African lecturers. Purposive sampling was employed. Data was gathered using face to face conversational interviews and a semi-structured interview schedule as a tool for data gathering and. The data was analysed using thematic analysis From the information which I obtained from the Faculty of Humanities the percentage of Black female lecturers, of the permanent staff, in the Faculty of Humanities is 33 % currently. This is similar to the social work department where 6 out of the 9 female lecturers are black. The findings in the study were that the academic environment was not accommodating for Black female academics. The small amount of Black female lectures at the higher levels had very big representational roles to play and Black female lecturers in general were involved in a lot of service work. Black female lectures experienced racial attacks in the classroom where their qualifications were questioned. Lastly because of a perceived lack of support systems within the institution Black female lecturers reverted to external informal forms of support. This research will help with recommendations on how the work environment of the lecturers can be improved and how the lecturers can be empowered and perform at their optimum best. Furthermore most of the lecturers in the courses that Social Work students do are based in the Faculty of Humanities. Key words: black women, lecturers, South Africa Higher Education, University of the Witwatersrand.
Experiences of brain injured individuals post hospitalisation at Headway-Khomelela
(2017) Mogashoa, Thomontle
Headway-Khomelela offers services to those individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries post hospitalisation. There was a need to add to the database of Headway about the experiences their clientele went through post hospitalisation. The primary aim of this research report was to understand the post hospitalisation experiences of those individuals who have a brain injury. This included their coping strategies which they had to learn in order to make life easier for themselves on a day to day basis and the employment challenges which they are experiencing. The theoretical lens which was used is the biopsychosocial model. The methodological framework for this qualitative investigation was an exploratory research design. Ten participants were selected by using purposive sampling from those individuals who receive services from Headway-Khomelela. The research instrument was used was an interview schedule and semi structured interviews was used to collect the data. The data was analysed via thematic analysis. This research report has a potential of adding information to the Headway-Khomelela database as the database currently has very limited experience regarding these clients’ experiences and difficulties in finding employment. It may also be of assistance to social workers with regard to understanding the challenges of the clientele of Headway-Khomelela post being hospitalised and perhaps aid interventions. The research study found that the participants valued the importance of rehabilitation and family role after the injury. This also included the physical challenges the participants experienced. The study was concluded that participants recommend rehabilitation as soon as a person is discharged from hospital and they should focus on recovery first. • Keywords: Headway, brain injury, family support, rehabilitation, therapists, home exercising, coping strategies, employment challenges.
The experiences of family members of nyaope users and their knowledge on the available social policy interventions; a case of east of Johannesburg
(2018) Motsoeneng, Lebohang
Nyaope is a designer drug that has been existing for more than 10 years in South Africa. It has had devastating effects on the users and their families. Policies such as the Prevention and Treatment Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008 are aimed at helping family members with the rehabilitation of a loved one and to reduce the risk of harm. This study explored the experiences of family members of nyaope users and their knowledge on the South Africa’s Prevention and Treatment Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008 in Boksburg, East of Johannesburg, Gauteng. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, utilising a phenomenological research design. A non-probability targeted sample was interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of family members of nyaope users who are permanent residents of Boksburg and Vosloorus. . Interpretative Phenomenological analysis was employed on the data collected. Findings show that the family members are negatively impacted by the nyaope use, experiencing financial and social burden. The identified themes were the dying relationship, relapse of the nyaope user, the lack of knowledge of social policy interventions and the unknown whereabouts of the nyaope user. It is recommended that there should be should more research on the topic of nyaope and the family experience on substance abuse. Key Words: Family members, nyaope, Social Policy intervention, The Prevention and Treatment Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008, whoonga,
The experiences of motherhood amog black undergraduate students at a South African university: reconciling competing roles
(2016) Maisela, Thato
Although there are no official statistics available on the number of students falling pregnant while pursuing their undergraduate degrees, anecdotal evidence suggests that the prevalence is likely to be under-reported. While educational policy gives all persons the right to attend educational institutions irrespective of pregnancy or maternal status, it can be demanding to be both a student and mother and to reconcile competing conceptions, particularly within African culture, of what it means to be a ‘good student’ and a ‘good mother’. The research adopted the perspectives of feminism and gender role theory to explore the challenges that University level mothers experience and the strategies they adopt to cope with their situations and reconcile these competing roles. The study was located within an interpretive, qualitative research paradigm and involved semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 15 female undergraduate university students. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Key findings that emerged were that the student mothers that were interviewed experienced financial, social and emotional challenges. However, they were able to cope through the support of family and friends. These findings have implications for the support and empowerment of student mothers through social work practice and university interventions. Key Words: student mothers, university, gender, role conflict
The experiences of Non-Governmental Organisations in the implementation of poverty reduction initiatives: A case study of selected NGOs in Johannesburg.
(2017) Raphalalani, Lufuno Patience
The drive to support and cater for unmet needs in the society has always being the motive of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), (Edwards & Hulme, 2002). The social purpose why many NGOs are established is to promote humanity, and assist those who are vulnerable (Mohan, 2002). NGOs are concerned with addressing the needs of the society and promoting the well-being especially in poor communities (Delisle, Roberts, Munro, Jones & Gyorkos, 2005). This study aimed to investigate the experiences of NGOs in the implementation of poverty reduction initiatives. The study examined the nature of poverty reduction strategies used by selected NGO’s in Johannesburg and investigated the challenges they face in implementing poverty reduction initiatives. The study explored the perceived impact that poverty reduction initiatives have on beneficiaries. A qualitative approach and case study design were adopted in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 participants working in NGOs that implement poverty reduction strategies. Interviews were utilised for data collection and they were guided by the use of a semi-structured interview schedule. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The study reveals that NGOs are making a major impact on the livelihood of the poor. From the study it was indicated that the NGOs help people with basic needs and equip people with skills through training, this helps the beneficiaries to get employment all this helps those who are poor to be independent. However they experience challenges such as lack of funding, poor marketing and networking skills this affect their service delivery. Key words: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Poverty, Johannesburg, Poverty reduction initiatives, informal sector, beneficiaries.
The experiences of nurses working within the acute care ward at The Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg.
(2017) Blumenau, Romi
Caring for patients with a mental illness is a taxing task that affects nurses globally. The experiences these nurses encounter can be studied in order to explore how they are affected during these experiences and to understand their support system. A review of literature on the topic indicated that there is a slight gap in the research in that many studies are not conducted in South Africa, most studies are quantitative and do not focus on the support systems of nurses working within mental health. The primary aim of the study was to understand the experiences of nurses working in the mental health care setting. The study was qualitative in nature and had a case study research design. Purposive sampling was used in selecting ten participants i.e. nursing staff in the acute care ward at The Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg. In-depth semi structured interviews with the population were facilitated by utilising an interview guide. The major themes uncovered in the study included the nurses’ life-threatening experiences when encountering violent and aggressive patients, their discomfort with management’s responses and lack of support. The study also found that the nurses rely on family and colleagues for support. The findings of the study allowed for the advancement of knowledge in the fields of mental health and nursing, especially with regard to the experiences of the nurses that work within these settings. Furthermore the study allowed for increased knowledge of the support system of the nurses, and their ways of coping with their job stress. Key words: Mental Health; Psychosis; Acute care; Experiences of Nurses; Psychiatric unit; Support system
Experiences of refugees in public healthcare services a report study on the project presented to
(2017) Khanyile, Thamsanqa
The city of Johannesburg is one of the largest cities in South Africa and the whole of Africa attracting foreign nationals from across Africa and overseas for numerous reasons ranging from, education, economic or social. With this increase, the number of refugees and migrants flocking into the city puts more pressure on the public health system since most of foreign nationals seek health assistance from public hospitals and clinics (Benatar, 2004). This study sought to explore the subjective experiences of refugees when accessing public health care services and how they are treated by healthcare professionals in South Africa specifically in the area of Johannesburg. With a focus on women and men aged 18 and above who are refugees living in the city of Johannesburg. The study adopted a qualitative approach to explore and understand the subjective experiences of refugees as it is deemed to be more appropriate for this kind of study. The population for this study were refugees from across Africa using public health care services in the area of Johannesburg. Participants were selected using purposeful sampling and snowball techniques. A sample of 6 refugees was selected for the study. Data was collected using interviews which were guided by the use of a semi-structured interview schedule. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyse the data from the interviews. The study results show that refugees encounter negative attitudes from health professionals such as being skipped in the queue to attend South Africans first, some reported being treated in an unjust way. Reasons such as political instability, wars, economic opportunities and searching for better services were reported as the main pull and push factors for refugees.
The experiences of senior professional nurses in multidisciplinary teams within a medical setting
(2016) Layton, Kirstyn
Research has mainly been conducted on experiences of recently qualified nurses and little is conducted on experiences of these senior professional nurses. It is therefore assumed that senior nurses’ have not been given an adequate opportunity to give insight into their experiences and roles within a multidisciplinary team in a medical institution. The aim of the study was therefore to gain insight into the experiences of senior professional nurses within a multidisciplinary team. To do this, an interpretive qualitative approach had been used by making use of semi-structured interviews. This research was conducted with nine voluntary senior professional nurses within the medical institution where I had conducted my fourth year practical in. The data had been obtained utilizing semi-structured interviews and the recorded data was transcribed and then thematic analysis was utilized to analyse the data. The potential significance of this study is that it will contribute to an understanding of the experiences of these nurses and it may also assist other medical professionals in understanding the senior professional nurses’ roles. It had been found that there were mainly negative experiences and challenges that confronted these medical professionals, such as; staff shortages, heavy workloads and no incentives. Despite this, it is evident that these professionals have a passion for their jobs, but these challenges have led to lower staff morale and lower motivation. Key words: Senior professional nurse, experiences, multidisciplinary team, roles, medical institution Supervisor: Ms Laetitia Petersen
The experiences of teenage mothers living in Katlehong, Mofokeng section : a retrospective study
(2016) Malwa, Khutso
Most people consider teenage pregnancy as a disaster (Mpanza&Nzima, 2010). However this research study aims to question the above assumption through exploring the experiences of teenage mothers that live in Katlehong, in an area called Mofokeng Section. This study was able to retrospectively view teenage pregnancy from the perspective of those who were teenage mothers, and to explore their future aspirations. The research adopted a qualitative approach and an exploratory research design. Nine participants were selected by using purposive sampling. The individual semi- structured interviews were tape- recorded with the participant’s permission for the collection of data and to analyse the data. The tape recorded interviews were transcribed and emerging themes from the written material were identified. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study will contribute to the already existing research and knowledge on teenage pregnancy in the discipline but the difference is that the contexts will differ. Six out of the nine teenage mothers expressed having moments of regrets and having financial challenges after the child was born. All nine of the teenage mothers have expressed that they did not get any form of support from the community that they were part of instead they felt judged and unwanted. The majority of the teenage mothers have also expressed that family and friends have played a significant role pre and post pregnancy. It was also found that the mothers of the teenage mothers are the ones that helped them cope as teenage mothers therefore illustrating the importance of the teenage mothers’ mothers during and after their pregnancy. The themes that emerged from the study include teenage mothers’ experiences relating to the pregnancy; social support networks of teenage mothers; and future aspirations of teenage mothers. This study overall showed the strength and resilience of these teenage mothers as they continue to achieve their goals and provide for their children. Keywords: teenage mothers, experiences, teenage pregnancy

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