The study sought to explore bereavement rituals and their related psychosocial significance in an African cultural setting. A descriptive phenomenological design was adopted. Fourteen adults were purposefully sampled to participate in in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Hycner’s adapted phenomenological method, which resulted in four themes: (a) the cleansing ritual ceremony/go-ntšha setšhila, (b) ancestor reverence rituals, (c) rituals for protecting the deceased spirit, and (d) vengeance ritual/letswa. Ritual performance is associated with diverse psychosocial benefits including the prevention of a culture-specific bereavement illness. Essentially, ritual performance is for healing in that it lessens bereavement from becoming disabling.

The purpose of the study was to explore the role of religion in meaning making and coping among a group of black patients receiving some form of prostate cancer treatment at a public hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A sample of 20 prostate cancer survivors, with ages ranging from 67 to 85 years (mean_age = 76yrs; SD = 5.3) selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The findings demonstrated that religion is an important factor in meaning making and coping by prostate cancer survivors. The findings suggest that healthcare practitioners need to pay close attention to the meanings that cancer patients assign to their illness to provide the appropriate care and support.

The aim of the study was to explore the personal and social factors contributing to heavy episodic alcohol drinking (HEAD) in a sample of students from a rural South African university. A sample of 837 undergraduate students (females = 56.6%; age range of 17 to 43 years) participated in the study. Data on their use of alcohol were gathered using the AUDIT questionnaire. The students also self-reported on their personal-social variables. The descriptive analysis indicated 14% of the students engage in heavy episodic alcohol drinking, with more males being heavy drinkers (28% of the sample) when compared to their female peers (10% of the sample). Being female, attending church at least once a week and being in a non-abusive relationship were associated with lower likelihoods of HEAD. The percentage of women with HEAD increased three-fold from 6% in their first year to 18.4% in the fourth year of study, while that for men increased from 17.2% in the first year to 40% in the second year, then declined to 26.4% in third year before an increase to 34.7% in the fourth year of study. HEAD occurrences were similar across sociodemographic variables. The reasons for females engaging in HEAD more over the period of their university attendance need to be investigated to inform student counselling services.

Studies show that mental health promotion is an effective strategy that can reduce the burden of mental health disorders and improve overall well-being in both children and adults. In addition to promoting high levels of mental well-being and preventing the onset of mental illness, these mental health promotion programmes, including mental illness prevention interventions, help increase levels of mental health literacy in community members. While there is evidence showing the effectiveness of mental health promotion, much of what is known about this field is informed by studies conducted in high-income countries. There is a need to gather evidence about the effectiveness of such interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where mental health services are often inadequate. In this systematic review, we synthesised the available published primary evidence from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on the types and effectiveness of mental health promotion programmes for young people. We performed a search of selected global databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar) and regional databases (Sabinet African Journals). We included observational, mixed methods, trials, pilots and quantitative original papers published from 2013 to 2023. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) to evaluate the quality of methods in selected studies, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA-2020) for reporting the evidence gathered. We identified 15 types of youth mental health promotion and illness prevention interventions. Among those identified, we found that school-based interventions enhanced mental health literacy, mental health-seeking behaviours and self-assurance and confidence among young people. Family-based interventions also showed a potential to improve relationships between young people and their caregivers. Future studies should explore how to further strengthen school- and family-based interventions that promote mental health among young people.

Men of African ancestry suffer disproportionately from prostate cancer (PCa) compared to other racial groups in South Africa. Equally concerning is that black South African men generally present later and with higher stages and grades of the disease than their non-black counterparts. Despite this, a small percentage of black South African men participate in screening practices for PCa. This study sought to explore knowledge and beliefs of black South African PCa survivors, and the potential impact of this on the limited screening uptake within this population group. A hermeneutic phenomenological study design was undertaken. The sample comprised 20 black South African PCa survivors, between the ages of 67 and 85 years (mean_age = 76 yrs; SD = 5.3), receiving some form of treatment at a tertiary Academic Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The sample was selected through a purposive sampling method. Data for the study were collected through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews and analyzed through interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The findings demonstrated that black South African men had poor knowledge of PCa and that this may create an unfortunate system that precludes this population group from taking part in life-saving PCa screening services. The results highlight a need to elevate knowledge and awareness of PCa among black South African men and ultimately enhance screening practices.

With emerging improvement in screening and treatment, most patients with prostate cancer (PCa) live for a long period beyond their diagnosis. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and bowel and urinary incontinence have been shown to be the most bothersome side-effects of most PCa treatment options for patients. With increasing long-term survival, most PCa patients face the prospect of experiencing symptoms, side-effects of available treatment options, and diminished quality of life. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of treatment-induced ED on masculinity among Black South African PCa patients. Twenty (20) prostate cancer patients, selected through purposive sampling and receiving some form of treatment at Pietersburg tertiary Hospital, with ages ranging from 67 to 85 years (mean age = 76 years; SD = 5.3), participated in the study. In-depth, individual semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The findings indicate that ED threatens or adversely impacts the participants’ perceptions of their sense of masculinity leading to diminished quality of life. The results demonstrate that loss of masculinity brought about by PCa treatment-induced ED is experienced both physically as well as psychologically. The results highlight a need for collaboration between medical and psychological professionals in the management of PCa patients. This is crucial for improving the overall health related quality of life for patients.