Change and Challenge
University of the Witwatersrand (Onsite)
Teenagers' Perceptions, Utilization and Expectations of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Ekurhuleni Township, South Africa: Making Services Responsive View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Busisiwe Nkala Dlamini
Programmes such as Friendly Clinic Initiative (NAFCI) accredited youth-friendly services (YFS) in South Africa have addressed issues such as HIV prevalence, sexual activity and condom use, but appear to have failed to significantly reduce the incidence of pregnancy among learners who are still at school. This research sought to explore perceptions and experiences on the responsiveness of YFS in preventing unintended teenage pregnancy, from the viewpoints of teenage girls and boys in the township of Ekurhuleni (South Africa). This mixed-methods study included narratives with 15 pregnant or teenage mothers, six focus groups, and a survey of 233 teenage boys and girls. Qualitative and quantitative data were assessed separately with thematic and descriptive analyses, respectively, and the outcomes were compared, combined and discussed, where applicable. All interviews were audio-recorded and field notes compiled. This study’s results extend beyond access to health services and highlights that teenagers encountered a number of struggles in their everyday lives, including peer pressure, concerns regarding parental care, and anxiety around health. The results suggest several possible non-conventional approaches that could be implemented to improve the provision of sexual and reproductive health, such as community involvement in supporting young people, heightened parental involvement and roles and bringing services to young people, e.g. at schools and shops. Learners and teenagers in the study believe it is essential to have trained social workers, psychologists and health workers to deliver sexual and reproductive health services in the school context.
Featured The Role of Social Workers in the Outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic in South Africa View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Zintle Ntshongwana
The world is facing a global health, human, economic and social crisis (COVID-19), one that is killing people, spreading human suffering, and upending people’s lives. This has brought far-reaching changes in all aspects of our lives. Social work as a practice-based profession promotes social change, development, cohesion and the empowerment of people and communities. In crisis situations, social workers use different theories and models to help people cope. This paper therefore explores the role that social workers play in easing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on people in South Africa. A review of the COVID-19 pandemic, social work practice and COVID-19, the role of social work practice during pandemic are included.
Featured Trust, Motivation, and Barriers in a “Hurry up and Vaccinate” Environment: Vaccine Uptake among Black Americans View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Bobi Ivanov, Adam E. Tristan, Jardin Dogan-Dixon, Sarah A. Geegan, Kimberly A. Parker
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, research is needed to translate knowledge of vaccine attitudes into strategic interventions aiming to increase vaccine uptake. The current study gleaned formative data on vaccination attitudes among underserved Black populations, which can then be used to strategically design messages grounded in theories of persuasion. The goal is to promote vaccination among hesitant Black populations. Specifically, researchers facilitated community-engaged focus groups and individual interviews to better understand Black individuals’ attitudes about COVID-19 vaccine uptake. In partnership with predominantly Black churches and a local university, investigators recruited community members to share their perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines. This audience insight is useful as individuals who remain hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccines may require targeted, sophisticated interventions.
Young Carers during the Pandemic in the US: Experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease and Communities of Color View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Melinda Kavanaugh
The abrupt onset and extended timeline of the Covid-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for informal caregivers exacerbated in communities of color, who even before the pandemic struggled with accessing adequate care and high levels of in-home care. Care in communities of color is largely provided by family members, including children and youth, under the age of 18. Yet how this care was impacted by the pandemic is just being understood. Twenty qualitative phone interviews with African American and Latino youth between the ages of 12-19 were conducted to assess how the Covid pandemic affected their care and well-being of themselves and the care recipient. Participants (n=20), self-described as females n=15 and males n=5. Equally African American, n = 10, Latino n = 9. All participants provided daily care with bathing, dressing, and transferring for a grandparent with ADRD prior to pandemic. Several themes emerged reflecting their changed care experience during Covid: 1) increased worry, 2) decline of care recipient, 3) lack of outside assistance, 4) impacting school performance and attendance and 5) influenced own well-being. All youth described less access to assistance, and overall, a lack of support during the pandemic. Potential for increased disadvantage exists for young carers during the pandemic, particularly in communities of color who have fewer access and supports access and supports. Thus, minority youth who are providing care during a global health crisis may experience uniquely powerful stressors that requires additional support.
