Authors:Nyagwegwe Chaulo Wango; Denna Michael, Namanya Basinda Abstract: The increasing use of contraception methods worldwide has allowed couples to choose the number and spacing of their children. Despite impressive achievements, contraceptive use remains low while the need for contraception is high in some of the world's poorest and most populous places. Little is known about the factors contributing to the low utilisation of contraceptives in the Rorya district, particularly among married individuals where the prevalence of contraceptive use was only 28%. A qualitative design was used for six focus group discussions and six in-depth interviews conducted with married individuals to understand the perception of the use of contraceptives in the Rorya District. Respondents believe that contraception is important in reducing the number of pregnancies and improving health, as well as in limiting family size. Interviewees emphasised the need for more accessible outlets for contraceptives. Religious beliefs and myths about contraceptive side effects have been reported to influence contraceptive choice and use. Respondents are aware of the health benefits of contraception for themselves and their children. Limited access, Myth, and religious beliefs continue to influence contraceptive use. Strategies to improve contraceptive use should ensure the availability and accessibility of contraceptives and tailored BCC, especially in low uptake areas. PubDate: Sun, 03 Jul 2022 12:14:13 -070
Authors:Hope Attipoe Abstract: The novel COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives in tremendous and unimaginable ways. The systems impacted include healthcare, education, economy, employment, and social systems including children and families. It has also affected our political and legal systems including individual rights as well as national discourse and international travel and relations. The advent of this unique and extraordinary issue requires that professionals like social workers, doctors, counselors/therapists, and psychologists adapt their approaches, strategies, skills, services and interventions to better serve clients/patients and operate effectively in the new societal order. This article explores the effect and response to the COVID-19 Pandemic within the United States as well as in the global context and draw an analytical relationship between it and the ecosystems theory. Thus, using the conceptual framework of the ecosystems theory, I draw a relationship between human behavior and the social environment using anecdotal cases in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. I content that the polarized reactions from certain groups of individuals in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and mask mandates are because people are social beings and are inextricably impacted by their social and ecological environment as well as factors within this environment, and requires a special examination, understanding, knowledge, adaptation, and strategic approach. Finally, I recommend best practice intervention approaches to social workers who are interacting, intervening, and/or providing services to these unique clients to support healthy working relationships, and to facilitate a formidable needs assessment that leads to a successful and safe interaction and intervention. PubDate: Mon, 04 Apr 2022 13:35:56 -070
Authors:Robin List; Julie Anne Laser Abstract: This article presents the first evidence-based research study to analyze the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and well-being benefits of the Nia TechniqueⓇ, an experiential movement therapy, on class participants. The aim of the research project was to capture the thoughts of Nia participants immediately after their class experience to best understand Nia’s physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and well-being benefits both quantitatively and qualitatively. The sample collected was a total of 56 healthy adults voluntarily attending Nia classes at 5 different, local YMCA facilities or private studios geographically located near a large city in the mountain west. The results showed that Nia had a positive effect on the health and well-being of almost all participants. Overall, 98% of participants agreed or strongly agreed they felt better in their physical body after participating in Nia. All participants (100%) agreed or strongly agreed their mood improved at the conclusion of participating in Nia. Almost all participants (96%) agreed or strongly agreed they creatively expressed their unique selves during class. All participants (100%) agreed or strongly agreed they released stress during class. Most participants (89%) agreed or strongly agreed they connected with at least one other person during class. The vast majority, 69.3% of participants reported using Nia class skills in their daily life between classes. A larger, more diverse sample size post COVID would be beneficial to further illuminate the benefits of Nia. PubDate: Thu, 24 Mar 2022 01:01:03 -070
Authors:Asasira Justus; Aliguma Winfred Abstract: Uganda is home to over 1 million refugees and asylum seekers. The origin of refugees in Uganda is an unending crisis in the neighboring countries. Rwanda poses a big threat of ending the refugee problem as the host country has accommodated these refugees for over decades with no hopes to return. The two strands (old and new cases loads) make repatriation challenging due to divergent views and attitudes. The paper examines the relationship between the two strands of Rwandan refugees living in Nakivale settlement. Another niche in this paper is focused on how these refugees live with the host communities of Ugandan origin living around the settlement and answers partly why voluntary repatriation has not been realized among Rwandan refugees living in Uganda. PubDate: Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -070
Authors:Julie Anne Laser Abstract: Experiential therapy activities are events that the individual participates in that usually push them out of their comfort zone and into a place of self-discovery, confidence-building, self-awareness, and new insights of how to cope with issues in their lives (Laser & Nicotera, 2021; Laser-Maira & Nicotera, 2019). The experiential therapy activity can be a game, an activity, a mental puzzle, time in nature, or a physical challenge (Laser & Nicotera, 2021; Nicotera & Laser-Maira, 2017). Often experiential therapy activities are done as group activities (or sometimes family or couple activities), which take strategy, planning, and cohesion to make them successful (Laser & Nicotera, 2021; Laser-Maira, 2016; Laser-Maira & Nicotera, 2019). Experiential therapy activities transform into experiential therapy during the debrief of the clinical segues of the experiential therapy activity. The clinical segues shifts the understanding from what just happened to what insights can be learned from the experiential activity about themselves, their lives, their thoughts, and their behaviors. In this research, experiential therapy activities were activities groups participated in at an all-day (8 hour) Challenge Course. The results underscore the profound influence Challenge Courses have on its individual participants and group dynamics. In each outcome: problem solving skills, decision-making skills, cooperation skills, communication skills, self-awareness, enjoyment of the activities and the participant’s likelihood to return to the Challenge Course and to recommend it to others, participants overwhelmingly found positive changes in multiple aspects of their lives. PubDate: Wed, 02 Feb 2022 17:43:08 -080
Authors:Wasif Ali; Julie L. Drolet, Kamal Khatiwada, Emmanuel Chilanga, Mohammed Nurudeen Musah Abstract: International practicum, or international field placements, create opportunities for social work students to address global social challenges in an international setting and prepare for social work practice. The landscape of international practica in social work has evolved and shifted over the last two decades. This article reports on the findings of a literature review that was conducted to understand how international practicum has changed over time. The study established search criteria that led to the inclusion of 70 publications, 16 in the first decade (2000 to 2010) and 54 in the second decade (2011 to 2020) utilizing the web of Science and Social Work Abstracts, as well as specific searches conducted on the University of Calgary Library Database, EBSCO host, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The results of the literature review show that there were fewer publications in the first decade and the emphasis was on understanding international practicum and field models. During the second decade, the published literature on international practicum tripled, focusing predominantly on developing new field education models, engaging in critical reflection and theory, and how to create successful field placements for students through preparation, teaching, and discussion. International practicum opportunities are critical to fostering transformative learning in social work students, and post-secondary institutions will need to re-establish international field education programs after the COVID-19 pandemic. PubDate: Fri, 28 Jan 2022 22:54:05 -080
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