School of Built Environment and Development Studies

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6488

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An exploration of community attitudes towards people living with mental illnesses: a case of Inanda KwaZulu-Natal.
(2022) Mthembu, Andile Kevin.; Tshishonga, Ndwakhulu Stephen.
The topic of mental health is one of the many topics that are neglected in many South African communities. Although this is a burning issue that affects millions of South Africans, little to nothing has been done to raise awareness regarding this phenomenon that society still grapples with among many other pandemics. Available literature suggests that the issue of mental illnesses is among the many issues that haven’t been given the necessary attention they deserve as a result of their magnitude and also the negative effects they have on many lives in our communities. Communities lack the necessary tools and services to tackle the problems associated with mental illnesses and the stigma thereof. People living with mental illnesses are continuously marginalised, violated and excluded from community programmes as a result of the stigma and negative attitudes associated with mental illnesses. This study was motivated by the fact that although mental illnesses are a huge concern for South African communities as they disrupt many lives and lead to death as many people have died by suicide as a result of mental illnesses and not being able to talk about them as a result of the negative stigma associated with mental illness, yet little has been done to provide communities, especially townships with mental health services. This study is geared towards exploring community attitudes towards people living with mental illnesses. The study was conducted at Durban Inanda, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Methodologically, the study employed a qualitative approach that involved semi-structured interviews conducted with twenty-six participants involved in the study. The study found that community members harbour negative attitudes towards those living with mental illnesses. This is a result of how people living with mental illnesses are depicted as violent, dangerous and not deserving of being treated with dignity. The study also showed that community members have false and misleading information regarding mental illness and those living with it. Another finding of the study was that the community lacked mental health services that can provide the community with the correct information regarding mental illnesses thus curbing the scourge of mental illness stigma as well as the associated repercussions. The study concludes that mental health service centres are a necessity in the community as they can play critical role in raising awareness regarding mental illness as well as facilitating programmes that can assist communities to better deal with issues related to mental illnesses without stigmatising and victimising those living with such illnesses.
Cohabitation among young people in Durban, South Africa: exploring perspectives and experiences.
(2022) Mazibuko, Nondumiso Xolile.; Maharaj, Pranitha.
Cohabitation has recently become a norm among young people. While it has been done even in the past, it was not as common as it is nowadays. The study explores the attitudes of young people towards cohabitation. The study draws on in-depth interviews conducted amongst young people residing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. In total, there were 20 interviews that were conducted with both males and females. The findings indicate that cohabitation relationship among youth is becoming more prevalent and normal especially in the cities. Most cohabiting couples have different experiences as well as challenges. Both men and women have different attitudes when it comes to cohabitation. There are positive and negative impacts associated with being in a cohabiting relationship. Some couples get a chance to raise their children in an environment where there is a father and a mother as well. Other reasons for cohabitation include the high costs of lobola. The study suggested that people from rural areas should be educated about cohabitation in different ways, as the study has shown that in rural areas cohabitation is regarded as a taboo or disrespectful. There are some recommendations which were proposed such as there should be some facilities in rural areas where people will be taught more about cohabitation. There should also be some support groups that will accommodate people or couples who are facing challenges while cohabiting.
Determinants of teenage pregnancies in Zimbabwe: evidence from the demographic and health survey.
(2022) Matamanda, Hussein Sailas.; Maharaj, Pranitha.
Teenage pregnancy remains a big problem in Zimbabwe. The interaction of proximate and indirect determinants has perpetuated the problem of teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe, despite the government’s efforts and intervention mechanisms to put an end to it. This study investigates the socio-economic and demographic determinants of teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe, as well as the associated risk factors. The study addresses the gap in the literature of lack of research on determinants of teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe from a national perspective. This is done by using data from the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), which is a comprehensive national data set. The ZDHS sample of females aged 15-19 years, which was 2199 at the time of enumeration, will serve as the study sample. Accurate insights and inferences about the finite population represented by the survey will be ensured through the use of survey weights. The factors linked to teenage pregnancy are identified using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Religion, education, gender-based violence, and marital status were identified as socio-demographic factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe. Teenage pregnancy was also found to be linked to socio-economic status (SES), teenagers’ knowledge of contraceptive methods, and the ovulatory cycle. The study concluded that findings on the impact of education on teenage pregnancy have policy implications that cannot be overlooked, especially in light of the high rates of teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe. To curb teenage pregnancy, education must be fostered and prioritized across all levels. Policymakers should make it possible for young women to remain enrolled in school by subsidizing or exempting school fees payment, especially for those who come from poor households. The government should also subsidize education and provide scholarships to young women who have children or who have become pregnant but want to return to school.
Dominant notions of masculinity fuelling violence among young male students Durban South Africa.
(2022) Mndebele, Kwanele Mduduzi.; Maharaj, Pranitha.
Universities are increasingly becoming hotspots for violent crimes such as murder, suicide, intimate partner violence, collective violence, and many other violent acts that have made headlines across the country. The prevalence of highly violent acts influenced the need to look at the socialization of young men into manhood as boys face challenges when they transition into manhood. This study aims to shed insights into notions of masculinity influencing violent behaviours among young male students in Durban. This research analyses the intersection of masculinity perceptions relative to violent behaviours to aid in expanding knowledge of intervention strategies. The sampling technique was purposive sampling to ensure that the information gathered from fifteen participants reflected the research objectives. The study used the thematic analysis method as a data collection tool to ensure meaningful, trustworthy, and insightful qualitative results. Social constructivism theory was used to provide further insights and understanding of how young men learn and model that masculinity can influence violent behaviours. The interviews indicate that the behaviour of young men at the university is primarily influenced by masculinity ideas that society has already expected them to conform to. The interviews suggest that young men at tertiary institutions strive to continuously achieve and maintain their social status by engaging in behaviours that align with social values perceived to be masculine. Furthermore, the findings indicate that some young men in tertiary institutions adhere to patriarchal ideals to strengthen their masculinity, earn respect, and maintain their social position, which may influence how frequently they use violence. Among higher education institutions, there is a gap in implementing more programs aimed at addressing gender norms and transforming modern masculinities to aid in combatting violence. The study identifies a great need for universities to provide professional services such as psychosocial support, online education programs, and organized forums and dialogues relating to violence among young males at universities.

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