Browsing by Author "Coomer, Rachel"

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    Conceptualisations of childhood in Namibia: new legislation versus public perception
    (University of the Western Cape, 2010) Coomer, Rachel; Roman, Nicolette V.; Rich, Edna
    BACKGROUND: Namibia is in the process of developing new children's legislation. The aim of this research paper is to explore how the public conceptualisation of childhood in Namibia compares to provisions in the Child Care and Protection Bill (April 2010 draft). METHOD: A qualitative methodological approach was used to explore participants’ conceptualisations of childhood in Namibia. Detailed interviews were conducted with four community members aged 23-75 years. Interviewee one was a 23- year old Oshiwambo male; interviewee two was a 38-year old Damara/Nama female; interviewee three was a 42- year old white female age and interviewee four was a 75-year old white male. Using the data collected, thematic analysis was used to formulate themes within the data. RESULTS: The main themes identified were the role of the state versus the role of parents in childhood, the participation of children in decision-making and the protection of children. The results show that whilst public opinion and the proposals in the bill overlap in some areas such as the need to protect children, in many areas public opinion and the proposals in the bill differ to a great extent. Differences are particularly noticeable for issues such as parental authority versus parental responsibility and child participation. CONCLUSION: At present the conceptualisation of childhood envisaged by the new legislation goes beyond public understanding of childhood. Government and stakeholders should do more to prepare the public for the bill to ensure that the Act is well-received in Namibia.
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    Experiences of parents of children with mental disability regarding access to mental health care
    (University of the Western Cape, 2010) Coomer, Rachel; Roman, Nicolette; Dept. of Social Work; Faculty of Arts
    The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges parents of children with mental health disabilities and disorders in Namibia face when attempting to access mental healthcare resources. The study used a qualitative exploratory approach. Purposive sampling was used to include parents, caregivers and relatives of children with metal health disabilities and disorders. The sample also included key informants. Data was collected through focus group discussions with the participants and individual interviews with the key informants. Overall, a total of 41 people provided information for this study. Thematic data analysis was used to assess the data. The results suggest that parents/caregivers and relatives of children with mental health disabilities and disorders do experience barriers accessing mental health care. The challenges go beyond commonly-reported problems in the literature such as stigma and discrimination and include basic challenges such as a lack of transportation to healthcare services and a lack of acceptance of the mental health disorders by the parents. The study offers recommendations for how service provision can be improved and how parents of children with mental health challenges can have better access to services.
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    Experiences of parents of children with mental disability regarding access to mental health care
    (University of the Western Cape, 2010) Coomer, Rachel; Roman, Nicolette; Dept. of Social Work; Faculty of Arts
    The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges parents of children with mental health disabilities and disorders in Namibia face when attempting to access mental healthcare resources. The study used a qualitative exploratory approach. Purposive sampling was used to include parents, caregivers and relatives of children with metal health disabilities and disorders. The sample also included key informants. Data was collected through focus group discussions with the participants and individual interviews with the key informants. Overall, a total of 41 people provided information for this study. Thematic data analysis was used to assess the data. The results suggest that parents/caregivers and relatives of children with mental health disabilities and disorders do experience barriers accessing mental health care. The challenges go beyond commonly-reported problems in the literature such as stigma and discrimination and include basic challenges such as a lack of transportation to healthcare services and a lack of acceptance of the mental health disorders by the parents. The study offers recommendations for how service provision can be improved and how parents of children with mental health challenges can have better access to services.