Browsing by Author "Leon, Natalie H"

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    District health systems development : functional integration at joint primary health care facilities in the Western Cape
    (2002) Leon, Natalie H; Barron, Peter
    South Africa has embarked on a range of health sector reforms since the start of the democratic government in 1994. The Primary Health Care approach has been accepted as a way of delivering cost effective, efficient and accessible comprehensive health care at the primary care level. The district health system has been promoted as the best model for the delivery of primary health care because it decentralizes power to the local, district level and it is able to integrate fragmented primary care services under one management and governance structure. In the absence of a formal, legal district health system, provincial and local government authorities have made efforts towards functional integration in primary health care. The establishment of shared health facilities with the aim of providing integrated, comprehensive health care is part of the effort towards functional integration. This study investigates the level of functional integration in joint health facilities between Local Authority (LA) and the Provincial Administration of the Western Cape (PAWC).
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    An evaluation of a provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) intervention for patients with sexually transmitted infections in Cape Town, South Africa
    (2011) Leon, Natalie H; Mathews, Catherine; Lewin, Simon
    The objectives of the study were to assess the impact of a PITC intervention on HIV test uptake rates and on access to HIV care, to evaluate the extent to which ethical principles were upheld in its implementation, and to examine the influence of implementation factors on the intervention.
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    Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers
    (1993) Leon, Natalie H; Levett, Ann
    This explorative, qualitative study examines the perceptions of mental health workers about self-help groups with adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Given limited formal mental health services in South Africa, self-help represents one informal alternative which could supplement mental health service provision. The study thus arises from a perspective which values self-help groups and is informed by the urgency of community needs in this area, and takes seriously the idea that it is possible and desirable for mental health care workers to facilitate and foster community support systems. Twenty-two indepth interviews were conducted with a sample of convenience which included eleven clinical psychologists, five psychiatrists, three social workers and three non-professionals and included interviewees from organizations currently engaged in issues relating to child sexual abuse. A semi-structured interview schedule was used and interviews were audio-taped. Interview responses were systematically analysed and common themes extracted around awareness of self-help, perceived benefits and problems of survivor self-help groups and the role of professionals. Main themes have been illustrated by verbatim transcriptions from audiotaped material. Most participants have had limited exposure to self-help groups. Whilst there was openness towards self-help with survivors, caution was expressed about dangers to clients in survivor groups which are not monitored by formally trained and accredited professionals. Selfhelp was considered useful mainly as an adjunct to formal services. Limited knowledge of self-help groups is a major determining factor informing professional perceptions. Recommendations for education of professionals are made in order to promote self-help groups and collaborative professional attitudes.