Mental healthcare users’ perceptions of mental health services at a primary healthcare level
- Authors: Zwane, Siphelele
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Mental health services South Africa Makhanda , Primary care (Medicine) , Mental health consumer , Mental health education South Africa , Help-seeking
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478372 , vital:78181
- Description: This study interrogates the complexities of mental healthcare in primary healthcare settings, focusing on the experiences and perceptions of participants within the Makana municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, which is characterised by a low socio-economic status. The matter of mental healthcare is of great significance within the context of South Africa, a country grappling with multifaceted challenges. Over the years, mental health has progressed from being marginalised to being more widely acknowledged. While the integration into tertiary and urban healthcare settings has become smoother, primary healthcare has encountered numerous obstacles. This presents a concern, due to the socioeconomic difficulties faced by individuals accessing primary care, which predispose them to mental health issues. Consequently, it is imperative to conduct research focusing on the experiences and perspectives of mental healthcare users within primary healthcare, a relatively underexplored area. The primary objective of the current research study was to contribute to the existing knowledge base, providing valuable insights for relevant stakeholders and policymakers, such as the National Mental Health Policy Framework 2023-2030, to reference when formulating strategies to enhance the integration of mental healthcare into primary healthcare. The study used purposive sampling to interview mental healthcare users within the Makana municipality. Employing a qualitative design facilitated in-depth dialogue between the participants and the researcher, generating valuable data. Thematic Analysis was employed to analyse and present meaningful data, providing an overview of the participants' shared experiences. The study identified four significant themes: the utility of primary health clinic; the urgent need for mental health education; socioeconomics, and mental health, and the complex dynamics of help-seeking behaviours. The findings underscore the pressing need to integrate quality mental health into PHC, emphasising the importance of mental health education, increased resources, task-sharing, and the prioritisation of both physical and mental illnesses. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
- Authors: Zwane, Siphelele
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Mental health services South Africa Makhanda , Primary care (Medicine) , Mental health consumer , Mental health education South Africa , Help-seeking
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478372 , vital:78181
- Description: This study interrogates the complexities of mental healthcare in primary healthcare settings, focusing on the experiences and perceptions of participants within the Makana municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, which is characterised by a low socio-economic status. The matter of mental healthcare is of great significance within the context of South Africa, a country grappling with multifaceted challenges. Over the years, mental health has progressed from being marginalised to being more widely acknowledged. While the integration into tertiary and urban healthcare settings has become smoother, primary healthcare has encountered numerous obstacles. This presents a concern, due to the socioeconomic difficulties faced by individuals accessing primary care, which predispose them to mental health issues. Consequently, it is imperative to conduct research focusing on the experiences and perspectives of mental healthcare users within primary healthcare, a relatively underexplored area. The primary objective of the current research study was to contribute to the existing knowledge base, providing valuable insights for relevant stakeholders and policymakers, such as the National Mental Health Policy Framework 2023-2030, to reference when formulating strategies to enhance the integration of mental healthcare into primary healthcare. The study used purposive sampling to interview mental healthcare users within the Makana municipality. Employing a qualitative design facilitated in-depth dialogue between the participants and the researcher, generating valuable data. Thematic Analysis was employed to analyse and present meaningful data, providing an overview of the participants' shared experiences. The study identified four significant themes: the utility of primary health clinic; the urgent need for mental health education; socioeconomics, and mental health, and the complex dynamics of help-seeking behaviours. The findings underscore the pressing need to integrate quality mental health into PHC, emphasising the importance of mental health education, increased resources, task-sharing, and the prioritisation of both physical and mental illnesses. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
Perceptions and reflections of primary healthcare professionals on mental health services in Makhanda
- Authors: Piliso, Zandisiwe
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Primary care (Medicine) , Mental health services South Africa Makhanda , Medical personnel , Ecological Systems Theory , Mental health personnel South Africa Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478344 , vital:78179
- Description: Primary mental healthcare in South Africa is still in its early stages, despite policies that have been developed, such as the National Mental Health Framework Policy. Provinces such as the Eastern Cape are far behind development, which can be attributed to limited resources. The scarcity has been noted in the literature, but not extensively. Literature concentrated on healthcare professionals’ perspectives towards primary health greatly narrow, particularly in the Makhanda area. With the integration of primary mental health services, healthcare workers’ viewpoints have impacted on service delivery. This study aims to add knowledge and explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals on primary mental healthcare in Makhanda. The ecological systems theory was used as a theoretical framework for the study. Thematic analysis was used to examine the healthcare professionals’ insights and to extract meaning for the participants involved in the study. Thirteen participants were used, using purposive sampling in four primary healthcare settings. Data were collected using semi-structured and one-on-one interviews. The study revealed three themes including, (i) Scarcity of Mental Health Services, (ii) Mental Health Literacy, (iii) Barriers to the Provision and Use of Physical and Mental Health Services. The findings suggest that there are limited mental health care services in primary care and that there is a gap between service provision and physical and mental healthcare. The data also revealed that mental health literacy is limited, which links to the stigma around mental illness. Furthermore, evidence points out that more mental health education, human resources and training of healthcare professionals would further improve the mental health services in the Makhanda area. In addition, there are barriers to the provision of not only primary mental health care but healthcare, as well as a lack of medical equipment, human resources, and structural space that make it difficult for healthcare professionals to perform their jobs and affect clinic functioning, at times. Another barrier is that the perception of mental health service provision is simultaneously viewed in a positive and negative light and mainly received negatively by service users. In conclusion, healthcare professionals experience a deficiency of resources and a limited provision of mental healthcare, which highlights the lack of implementation of policies that have developed nationally and globally. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
- Authors: Piliso, Zandisiwe
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Primary care (Medicine) , Mental health services South Africa Makhanda , Medical personnel , Ecological Systems Theory , Mental health personnel South Africa Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478344 , vital:78179
- Description: Primary mental healthcare in South Africa is still in its early stages, despite policies that have been developed, such as the National Mental Health Framework Policy. Provinces such as the Eastern Cape are far behind development, which can be attributed to limited resources. The scarcity has been noted in the literature, but not extensively. Literature concentrated on healthcare professionals’ perspectives towards primary health greatly narrow, particularly in the Makhanda area. With the integration of primary mental health services, healthcare workers’ viewpoints have impacted on service delivery. This study aims to add knowledge and explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals on primary mental healthcare in Makhanda. The ecological systems theory was used as a theoretical framework for the study. Thematic analysis was used to examine the healthcare professionals’ insights and to extract meaning for the participants involved in the study. Thirteen participants were used, using purposive sampling in four primary healthcare settings. Data were collected using semi-structured and one-on-one interviews. The study revealed three themes including, (i) Scarcity of Mental Health Services, (ii) Mental Health Literacy, (iii) Barriers to the Provision and Use of Physical and Mental Health Services. The findings suggest that there are limited mental health care services in primary care and that there is a gap between service provision and physical and mental healthcare. The data also revealed that mental health literacy is limited, which links to the stigma around mental illness. Furthermore, evidence points out that more mental health education, human resources and training of healthcare professionals would further improve the mental health services in the Makhanda area. In addition, there are barriers to the provision of not only primary mental health care but healthcare, as well as a lack of medical equipment, human resources, and structural space that make it difficult for healthcare professionals to perform their jobs and affect clinic functioning, at times. Another barrier is that the perception of mental health service provision is simultaneously viewed in a positive and negative light and mainly received negatively by service users. In conclusion, healthcare professionals experience a deficiency of resources and a limited provision of mental healthcare, which highlights the lack of implementation of policies that have developed nationally and globally. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
Linkage to care of HIV clients following diagnosis in Engcobo Sub-district, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mthini, Sandiso
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Primary care (Medicine) , HIV infections AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27017 , vital:66223
- Description: Background: “Linkage to care” is an essential strategy in place for the retention of HIV diagnosed clients on treatment. It is vital throughout the management and care of an HIV client. Aim of the study was to explore the effectiveness of “linkage to care” of HIV clients following the diagnosis in the Engcobo sub-district, Eastern cape. Methodology: Qualitative, explorative, descriptive study design was used to explore and describe the effectiveness of “linkage to care” of HIV clients following diagnosis in the Engcobo sub-district. The population for the study were all healthcare workers, who are involved in the program of “linkage to care” of HIV positive clients. Purposive Sampling was used to select professional nurses, Community healthcare workers, Lay counsellors, linkage officers who are involved in the linkage of HIV positive patients and the facility managers whom their facilities provide HIV care services. Interview guide was used to collect data and Tesch’s method was used to analyse data. Findings: Themes that emerged from the study were flexible time to “linkage to care”; use of different policies; administration; team activities and “linkage to care” benefits. Recommendations: Training on “linkage to care”; case management model; TIER.NET system upgrade/ linkage App development, patient information packs; standardised extended hours; transport assistance/outreach mobile services. Conclusion “Linkage to care” is a team effort, it needs collaboration and knowledge. Despite the implementation of a linkage program, there are challenges that the department of health needs to act on as addressed on researcher’s recommendations. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mthini, Sandiso
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Primary care (Medicine) , HIV infections AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27017 , vital:66223
- Description: Background: “Linkage to care” is an essential strategy in place for the retention of HIV diagnosed clients on treatment. It is vital throughout the management and care of an HIV client. Aim of the study was to explore the effectiveness of “linkage to care” of HIV clients following the diagnosis in the Engcobo sub-district, Eastern cape. Methodology: Qualitative, explorative, descriptive study design was used to explore and describe the effectiveness of “linkage to care” of HIV clients following diagnosis in the Engcobo sub-district. The population for the study were all healthcare workers, who are involved in the program of “linkage to care” of HIV positive clients. Purposive Sampling was used to select professional nurses, Community healthcare workers, Lay counsellors, linkage officers who are involved in the linkage of HIV positive patients and the facility managers whom their facilities provide HIV care services. Interview guide was used to collect data and Tesch’s method was used to analyse data. Findings: Themes that emerged from the study were flexible time to “linkage to care”; use of different policies; administration; team activities and “linkage to care” benefits. Recommendations: Training on “linkage to care”; case management model; TIER.NET system upgrade/ linkage App development, patient information packs; standardised extended hours; transport assistance/outreach mobile services. Conclusion “Linkage to care” is a team effort, it needs collaboration and knowledge. Despite the implementation of a linkage program, there are challenges that the department of health needs to act on as addressed on researcher’s recommendations. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
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