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Shared learning and supportive conversations between parents encourages disclosure and cultivates an environment of support. This paper presents the process evaluation through the qualitative outcomes of community parent support groups facilitated by local mentor mothers. Qualitative data collected via two (2) Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with group facilitators was followed by four (4) FGD with a total of forty of the parents from the support groups. During the two (2) FGDs with the facilitators, group values were established and adopted. The facilitators agreed amongst themselves to implement the group values to champion and promote the stability of each parent support group. Three key themes emerged from the four FGDs involving support group mothers included: (1) Awareness of mutual connection gained by attending parent groups; (2) Health and social support gained through collectively sharing knowledge and (3) Improved confidence in parenting ability through dialogue. Findings are a showcase the relevance of the group values and mutual benefits of attending parent support groups. The unique parent support initiative revealed that positive health seeking behaviour could be promoted amongst parents in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) phase using a participatory action research approach. Recommendations and implications for group work practice are provided which encourage the use of group values to enable conducive environments for participation and trust building in community based parent support groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV and AIDS has serious repercussions on psychological, social and physical well-being, and the assessment of Quality of Life (QoL) of people living with HIV and AIDS is essential to gauge how these challenges are met. The WHOQoL-HIV Bref forms part of a suite of instruments developed by the World Health Organisation. The purpose of this paper is to describe the quality of life of a sample of HIV-infected students at a South African university, as well as explain the internal consistency between questions within each of the QoL domains. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design using a quantitative approach was applied. A non-probability, purposive sampling approach was utilized and students enrolled in the antiretroviral therapy or wellness programme were invited to voluntarily participate in this study. The WHOQOL-HIV Bref was self-administered after explanation of the questions by a registered, trained health care professional. A total of 63 students returned completed questionnaires that were included in the analysis. Acceptable to good reliability scores were established for the following domains: Level of Independence; Social Relations; Environment and Spiritual or Personal Beliefs. Assessing QoL in the sample, the lowest score was for “Spirituality” and the highest “Social Relations”. The “Physical” and “Psychological” domain scores for females were significantly lower than the score for males. There was no significant difference between any of the domain scores among participants with CD4 cell counts above or below 350 cells/mm3. In general the performance of this sample is encouraging and it is recommended that the measure be utilized for QoL screening, and further research. The WHOQOL-HIV Bref for students does not contain an academic wellness component which should be added considering the significant effects of HIV on neuropsychological functioning. Also further investigation into the reasons for poor scores obtained in physical and psychological well-being in females should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]