Adolescents' lived experiences of substance abuse in the Greater Giyani Municipality

Background: Adolescence is a unique and distinct stage of development that involves changes in the physical, psychological and social aspects of adolescents. It is a critical transition into adulthood whereby heightened risk-taking and sensation-seeking takes place, such as substance abuse. In a South African context, this transition sometimes occurs under economic stress, poverty, unemployment, high levels of crime and political instability. This can place adolescents at risk of substance abuse. Objectives: To explore and describe the lived experiences of adolescents abusing substances in the Greater Giyani Municipality in the Limpopo province, South Africa. Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design with a phenomenological approach was used. Data were collected through individual, in-depth, phenomenological interviews and field notes. Thematic coding was utilised to analyse the collected data, and literature was reviewed to support the findings. Moreover, measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical principles were applied throughout the research process. Results: Five themes were identified: substance abuse behaviour among adolescents, adolescents' motivation for continuing substance abuse, the effects of substance abuse on the lives of adolescents, factors affecting adolescents' discontinuation of substance abuse and a need to discontinue substance abuse. Conclusion: The study concluded that adolescents abusing substances in the Greater Giyani, Limpopo province, experience loss of control, broken relationships, poor academic performance, stigma attached to mental illness and negative emotions. The adolescents foresaw their future as uncertain and without direction. It is recommended that mental healthcare professionals introduce and implement interventions that will assist the adolescents who abuse substances in the Greater Giyani, Limpopo province. Contribution: The findings in this study could add knowledge in developing and implementing of strategies for psychiatric nurses to support adolescents abusing substances in the Greater Giyani, Limpopo province.

Family members' experiences of caring for a relative with substance-induced psychosis disorder

Background: When there is a lack of resources in the community to support deinstitutionalisation,family members of a relative diagnosed with substance-induced psychosis disorder (SIPD) are the most affected and vulnerable. Nevertheless, family members' care is still largely unacknowledged in the mental health sector in low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, no prior research could be found on family members' experiences caring for a relative with SIPD in Giyani, Limpopo province, South Africa. Objectives: To explore and describe family members' experiences caring for a relative with SIPD. Method: The study employed a qualitative research design using interpretative phenomenological analysis as the research method. Telephonic interviews were conducted and analysed. Eight family members were selected to participate in the study using a purposive sampling technique. Results: The analysis of data led to the emergence of the following themes: family members experienced caring for a relative with SIPD as a destabilising responsibility; they experienced acceptance and support from significant others and the community and solace in prayer. Participants also expressed they experienced a need for support from government structures in order to care for a relative with SIPD. Conclusion: The study's findings highlighted the family members' experiences of caring for a relative with SIPD and the role of the family, community and government structures in caring for an individual with SIPD. It is evident from the challenges experienced that the family members need external interventions to develop healthy coping strategies. Contribution: This study adds knowledge to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research by promoting effective coping amongst family members caring for a relative with SIPD.

Lived experiences of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness

Background: A partner with mental illness can be challenging in a couple's relationship. Mental illness brings about disintegration in the relationship because the partner without mental illness takes on more responsibilities than before. The partner without mental illness can be subjected to multiple risks, including stress and burden of care. The lived experiences of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness is an under-researched area of mental health.Objectives: To explore and describe the lived experiences of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness.Method: A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual research design was utilised. A purposive sampling method was used to sample participants for this study. Five couples, where one partner was diagnosed with a mental illness, participated in the study. Ten in-depth, individual, phenomenological interviews were conducted to provide rich descriptions of the couples' experiences. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. An independent coder assisted with the data analysis. A consensus discussion was held between the independent coder and the interviewing researcher to agree on the identified themes.Results: Four themes with categories emerged from the data analysis: couples experienced changed social roles in their relationship, emotional upheaval was experienced by the individual partners in the couple relationship, interpersonal distance was experienced in the couple's relationship and a changed relationship with the self was experienced by the individual partners in the couple relationship.Conclusion: The results concluded that couples experienced that the presence of mental illness in their relationship adversely affects the relationship, thus emphasising the need to empower the couples dealing with challenges of being in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness

Experiences of women enrolled in a prevention of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus infection programme in Zimbabwe

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programmes have been reported to reduce the rate of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by 30% ­ 40% during pregnancy and childbirth. The PMTCT transmission is achieved by offering HIV prophylaxis or initiating antiretrovirals to pregnant women who test HIV positive. Being aware of the experiences of these women will assist in planning and implementing the relevant care and support. The study was conducted in three phases.Aim: This article will address phase 1 which is to explore and describe the experiences of pregnant women living with HIV.Setting: The study setting was a PMTCT site in a Provincial Hospital, in Zimbabwe.Methods: The study design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted from a purposive sample of 20 pregnant women. Thematic data analysis was performed.Results: Six themes emerged: realities of disclosure, a need for quality of life, perceived stigmatisation, inadequate knowledge on infant feeding, continuity of care, empowerment and support.Conclusions: The study concluded that pregnant women living with HIV require empowerment and support to live positively with HIV

Experiences of women enrolled in a prevention of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus infection programme in Zimbabwe

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programmes have been reported to reduce the rate of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by 30% ­ 40% during pregnancy and childbirth. The PMTCT transmission is achieved by offering HIV prophylaxis or initiating antiretrovirals to pregnant women who test HIV positive. Being aware of the experiences of these women will assist in planning and implementing the relevant care and support. The study was conducted in three phases. Aim: This article will address phase 1 which is to explore and describe the experiences of pregnant women living with HIV. Setting: The study setting was a PMTCT site in a Provincial Hospital, in Zimbabwe. Methods: The study design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted from a purposive sample of 20 pregnant women. Thematic data analysis was performed. Results: Six themes emerged: realities of disclosure, a need for quality of life, perceived stigmatisation, inadequate knowledge on infant feeding, continuity of care, empowerment and support. Conclusions: The study concluded that pregnant women living with HIV require empowerment and support to live positively with HIV