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Item Open Access Experiences of teenage mothers on social support in Nzhelele Community of Makhado Municipality(2017-09-18) Magwabeni, Hulisani Bridget; Mashamba, M. T.; Taka;lani, F. J.In South Africa, today, teenage pregnancy is on the increase, resulting in social and public health problems. The Department of Health (2002) indicates that, nationally 16.4% of the teenagers become pregnant every month. The Department also states that 26.4% of Grade 8 learners, 13.4% Grade 9 learners, 12.6% Grade 12 and 13.3% Grade 11 learners, fall pregnant every month. Many of these teenage mothers are confronted with various health problem, for example, HIV/AIDS, psychological (for example, high stress) and social problems (for example, lack of parenting skills, neglect, poverty, and low educational attainment). These problems have far-reaching consequences on the mothers. For example, many teenage mothers drop-out of school, attempt to commit suicide, as well as take part in prostitution and robbery. Many are unemployed and this puts the welfare of their children at risk. This research study was qualitative in nature. The exploratory phenomenological design was used in this study to explore the experiences or challenges of teenage mothers on social support as pregnancy interferes with all aspects of their lives. For example, it jeopardises teenage mothers’ relationships with their parents who are the main source of support for the young mothers. If this relationship is broken, it reduces the chances of the young mother’s success. These factors contribute to an inadequate parent-child interaction and diminish the infant’s development. Support during pregnancy and after birth is vital for a teenage mother. If her future and mental health are to be bright, then she needs to have strong social support. Non- probability sampling methods were used, namely purposive and snowball sampling. Pre-testing was done with four teenage mothers who had the same background as those in the main study. Data were collected from six teenage mothers through semistructured face to face interviews which required teenage mothers to answer a set of predetermined questions. The question asked allowed probing and clarification of answers. A tape recorder was used and the language used was Tshivenda. All ethical issues were adhered to throughout the study. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the collected data. The findings from the interviews were integrated to avoid repetition. From the analysed v data, the following themes emerged: Challenges experienced by teenage mothers; Support system for teenage mothers; and Coping strategies for teenage mothers. Analysis of data revealed that lack of social support for teenage mothers was a major problem and this was collaborated by literature. These findings revealed that teenage mothers experience many challenges compared to the support they get from significant others. In this study, the researcher found that doing field work with teenage mothers with low educational backgrounds is very challenging because they do not understand what research is all about. The researcher realised that there is more that South African needs to do to encourage people to support teenage mothers. Whilst the work done at Tshikuwi is appreciated, the researcher feels it is too little too late considering the number of teenage mothers who continue to lack support. The researcher recommends that teenage mothers who experience challenges should take the initiatives to start projects that will boost their confidence. Teachers who teach life science orientations should, in the meantime, focus on teaching learners about the consequences of not having support either from family or partners and communities.Item Open Access Knowledge among childbearing-age women regarding preconception healthcare services in the rural areas of Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District(2023-05-19) Kubayi, Refiloe Precious; Netshikweta, M. L.; Raliphaswa, N. S.Background: Although Preconception Care (PCC) and Reproductive Life Planning (RLP) programmes were established by the National Department of Health (NDoH) for all women of childbearing age, most women do not receive the services. Although PCC is free throughout South Africa, including the area where the current study focused, majority of childbearing women still persistently miss this freely provided indispensable services. Thus, infant, and maternal morbidity and mortality rates are rising among this age group. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge among childbearing-age women regarding preconception healthcare services in the rural area of Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe district. Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, and cross-sectional survey was adopted as the design followed for this study. The population for the study comprised all women of childbearing age who met the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate from rural area of Thulamela municipality in Vhembe district. Purposive sampling method was used in this study. 117 respondents were available and willing to participate in this study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Venda, permission to access facilities from the province, and consent from the respondent was sought. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 27, was used for data analysis. The data analysis and summaries employed descriptive statistics, frequencies, and percentages. Results: The findings showed that respondents (70,9%) were not aware of PCC in the Rural area of Thulamela municipality, Vhembe district while a minority (31.62%) reported that they could access PCC. Conclusion: In this study, the use of PCC services was shown to be poor. The study recommends strengthening information sharing, health education and communication activities. Awareness towards childbearing women regarding PCC should be increased.Item Open Access Lived experiences of mothers when providing Kangaroo mother care at the hospitals in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa(2018-09-21) Mulaudzi, Thivhavhudzi Mavis; Ndou, N. D.; Khoza, L. B.Each year, an estimated 3.6 million infants die worldwide in the first four weeks of life due to complications of premature birth. One-third of Low Birth Weight (LBW) babies die within the first 12 hours after delivery. The main reasons premature babies are at greater risk of illness and death is that they lack the ability to control their body temperature meaning that they get cold or hypothermic very quickly. Kangaroo Mother Care reduces mortality and if widely applied it could reduce deaths in premature newborn babies. The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the lived experiences of mothers when providing Kangaroo Mother Care at the hospitals in Vhembe District of Limpopo province. Qualitative approach with explorative descriptive, contextual and phenomenological designs were employed to explore the experiences of mothers when providing Kangaroo Mother Care. The study population consisted of all mothers who were providing Kangaroo Mother Care. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used to determine the sample of the study. The size of the sample was determined by data saturation. In-depth individual interviews were conducted using a central question. The Tesch’s eight steps of open-coding model guided the process to analyse data. Trustworthiness was ensured throughout by employing the principles of credibility, dependability, conformability, and transferability. Ethical considerations were followed to protect the participants. Recommendations were made based on the research findings. The findings of the study revealed that mothers who provide Kangaroo Mother Care experience challenges. They received inconsistent information about the practice of Kangaroo Mother Care from nurses. The relationship between mothers and nurses was good. Recomendations were made based on the findings and relevant structures in order to ensure that mothers challenges are addressed. The study revealed ineffective support provided to mothers by nurses and family members.Item Open Access Psychosocial distress associated with lived experiences of teenage mothers in a selected rural hospital in Collins Chabane Local Municipality, Vhembe District in Limpopo province(2023-05-19) Baloyi, Gezani Morris; Takalani, F. J.; Koko, B.Various studies conducted show that teenage mothers experience adversities such as depression and stigmatization. The main aim of the study was to explore psychosocial distress associated with lived experiences of teenage mothers in Malamulele rural hospital in Collins Chabane Local Municipality, Vhembe District in Limpopo province. The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological research strategy as well as a descriptive phenomenological research design. The population of the study were teenage mothers aged between 15 and 19 years. The researcher used non-probability sampling method to select participants purposively. A total of 15 participants were selected, and, the sample size was determined by data saturation. An interview guide was designed for data collection using semi-structured, face to face interviews. The simplified five step version of Hycner’s explicitation process guided the data analysis process. Ethical considerations were employed throughout the study. Four themes emerged from analysing the participants’ interview data. These themes include psychosocial and emotional distress, causes of distress, effects of distress and coping resources used by teenage mothers. Recommendations of the study were based on the findings of the study. The study concludes that psychosocial distress among teenage mothers is associated with ill-treatment by healthcare providers.Item Open Access The role of parents regarding teenage pregnancy and school attendance in the rural village of Thomo in Mopani District Limpopo Province(2019-09-20) Mnisi, Tlangelani Calvia; Lebese, R. T.; Maputle, M. S.The Department of Education has stated that parents and guardians may not be absolved from their responsibilities regarding their pregnant child, and they should take the lead in working with the school to support and monitor their child’s health and progress. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the role of parents regarding teenage pregnancy and school attendance in the rural village of Thomo in Mopani District Limpopo Province. The study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The population comprised of the selected parents and caregivers residing at Thomo village of Mopani District. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 parents and 5 caregivers. Sampling size was determined by data saturation. Data was collected through in-depth individual interviews, guided by unstructured questions, data analysis was through open coding. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, dependability, conformability and transferability and ethical issues were adhered to. One main theme with four sub - themes emerged from the raw data; namely, parents /caregivers skills and personal factors that affect behaviour change; parents / caregivers intention to change the teenagers’ behaviour; environmental and cultural factors as facilitators/ barriers to pregnancy prevention and parent-school partnerships. Recommendations were made that included the following: awareness campaigns regarding prevention of teenage pregnancy; establishment of the compulsory education subject; review of existing teenage pregnancy policies; engaging parents on youth programs; using churches to strengthen youth education on the dangers of sex before marriage; as well as capacitating parents on effective communication with their children.