Browsing by Author "John-Langba, Johannes"

Now showing 1 - 16 of 16
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An investigation into mental health care deficits in South Africa: exploring an alternative intervention strategy
    (2018) Daniels, Ingrid; O'Brien, Constance; John-Langba, Johannes
    This study investigates mental health care deficits in South Africa and explores an alternative intervention strategy that promotes an integrated community-based intervention model to reach the vulnerable majority living with the debilitating consequences of mental illness. The research is grounded in human rights, empowerment and human scale development theories. A mixed-methods research design consisting of a dominant quantitative methodology complemented by a qualitative methodology was adopted. The research design was carried out in three sequential phases. The first phase of the study involved an online survey with 19 mental health professionals employed at State psychiatric facilities and 90 social workers at 17 mental health non-government organisations. The second phase involved 5 focus group discussions with a total of 40 mental health service users from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Limpopo Provinces. The third and final phase of the study involved telephonic interviews with two key informants, using a semi-structured interview guide. Purposive sampling procedures were used to recruit respondents from all nine provinces in South Africa. Findings indicate that less than half of the mental health professionals (49%, n=53) reported that the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013‒2020 is a very good policy, whereas 42.6% (n=46) agreed that the policy is highly appropriate for a developing country. The Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between respondents’ perceptions of a good policy and its appropriateness for mental health care in South Africa [χ² (9, n=109) = 120.5, p <.000]. The focus group findings indicated that only a few service users were aware of the policy as a 'strategic plan’ whilst the majority of focus group participants were unfamiliar with the policy and thought that it should be summarised in clear language and disseminated. The issue of stigma experienced and confirmed by service users was regarded as a major barrier to mental health care – the majority (89.9%, n=98) of respondents indicated that mental illness remains one of the most highly stigmatised conditions in South Africa. There is a significant relationship between how well mental illness is understood and the stigma associated with mental illness [χ² (16, n=109) = 40.7, p<.001]. The Chi-square test indicated a significant association between mental health professionals’ perception about vulnerability and the discrimination against mental health service users [χ² (9, n=109) = 25.0, p<.003]. These findings were confirmed by the focus group participants who said: “As long as there is stigma – we as mental health patients get judged by our community, by our families and people around you – then nothing will change”. The majority (94.5%, n=103) of respondents agreed that people with mental illness are more vulnerable to abuse by society than those without mental illness. The majority (80.7%, n=88) of mental health professionals reported that the medical model is the dominant approach to diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in South Africa. The focus group participants were keenly aware that “just taking your medication isn’t always balancing out”. The majority of mental health professionals (83.5%, n=91) agreed that poor socio-economic conditions increased mental illness, whereas 73.4% (n=80) agreed that there was a direct link between poverty and the increase in demand for mental health services. The Chi-square test indicated that there is a significant association between poor socio-economic conditions and the increased demand for mental health services in South Africa [χ² (16, n=109) = 199.2, p<.001]. Focus group discussions confirmed this link between poverty and mental illness with participants highlighting the constraints of meagre grants and their inability to find jobs. Findings from the key informants concur with the aforementioned main findings. Conclusions drawn from the triangulated findings show the major deficits in treatment; the lack of resources and funding; the lack of community-based mental health interventions and the exclusion of mental health service users as significant role-players. Finally this study both recommended and designed a comprehensive patient-centred, integrated community-based mental health service model that is aligned with South Africa’s National Mental Health Policy. The proposed model took into account the perspectives of mental health professionals, mental health service users, and findings from the survey respondents, as well as ideas from 'best practice models’ found in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Brazil and India – and was corroborated by key informants.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An investigation of the relationship between mental health and recidivism among incarcerated youth offenders in South Africa: the role of substance use
    Shishane, Kwanele; John-Langba, Johannes
    Theoretical models of crime underlying the deterrent approach to crime control often fail to account for the role of mental health in mediating deviance. Nor does this approach account for the role of system responses, unique to a post-apartheid context. There is paucity in the literature on the role of mental health on recidivism in South Africa. This study was therefore designed to determine the relationship between mental health and recidivism among incarcerated youth offenders in South Africa and the role of substance use. The Ecological Systems Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour provided the theoretical frameworks for this study. A cross-sectional quantitative exploratory research design was used. 280 youth offenders (male and female, aged 18-35) incarcerated at a Durban Maximum Correctional Service in KwaZulu-Natal who do not have a known psychiatric diagnosis were sampled, using multi-stage random sampling. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The final instrument consisted of six sections. Section 1 consisted of socio-demographic data. Section 2, measured the history of imprisonment. Section 3, is the Hopkins symptoms checklist (HSCL-25), which measures depression and anxiety disorder. Section 4, measures youth offenders' attraction to crime using an adapted version of the appetitive aggression scale. Section 5, is a measure of substance use using the CRAFFT measure (Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble). Finally, section 6 was an adapted version of the Measure of Criminal Attitudes and Associates scale (MCAA). Data were analyzed using SPSS. Several statistical analyses were used in this study to include, descriptive analysis, multiple regression, binary logistic regression, factor analysis, cluster analysis and chi-square analysis. The minimum age for participants was 19 and maximum age is 35, the majority of participants were aged 32 and the average age is 30. The majority of participants have secondary school education (65.8%, n=171), and participants who have not received any formal education are (3.5%, n=9). The majority of participants are black (91.4%, n=245), and Coloured (6.3%, n=17), male (93.0%, n=251) and from KwaZulu-Natal (87.1% n=237). Descriptive analysis also showed that the rate of recidivism (re-offending) among this offender population is 32.4% (n=82), while 67.6% (n=171) of the participants have not recidivated. This study promotes social change by highlighting the need for the further exploration of combined factors that increase recidivism. Findings from this study are helpful to health and criminal justice organizations as they indicate the need for strengthening the provision of programs that address mental health screening, diagnosis and treatment as well as programs that address appetitive aggression issues in efforts to curb recidivism.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Developing an evidence-based foster mother screening tool for cluster foster care in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (2016) Simula, Kelebogile; John-Langba, Johannes
    Within the formal child welfare system in South Africa, foster care is considered the preferred form of alternative care for children removed from their biological families and who are unavailable for adoption. This reflects the belief that the family is ideal environment best suited for optimal child survival and development. Although many South African children have benefitted from court-ordered foster care in the last two decades, however ineffective screening, training and preparation of foster carers have posed challenges to meeting the needs of children in need of alternative care. Utilizing general systems and attachment theories, the purpose of this study was to explore perceptions about developing an evidence-based tool for the screening of eligible foster mothers of children in cluster-foster care in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative research approach to data collection and analysis. A semistructured interview schedule was used to explore the perspectives of 12 social workers and four foster mothers about context-specific criteria for screening foster mothers within the clusterfoster care system in South Africa. Results indicate that a reliable and valid tool for screening eligible mothers in cluster foster care settings in South Africa should include a standardized assessment of parenting skills and psychological wellbeing of potential foster mothers in addition to the normative sociodemographic background assessments. Emotional and financial support were also shown to be crucial in ensuring the retention of foster mothers within the context of high attrition rates of foster parents in South Africa. The findings of this study underscore the importance of using an evidence-based screening tool to recruit potential foster mothers in South Africa and the need to assess the psychosocial wellbeing of potential foster mothers in addition to background checks.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An elicitation study of the condom use behaviour and intentions of migrants youth in South Africa
    (2014) Tantoh, Aunt Manyongo Mosima; John-Langba, Johannes
    Cross border migration is an ordeal that forces migrants in vulnerable situation and compromise their ability to negotiate preventive health care choices. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that influence behavioural intentions and attitudes of young migrants in Cape Town South Africa towards condom use. The study is a qualitative study that utilized purposive sampling and snow balling as its methodology to investigate and obtained findings to the intentions of migrants’ behaviour. It employed in-depth open-ended questions developed for interviews in English. Participants consisted of 20 young migrants in the 18-35year cohort. The 20 respondents are from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively. The 20 samples consisted of; 13 males and seven females; 10 singles and 10 married; nine single males and one single female; six married females and 4 married males.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An exploration of the coping mechanisms of caregivers of persons diagnosed with severe mental illness, in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (2016) Hogan, Lynne; John-Langba, Johannes
    This exploratory study on the coping mechanisms of caregivers in the Western Cape was undertaken in order to gain a better understanding of what caregivers experience and utilise in order to cope with their role as caregivers. Informal caregivers are the primary carers for people with a severe mental illness living within communities. They often carry a significant burden in this role and have many stresses which they need to deal with. It is therefore essential that a better understanding of their experience is gained in order to provide relevant support services and interventions. Hopefully the insights gained in this study will contribute to the formation of policies and interventions for caregivers which are appropriate and lead to further research in this field. This study was a qualitative study, conducted with 18 caregivers who participated in in-depth interviews. The results show that there is a large variety of both positive and negative coping mechanisms which caregivers employ dealing with the challenges and stresses they face. Positive coping mechanisms ranged from: making use of services and facilities available, working or keeping busy, knowledge of mental illness, support from family and friends, faith, finding the right doctor for the mentally ill person, support from hospital or clinic staff, looking after self and using challenges to grow, having lots of patience, taking one day at a time and listening to others' stories. Some of the negative coping mechanisms were: ignoring the mentally ill person or cutting off emotions, taking on all responsibility for the mentally ill person or controlling them, using verbal threats or abuse, isolating themselves and using medication to cope. The carers interviewed were also able to identify and access a number of social support mechanisms and systems available to them. Some of these provided psychological and emotional support, others provided physical / practical help and many provided both. The predominant social support mechanisms and systems were: hospitals and clinics, family and friends, churches and faith, support groups, Cape Mental Health and various NGOs. Participants in the study spoke about challenges and barriers in their role as carers. The research indicates that there are two main divides: challenges tend to be concerned with the person they are caring for while barriers tend to be external factors which carers have to deal with. Common challenges which carers face are: drug or alcohol use by the mentally ill person, unpredictable and disturbed thinking and behaviour, issues with medication and non-compliance, lack of person's insight, isolation and withdrawal from family life, lack of understanding from family and friends, financial problems. Barriers which are more external to the family unit include: lack of adequate medical services and facilities for the mentally ill person, lack of support services for the carer, lack of suitable accommodation for mentally ill people, carers not included in the treatment team and plan, police not helpful when asked for assistance with a mentally ill person, negative perceptions of mental illness in society. Recommendations of the study are for further research in this field; that mental health care services provide more support and interventions for caregivers; and that clear policies are developed and implemented for caregivers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An exploration of the socio-cultural factors influencing condom use intentions and behaviours of migrant youth in South Africa
    (2017) Titus, Raylene Rozita; John-Langba, Johannes
    Migrant health has become a critical issue in current HIV intervention discourses as this particular cohort has an increased vulnerability to HIV infection. The purpose of this study is to explore socio-cultural determinants influencing condom use intentions and behaviour of young migrant youth residing in Cape Town South Africa. This qualitative study employed purposive and snowballing sampling techniques to explore with migrant youth their intentions and behaviour towards condoms use within their socio-cultural contexts. The interviews were in-depth open ended questions and conducted in English. The sample were drawn from 20 single respondents from Sub-Saharan Africa, notably from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Congo, Cameroon, Kenya and Malawi. The mean age was 23 years with a range of 20 years to 25 years, the gender distribution was even with 10 males and 10 females. The research findings indicate that young migrants have a good understanding of the functions of condoms and the positive preventative tool it is for pregnancy prevention and sexually transmitted disease prevention. However the use of condoms, even when freely available, is a contested issue as socio cultural influences have an impact on the intentions and behaviour towards condom use among young migrant youth. Findings indicated that traditional norms on sexual behaviour prohibits young migrants to freely discuss safer sexual options and methods of safer contraceptive choices. Traditional gendered norms in sexual relationships and gendered expectations of condom use are current issues that migrant youth are grappling with. The nexus between socio-cultural norms and safer sexual choices such as condoms use places young migrants' at-risk cohort as they are currently outside of the realms of socio-cultural contexts, with higher education expectations and delay of marriage customs. As the results cannot be generalised to the entire migrant youth population due to the small sample size of only 20 young migrants' narratives, the need for further research on a larger sample might provide more insight into current realities of transitioning young migrants who lives outside of the boundaries of current socio-cultural paradigms.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An exploration of young women's perceptions and experiences of participating in HIV prevention vaccine clinical trials in Nyanga Township in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (2013) Nandudu, Norah; John-Langba, Johannes
    HIV and AIDS has severely inflicted suffering on the global population and reported to be the worst killer disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Preventive measures such as condom use among young people is still low and less effective in preventing the spread of the disease, it was recommended by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS (2001) to accelerate the development of HIV vaccine aimed at curbing the disease. This study sought to explore young women’s experiences and perceptions about HIV prevention vaccine clinical trials so as to inform the design and implementation of vaccine trials in Africa. The study employed purposive sampling to interview 27 participants using semi-structured interview schedule. A tape recorder was used to capture data and coding procedures were used to analyze data. Findings drawn from participants’ responses and compared with literature from previous studies on vaccine trials and social development theories indicate that participants decide to join HIV prevention vaccine clinical trials because they hope to be protected from HIV infection. Most importantly participants hope to get access to medical care and treatment, meanwhile some participants perceived HIV vaccines harmful to humans hence they usually decline to participate. The study also identified study participation challenges related to socio-cultural and historical aspects. Although vaccines have had some success stories in the prevention and control of infectious diseases such as the eradication of polio, smallpox and measles, prevailing challenges need to be addressed if vaccine development is to be feasible. Providing more information, reinforcement of community awareness and mobilization around issues of HIV vaccine clinical trials at all levels of vaccine design and implementation is required to ensure appropriateness and acceptability of vaccine trial participation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An explorative study of false allegations of child sexual abuse in divorce and custody proceedings in South Africa
    (2015) Robinson, Tanya Marie; John-Langba, Johannes
    False child sexual abuse allegations in divorce and custody proceedings are a disconcerting problem in South Africa having devastating effects on the family unit going through a divorce, and on society as a whole. Limited research has been done in South Africa on the subject matter (Janse Van Rensburg, 2008; McDonald, 1998; Preller, 2014).This study utilize General System's Theory, the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Crisis Theory to explore the subject matter. An explorative qualitative approach with a constructivist epistemology was utilised. The participants in this study involved thirty key informants, who included social workers, psychologists, counsellors and other professionals who specialise in divorce, custody and sexual abuse matters. A further five falsely accused parents and five accusing parents formed part of the sample. The data collection method used was that of in-depth interviews and research assistants were trained and appointed to gather the information. Notes were taken and the interviews were recorded to enable the necessary data analysis. Content and thematic data analyses were used to analyse the data and obtain the necessary results. The research findings indicate that false child sexual abuse allegations have a detrimental effect on the accused parent and explain the agony, severe trauma and emotional distress the falsely accused parent go through. There are various factors contributing towards false child sexual abuse allegations and results show that the impact of such allegations is11detrimental to the family system, the child and the falsely accused parent and brings disequilibrium to the family system that is very difficult to restore post-divorce. The mental health perspective on false child sexual abuse paints a rather bleak picture of the legal and social system and on adequately addressing the social issues at hand. Results highlight that false allegations are a complicated phenomenon and not all professionals nor the courts have the necessary skills to deal adequately with these matters. Research recommends amendments to South African Policy and Legislation, changes to the South African court system, and capacity building of mental health professionals. As this research is a ground-breaking study in South Africa, as no scientific research has been published on the subject matter, this study should be used as a basis for future research studies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An explorative study of the experiences and needs of foster carers of HIV psoitive children in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (2013) Warwick, Jenni-Kate; John-Langba, Johannes
    This explorative study of the experiences and needs of foster carers of HIV positive children in the Western Cape was carried out in order to gain an understanding about this particular group of foster carers and their subjective experiences and needs in relation to the care of their foster children. Foster care is currently the main form of care available to HIV positive children in South Africa, who are no longer in the care of their parents. For this reason, it is important to understand the challenges and needs of foster carers as they care for their foster children. It is hoped that some of the insights gained by this study may lead to further study in this field and could inform policy, planning and intervention.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Factors influencing utilization and adherence to Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS services in Rivers State, Nigeria
    (2019) Jumare, Fadila; John-Langba, Johannes
    Effectiveness of services for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) depends on viable and efficient health systems, adherence to and utilization of services. Despite strategies to provide access to PMTCT of HIV services, utilization of these services remain low in Nigeria thereby increasing child morbidity and mortality from HIV-related causes. Adherence to comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, for both the mother and baby, remain a challenge for HIV positive women. Utilizing the Health Belief Model and Social Support Theory, this qualitative study explores factors influencing utilization and adherence to PMTCT services by mothers living with HIV/AIDS in Rivers State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling procedures were used to select 40 study participants including 20 HIV positive mothers and 20 health care workers as key informants. Findings indicate that high self-perceived susceptibility to HIV influences utilization and adherence to PMTCT services among mothers living with HIV and AIDS in Rivers State. Although utilization and adherence to PMTCT were reported very high among this population, there were however challenges and barriers to optimal utilization of PMTCT. These include unavailability of test kits, antiretroviral medication stock-outs, and inadequate human resources for health. High transport, PMTCT and antenatal care costs were identified as the major socio-economic barriers to PMTCT administration as well as the high financial burden of formula feeding for women that preferred exclusive formula feeding. In addition to increased numbers of health care workers trained in PMTCT service delivery, recommendations for a public health approach to service delivery and a streamlined primary care strategy are proposed. These include social and community activities to address HIV/AIDS stigma, improving awareness of PMTCT facts, addressing gender relations and encouraging male participation. Inter-ministerial collaborations and targeted partnerships are also recommended for expanding coverage and ensuring optimal utilization of PMTCT services.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Factors that influence the reporting of child sexual abuse amongst primary school teachers in South Africa: an application of the theory of planned behaviour
    (2017) Rule, Deirdre Margo; John-Langba, Johannes
    Child sexual abuse is a prevalent problem in South Africa – one in every three children is sexually abused before the age of 18. Sexually abused children have serious psychological, physical and social problems which cause further difficulties into adulthood. Most abusers are known to their victims and thus, victims do not always disclose the abuse. Therefore, the law compels the reporting of child sexual abuse suspicions by third parties. However, past research shows that mandated reporters do not always report child sexual abuse suspicions. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse amongst primary school teachers in South Africa. A cross-sectional research study, using self-administered survey questionnaires, was conducted amongst foundation phase teachers in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Grounded on the theory of planned behaviour, this study investigated the relationships between various independent variables with the teacher's intention to report child sexual abuse. The independent variables tested included the teachers' attitude towards reporting, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, knowledge on mandatory reporting, past reporting behaviour and socio-demographic characteristics of teachers. From a total population of 1118 public primary schools (and estimated 9542 foundation phase teachers), using stratified random sampling, a total of 2032 questionnaires were hand-delivered to 200 schools randomly selected across the Western Cape. A total of 399 foundation phase teachers participated in this study, representing a 20% response rate. This study found that about 25% of teachers had reported at least one case of child sexual abuse during their teaching career. About 7% of the teachers in this study had encountered instances in which they had failed to report suspected child sexual abuse. Subjective norm and perceived behavioural control (but not attitude towards reporting) was found to predict intention to report amongst teachers. A teacher who reported child sexual abuse in the past as well as a teacher with more accurate knowledge on mandatory reporting, was more likely to have intention to report in the future. Contrary to that posited by the theory of planned behaviour, attitude towards reporting did not mediate the relationship between past reporting behaviour and intention to report nor the relationship between knowledge on mandatory reporting and intention to report. The study further found that older teachers with more years teaching experience, although having a lower education level, were more likely to report their suspicions. Younger teachers, with less teaching experience, although better educated than their older counterparts, indicated less likelihood of reporting. The theory of planned behaviour, although significant, could not on its own effectively be applied to teachers' intention to report child sexual abuse and further investigation identified other explanatory factors that influenced teachers' intention to report. Given the high prevalence of child sexual abuse, the results have important implications. Whilst the teachers' age, years teaching experience or past reporting behaviour cannot be controlled, teachers must be adequately trained and supported. Knowing how to recognize and report child sexual abuse must be integrated into the tertiary education qualifications of student teachers as well as in continuing in-service training initiatives of current teachers. Furthermore, schools and the entire child protection system, must be supportive to teachers in their reporting duties.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa - the perceptions of men who have sex with men: about HIV/AIDS-related healthcare policies, services, and interventions targeting them
    (2013) Madzima, Gamuchirai; John-Langba, Johannes
    Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people shoulder disproportionate levels of marginalisation, poor health access and HIV-disease in nearly every nation where reliable data is available. Much of what is known about medical and civil society-based research in South Africa on HIV/AIDS has mainly been on heterosexual or vertical transmission. Comparatively little is known about HIV and MSM despite MSM in Africa being three times more likely (Adbool Karim & Abdool Karim, 2005) to be HIV-infected than the general population (Lane, et al, 2009). In South Africa, strategies to address HIV/AIDS among MSM were included for the very first time in the 2007-2011 National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan pointing; to the extent to which MSM have been excluded from both national policy and intervention strategies. Using a qualitative approach, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of MSM about HIV/AIDS related healthcare policies, services and interventions targeting them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with MSM and key informants about HIV/AIDS responses targeted at MSM in South Africa. Findings show that MSM are generally unaware about specific HIV/AIDS-related healthcare policies addressing their needs. Although the majority of MSM are aware of where to access HIV counseling, testing and treatment services, however discrimination, harassment and insensitivity particularly in public health-care settings impaired client or patient rapport, thereby creating barriers to meaningful access and utilization of HIV-related services thereby marginalizing MSM from the health systems altogether.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An investigation into the social dimensions of mining in Africa : a case study of Kakanda city in the democratic republic of Congo
    (2013) Ilunga, Yvan Yenda; John-Langba, Johannes
    This study explores the social dimensions of mining activities in Kakanda, a mining city in the province of Katanga in the DRC. It investigates the social dimensions of mining activities in terms of community access to and utilisation of health services, education, and job creation. This study utilised a qualitative research approach to assess the sustainability of the livelihoods of people living in Kakanda and neighbouring communities. A total of 21 community members participated in the study, including women, men, the unemployed and mineworkers, as well as key informants. Key informant interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) were used to explore experiences and views with regard to mining activities in Kakanda. This study was theoretically informed by social cohesion theory, social capital theory, as well as empowerment theory. Findings were drawn from the responses of the participants, and analysed with reference to literature that have discussed similar issues. It was found that although mining activities have created new social and cultural forms and interconnections within communities, yet poverty is not alleviated or reduced, and people’s livelihoods are not sustainable. Good health services, education and employment are not yet guaranteed to all community members, which constitute a major threat to human development and the security for people in Kakanda and the surrounding communities.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Predictors of condoms use behaviour and intentions of African migrant youth in South Africa
    (2016) Shishane, Kwanele; John-Langba, Johannes
    Although the prognosticators of condom use among youth in South Africa have been extensively studied, very little is known about the attitudes and subjective norms influencing sexual behaviours that could influence safe sex intentions among the population of migrant youth in South Africa. This study aims to investigate the predictors of condom use behaviour and intentions among migrant youth in South Africa and examines the influences of acculturation on the relationship between condom use intention and behaviour among this population. This was done through the exploration of the nature and extent of condom use; condom use behaviour; acculturation and condom use behaviour; association between acculturation and intentions to use condom use; association between intention and condom use behaviour; and perceived behavioural control and condom use behaviour among African migrant youth. Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and Berry's model of acculturation provided the theoretical framework for the empirical investigation of the study. The current study utilized a sexually active sample (N=91) of youth African migrants residing in Cape Town, with ages ranging 18-35 years. Age proportion by percentage was 18-25 at 46.2%, 26-3 at 30.8% and 32-35 years at 20.8%. A cross sectional quantitative research design was utilized and a time location non-probability sampling procedure was assumed in this study. Participants were recruited through a non-profit organisations working with African migrants in Cape Town. The instrument used was an anonymous semi-structured questionnaire consisting of five measures that assess the central study variables and a demographic section. Results indicate that attitudes had an insignificant relationship with condom use behaviour. Referent group norms had a .378 correlation (significant at 0.01 level) which indicate that peer norms had an influence on condom use behavior. Hierarchical multiple analyses were conducted, attitudes and subjective norms were entered in the first step explaining 15% of the variance on condom use behaviour. After entry of perceived behavioral control and intentions at step 2 the total variance explained by the model as whole was 22.7%. The two control measures explained an additional 7.7%, this means that perceived behavioral control and intentions explain an additional 7.7% (.077x100) of the variance in condom use behaviour of variance on condom use behaviour, even when the effects of attitudes and subjective norms are statistically controlled for. With respect to gender differences, females reported less condom use compared to males. This study concludes that, the central study variables did not have a highly significant correlation with condom use behaviour, with attitudes having the least significance. This study identified barriers to condom use such as culture and religion emphasize the need for future interventions to target popular opinion leaders (POL's) so as to influence cultural and religious beliefs that might have an impact on condom use.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Social capital and utilization of HIV/ AIDS-related healthcare in rural Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe
    (2016) Mucheri, Tolbert; John-Langba, Johannes
    This study examined the relationship between social capital and utilization of HIV/AIDSrelated healthcare amongst people living with HIV in rural Matabeleland South province of Zimbabwe. It also explored barriers to optimal HIV/AIDS-related healthcare utilization among this rural population. Grounded on the Andersen and Newman model of healthcare utilization and social capital theory, the study employed a mixed method research design. Using time-location sampling procedure, a total of 399 people living with HIV were interviewed using a survey questionnaire. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were also conducted with 40 purposively selected key informants that included healthcare workers, HIV/AIDS service providers and community leaders. A statistically significant association was found between social capital and healthcare utilization. The binary logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ² (11) =129.362, (p < .005), it correctly classified 80.20% of cases and explained 59.3% of the variance in healthcare utilization (Nagelkerke R-Square =59.30%). The 16 items of the social capital scale were subjected to principal compoments analysis (PCA). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of sampling adequacy was 0.645 and Bartletts's Test of Spehericity reached statistical significance (χ² (120) = 128, p < .001), supporting the factorability of the correlation matrix. Social capital was a significant predictor of HIV/AIDS-related healthcare utilization (p<0.001). The results indicated that for a unit increase in social capital the odds of utilization of HIV/AIDS-related healthcare increased by a factor of 59.84. Other significant predictors of HIV/AID-related healthcare utilization amongst the study participants were gender (p<.05, odds ratio=3.4), discrimination (p<.05, odds ratio = 7.7) and household headship (p<.001, odds ratio = 4.3). Enabling factors such as membership in health insurance schemes and household income had no significant effect on HIV/AIDS-related healthcare utilization. Major barriers to HIV/AIDS-related healthcare utilization were food insecurity and reliance on informal sources of medication. This study contributed to understanding of the influences of social capital on the utilization of HIV/AIDS-related health care and underscored the need to integrate social capital in designing interventions to improve HIV/AIDS-related healthcare utilization in rural contexts.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The applicability of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to the condom use intentions and behaviour of migrant youth in South Africa
    (2020) Tantoh, Aunt Manyongo Mosima; John-Langba, Johannes
    The study titled “The applicability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to the condom use intentions and behavior of migrant youth in South Africa” explores the predictors of condom use behavior and intentions of migrant youth in SA. It examines the influence of acculturation on the relationship between condom use intention and actual behavior. The background portrays migration ordeal as a current trend plaguing the socioeconomic global fabric with an increasing flow rate in Africa. Conversely, South Africa's (SA) economy and political position attracts an influx of youth migrants in compromised situations rendering them vulnerable to various diseases such as HIVAIDS. The conceptual dimension of the study was substantiated by two major theories, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Berry's theory of acculturation. In the salient phase of this dissertation, an elicitation qualitative study was conducted six months prior to the commencement with a sample size of 20. The purpose was to formulate the basis of this thesis, as informed by the theory of planned behavior and reasoned action, through in-depth open-ended questions. The study proper utilized a cross-sectional survey design in the 18 to 35 years cohort. The questions formation and design in the current quantitative study was informed by the findings of the elicitation study. Acculturation was used as a mediating variable. Similarly, Data was entered using EpiData Version 3.1 and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Standard version. In this study; the sample size probabilistically estimated to 500 participants. However, the data base that was validated following exploratory statistics was made of 454 participants from 31 countries with a return rate of 90.8%. The research findings indicated a Less than half of migrants in South Africa had a positive attitude towards the use of condoms, with a weight of 43.6%. The findings highlighted that pre-disposition to use condom is highly predicted by attitude. Less than half of migrants in S.A. had a positive attitude towards the use of condoms based on subjective norms, with a weight of 43.2% and this could explain why they had positive attitude towards condom only to a low extent. It was therefore recommended that the government of S.A. should improve on the regularization of migrants as to foster access to health care and so far, their self-efficacy. Parents should be sensitized on the need to enhance the use of condom by their teenager, sensitization of youth migrants in S.A. on risky sex behavior and notably the need to use condom should be increased and a model to enhance condom use shall consider all the predictive components because their combined effects strengthen intention and so far, the potential to act or behavioral outcome.