Browsing by Author "Beytell, Anna-Marie"

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    Caregivers perceptions on factors contributing to their children’s malnutrition
    (University of the Western Cape, 2018) Polaki, Busisiwe; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    Complex factors contribute to child malnutrition. These include various factors for example stress, trauma, cognitive abilities and education, poverty, environmental and cultural practices. Caregivers’ situations and perceptions regarding these factors are of utmost importance in child malnutrition. Lesotho has a high incidence of malnourished children irrespective of various interventions to address the problem. The research question that the researcher wanted to answer is: What are caregivers’ perceptions on factors contributing to their children’s malnutrition? This was the question as caregivers’ environments and perceptions influence child malnutrition and they are the ones that accompany the children to the hospital where this research was done. The research goal was to get an understanding of caregivers’ perceptions on factors contributing to malnutrition. In order to reach the goal. the objectives were: To explore the factors contributing to malnutrition; to describe the factors contributing to malnutrition and to give recommendations to social workers and the multi-disciplinary team in order to address the factors contributing to malnutrition as preventative measures.
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    Caregivers perceptions on factors contributing to their children’s malnutrition
    (University of the Western Cape, 2018) Polaki, Busisiwe; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    Complex factors contribute to child malnutrition. These include various factors for example stress, trauma, cognitive abilities and education, poverty, environmental and cultural practices. Caregivers’ situations and perceptions regarding these factors are of utmost importance in child malnutrition. Lesotho has a high incidence of malnourished children irrespective of various interventions to address the problem. The research question that the researcher wanted to answer is: What are caregivers’ perceptions on factors contributing to their children’s malnutrition? This was the question as caregivers’ environments and perceptions influence child malnutrition and they are the ones that accompany the children to the hospital where this research was done. The research goal was to get an understanding of caregivers’ perceptions on factors contributing to malnutrition. In order to reach the goal. the objectives were: To explore the factors contributing to malnutrition; to describe the factors contributing to malnutrition and to give recommendations to social workers and the multi-disciplinary team in order to address the factors contributing to malnutrition as preventative measures.
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    Exploring service providers’ perspectives on the prevention and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in South Africa: a qualitative study
    (BMC, 2018) Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Mukumbang, Ferdinand C.; Cloete, Lizahn G.; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    BACKGROUND: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is among the leading causes of developmental and intellectual disabilities in individuals. Although efforts are being made toward the prevention and management of FASD in South Africa, the prevalence remains high. The sustained high prevalence could be attributed to several factors, including the lack of policy for a coordinated effort to prevent, diagnose and manage FASD nationally. In this study, our aim was to explore the perspectives of service providers (health and allied professionals, teachers, social workers) on the prevention and management of FASD towards developing a guideline to inform policy. METHOD: Guided by the exploratory qualitative research design, we purposively sampled relevant service providers in the field of FASD prevention and management for focus group discussions. Nine of these discussions were conducted with to eight participants per discussion session. The discussants were asked various questions on the current and required interventions and practices for the prevention and management of FASD. Following the Framework Method, data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the thematic content analysis approach. RESULTS: Our findings show that aspects of the prevention and management of alcohol-related conditions are present in various policies. However, there is no clear focus on coordinated, multi-sectoral efforts for a more comprehensive approach to the prevention and management of FASD. The participants recognized the need for specific requirements on broad-based preventive awareness programs, training and support for parents and caregivers, inclusive education in mainstream schools and training of relevant professionals. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive and coordinated prevention and management programs guided by a specific policy could improve the prevention and management of FASD. Policy formulation demonstrates commitment from the government, highlights the importance of the condition, and elaborates on context-specific prevention and management protocols.
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    Family members’ experiences: People with comorbid bipolar and substance use disorder
    (Springer Nature, 2018) September, Uwarren; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    People with comorbid bipolar and substance use disorders are complex, whose families experienced challenges contributing significantly to their burden of care. The aim of the study was to explore these lived experiences of family members caring for relatives, as well as the situations or contexts in which they experience these. A qualitative phenomenological research approach with explorative, descriptive research designs was adopted. In-depth phenomenological interviews were done with six purposive selected participants. Phenomenological data analyses focusing on the textural (lived experience) and structural (the context in which it was experienced) were followed after data collection. The lived experiences of participants included feelings of helplessness and emotional and physical exhaustion, as well as the causes of these feelings. The situations contributing to these feelings included non-compliance with prescribed medicine for bipolar disorder combined with drug abuse as well as a threat to the safety of the patient and others, stigmatisation, embarrassment and shame.
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    Fieldwork education in health contexts: Experiences of fourth-year BSW students
    (Stellenbosch University, 2014) Beytell, Anna-Marie
    The Social Work profession experiences various challenges in practice that influence the practice education of students. Educators, practitioners and the experiences of students should inform practice education in curriculums. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of fourth-year BSW students at the University of the Western Cape doing their fieldwork education in healthcare contexts. Integration of social work theories, the types of client problems, emotions caused by fieldwork and ethical dilemmas were challenges to students in health contexts. Supervision was emphasised by the students as a positive experience during fieldwork.
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    Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder: The development of guidelines to inform policy
    (University of the Western Cape, 2019) Adebiyi, Babatope Oluwadamilare; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    Introduction: Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can result to birth defects, which may be developmental, intellectual and physical. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a term used to describe an array of disorders related to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. FASD is a severe public health problem globally, with South Africa having the highest prevalence (29 to 290 per 1000 live births). What makes the FASD problem severe in the country is rife of maternal risk factors and widespread binge drinking during pregnancy. There is no policy specifically addressing FASD despite being pervasive in South Africa. Government programmes to prevent and manage FASD remain limited and fragmental across relevant departments. Herein, we aimed to conduct a multi-method study with a modified Delphi approach to developing a guideline to inform the development of a comprehensive and multi-sectoral policy for the prevention and management of FASD. Method and analysis: We used a modified version of the World Health Organization’s approach to guideline development in three phases. In phase 1, we conducted four different studies to design the initial guideline prototype. The studies include an in-depth interview with policymakers and a focus group with relevant service providers on policy requirements for FASD, a document review of policies on FASD and a scoping review of various interventions employed for the prevention and management of FASD. The second phase involved using the initially developed guideline prototype to engage with the local and international experts on FASD for improvement on the content. In the third phase, we refined the prototype using a modified Delphi approach. Framework method and content analysis were used to analyse the qualitative data while the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software was used to analyse the quantitative data.
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    A modified Delphi study towards developing a guideline to inform policy on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in South Africa: a study protocol
    (BMJ Publishing Group, 2018) Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Mukumbang, Ferdinand C.; Okop, Kufre Joseph; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    INTRODUCTION Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can result in mental and physical birth defects in individuals. These birth defects are usually described as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). With an estimated 183–259 per 1000 children born with FASDs, South Africa is identified to have the highest prevalence of FASDs in the world. Nevertheless, there is a lack of appropriate policies, guidelines and interventions addressing the issues around FASDs. This protocol outlines a proposed process for developing a guideline to inform policies on FASDs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This process will have three phases. Phase I will be carried out in three steps; we plan to conduct a document review of available policies on the prevention and management of FASDs and update the existing systematic review on FASDs interventions. The aim of the two reviews is to explore the availability and content of existing policies and global interventions on FASDs. In addition, we will conduct two exploratory qualitative studies to obtain the perspectives of various stakeholders on the existing or possible guidelines and policies for the management of FASDs and available interventions and services. In phase II, we will aggregate the findings of the previous phase to develop a prototype guideline. In phase III, using the developed prototype, we will apply the Delphi approach with experts on FASDs, soliciting their opinions on the nature and content of the proposed guidelines for policies. The information gathered will be used to modify the prototype to formulate a policy guideline on FASDs. The data will be analysed using thematic analysis and narrative synthesis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical clearance has been obtained from the ethics committee of the university and governmental departments. The findings will be disseminated through publications and the guideline will be submitted to relevant departments.
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    Successful first-year students' perceptions and experiences of retention and throughput at a selected FET College
    (University of the Western cape, 2011) Hartley-Ohlson, Sharifa; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    The Further Education and Training Colleges Sector is a new phenomenon and attract students from school who are unprepared for the rigours of further education and training. This could have a direct impact on retention and throughput of first-year students in the sector. Against this backdrop student retention and success or throughput is a critical topic for further education and training in the public FET Colleges. The goal of this research was to explore and describe the challenges of retention and throughput from the perceptions and experiences of successful first-year students based on the assumption that lessons can be learned from this. The objectives were to explore and describe successful first-year students’ perceptions and experiences of retention and throughput a selected FET college; make recommendations to the management of the FET college sector; and to describe the role of social work to increase retention. An explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was adopted for the purpose of the study. It was conducted at Northlink FET College, Protea campus in Bellville, Cape Town. The population encompasses academic inclusion criteria for homogeneity and included all successful first-year students who met the minimum pass requirements for all their subjects in the national examination results of November 2007 and the supplementary examination results of February 2008. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select the sample of 21 participants. Focus group interviews were facilitated by a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were conducted in English and Afrikaans to accommodate the diversity of the participants. The data analysis and verification were done according to the framework recommended by Cresswell (1998). The findings of the study revealed that the following factors are strong predictors for student retention and success: Environmental influences within the college contribute to successful throughput and retention. These include financial aid, student support and developmental services, monitoring student progress, study programs and safety of the college. Public internet, library and transport services were experienced as important essentials which contributed significantly to the retention and success of the participants. The participants experienced the lack of an internet and library service, and study facility at the campus a major challenge to overcome. Student support in the form of group support or peer help, study groups, student counselling and referral for rehabilitation services were key determinants or predictors for the retention and throughput of the participants. The importance of trusting relationships also featured as key factors in the form of family and role models contributing to the success and persistence of the participants. Relationships in the academic environment with the academic staff and their communication styles of practicing such as flexible communication channels and democratic authoritarian relationship building contributed significantly to the receptiveness of learning and the success and persistence of the participants.Key factors with regards to the significant strengths of the participants which have contributed to their retention and throughput highlighted by the findings of the study included self-efficacy with its underpinning developmental intrinsic aspects self-discipline,self-esteem, independent decision-making, locus of control and acquiring essentials skills to adapt to student life. These attributes are strong predictors of student success and retention as have emerged from the findings of the study. Personal challenges such as hard times, drug abuse, learning disabilities, health problems and single parenting were indicated by the participants as strong predictors to rise above these adversities by persisting and succeed to enjoy a good quality life. The participants’ perception of education and employment were inter-linked toward an outcome for economic benefit and also perceived as a strong predictor for retention and throughput. Other factors indicated by the participants that have contributed to their retention and throughput, are neighbourhood and socio-economic background. The findings of this research study are generally in line with most of the studies conducted at community colleges internationally, and with some of the studies conducted at institutions of Higher Education in South Africa.
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    Successful first-year students' perceptions and experiences of retention and throughput at a selected FET College
    (University of the Western cape, 2011) Hartley-Ohlson, Sharifa; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    The Further Education and Training Colleges Sector is a new phenomenon and attract students from school who are unprepared for the rigours of further education and training. This could have a direct impact on retention and throughput of first-year students in the sector. Against this backdrop student retention and success or throughput is a critical topic for further education and training in the public FET Colleges. The goal of this research was to explore and describe the challenges of retention and throughput from the perceptions and experiences of successful first-year students based on the assumption that lessons can be learned from this. The objectives were to explore and describe successful first-year students’ perceptions and experiences of retention and throughput a selected FET college; make recommendations to the management of the FET college sector; and to describe the role of social work to increase retention. An explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was adopted for the purpose of the study. It was conducted at Northlink FET College, Protea campus in Bellville, Cape Town. The population encompasses academic inclusion criteria for homogeneity and included all successful first-year students who met the minimum pass requirements for all their subjects in the national examination results of November 2007 and the supplementary examination results of February 2008. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select the sample of 21 participants. Focus group interviews were facilitated by a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were conducted in English and Afrikaans to accommodate the diversity of the participants. The data analysis and verification were done according to the framework recommended by Cresswell (1998). The findings of the study revealed that the following factors are strong predictors for student retention and success: Environmental influences within the college contribute to successful throughput and retention. These include financial aid, student support and developmental services, monitoring student progress, study programs and safety of the college. Public internet, library and transport services were experienced as important essentials which contributed significantly to the retention and success of the participants. The participants experienced the lack of an internet and library service, and study facility at the campus a major challenge to overcome. Student support in the form of group support or peer help, study groups, student counselling and referral for rehabilitation services were key determinants or predictors for the retention and throughput of the participants. The importance of trusting relationships also featured as key factors in the form of family and role models contributing to the success and persistence of the participants. Relationships in the academic environment with the academic staff and their communication styles of practicing such as flexible communication channels and democratic authoritarian relationship building contributed significantly to the receptiveness of learning and the success and persistence of the participants.Key factors with regards to the significant strengths of the participants which have contributed to their retention and throughput highlighted by the findings of the study included self-efficacy with its underpinning developmental intrinsic aspects self-discipline,self-esteem, independent decision-making, locus of control and acquiring essentials skills to adapt to student life. These attributes are strong predictors of student success and retention as have emerged from the findings of the study. Personal challenges such as hard times, drug abuse, learning disabilities, health problems and single parenting were indicated by the participants as strong predictors to rise above these adversities by persisting and succeed to enjoy a good quality life. The participants’ perception of education and employment were inter-linked toward an outcome for economic benefit and also perceived as a strong predictor for retention and throughput. Other factors indicated by the participants that have contributed to their retention and throughput, are neighbourhood and socio-economic background. The findings of this research study are generally in line with most of the studies conducted at community colleges internationally, and with some of the studies conducted at institutions of Higher Education in South Africa.
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    Women's experiences encountering loss and grief in Nyanga, Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2013) McLea, Hilary Follett; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    Research on loss and grief is based on Western contexts and assumes a level of safety and security within which bereaved individuals can be supported in coming to a resolution of their loss. The lives of women in Nyanga are however marked by various forms of violence and insecurity. Secure housing, stable employment and regular household income are not assumed. Individual physical safety is not assured either inside or outside the home. In this context grief and loss is experienced on such a scale that it has become normative rather than the exception. The aim of this research was to explore women's experiences of loss and grief in Nyanga. The objectives were to explore and describe these experiences and the contexts that influenced these experiences. The researcher has adopted a qualitative phenomenological research approach using in-depth interviews with women experiencing loss and grief following violent death. The population will be women experiencing loss and grief in Nyanga, Western Cape. Non-probability snowball sampling was used. The sample size was determined by data saturation due to the phenomenological nature of the study. The findings were primarily the loss of a sense of family, of overall health and long term economic insecurity. Coupled with this was the inability of government and community structures to offer support. Prolonged grief was a finding. Personally developed systems of support were uncovered and the importance of spirituality and prayer was noted. The context was violent deaths. It was found that these deaths are multiple and commonly experienced. The location of the deaths was within the victims home or in the near vicinity. Recommendations are made for work in economically deprived communities experiencing a high rate of violent deaths. These are for new ways to be developed to support and enhance family life and enable new ways of parenting. Governmental and community structures response to this phenomenon will require changes in policing and the local councils role in the community. Guidelines for social workers working in such communities are for a focus on community models of engagement. Group support and group facilitation rather than a focus on casework with individuals is proposed. Harnessing the knowledge and skills of local women and working collectively is suggested.
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    Women's experiences encountering loss and grief in Nyanga, Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2013) McLea, Hilary Follett; Beytell, Anna-Marie
    Research on loss and grief is based on Western contexts and assumes a level of safety and security within which bereaved individuals can be supported in coming to a resolution of their loss. The lives of women in Nyanga are however marked by various forms of violence and insecurity. Secure housing, stable employment and regular household income are not assumed. Individual physical safety is not assured either inside or outside the home. In this context grief and loss is experienced on such a scale that it has become normative rather than the exception. The aim of this research was to explore women's experiences of loss and grief in Nyanga. The objectives were to explore and describe these experiences and the contexts that influenced these experiences. The researcher has adopted a qualitative phenomenological research approach using in-depth interviews with women experiencing loss and grief following violent death. The population will be women experiencing loss and grief in Nyanga, Western Cape. Non-probability snowball sampling was used. The sample size was determined by data saturation due to the phenomenological nature of the study. The findings were primarily the loss of a sense of family, of overall health and long term economic insecurity. Coupled with this was the inability of government and community structures to offer support. Prolonged grief was a finding. Personally developed systems of support were uncovered and the importance of spirituality and prayer was noted. The context was violent deaths. It was found that these deaths are multiple and commonly experienced. The location of the deaths was within the victims home or in the near vicinity. Recommendations are made for work in economically deprived communities experiencing a high rate of violent deaths. These are for new ways to be developed to support and enhance family life and enable new ways of parenting. Governmental and community structures response to this phenomenon will require changes in policing and the local councils role in the community. Guidelines for social workers working in such communities are for a focus on community models of engagement. Group support and group facilitation rather than a focus on casework with individuals is proposed. Harnessing the knowledge and skills of local women and working collectively is suggested.