Browsing by Author "Dano, Uschi Babalwa."

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Experiences of caregivers caring for children with different special needs in a cluster foster care village in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2017) Kadungure, Tendai Patronellah.; Dano, Uschi Babalwa.
Cluster foster care schemes emerged in South Africa to cater for the growing numbers of children in need of care due to lack of non-relative prospective foster parents volunteering to take care of these children. This study focused on the Cluster Foster Care Village (CFCV) model, whereby NPOs provide houses or clusters on one premises for the recruited foster parents and foster children to live in. In a cluster foster care village, the caregivers end up caring for children from different backgrounds and with different needs including children with special needs. The caregivers are unique from other foster parents who have a choice of the children they want to foster. Few studies have investigated the experiences of such caregivers, hence this study’s focus was on the experiences of caregivers looking after children with different special needs in a cluster foster care village in KwaZulu Natal. The qualitative research approach and descriptive research design were adopted for this study, and twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with the caregivers. Systems theory and the bio-psycho-social model were used in the study to understand caregivers’ experiences holistically (emotional, cognitive, physical and social) as they function in different levels of the ecosystems (micro, mezzo and macro levels). The study identified five main themes in terms of the experiences of caregivers caring for children with special needs in a CFCV that included: The caregivers’ knowledge and understanding of the special needs; biopsychosocial experiences of the caregivers; caregivers’ training needs; workplace policies and challenges; coping mechanisms and support systems utilised by caregivers. This study concluded that caregivers faced numerous biopsychosocial challenges, workplace challenges and lacked support and training. Hence, the need for thorough preparation, training, and support for the caregivers to avoid compromising the quality of care to the children with special needs.
An exploratory study of psychosocial implications of HIV serodiscordance in married heterosexual couples.
(2007) Dano, Uschi Babalwa.; Matthias, Carmel Rose.
There is limited knowledge on the psychosocial implications of HIV/AIDS in serodiscordant heterosexual couples in sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies have indicated that there is an increase in the number of such couples on the African continent, yet there are minimal or no services offered to support such couples. The aim of the study was to explore the psychosocial challenges faced by heterosexual serodiscordant couples who were married. Ecosystems and biopsychosocial approaches were used as a framework to guide the study. A qualitative study was conducted in Durban, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used, comprising of four married couples and two individuals who were married but participated individually and not as a couple. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken. Both inductive and deductive approaches were carried out to analyse interview transcripts. None of the participants had received satisfactory explanations of their serodiscordant results. The discovery of serodiscordance resulted in difficulties with disclosure to families and children, maintaining safer sex, achieving intimacy due to lack of communication and bearing children due to fears associated with infection. Serodiscordance resulted in positive partners constantly fearing that their negative partners would leave them. Participants in discordant relationships had difficulties dealing with the changes that discordance brought into their lives. This resulted in enormous stress in their relationships including feelings of isolation, confusion and despair. Acceptance of serodiscordant status and support from family members were positive coping mechanisms used by discordant couples to alleviate stress. Avoidance was a negative coping mechanism used by some couples in dealing with the challenges of discordance. Factors contributing to the negative participants remaining in the relationship included love and companionship, children, commitment to the relationship and acknowledgement of the existence of HIV. The findings also indicated that none of the participants received on-going counseling and there were no programs catering for serodiscordant couples. This study supports the view of other researchers who believe that there is a dire need for service provision for serodiscordant couples. Based on the findings of this study, micro, mezzo and macro intervention strategies are recommended.