Knowledge of public health challenge of open defecation in rural areas of South-East Nigeria: Implications for social workers

Background: Practice of open defection has growing health concerns especially on rural dwellers and is among leading causes of diarrhea, typhoid fever, cholera, stunting and responsible for the death of children under 5 years in Nigeria. This study seeks to examine knowledge of public health challenges of open defecation among rural residents in south-east Nigeria and implications for social work. Data source and methods: Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used for data collected from 52 respondents in Nsukka and Udenu LGAs of Enugu State. Thematic analysis was adopted and phrases with contextual connotations were pulled as illustrative quotes. Results: Lack of toilet facilities makes community members engage in the practice despite knowledge of its public health implications. Conclusions: The study recommends strengthening of government's efforts to eradicate the practice; incorporating social workers as facilitators in public health regulations and advocacy in sensitising households to provide their own toilets

Patient and social work factors related to successful placement of long-term psychiatric in-patients from a specialist psychiatric hospital in South Africa

Objective: The slow discharge of long-term psychiatry patients from Weskoppies Hospital into the community has not matched the national and international drive towards deinstitutionalisation. This article investigates patient and social work factors related to successful community placement; in the context of limited community care facilities. Method: Thirty-six long-term patients who were successfully placed outside of the hospital during a seven month period were compared to 235 unplaced long-term patients in terms of demographic and clinical variables. Social work services were analysed in terms of which patients received the most interventions; and the most common type of interventions. Results: The most significant patient factors associated with successful placement were: female patients; medium-to-high level of functioning; having involved relatives living far away; a low frequency of behavioural problems (especially of cannabis abuse; verbal or physical aggression; uncontrolled sexual activity); and agitation or restlessness. These patient factors were mirrored in the social work services rendered to the long-term patients during the study period: The recipients were mostly female; in open wards (higher-functioning); and the social services utilised were mostly related to planning for placement and patient support. Conclusion: The lack of community care facilities in the Pretoria area that are able to care for the more difficult long-term psychiatry patients; limits successful placement and increases the burden of hospital based social workers. The problem cannot be resolved at a hospital level and needs to be addressed in the context of provincial and national health departments

Where the Streets Have No Names:Factors Associated With the Provision of Counselling and Social Work Services for Child Rape Survivors in Kwazulu-Natal; South Africa

Objective:The aim of this study was to audit the provision of state-assisted counselling and social work services to child rape survivors presenting for medico-legal assessment at a state hospital in KwaZulu-Natal; South Africa. Method: A prospective design was used to collect data from the social and medical case files of 200 consecutive cases of child rape referred for medico-legal assessment to a state hospital located to the north of the City of Durban (South Africa). For each case; information was obtained regarding survivor and offender demographics; the nature and duration of abuse; and the extent and nature of counselling and social work services provided. Results: Only 49of survivors benefited from state-supported counselling and social work services; with the provision of such services being frequently delayed (by periods of up to six months); and with service provision being restricted to a single intake interview in all but one case. Social work service provision was significantly less likely in cases where the survivor resided in an informal dwelling (OR = 0.507) and where the child presented for medico-legal assessment outside of normal working hours (OR = 0.625). From observations made during the study; it would appear that patterns of professional collaboration in relation to service provision for child rape survivors falls somewhat short of the ideal of effective multi-sectoral engagement. Conclusions: Levels of service provision observed in the study are unacceptably low; with there being a clear need for the development and implementation of carefully considered multi-sectoral protocols which are designed to effectively meet the needs of all child rape survivors

The effects of ESAP and drought on social workers

Under ESAP; the government was called upon to reduce expenditure. As a result; health fees were introduced and school fees in urban primary schools were reintroduced after 10 years of free education. People who normally depend on their agriculture produce had to line up for food aid as drought intensified throughout the country. Details of the Supplementary Feeding Scheme; access to drought relief; agricultural recovery programme; education; social dimensions; health and employment are included