Browsing by Author "Ananias, Janetta A."

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    A comprehensive alcohol and drug testing policy in the workplace as an intervention in the mining sector
    (University of Namibia, 2016) Maree, Maretha; Lightfoot, Elizabeth; Ananias, Janetta A.
    The abuse of alcohol and drugs can negatively affect the workplace. The testing of workers for substances is a sensitive, yet effective intervention to minimise the percentage of workers who test positively for substance abuse. Little research has been conducted to assess the impact of alcohol and drug testing on the workplace. Thus, this qualitative study, carried out in the mining industry in Namibia, investigates how a comprehensive workplace policy on alcohol and drug abuse can reduce substance abuse among workers during working hours. Data was gathered by means of six focus group discussions and 16 in-depth interviews, incorporating workers from all job grades, as well as community members in a closed mining town. The findings show that the comprehensive alcohol and drug testing policy had a positive impact on reducing the occurrence of substance abuse in the workplace. Since the introduction of both random drug and alcohol tests and fit-for-work testing, fewer workers were testing positively for the presence of substances, and participants noted how workers restricted their substance use specifically because of the testing. A central feature of this particular alcohol and drug testing policy is its provision of substance abuse treatment to workers who tested positively for the presence of substances and the involvement of a social worker hired by the mine, rather than simply a punitive approach. However, findings also show that treatment programs need to be followed up with standard aftercare procedures, such as support groups and training on policies and procedures around alcohol and drug testing, in order to improve worker perceptions and acceptance of policies. Furthermore, prevention efforts were regarded as more cost-effective and proactive than the treatment of substance abuse, and holistic substance abuse training was seen as improving awareness among workers.
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    A study on family and caregiver support to psychiatric patients in Katutura: A psychiatric social work perspective
    (University of Namibia, 2002) Ananias, Janetta A.
    De-institutionalization brought with it a shift in the care taking of psychiatric patients from institutional care to community care. As a result, people with mental illnesses have to rely on families for support and care. Existing literature in the field of psychiatry tend to over concentrate on the well-being of the mentally ill, while the experiences of caregivers are understudied. This exploratory study was designed to investigate family and caregivers support to psychiatric patients. The objectives of this study were to determine the nature and extent of family support which psychiatric patients receive, investigated the need for family and caregivers support amongst psychiatric patients, and also searched for options to improve family and caregiver support. The purposive sample method was employed to select fourty- five family caregiver of psychiatric patients who lives in Katutura. The hospital files of all the psychiatric patients whose families formed part of the sample was studied, contact details of the family caregivers as well as some background information of the ill person was recorded. A structured interview schedule consisting of both closed and open-ended questions was used as an instrument for data collection, and in-depth interviews took place with family caregivers. Other methods of data collection were focus group discussions as well as discussions with key informants. A pilot study was undertaken before the actual data collection with the sample population. The data were processed manually and are presented in tables, graphs and charts. The findings indicate that families provide in the basic needs of the mentally ill person, such as shelter, food and clothing. Families were less likely to provide in emotional support to the mentally ill. The study also found that family caregivers do not have much contact with mental health professionals, and they lack knowledge on mental illness. The results suggest that the relationship between mental health professionals and family caregivers need to be strengthened in order to address the needs of family caregivers. Effective intervention by mental health professionals should focus on both the family and the mentally ill, and should be based on a positive attitude towards the family caregivers of psychiatric patient. Education campaigns to people with mental illnesses, family caregivers and the community at large need to be embarked upon. Further studies on family and caregiver support need to investigate the family caregivers of mentally ill patients who have been diagnosed with a specific mental illness.