RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: South African children from low-income households are at higher risk of cognitive-linguistic difficulties because of multiple risk factors. Early language stimulation minimises the effects of risk factors and prepares children for literacy and learning. Understanding caregivers' perceptions of language stimulation is important because perceptions shape practices, which determine child language outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study explored the existing perceptions of language stimulation among 15 isiZulu-speaking caregivers from KwaDabeka township. METHOD: A qualitative, descriptive research design was adopted and the caregivers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The NVivo software programme supported the inductive, thematic analysis of the data. RESULTS: Although the caregivers held positive perceptions of language stimulation, their perceptions of benefit focussed on meeting children's basic physiological needs with less reference to the long-term benefits for literacy, employment and social integration. Providing language models, watching television, singing songs, and reading books were perceived to be examples of language-stimulating activities and techniques. The caregivers expressed a need to improve their knowledge of language stimulation and queried how they could be supported to achieve this outcome. CONCLUSION: This group of caregivers needed support to increase their awareness of the long-term benefits of language stimulation and their knowledge and use of evidence-based activities, stimuli and facilitation techniques.Contribution: Caregivers' existing perceptions could serve as a barrier to the effective language stimulation of children from low-income households in South Africa.
Asunto(s)
Cuidadores , Investigación Cualitativa , Humanos , Sudáfrica , Cuidadores/psicología , Femenino , Masculino , Lenguaje Infantil , Preescolar , Adulto , Niño , Trastornos del Desarrollo del Lenguaje/psicología , Trastornos del Desarrollo del Lenguaje/terapia , AlfabetizaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The newborn infant is a complexly organized, competent being, who plays an active role in shaping their environment through their increasing skills in autonomic regulation, motor control, regulation of state and social interaction. Infants born to HIV positive mothers, are exposed to HIV and antiretroviral therapy inutero, and may experience adverse effects from this. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 132 mother-infant dyads from a large public health hospital in South Africa. Infants were assessed using the Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale on day two of life, and mothers mental health assessed using the Edinburugh Postnatal Depression Scale. Medical and demographic data on mothers and infants was collected, including maternal age, HIV status, length of time on antiretrovirals, relationship status, employment status, gravid status, mode of delivery, infant anthropometrics and infant gender. Data was input into IBM SPSS statistics 21, where frequencies and percentages for descriptive analysis, and Chi-square and student's two sample t-tests were run to compare data from HIV infected-exposed and HIV uninfected-unexposed mothers and infants. RESULTS: HIV exposed infants were smaller than HIV unexposed infants, even though low birth weight was an exclusion criteria. Statistically significant differences were found between HIV exposed and unexposed infants in neurobehavioiral items of social interaction (p = 0.00), motor system (p = 0.00) and state organization (p = 0.01), with HIV exposed infants performing less optimally in these domains. HIV exposed infants also presented with more abnormal reflexes. Infants born to depressed mothers showed superior motor skills, state organization and state regulation than infants born to mothers who did not score in the possibly depressed range. CONCLUSIONS: HIV exposed infants have inferior neurobehavioural functioning, which may affect their quality of life and ability to develop a reciprocal relationship with a primary caregiver. This may have an effect on development, behaviour and mental health in later childhood. HIV exposed infants shoud be monitored closely and their functioning in autonomic stability, motor control, resualtion of state and social interaction assessed regularly. Guidance for caregivers in incorporating strategies into the care of these infants is essential to buffer the possible long term negative effects on development.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por VIH , Complicaciones Infecciosas del Embarazo , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Transmisión Vertical de Enfermedad Infecciosa , Embarazo , Calidad de Vida , SudáfricaRESUMEN
Background: Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder is associated with high levels of stress. Primary caregivers are a group at risk of mental illness and reduced quality of life. Although interventions for the child with autism spectrum disorder exist, there are few or no interventions focusing on the physical, emotional and psychological needs of the primary caregivers.Objectives: The aim of this scoping review paper was to identify and describe quality of life interventions offered to primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder. The content, structure, and mechanism of delivery of these interventions, including their contribution to improving the quality of life of these caregivers, are discussed.Method: A scoping review protocol and methodology was developed and implemented according to a five-step process; namely, identification of the research question including the PICo, identification of suitable studies using selected search strings, selection of studies using PRISMA guidelines, charting of the results, and collation and summarising of the information. Reviewers where active at various stages to maintain the rigour of the study. Twenty one studies were reviewed and eligible for analysis.Results: The content and trends in structure and mechanism of delivery are described. Three themes emanated from the interventions' content. The studies were analysed according to quality of life domains addressed in the interventions.Conclusion: The scoping review highlights current practices informing interventions for primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder and may serve as a guide by practitioners and researchers for developing future evidence-based interventions for this population