This qualitative research draws on phenomenological experiences of five single student mothers studying at Hifikepunye Pohamba campus of the University of Namibia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. The data was analysed thematically. Results show that the main common challenge among the participating student mothers is the lack of time to manage studying and parenting roles. Other challenges include: being angry, loneliness, drowsy, restless, skipping lectures, failing some modules and failing to write the first opportunity examination.Recommendations include the need for student mothers support group on campus to alleviate isolation and some stress associated with playing in both studying and parenting roles.
Extreme flooding in the northern parts of Namibia occurred in 2011, impacting many school-going children in the region. The rationale for the current research is to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on school children as a result of the floods. A self-administered Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ) with closed-ended questions was administered to 480 children between the ages of eight and 18 years at their respective schools. The CTSQ consists of five items assessing re-experiencing and five items assessing hyper-arousal symptoms. The results show that 55.2% of learners aged 12 and below and 72.8% of learners aged 13 and above reported experiencing symptoms of trauma from the floods 2 years after the event. These percentages were quite high and are therefore a cause for concern. Given the magnitude of this problem, it is important for the government and other stakeholders to provide the necessary psychological and/or emotional support in the event of future floods or similar disasters.
BackgroundThe devastating effects of HIV and/or AIDS are widely documented. Despite ongoing efforts to address the challenges associated with the pandemic, the impact on children orphaned because of the disease, as well as on adolescents, remains problematic. More specifically, orphaned adolescents living in poverty are particularly vulnerable and are often exposed to, for example, emotional and physical abuse and transactional sexual exploitation. Against this background, the importance of informed awareness among adolescents is continually emphasised, yet the outcomes of awareness campaigns require ongoing research.ObjectivesThe main objective of this study was to explore HIV and/or AIDS awareness among adolescents living in a rural community in South Africa, in the Chris Hani District of the Eastern Cape Province. Sixteen adolescents (aged 12–24) who had lost one or both of their parents because of HIV and/or AIDS-related reasons were purposefully selected to participate in the study.MethodFor this qualitative investigation, we implemented a descriptive case study design. Semi-structured individual interviews, observation and field notes were used to collect and document data, and inductive thematic analysis was completed using the software programme Atlas.ti 7.ResultsThe three themes that were identified relate to HIV and/or AIDS awareness, disclosure of parents’ HIV and/or AIDS status and experiences of adolescents surrounding the death of their parents. Adolescents of the community viewed HIV and/or AIDS as an infectious disease that can lead to death; however, this can be prevented by avoiding at-risk sexual behaviour. Schools and family members were the main sources of information regarding HIV and/or AIDS to the participants. Even though parents tended not to disclose their HIV and/or AIDS status, adolescents became aware of their parents’ status when reading about this on their parents’ medical report cards or when being told about the status by others following the death of their parents. For adolescents, their parents’ deaths were associated with the parents being chronically ill or showing visible signs of deterioration such as weight loss.ConclusionThe study concludes that even though current campaigns and informative interventions have seemingly succeeded in ensuring HIV and/or AIDS awareness among adolescents – also those in remote areas – continued educational campaigns are important. Such initiatives may prove to be beneficial by focusing on ways that parents can discuss HIV and/or AIDS-related issues with their children and disclose an HIV-positive status.
The emphasis in health psychology is to persuade people using diverse approaches to embrace health promotion, maintenance, and illness prevention. Health psychology studies how biological, psychological, and social factors influence people's attitudes toward their health. This chapter aims to investigate potential contributory relationships between bio-psychosocial factors and population health. The book delves into the bio-psychosocial model, which can assist individuals in developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles in order to promote good health and prevent illness. It endeavours to accelerate the integration of biopsychosocial model in public health systems and healthcare facilities in the context of biological, psychological, and social factors to promote better health and prevent illnesses at a population level. A desk research was adopted to come with relevant literature at the same time adhering to the ethics code. The BPS model is recommended for its robust holistic focus on the person rather than just their infirmity.
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