Browsing by Author "Swartz, Alvera Antonette"

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    'n Ondersoek na die opheffing van sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede van tuberkulose pasiënte in Bishop Lavis as nie-mediese intervensie
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-12) Swartz, Alvera Antonette; Theron, Francois; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of School of Public Leadership
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary purpose of this study is to determine developmental opportunities for the upliftment of the socio-economic conditions of Tuberculosis patients as a non-medical intervention. The aim of the study rests with patients' opinions and life experiences regarding the control of the illness. Owing to the social and economic connotation attached to TB, it is imperative that the conditions be addressed that have a direct influence on the susceptibility of TB in order to minimize the risk of infection and reinfection. These conditions are, amongst other, housing, feeding status, level of education and substance abuse. Since these conditions depend on sufficient income, the issue of unemployment and its consequences are being discussed. For decades already the relation between TB and socioeconomic circumstances is described, but it are still this very circumstances that stifles the advancement in medical treatment. The opinions and experiences of TB patients are obtained from informal in-depth interviews. It is obvious that TB patients never started to consider solutions for the epidemic themselves. This can be ascribed to the fact that, historically the cure of TB was exclusively the responsibility of the health profession. A great deal of apathy is noticed with regards to problem identification. For this reason the community is not yet ready for the massive developmental task that is still to come. Through a process of social learning and empowerment, a sense of responsibility must be cultivated within the communities. Confidence must be established with regards to their ability to improve the situation with the aid of other role players for example government, the private sector and health services. Recommendations for development are based on the level, the imagination and current abilities of the patients. The distribution of information about the disease, the creation of job opportunities, the encouragement of parents to participate in the education of their children and health education by trained members of the community are some of the most important recommendations of this study.