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Psychology

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Browsing Psychology by Author "Akintola, Olagoke."

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    The burden of care : a study of perceived stress factors and social capital among volunteer caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal.
    (2010) Hlengwa, Wellington Mthokozisi.; Akintola, Olagoke.; Dagheid, Wenche.
    The burden of caregiving is alarmingly high in South Africa, where one in every three people admitted in hospitals, is HIV positive. A great number of AIDS patients end up being cared for at home by their families, but mostly by volunteer caregivers. The conditions in which caregivers work under, leave much to be desired, hence work related conditions are a probable cause for high stress levels among volunteer caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS. This study sought to investigate stress factors of volunteer caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS and the influence of social capital on high stress levels. Within a South African caregiving setting, social capital influence has not been explored. In a culture where silence and stigmatisation of people living with HIV/AIDS and caregivers is high, this study tries to locate participation of close friends and family, local organizations and government in dealing with caregiving work and support. The study was conducted in 13 semi rural communities in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A survey was used to collect data, and analysis was conducted using quantitative methods. The sample comprised of 127 women from an organization called Community Outreach Centre. The greater (92.2%) of the total sample reported above 50% of stress levels. The findings indicated that caregiving work require urgent support from organizations and government. It was also evident that organizations within communities do not work together nor support each other in dealing with caregiving problems. Contrary to the existing literature, the results also showed that the more social capital elements such as social cohesion and social action at a bridging level increased, the more stressed volunteer caregivers became.
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    Caregivers’ experiences in accessing health care services for their school-going children in low resource communities of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
    (2017) Aloro, Bukola Gbotemi.; Akintola, Olagoke.
    Background: Accessing quality health care services is critical to addressing the different health challenges school-going children especially those in the low resource communities are prone to. The school-based health care services provided through the integrated school health policy (ISHP) have been expanded since 2012 to meet the various health needs of school-going children. However, caregivers still encounter certain challenges in their effort to access health care services for their school-going children. This study therefore explored caregivers’ experiences in accessing health care services for their school-going children. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 caregivers of school-going children in three low resource communities of KwaZulu-Natal province. Four of the participants were caregivers’ of children who were treated onsite (in school), nine of the participants were caregivers of children who were referred for further treatment and have accessed health care services and the remaining four participants were caregivers of children who are yet to access health care services. Results: The study shows that the school health programme enhances access to quality health care services for school-going children in low resource communities. Access is enhanced by the provision of school-based health services such as screening the children for various health conditions, immunization and treatment for minor ailments and referral of children in need of more comprehensive health care services to the appropriate health care sites. Despite the fact that the school-based health care services enhance access to health care for school-going children, the study reveals that certain factors constitute barriers to access. Factors such as caregivers’ low health literacy, inadequate communication, financial constraints, distance and transportation to the referral sites, still impedes access. Inadequate health information dissemination system and transportation to the referral sites are the major issues of concern. The long waiting time due to long queues and the unwelcoming attitudes of some of the health professionals at the health facilities also constitute major barriers to access. Conclusion: Although ISHP has expanded its coverage and the range of services provided, the study suggests that effort should be made to implement interventions that will adequately address these barriers to access. Especially, in the areas of communicating with caregivers, providing financial support for transportation, improving the attitude of the clinic staff and providing follow-up services for children that are referred for further screening and treatment from school.
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    An exploratory study of infection control practices in home-based care in Durban, South Africa.
    (2012) Hangulu, Lydia.; Akintola, Olagoke.
    Infection control practices are a critical element in home-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS. It involves principles and procedures used to minimize the risk of spreading infections in home-based care. Infection control practices help to prevent morbidity, mortality rates and improve health for the volunteer caregivers and the patients. However, most previous studies on home-based care have focused on burdens of care, perceptions of rewards, quality of care and challenges faced by caregivers. Therefore, it is not clear how and to what extent infection control practices are carried out in home-based care. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of home-based care coordinators and volunteer caregivers regarding infection control practices in home-based care. Qualitative interviews were conducted with ten home-based care coordinators/project managers and ten focus group discussions were conducted with volunteer caregivers. An interview guide and a focus group schedule with open ended questions were used. Volunteer caregivers in home-based care organizations were faced with practical challenges regarding infection control practices that posed a threat to their work and health. The received insufficient infection control material resources such as gloves, masks and sanitizers. They also mentioned to have received poor quality gloves that easily broke, poor quality aprons that were not tight; easily blown by the wind and also thin masks that could not filter the bad odour. Other challenges that they faced included, insufficient water supply; insufficient knowledge on infection control and lack of cooperation from some patients and some family members regarding the use of protective clothing especially gloves and masks. Most volunteer caregivers were ridiculed by some family, community members and friends. Sometimes they could not access some patient due to HIV related stigma and discrimination. However, volunteers developed various strategies of dealing with these challenges such as replacing the torn gloves with plastics, carrying 2.5 litres of water, educating patients and family members about the importance of wearing gloves and practicing infection control. These findings require the government, NGOs, funders and donors to form a forum with volunteer caregivers to discuss the supply of materials. They need to establish a central administration that will be responsible for allocating adequate and quality materials for infection control practices. This central administration should also be responsible for supervising HBCOs including monitoring and evaluating infection control practices.
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    The meaning of working in the context of the financial crisis : the case of paid workers within non-profit AIDS care organisations in the Durban Metropolis.
    (2012) Ntetha, Siphokazi Joy.; Akintola, Olagoke.
    Background. Meaning of working studies suggest that working, beyond providing an opportunity to make money, contributes to an employee’s identity, fulfilment, self-esteem and other important psychological needs. The Meaning of working model offers one approach to explore how social and cultural norms shape what work means to individuals. The current study is situated within in the context of the recent global financial crisis which has caused turmoil in many organisations including those in the non-profit sector. The study explores the meanings workers in AIDS care non-profit organisations in the midst of the crisis and the subsequent socio-economic context. Aim. This is an interpretative phenomenological study which aims to explore how workers in AIDS care organisations make sense of their work within a unique socio-economic context occasioned by the financial crisis. Method. The study was conducted in semi-rural areas and townships of Durban Metropolis and the vicinity. Using a snowballing technique, project managers, HBC facilitators and a nurse (N=14) were recruited and interviewed using a topic guide containing semi-structured questions drawn from Westwood and Lok (2003) MOW model. Findings. Findings suggest that due to the financial crisis these organisations have undergone restructuring causing them to apply various strategies including social entrepreneurship strategies in order to survive. It was also found that participants generally regard working as central to their lives and complementary to other important life roles due to the fundamental nature of AIDS care work being linked to religion, community and family. Findings also caution that due to the high value they attach to working, there are various negative consequences for worker’s well-being and health which should be considered by health care policy makers.
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