Save women from breast cancer in South Africa

On 16 January 2024 HTT started with a six month study to investigate the effects of Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) on a group of 10 HIV positive SWs from Malemeng Village in Maruleng sub-district, Limpopo, South Africa and how it may improve mental and physical wellbeing, ART adherence and reduce risk taking behaviour.  TRE® is a series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension, and trauma. The exercises activate a natural reflex mechanism of shaking that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system encouraging the body to return to a state of balance.  Of the 10 SWs we started with, 3 had to be replaced as they found permanent work and were no longer able to attend the sessions.  

Initially HTT staff travelled to Tlebi Tavern in Malemeng Village to offer bi-weekly sessions but in early March 2024 it was decided to move the sessions to the more conducive environment at  our Blyde Clinic. Sessions were facilitated by certified TRE® providers. Feedback from participants about their physical and emotional state is recorded before and after each session. A more comprehensive wellbeing questionnaire including a range of questions on physical, emotional, intellectual and social wellbeing was used at the beginning to establish a baseline. The same questionnaire will be used after 3 months (early April) to gauge progress.

After the first session, participants felt unburdened, energized, sleepy, pain and stress free, happy, and relaxed. After 8 sessions; engaging more easily with others, improved sleep, less anger, improved relationships, decreased intake of alcohol, self-acceptance.  Preliminary results show that 2 of the Sex worker who were suicidal at the beginning of the sessions have greatly improved, now after 3 months indicating that they no longer have suicidal thoughts.

Once mastered, TRE® becomes a self-help tool. Improved wellbeing, physical and emotional resilience, improved health care seeking behaviour and improved ART adherence because of regular TRE will benefit HIV positive SWs, their families, and clients. Complete results of the 3-month study will be shared in the next report.

Family health day

In this reporting period 5 family health days were conducted, total number of 55 mothers and 56 children attended. Information on GOBIFFF was shared, which is growth oral rehydration, breast feeding, immunization, feeding of the child, family planning, and first aid. Prevention of Mother to child transmission was discussed at length in one of the family heath days at Finale village, most mothers did not have information. Social worker educated them on children’s rights and emphasis was shelter, health care and social services.

Professional nurses and enrolled nurse ensured that babies were weighed, road to health card were assessed if immunisation is up to date. They were also educated that they should protect their children against neglect and abuse. 15 mothers were briefly screened for mental health since they had mental health issues. The family health day was incorporated with cervical cancer awareness, mothers were given information on cervical cancer and Pap smear and some received cervical cancer screening. 45 baby packs were distributed for the children who attended.