A.K. Tugli

Stakeholders' Perception and Experience of Inclusive Education: A Case of a Further Education and Training College in South Africa

Abstract Inclusive education is a process of addressing and responding to the diversity of needs of learners through increasing participation by all categories of learners in the learning environment. A qualitative approach using a phenomenological case study was adopted for this study. The study explored and described the experiences of learners (including a learner with disabilities), staff, and the institutional management team with respect to inclusive practices in Sekhukhume Further Education and Training (FET) College in South Africa. The study found that the institution in question lacked the necessary resources and managerial capacity to implement fully inclusive educational programmes that will meet the special needs of all learners in the institution in question. The provision of resources, professional development of lecturers, capacitating the institutional management and putting monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place can go a long wayin ensuring that inclusive needs of learners with disabilities are met.

Investigating the accessibility factors that influence antenatal care services utilisation in Mangwe district, Zimbabwe

Background Maternal and infant mortality remains a huge public health problem in developing countries. One of the strategies to minimise the risks of both maternal and infant mortality is access to and utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) services. Aim This study aimed to investigate the accessibility factors that influence the use of ANC services in Mangwe district. Methods A qualitative approach using explorative design was adopted to target women who have babies under 1 year of age. The study was conducted in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South province, Zimbabwe. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observations. Data saturation was reached after 15 women who were conveniently sampled were interviewed. Field notes were analysed thematically using Tech’s steps. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria ensured trustworthiness of the study findings. Results Accessibility factors such as lack of transport, high transport costs and long distances to health care facilities, health care workers’ attitudes, type and quality of services as well as delays in receiving care influence women’s utilisation of ANC services in Mangwe district, Zimbabwe. Conclusion The study concluded that women were still facing problems of unavailability of nearby clinics; therefore, it was recommended that the government should avail resources for women to use. Recommendations Mangwe District Health Department should provide mobile clinics rendering ANC services in distant rural areas.

Inclusive Policy and Service Needs Survey among Students with Disabilities in an Institution of Higher Education

Abstract Policy and service needs can be crucial in strengthening educational inclusion for students with disabilities in educational institutions. However, inclusive policies and acts have challenges in terms ofimplementation on the ground. This paper examines inclusive policy and service needs of students with disabilitiesat the University of Venda. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design using questionnaires tocollect data. Of the 132 questionnaires administered, 67 were returned. The participants’ ages ranged between 19and 44 years and 34 (50.7%) were males. Almost 2 in 5 (41.8%) were mobility impaired, whilst 10 (15.0%)participants indicated that there was a need for an all-inclusive policy in the institution, about a quarter (25.5%)indicated the need to improve safety and sanitation services. The findings suggest that needs of students withdisabilities heavily outweigh the existing inclusive policy practices. Hence, disability policies should be informedby the needs of affected students.

Youth, Youth Culture and Socialisation in the Present Technological Era in a Rural Village of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract Young people are seen to be adopting and practicing peculiar norms that are contradictory to those of their societies. These unique modes of youth expression lead to the stereotyping of the young people and ultimately their marginalisation. This paper aimed at exploring how youth culture contributes to the socialisation of youth at Phiphidi village in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. 40 people participated in this quantitative descriptive survey. A purposive sampling technique was used to choose the respondents located at two popular youth hangouts. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires. The findings revealed that the respondents belonged to some form of a group in their community, which were either formal or informal. The respondents’ peers played a role in shaping personalities as they were kept abreast with the latest trends, be it information, music or fashion. The use of technology was primary for this group and it was used to establish and maintain relationships, to explore the latest trends and to discuss school issues to an extent. This paper implies youth culture has a role to play in the socialisation of the youth.

Absent Fatherhood: Implications for Single Mother Families in the Odi Region, South Africa

Abstract Absent fatherhood is becoming a norm not only in South Africa, but also globally.This paper explored the level of involvement of absent fathers in the lives of their children fromthe perspective of single mothers. A total of 54 single mothers who were purposively sampled completed a self-administered questionnaire.The findings of the study revealed that a considerable number of respondents became mothers at a young age.The study also found that the majority of the fathers opted not to have contact with their children, whereas those who did barely or marginally participated in all aspects of child care and support responsibilities. Absent fatherhood wrecks and polarises children and families, and as such extended family members, community leaders and social welfare organizations must closely work together to prevent broken homes and marriages.

Menopause, Culture and Sex among Rural Women

Abstract The study intended to explore and describe culture, sex and menopause among rural women of Vhembe District Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study was a qualitative and explorative, using phenomelogical approach. Purposive sampling was used to select the four villages and to select participants for the focus groups. Sample size was determined by data saturation. Four focus groups interviews were conducted to collect data guided by one central question which was “Please tell me about menopause, culture and sex in the villages”. Tesch’s open coding methods of qualitative data analysis were used. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical issues were observed. The study findings were that at the girls’ initiation schools and high schools as part of culture, topics such as menstruation and sex formed part of the teaching and were emphasised while menopause and sex were not mentioned anywhere and were not given a priority even amongst villagers. Recommendations were that menopausal topics should be emphasised and receive priority at the girls initiation schools, high schools, churches and in the communities so that when women reach menopause they should be aware and be able to effectively cope with menopause from midlife.

Availability of and Access to Health and HIV/ AIDS Prevention Services for Youths in Rural Secondary Schools in South Africa

Abstract The study assessed the accessibility and availability of health and HIV prevention services for rural secondary learners in Malelane Sub-district of South Africa. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data from a total of 242 randomly selected learners aged 15 to 22 years yielding 69.1 percent response rate. On the question of access to health facilities, 93.7 percent and 85.5 percent reported accessing the clinic and the hospital respectively. Whilst almost 3 in 4 respondents reported receiving HIV information, only a quarter took part in the HIV/AIDS awareness programme. Though most (98.3%) of the respondents in the study reported being aware of the availability of free condoms, 57.1 percent indicated that they were too scared or afraid to access condoms. The study also established significant differences between gender and participation in promotion of condom use (p=0.03) and awareness of family planning services (p=0.02). Though the findings indicated that health and HIV/AIDS prevention services were available and accessible in terms of physical location of health facilities, utilization of such services was a challenge. To promote and enhance effective utilization of such services, there is the need for the creation of a permissive and conducive youth-friendly climate around health facilities through appropriate HIV/AIDS health education and promotion.

Extra-curricular Encounters and Needs in the Learning Environment:: The Case of Students with Disabilities at University of Venda

Abstract This paper investigated the encounters and needs of students with disability with regard to their extracurricular activities at the University of Venda. A descriptive design was employed in which questionnaires were administered to 67 students with disabilities (aged 19 to 44 years) at the University of Venda. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Among the findings, 27(40.5%) of the participants indicated that there was a need for equipment, support and funds for the promotion of disabled sporting activities and recreation. It is, therefore, recommended that the Department of Higher Education and Training must support all educational institutions to promote extra-curricular activities including indoor and outdoor games that will cater for all categories of disabilities.

Home-based carers' perceptions of health promotion on sexual health communication in Vhembe District

Background The introduction of home-based care in rural communities in the 1980s contributed immensely toward the upliftment of the personal and environmental health of communities. Women’s groups provided health promotion skills and health education to communities and made a difference in health-related behaviour change. Objective The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the home-based carers’ perception regarding health promotion concerning sexual health communication in Vhembe district, in the context of HIV, amongst communities still rooted in their culture. Method A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was used in order to understand home-based carers’ perceptions regarding health promotion on sexual health communication amongst rural communities which may adversely impact on health promotion practices. The population were home-based organisations in Vhembe. The sample was purposive and randomly selected and data were gathered through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and focus groups which determined data saturation. Open coding was used for analysis of data. Results The results indicated that sexual communication was absent in most relationships and was not seen as necessary amongst married couples. Socioeconomic conditions, power inequity and emotional dependence had a negative impact on decision making and sexual communication. Conclusion This study, therefore, recommends that educational and outreach efforts should focus on motivating change by improving the knowledge base of home-based carers. Since they are health promoters, they should be able to change the perceptions of the communities toward sexually-transmitted infections and HIV by promoting sexual health communication.

Knowledge of Disability Rights and the Social Encounters of Students with Disabilities in a Tertiary Institution in South Africa

Abstract This study explored the knowledge of disability rights among students with disabilities and their social encounters in a tertiary institution in South Africa. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative design where self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19 as well as the Microsoft Excel. From the results, 50.7% of the participants were males, and the majority (41.8%) was morbidity impaired. Whilst at least 76% of the participants were aware of all disability rights, about a third (31.3%) of the respondents reported being verbally abused as compared with other forms of abuses such as physical abuse (4.5%) and sexual harassment (3.0%). In addition, 37.3% of the participants indicated that they experienced stigmatization. Though the study found that an overwhelming majority (76%) of participants were aware of all disability rights, but their social experiences greatly fell short of the rights they should be accorded. The study, therefore, recommends the need to design and embark on ‘disability rights’ awareness and enforcement programmes among the entire university institutions.