Browsing by Author "Simpson, Barbara."

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Child malnutrition : perceptions and experiences of mothers of children admitted at St. Patrick's hospital in Bizana, Eastern Cape.
Macabela, Ndileka.; Simpson, Barbara.
Malnutrition refers to the condition caused by an improper balance between what an individual eats and what he requires to maintain health. This can result from eating too little (sub-nutrition or starvation) but may also imply dietary excess or an incorrect balance of basic foods staff such as protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Child malnutrition is a serious problem and worldwide. Mothers play an important role in child care and this is preventing and dealing with child nutrition. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of mothers whose children with malnutrition were admitted to a public hospital in a rural district of Bizana in the Eastern Cape. Bizana is the very disadvantaged area with high rates of poverty and unemployment. The study addressed four questions: How do the mothers understand malnutrition? What are the mothers’ experiences of caring for their child who is malnourished? How do the mothers access and experience various government and other structures in addressing malnutrition? How do they think that medical, social and economic support structures should assist them? A qualitative research paradigm guided the study and the research design was exploratory and descriptive. Ten mothers of children admitted to children’s ward participated in this research. The participants were between 20 and 41 years of age and were “long stay” patients at the ward. Data was collected by in depth interviews using an in-depth-interview guide. The results demonstrate that the mothers came for poor socio-economic backgrounds. They were dependent the social security and had little family support. The lack of resources on the environment also impeded their ability to care for their children. Poor education and a lack of knowledge had resulted in them not feeding the children correctly. The mothers were distressed about the ill health of their children and worried and anxious about coping. The study makes recommendations for more support to be provided to mothers, especially in this rural area.
Crime prevention programmes : experiences and perceptions of crime prevention managers in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality.
(2012) Sibande, Dorah Kholisile.; Simpson, Barbara.
The study was conducted to explore the experiences and perceptions of crime prevention managers on crime prevention programmes. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive investigative study was conducted in Umgungundlovu District Municipality. Interviews were conducted with eleven crime prevention managers, ten from South African Police Service and one from Umgungundlovu District Municipality. Data were analysed using content analysis. All crime prevention managers had a variety of crime prevention programmes implemented in their areas of operation. Generally, the crime prevention managers viewed their experiences as positive. Certain challenges were identified. Based on the findings, recommendations in terms of policy, practice and research are made.
A description of kinship care placements in Ekukhanyeni, Nkandla local municipality.
(2009) Msomi, Irene Zodwa.; Simpson, Barbara.
The Department of Social Development has made good progress in finalizing children's court enquiries and placing children officially in formal foster care with relatives. This has major implications for accessing social support in the form of foster care grants and is aimed at reducing the burden of poverty. However, there are challenges in terms of follow-up and professional foster care supervision to meet the goals or vision of the Department. Supervision of placements is not done and it is not known how placements are progressing after Children's Court enquiries. Foster parents are referred to South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) for foster grant processing and no further contact is made with the clients unless there is a problem with the foster care grant. The foster family is seen after two years when it is time for review of care placement of the child. We do not provide support to kinship carers or close supervision to children in kinship care. The overall aim of the research was: • To investigate the physical and material circumstances of the families. • To explore the psycho-social needs of the children. • To explore the physical and emotional problems of the kinship carers • To identify support systems available to kinship carers. This research provides a comprehensive description of the living circumstances of the children and the families. This will enable social workers at the Department of Social Development to develop tailor made community and group work programmes to address specific areas of concern and so improve social service delivery to children and their caregivers. It has also provided a baseline for further studies which may be pursued to establish whether the type of care has improved.
A description of kinship care placements in Nseleni, Richards Bay district.
(2008) Mdletshe, Peggy Zethu.; Simpson, Barbara.
This study described kinship care placement in the Nseleni area. The study aims to describe the type of care in kinship foster care placements in the Nseleni area, Richards Bay. The objectives of the study were to investigate the physical and material circumstances of the families, to explore the psycho-social needs of the children, to explore whether or not the kinship carer is experiencing physical and emotional problems and to identify support systems available to kinship carers. The study was guided by the ecosystems perspective. This perspective attempts to appreciate and understand people in their environment. The ecosystems perspective was pertinent in this study as it provided a framework for understanding the individual, family, community and society context in which kinship carers operate. A quantitative descriptive (survey) approach guided this study. This design is useful for describing the characteristics of a large population and therefore it was an appropriate design for this study which aimed at describing how children in kinship care are being cared for. The sample comprised of 30 kinship carers who were respondents. Probability sampling was used to ensure representativeness and that all the members of the identified population had an equal chance of being selected. Structured interview questionnaires were personally administered to the respondents. Data was analyzed manually. Each of the questions was recorded in the manual table for data entry. All variables were added and checked. The totals were converted into percentages for easy calculation and analysis. Using Microsoft excel, tables and figures were formulated.
Does the child support grant contribute to poverty alleviation? : an investigation into the perceptions of families receiving the child support grant in Phoenix, Durban.
(2004) Raghunundhun, Renuka.; Simpson, Barbara.
The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of families receiving the Child Support Grant in Phoenix, Durban and to establish whether the Child Support Grant contributes to poverty alleviation or not. The investigation included establishing whether people who receive the child support grant are able to meet the needs of their child, to document the income, expenditure on households receiving the child support grant, to explore whether the recipients believe that the quality of their life has improved after receiving the Child Support Grant, to ascertain what would be their ideal social security support and to determine the grant holders opinions about the termination of the grant. Fifty Child Support Grant recipients were interviewed and a questionnaire consisting of fourteen questions were completed and analysed. The results of the study indicate that the Child Support Grant has contributed significantly towards poverty alleviation in the Phoenix community.
Empowering volunteer caregivers working with foster families : the design, implementation and evaluation of a training programme.
Shabalala, Nomthandazo Princess.; Simpson, Barbara.
This study aimed to design, implement and evaluate a training programme to empower volunteer community caregivers working with foster families in the rural area of Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal. The location of the study was at Ward 11 Sonkombo area which falls under Ndwedwe Local Municipality. The context of the research was a Non-governmental organization (NGO), the Zikhuliseni Traditional Development. The overall aim of the study was to design, implement and evaluate a training programme to empower volunteer community caregivers working with foster families in the rural area of Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal. The objectives of this study were to: To determine the challenges facing volunteers in their work as community care givers. To develop and implement a programme aimed to address these challenges. To evaluate implemented programme. The research methodology utilized was The Adapted Intervention Research Model (Strydom, Steyn and Strydom: 2007). The participants of this study were seven volunteers who do voluntary work at the above mentioned organisation as well as the project manager. The study began by conducting need assessment with the participants. Secondly, the programme was designed and implemented. Thirdly, the implemented programme was evaluated. Data collection tools were a semi-structured interview, individual questionnaires and a focus group. The theoretical framework that guided this study was the empowerment theory. Findings of this study in relation to the objectives of the study revealed that the motivation of volunteering in this organization was mainly based on egoistic needs for money and the opportunities for self-improvement. No training had been provided for the volunteers. The implemented training programme was successful in empowering the volunteers. Recommendations regarding improving volunteers services are made.
Empowerment towards poverty alleviation.
(2002) Isaac, Shanthi Vanessa.; Simpson, Barbara.
Recent changes to welfare policy in South Africa advocated the need for social workers to adopt social development as a paradigm for service delivery. Within this policy framework empowerment is touted as the model to affect the transformation of the welfare sector and to achieve sustainable development in the post apartheid society. The concept empowerment and the issues relating to it are ambiguous and ill-defined. The study took place at the Pinetown Service Office, a local service provider of the Department of Welfare. The areas of operation are the inner and outer west areas of the Durban Unicity City Council and some areas of the Ilembe regional council. The purpose of the study was to analyse perception of practitioners about empowerment towards poverty alleviation. An exploratory-descriptive research design incorporating of questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The findings reflected that the perceptions of the participants about empowerment towards poverty alleviation were consistent in that they identified that it comprised of micro and macro socio- economic strategies to empower consumers to become self reliant. Other findings revealed that the predominant activities of the social workers regarding poverty towards poverty alleviation are to refer consumers to social security and developmental groups. Additionally, the study indicated that the Department of Welfare' s organizational bureaucracy inhibited the adoption of an empowerment orientation to social work practice. The recommendations included changes about organizational policy and social work practice in accordance to developmental social welfare policy proposed in the White Paper on Social Welfare, 1997.
An evaluation of community partipation in attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community.
(2000) Raniga, Tanusha.; Simpson, Barbara.
The purpose of the study was to describe and analyse community participation in attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community. A key focus of the study was to identify the level of participation of the community in all aspects of the project cycle, that is, the planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation phases. The study was carried out in an informal settlement situated in the North Coast about 75km from Durban. The community garden project was funded by the Luthuli Education Trust and initiated by the Borough of the Dolphin Coast as an endeavour to address abject poverty and unemployment in the community. Qualitative research methodology guided the evaluative nature of the research. The case study research strategy was used as the community garden project in the Shakashead community served as an example of a development programme in action. The data collection methods included participant observation and semi-structured, individual interviews. Purposive sampling was used to obtain respondents for this study. This process involved the deliberate selection of members who played significant roles in the attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community. These research respondents included members of the Shakashead Civic Resident's Association, a Development Consultant who represented the funding organisation and the client liaison officer employed by the Dolphin Coast Borough. The overall aim was to document their perceptions and understanding of the attempts to start the community garden project and the reasons for the unsuccessful operation of the project. Four major themes emerged from the data to exemplify the significant elements of community involvement experienced in the attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community. These themes included: a) the structural components required for full community participation; b) the importance of support and training for community members; c) local leadership and its impact on development; d) the hierarchical procedures of organisations. The recommendations included areas for further research and several changes ID working practices.
The evaluation of the AIDS care pilot project at Durban's Children Society as a model of care for HIV infected orphans in Durban.
(2003) Pillay, Jeevanthri.; Simpson, Barbara.
The HIV/AIDS orphan crisis is one of the humanitarian and developmental challenges facing the global community. Providing a home, medical care, education, psychosocial support and basic needs for these children is part of the challenge that faces our generation. The purpose of this study was to explore whether an AIDS CARE pilot project implemented at DCS was able to successfully place ten HIV/AIDS infected orphans in fostercare. The ecological perspective provided the theoretical framework within which the study was conducted. This perspective guided the selection of the study samples and the analysis of data. Sample one comprised ten foster parents who resided in various townships and suburbs in Durban. Sample two comprised of semi professional and professional staff that were involved in the daily care of the HIV infected orphans and well as ensuring their placement in fostercare. The study found that recruitment, training and support were vital aspects in preparing foster parents to care for the HIV/AIDS infected child. The study also found that while residential child care institutions will continue to play a role in the care of children affected by HIV/AIDS, the magnitude and social impact of the disease renders it necessary that alternate models of care (this study proposes one model), within a community development paradigm be developed.
An evaluation of the bereavement programme for adolescents at Durban Children's Home.
(2009) Pillay, Premilla.; Simpson, Barbara.
Many children are affected by the loss of a parent. In South Africa this is exacerbated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Therefore the Durban Children's Home responded by developing a Bereavement Programme for children who lost a loved one through death and where in its care. Hence this study was conducted at the Durban Children's Home which is a residential care facility for children in Kwazulu-Natal. The Bereavement Programme offered to adolescents at this facility was evaluated. The main aim of the research was to assess the implementation of the Bereavement Programme and to determine whether the Bereavement Programme was useful in helping children cope with grief. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. McKendrick's (1989) model and Marsden, Oakley and Pratt's (1994) model of evaluating programmes provided the framework for this study. The process entailed administering questionnaires to a purposive sample of 18 children between the ages of twelve and seventeen years who have experienced the death of a loved one and who have attended the Bereavement Programme offered at Durban Children's Home. Twelve children also attended the focus group. Data that was collected from the specialised child care workers, child care workers, a focus group with the children as well formal reports of the Bereavement Programme triangulated information, thereby enhancing the trustworthiness of the study. Information on the adolescents' background was also gathered to reflect the complexity of the children's experiences. The findings of the study indicated that the Bereavement Programme was beneficial in meeting the needs of grieving children within a controlled therapeutic environment. The findings also suggested that the Bereavement Programme had a healing effect on children hence, helping them to gain closure as well as improve their behaviour and academic performance. The findings further pointed to the Programme being cost effective for Durban Children's Home. Further to this the study showed that interventions on a Microsystems level and mesosystems level were effective in meeting the needs of children who needed to grieve. Emanating from the findings, recommendations have revolved around enhancing the therapeutic component of the Bereavement Programme, ways of making the Programme more inclusive for sick children and increasing the support and training for staff implementing the Programme. Recommendations were also made in respect of funding, monitoring and evaluation and replication of the Bereavement Programme.
Experiences of adult mental health care service users and their families upon discharge of mental health care service users, to their families in the Durban area, from Ekuhlengeni Care Centre during May 1999 to December 2001.
(2008) Reddhi, Amravathy.; Simpson, Barbara.
This qualitative study explores the experiences of adult mental health service users as well as their families upon discharge of service users, to their families in the Durban area, from Ekuhlengeni Care Centre (ECC) during May 1999 to December 2001. In so doing, the aim was to ascertain the nature of mental health service users' adjustment to living in the community, their impact on the home environment, to identify gaps in community care and to provide suggestions on resolving these gaps. The study was guided by a qualitative research paradigm and utilized an exploratory descriptive research design. Availability sampling was used. Unstructured face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with four mental health service users (MHSUs) and six family members. The results of the study reveal the many dilemmas that both MHSUs and their relatives experience because of the lack of support and services available in the community. There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that the environment is ill suited at all levels to meeting the needs of MHSUs and their relatives. This study examines the challenges experienced by MHSUs and their relatives and makes recommendations for practice and policy that can contribute to improved service delivery.
An exploratory study of factors that contributed to substance abuse by service users' at Newlands Park Rehabilitation Centre.
(2012) Makoloi, Justice Tshiamo.; Simpson, Barbara.
Substance abuse is a major social problem with far-reaching implications. Substance abuse is a critical problem in South Africa and across all segments of the population and in some way, impacts on all members of our society. The challenge is to explain why people engage in behaviours that they know will harm them. The aim of the study was to understand how people came to abuse substances, by exploring the factors that contribute to substance abuse by recovering service users at Newlands Park Rehabilitation Centre. The ecosystems perspective was used to guide the study. The study used an exploratory design as it attempted to explore new insights into factors contributing to substance abuse by service uses at Newlands Park Rehabilitation Centre. A qualitative research was used to understand the reasons that govern this behavior. Convenience sampling was used as a sampling technique. Ten participants were selected from a group of twenty service users that were in their last week of the rehabilitation program at Newlands Park Rehabilitation Centre. Semi-structured interviews were used as a primary technique for data collection. The data was analyzed thematically. The findings of the study reveal that there are several factors that led respondents’ to abuse substances. These are intrapersonal factors that both initiated and maintained the abuse of substances by respondents. The results from the study also show interpersonal and environmental factors that contributed to respondents’ abuse of substances. It is recommended that prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse take account of intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental factors that contribute to substance abuse.
The implementation of the Employment Equity Act No. 55 of 1998 in respect of people with disabilities in the Department of Health Kwazulu-Natal : perceptions and experiences of key personnel and people with disabilities.
(2002) Dlamini, Glenrose Lindiwe.; Simpson, Barbara.
The study took place in the Department of Health. It involved four districts and the Head Office of the human resource planning component. Its purpose was to explore the extent to which the Employment Equity Act is implemented in respect of people with disabilities by the Department of Health, KwazuluNatal. The experiences and perceptions of employment equity officers and people with disabilities were explored. In addition the document on Gap Analysis on EEA was analyzed. Qualitative methodology guided the explorative descriptive nature of the research. The sample selected for the study aimed at balancing opinions on the subject under investigation. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, in depth interviews and content analysis of the departmental Gap Report on Employment Equity. The main findings revealed that there is a wide gap between the current status quo and achieving the desired objectives of the Act. There is also a lack of awareness among People with disabilities in understanding the legal rights in terms of the Act. This situation weakens stakeholder's participation in implementation of the Employment Equity Act NO.55 of 1998. The main recommendations related to the implementation of intensive training programmes, in order to assist stakeholders to participate effectively in Employment Equity Act programmes. A bottom up approach on implementation of the Employment Equity Act was recommended. This will help to ensure equal participation of and acceptance of the process by People with disabilities and employment equity officers.
Marriage in contemporary Zulu society: implications for couple counselling.
(2015) Haselau, Catherine Mary.; Kasiram, Madhubala Ishver.; Simpson, Barbara.
Most Western therapeutic methods are based on the Western world view and are very individualistic, and may therefore not be appropriate for social work practice with African clients. This study focused specifically on marriage counselling. It aimed to explore the meaning of marriage among Zulu couples, elders and social workers with a view to recommending guidelines for marriage therapy with Zulu clients. The research study was qualitative in nature and was guided by social construction theory. In social construction theory the social practices that people engage in to interact with each other influence the meaning that is ascribed, and how the world is viewed and understood. Thus social interaction within any culture determines how a person perceives reality, and this influences one’s world view. As a result people with different world views will have a very different of understanding. The study explored the beliefs, values, traditions and practices of marriage in contemporary Zulu society, and examined the resulting implications for marriage counselling in order to develop best practice guidelines. The study took place in two phases. In the first phase twelve couples who defined themselves as Zulu, nine Zulu family elders who had given relationship advice to their family members, and ten Zulu social workers who worked with couples and families in the community were sourced using snow ball sampling. They were interviewed in depth about their experiences, beliefs and values of being married as Zulu people. Thematic and discourse analysis generated four main themes that were of significance in Zulu marriages: belonging, respect or hlonipha, spirituality and ubuntu. Each of these themes was interlinked with each other and generated a number of sub themes. In the second phase these results were discussed with the Durban and with the Pietermaritzburg FAMSA (the Family and Marriage Society of South Africa) social workers who specialise in marriage counselling. The feedback received added to the trustworthiness of the study and also facilitated an exploration of the implications for marriage counselling. The FAMSA social workers challenged the judgemental aspects of traditional helping and stressed that the social worker needs to rather facilitate change. As social workers therefore, we need to be familiar with both traditional African world views and values, and to appreciate how these values may be used in practice. Best practice guidelines were thus developed to include these traditional Zulu values.
Social work in informal settlements in the Durban Metro region.
(2001) Simpson, Barbara.; Gray, Marilyn Marjorie Anne.; Sewpaul, Vishanthie.
No abstract available.
The struggles and triumphs of non-offending mothers in dealing with the sexual abuse of their children : an exploratory study.
(2005) Mahomed, Rehana.; Simpson, Barbara.
Child abuse continues to be a major challenge in South Africa. Much of the research has focused on helping children who have been abused and more recently focus has been placed on the perpetrator. Understanding the needs of the mother of the abused child has largely been neglected. This study explored how mothers of abused children are also affected by the child's trauma and how her survival contributes to the healing of the family. Using a qualitative research approach, data was gathered from case files, groupwork notes and in-depth interviews with eight women whose children had been abused. A feminist approach guided the study. This research described the experiences of women and provided insight into their struggles and triumphs as they assisted their children in the healing process.