Social Welfare Department Research Articles

The state of enrollment on the National Health Insurance Scheme in rural Ghana after eight years of implementation

BackgroundIn 2004, Ghana implemented a national health insurance scheme (NHIS) as a step towards achieving universal health coverage. In this paper, we assessed the level of enrollment and factors associated with NHIS membership in two predominantly rural districts of northern Ghana after eight years of implementation, with focus on the poor and vulnerable populations.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from July 2012 to December 2012 among 11,175 randomly sampled households with their heads as respondents. Information on NHIS status, category of membership and socio-demographic characteristics of household members was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Principal component analysis was used to compute wealth index from household assets as estimates of socio-economic status (SES). The factors associated with NHIS enrollment were assessed using logistic regression models. The reasons behind enrollment decisions of each household member were further investigated against their SES.ResultsApproximately half of the sampled population of 39,262 were registered with a valid NHIS card; 53.2% of these were through voluntary subscriptions by payment of premium whilst the remaining (46.8%) comprising of children below the ages of 18 years, elderly 70 years and above, pregnant women and formal sector workers were exempt from premium payment. Despite an exemption policy to ameliorate the poor and vulnerable households against catastrophic health care expenditures, only 0.5% of NHIS membership representing 1.2% of total exemptions granted on accounts of poverty and other social vulnerabilities was applied for the poor. Yet, cost of premium was the main barrier to NHIS registration (92.6%) and non-renewal (78.8%), with members of the lowest SES being worst affected. Children below the ages of 18 years, females, urban residents and those with higher education and SES were significantly more likely to be enrolled with the scheme.ConclusionsDespite the introduction of policy exemptions as an equity measure, the poorest of the poor were rarely identified for exemption. The government must urgently resource the Department of Social Welfare to identify the poor for NHIS enrollment.

Family Dysfunction of Out-of-Control Teenage Girls: A Preliminary Study

Changes in family environment impacted by globalization and technology advancement posed a challenge in teenagers’ self-development. As the core agency concerning children protection, rehabilitation and care, the Malaysia Social Welfare Department is constantly being referred to by parents facing the problem of having to deal with their children’s out-of-control behaviour. This preliminary study utilises the qualitative case study approach aimed at exploring the social dysfunction elements of the families of teenage girls who are beyond-control. All informants were purposefully selected. Selection is limited only to those out-of-control teenagegirl cases. All selected informants are at the range of 13 to 18 years old and living under one roof with their families at the time when this study was conducted. Data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis method. Our study reveals two dysfunctional family characteristics (i) ineffective communication within the family; and (ii) lack of care and love in the family. This study concludes that family dysfunctional elements are found to be closely related to out-of-control risk factors. The teenagers were found to be facing great challenges living in dysfunctional families. As such, the role of family social workers becomes very critical in helping teenage girls live more positively and in enabling them to deal with their problems so as to live a more meaningful and prosperous life.

MEMBANGUNKAN SOSIO-EKONOMI KOMUNITI MENERUSI KEUSAHAWANAN SOSIAL: PERANAN DAN PELUANG

The concept of social entrepreneurship is increasingly popular throughout the world. In Malaysia, the need for social entrepreneurship is based on community-related issues such as economic, social, environmental and educational development. Communities need to be strengthened as a group of individuals who make up and become valuable human capital for the country. Community cultures that are keen to wait and rely on the assistance of the government and the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) in particular need to be changed. By generating as many social entrepreneurs in the community, it is believed to be able to enhance the socio-economic status of the community as well as stimulate the country's development rapidly. Therefore, communities in this country need to be exposed and educated with the concept, role and opportunity of social entrepreneurship for them to move social and economic development through social entrepreneurship platform. The success of individuals pioneering the social entrepreneurial approach to solving community problems needs to be publicly disseminated, especially to groups within the community; to be an exemplar of the successful social entrepreneurship endeavour. Through this social entrepreneurial approach, community socio-economic empowerment is expected to be realized. Hence, this concept paper aims to explain the concepts and approaches of social entrepreneurship towards the socio-economic development of the community with the emphasis on social entrepreneurship roles and opportunities.

Challenges Faced by Malaysian Muslims’ Deaf Community in Learning Akidah: Discussions and Suggestions

This article discussed on the challenges faced by the deaf in studying Akidah. The methodology used in this study is a qualitative approach where the primary data is gathered through obsevation and interview of several Akidah specialists,special needs education teachers and parents with deaf children. This findings then supported with secondary data obtained from records from relevant institution and past literatures. The results showed that there are many challenges faced by Muslims’ deaf community in Malaysia particulary in learning and understanding knowledge related to Akidah. Several suggestions were also made and it is hopeful that this study will raise awareness of all parties, especially religious institutions, Ministry of Education (MOE), Social Welfare Department (JKM), special education teachers for Islamic education, BIM researchers in an effort to increase understanding and religious practices among the deaf in Malaysia.

The Unmet Needs of Parents of Highly Dependent Children with Cerebral Palsy.

The overall care for children with cerebral palsy (CP) is challenging to the family which causes significant impacts to their livelihood. There is limited qualitative research that reports the unmet needs of parents with physically disabled children, especially highly dependent CP. The aim of this study was to explore the unmet needs of parents of highly dependent children with CP. A qualitative study using semi-structured face to face interviews was carried out among nine parents of children with CP with gross motor classification function score (GMFCS) levels III, IV, and V. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed data was analysed using thematic analysis method. Several unmet needs were highlighted by the parents; namely the needs in receiving information regarding CP conditions, getting psychological and financial support and explaining the child’s condition to strangers. In addition, parents expressed the need for better support from the social welfare department, as well as in effectively organising family functioning. The findings of this study indicate that there is a need for the healthcare professionals to develop suitable strategies to assist the parents of highly dependent children with CP in fulfilling their specific needs. The role of relevant agencies should be optimised in addressing this area of concern.

Predicting the Poverty Alleviation in the Province of Eastern Samar using Data Mining Techniques

Poverty has been a main concern for century in any part of the world. The abrupt increase of population in the country and the inevitable rise of the inflation rate due to the economic challenges and other factors, it is clearly manifested that poverty is a problem that needs to be addressed seriously. With the available various advanced-technology nowadays, this problem on poverty maybe reduced with the aide of Data Mining which is a part of Data Science. This paper focused on predicting the poverty alleviation using Data Mining techniques based from all available data from the Philippine Statistic’s Authority, National Economic Development Authority, and Department of Social Welfare and Development. The application of supervised learning in Data Mining specifically, NaiveBayes Algorithm, Decision Tree J48 Algorithm, and K- Nearest Neighbour Algorithm has been utilized for the prediction of poverty alleviation in the province of Eastern Samar. The results of this study unveil that among the core indicators in identifying poverty, it is the “Economic Sector” with the attribute “Income” is the most significant factor that affects poverty alleviation in the province.

A Web-based Application for Residential and Non-Residential Centers and Institutions of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) Region III Records Management and Incident Reporting

The study aims to develop a web-based application for Residential and Non-Residential Centers and Institutions of DSWD Region III to manage their records and automate the reporting of incidents. Moreover, it also enables citizens to report incidents concerning drug dependents, abandoned or neglected and abused individuals to appropriate centers or institutions. The application has three user access level for efficient and secure managing and sending different types of reports. In the initial data collected, the results show that centers and institutions have many different reports that are being generated. Organizing these reports and searching through them is always a challenge. Concerned citizens reports the incidents they have encountered but experience problems in doing it such as to whom it should be reported and the way it should be reported. Evaluation was done by end users in terms of its functional requirements and by the IT experts in terms of the technical aspect in particularly about performance and security. Based from the evaluation, the webbased application has provided the functionalities needed in managing the records of different centers and institutions and regional office. This could help them in handling these records efficiently. Moreover, incidents reported by concerned citizens has been sent to appropriate centers and institutions thereby helping to ease the incident reporting process. As for the recommendation, web-based application would be more usable as mobile web application. Reports generated should be more dynamic. Add more features to maintain the security and confidentiality of the information of reported incidents

Role of Media and Government towards Sustainable Development in Assam

<p>The North-East of India has been a hotly debated territory of India with voices coming up from different states such as Nagaland, Manipur and Assam demanding separate nations for themselves. These separatist agitations have got further confounded with a constant influx of Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh which began to impinge on the local cultural identities and demographics. This resulted in a prolonged militancy coupled with agitations yielding space for the Pakistani/Sri Lanka/Bangladesh based militants to infiltrate into India through porous borders of the North East and engage some disgruntled ultra outfits in the North East to wage a battle against India. In fact, Naga agitation for separate country bears a lot of similarity with the LTTE’s struggle for separate Eelam in Sri Lanka. Both have a lot of diaspora support and web-based campaign movements (Maya Ranganathan, 2010: 127-149). All these developments have complicated the prospects of the economic and industrial growth in this region. This resulted in the staggering illiteracy and unemployment for over a decade. Towards addressing the problems of the region, the government of India has taken a political decision to establish as many as seven central universities under its direct funding to ensure that the region gets the best education which might contribute further for enhanced employment opportunities in the region. Also, various department under Assam Government such as the Tourism Department, Health Department, Education Department, Social welfare Department etc has been provided with e-governance facilities for the users. The study assumes significance from the point of view that how far the e-services of various departments leads to the sustainable growth of the state and what is the role of media, government and educational institutes to improve the sustainable growth of the states through e-services.</p>

Development and feasibility of a brief Zero-time Exercise intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour and enhance physical activity: A pilot trial.

A brief intervention using Zero-time Exercise (ZTEx), a foot-in-the-door approach, was developed to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity. ZTEx refers to the integration of simple strength- and stamina-enhancing physical activity into daily life, which can be done anytime, anywhere and by anyone. This paper presents the development, feasibility, and preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of this intervention under the Hong Kong Jockey Club FAMILY Project. Needs assessments were conducted with social workers from theChristian Family Services Center(CFSC) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD). This single group prospective ZTEx intervention trial, guided by the Health Action Process Approach, included a 3-hr core session at baseline and a 1-hr booster session at 1-month follow-up. Fifty-six participants(social and service-related workers) from CFSC (n=28) and SWD (n=28) received the intervention and completed the self-administered questionnaires at baseline. Forty-nine and 43 participants completed the 1-month and 3-month self-administered questionnaires, respectively. Fifteen participants attended the focus group interviews to share their feedback on ZTEx intervention after implementing their community-based ZTEx activities. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted with missing data replaced by baseline values. Participants reported significant decreases in sitting time by 27 (2, 52) minutes (mean [95% confidence interval]) and 36 (0.2, 71) minutes on a weekday, increases in physical activity while seated by 0.7 (0.2, 1.4) days and 1.1 (0.6, 1.7) days in a week, and improvements in perceived knowledge, outcome expectancies and plan on doing ZTEx at the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, respectively. Balance and muscle strength significantly improved at the 1-month follow-up. The effect ranged from small to large(Cohen's d: 0.27-1.05, all p<0.05). The qualitative feedbacks support the quantitative findings. Our findings show early evidence that ZTEx effectively reduced sedentary behaviour and enhanced physical activity and fitness. Further trials on this simple and low-cost intervention as the first step to promote higher intensity exercise are warranted.

AL-LAQIT: HAK-HAK ANAK PUNGUT DI BAWAH UNDANG-UNDANG ISLAM DAN UNDANG-UNDANG SIVIL DI MALAYSIA: Al-Laqīṭ: The Rights of the Foundlings under Islamic and Civil Law in Malaysia

The basis of the discussion in this article is the protection of the abandoned children or foundlings (al-laqīṭ ) that covered aspects namely custody, maintenance as well as self-identity. The discussion of foundling’s identity is related to his/her status as a free person (not slave), religion and lineage are based on Islamic principle that had been examined by distinctive jurists from different school of jurisprudences. This study utilized document analysis approach, scrutinizing Islamic jurists’ views as well as Malaysian law provisions on these issues. In Malaysia, aspects of custody, maintenance, and identity of the foundlings are handled differently from Islamic law pertaining to these issues, because matters related to the foundlings are under civil law jurisdiction, for instance, Child Act 2001 and Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1957, and the first institution that deals with the foundlings is the Department of Social Welfare. The law provisions under Acts/ Enactments of Islamic Family Law in Malaysia in relation to the foundlings are only relevant when the foundlings are adopted by the Muslim adoptive parents.

Impact of Disaster Risks on Regional Economic Resilience in China: A Case Study of Wenchuan Earthquake

The occurrence of disasters has a great impact on the sustainable development of cities and regions. This makes the ability of urban economic system to deal with disaster risk and its ability to recover development after being disturbed by disasters become two important indicators to measure the economic resilience. Unlike the study of economic shocks, we identify sectors of the economy that are sensitive to disaster disturbances in urban systems. It is of great significance to explore the structure of economic activity which is related to improve the stability and driving force of urban economy resilience. This paper establishes the premise hypothesis according to the Urban Economy Basic Theory. The object is the structure of urban Basic and Non-Basic economic activities. Taking the Location Quotient as the observation index, the economic resilience level of disaster risk area was explored through the empirical study of Wenchuan earthquake. The results show that the Investment, Finance, Government Finance, Transportation and Social Welfare sectors are the endogenous drivers of the post-disaster economy, which can quickly stimulate economic recovery in the short term but lack of sustainability. Besides, the development of Industry, Retail Trade, Construction, Education and Health Care need to be driven by external support. In the short term, the growth rate is not significant, but it is the main driving force of long-term economic development after the disaster. On the other hand, Government Finance, Social Finance Investment, Construction, Transportation and Social Welfare departments have undergone reverse changes between Basic and Non-basic economic activities after the earthquake, indicating that the earthquake disaster has a subversive effect on the turbulence of regional economic structure. Therefore, on the basis of extending the perspective of economic resilience researches, this paper discusses the method for assessing urban economic resilience, and puts forward some suggestions on how to improve resilience in the disaster risk areas.

Conceptualisation of child neglect: A Ghanaian practice narrative

Child neglect incidents are the most frequent cases reported to the Department of Social Welfare in Ghana. Therefore, an effective approach to inform practice decisions to curb the numbers is of great importance. Using a qualitative research design, 28 Practitioners’ and parents’ narratives on the perception and causes of child neglect were explored. The study revealed that there is a convergence and divergence of views on how child neglect is conceptualised. The findings suggest the need for practitioners to intensify awareness on some of Ghana’s cultural practices, such as inheritance expectations, that hinder better outcomes for children.

Learning conditions for continuous improvement in a public service organization

PurposeThis study focuses on a transformation effort in a social welfare department of a Swedish municipality where continuous improvement, which is a Lean principle, was introduced in employees’ everyday work via a workplace development programme (WPDP). The aim of this paper is to explore the conditions (internal and external) that enabled or constrained employee learning during the introduction of continuous improvement into employees’ everyday work in a WPDP-supported social welfare department.Design/methodology/approachThis case study is based mainly on 22 semi-structured interviews with individuals holding different positions in the department and overarching municipality.FindingsThe findings show that multiple and emerging conditions, both internal and external, shaped a predominantly restrictive learning environment during the introduction of continuous improvement into the social welfare department. The major conditions identified were related to the initial implementation and top management’s steering and monitoring of the “Lean investment”, activities and support provided by the WPDP, activities and support provided by the internal Lean support team and first-line managers’ abilities to facilitate employee learning.Originality/valueApart from unique empirical material depicting an effort towards change under conditions far from favourable for employee learning, the value of this study lies in the attention given to the external dynamics that drive change in line with the concept of new public management in public service organizations, including a WPDP that supported the social welfare department.

Employment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Malaysia: Moving Policy Rhetoric into Action

The case portrays a macro-view of human resource management (HRM) at the national policy level. The case is imbued with concepts to promote responsible HRM, social and workplace inclusion of marginal groups. Set against a canvas of general rights and challenges of persons with disabilities (PWDs), the case showcases the Malaysian government’s initiatives spearheaded by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to boost PWD employment in its public service. The case revolves around the case protagonist, Aleeya Tan, the head of assistant director of the division of PWD career development in JKM. Relatively inexperienced in PWD employment, Aleeya was tasked to oversee the progress of an affirmative policy on PWD employment that required every public department to employ at least 1 per cent PWDs in their workforce. The catch—the policy remained rhetoric even three decades after it was passed. Following Malaysia’s recent economic blueprint, the policy was once again resurrected and put under public scrutiny. The case describes personal, institutional, structural, legal and social problems faced by the protagonist to outline strategies to meet the policy overdue target. The case is suitable for postgraduate courses in HRM and/or Employment Policy in Masters in Business Administration. Case learners will acquire conceptual knowledge on the subject, problem-solving skills and develop positive values towards the PWD community.

DISASTER OPERATION READINESS OF THE NUEVA ECIJA SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT STAFF

This study aimed to describe the disaster operation readiness level of the staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region III- Nueva Ecija Extension Office. It revealed that the respondents were slightly ready in terms of pre-disaster phase and almost ready in terms of the onslaught of disaster. It further revealed that monthly income of the respondents, the number of trainings they attended related to disaster operations, and their length of service were significantly related with their level of readiness for the pre- disaster-phase. On the other hand, number of trainings attended, monthly income, and position of the respondents were found to be significantly related with the respondents’ readiness for the during- the- disaster- phase. The study further revealed that they were least ready in terms of conducting psycho social interventions to affected families and in managing evacuation centers. It is recommended that all DSWD staff undergo rigid training in terms of disaster management and operation.

Probable Pathological Gambling Behaviors in Macau: Social Cognitive Theory Approach

Probable pathological gambling is one of the significant social issues after the release of the exclusive and monopoly system of gambling licenses from one owner to three casino operating concessions and eventually six sub-concessions in Macau. As a result, some residents in Macau had addicted to gambling behaviors and eventually became probable pathological gamblers. In fact, why these individuals become probable pathological gamblers and how did they become probable pathological gamblers should be identified to enhance the current social policy and regulations to assist and provide support to these people. This study employed the Social Cognitive Theory to explore the lived experiences and opinions from three ex-probable pathological gambling people in Macau. The result of this study aimed to provide and attract the attention of the social welfare department, policy makers, social workers and counselors in the field of gambling addiction.

A Predictive Model of Volunteer Engagement to Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—A Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services

A Predictive Model of Volunteer Engagement to Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—A Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services

Criminal Policy and The Role of The Government in The Control of Commercial Sex Workers in The District of Kuningan

In Containment measures undertaken by the Local Government District of Kuningan to the presence of prostitutes is to use a penal policy that is with the issuance of Regulation No. 3 of 2015 on Public Order and Peace Society. These regulations are still too general and not specifically discuss countermeasures against prostitutes. Based on Regulation No. 3 of 2015, there are at least three agencies that have the authority and responsibility directly to the PSK reduction in Kuningan regency. All the three agencies including the Department of Social and Labor of Kuningan district. Kuningan regency and municipal Police District of Kuningan. The research is qualitative research in the form of descriptive analysis using sociological juridical approach. Prevention efforts refresif PSK only be done by way of a raid conducted by the municipal police and the Police of Kuningan. PSK is captured in the raid, was ordered to make a statement and then forced the release back. This is done because the Department of Social Welfare and Labor as the institution in charge to distribute PSK to rehab in palimanan not receive distribution PSK. This happens because of a rehabilitation center in palimanan quota is full and PSK for Kuningan district just 10 people. Related Bylaw PSK reduction should be set so that preventive efforts can be carried out preventive and repressive.Keywords: Criminal Policy; Commercial Sex Workers; Local Government.

Community Organizing: A Mechanism for Peacebuilding in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao

This study aimed to determine the contribution of community organizing in peacebuilding in armed conflict areas in Maguindanao. The study sought to assess the relevance of community organizing in peacebuilding initiatives of different agencies in the community. Furthermore, the study clarifies the contribution and importance of community organizing as it can be replicated in other areas that may need transformational change. To assess the contribution of community organizing in peacebuilding and its importance in implementing peacebuilding initiatives, the researcher used a descriptive type of research. The data was presented in narrative form. The study was conducted in the five barangays of the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Community and Family Services International. The response of the respondents and key informants were used as the bases in identifying the contribution of community organizing in peacebuilding. Purposive sampling was used in identifying the target respondents, community organizers and barangay chairmen. Findings show that majority of the community organizers known to the community are working in the government agencies. People only know community organizers are direct service providers. The maximum participation of the people is the key towards a successful community organizing. Both government, non – government and private individuals/volunteers use community organizing as a tool in developing a community. The barangay officials have crucial roles in promoting sustainable development and peace being the front – liners and representatives of the community people. Community organizing contributes in promoting peacebuilding in the zone of peace area. Peacebuilding does not only revolve around initiatives in the macro level but starting in advocacy in responsible parenthood and parent effectiveness could lead to the prevention of peace-related issues and community problems. All sectors in the community are actors in peacebuilding which made them needed to participate in community organizing. It is concluded that community organizing contributed to peacebuilding in the zone of peace.

Human Rights Promotion, Protection and Respect in Maguindanao

The study aimed to assess the human rights situation in Maguindanao Province during the period of 2006 to 2012. Specifically, it aimed to find out how CHR provides appropriate legal measures for the protection, promotion and respect for human rights for all persons residing in the Philippines as well as Filipinos residing abroad. The support agencies in the implementation of human rights protection, promotion and respect such as the, Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of th Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Government Units (LGUs), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Non-Governmentl Organizations (NGOs) were also assessed. Problems encountered in the implementation of human rights protection, promotion and respect were also identified. The policy implications were drawn from the result of the study. The study was a qualitative research which used the phenomenological method which studies experiences of the residents. The researcher finds this method appropriate in describing the situation of human rights in the province of Maguindanao. The information was taken through interview of the key informants, observation and documents analysis. The study found out and concluded that the protection, promotion and respect for human right in the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao is high as manifested by immediate response of CHR and NGOs whenever there were incidents of violations and less occurrence of human rights violations. There were large numbers of human rights violations in the Municipalities of Talitay. Talayan and Guindulungan during the height of armed confrontations between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2008. However, these violations trimmed down due to the existing peace truce between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The government agencies and non-governmental organizations had given their roles in the protection, promotion and respect for human rights of the residents of the Municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talayan, Talitay and Guindulungan. The CHR and the partner agencies encountered problems on financial constraints and facilities in the implementation of their mandates as well as awareness and willingness of residents or victims to stand up their right.