Title: Experiences of Self-Care: A Qualitative Study of Self-Care Practices among Child and Family Protection Unit Officers in Kampala Metropolitan Police, Uganda
Authors: Moreen Twikirize
Volume: 6
Issue: 10
Pages: 1-1
Publication Date: 2022/10/28
Abstract:
Officers of the Child and Family Protection Unit (CFPU) in Uganda are subjected to challenging working conditions and run the risk of emotional stress, which can have consequences on their work output. Self-care has been shown to be an effective stress management technique but little is known about CFPU officers' self-care habits. This qualitative methods study investigated CFPU officers' understanding of self-care, self-care practices, and facilitators and obstacles to self-care practice in the Kampala Metropolitan Police, Uganda. A case study design was used, and data was collected using qualitative methods. Over the course of four weeks, 21 interviews were conducted with 17 CFPU officers purposively selected from three regions of the Kampala metropolitan area and 4 key informants purposively selected based on their roles and interaction with CFPU officers. Thematic analysis was carried out and themes were drawn from the research objectives. Participants demonstrated a good understanding of self-care. Female CFPU officers reported self-care practices like physical exercise, tending to their environments, seeking counsel, singing, and dancing, whereas male CFPU officers reported engaging in incoming generating activities and meditation. Self-care activities reported by both genders included; spending time with family, taking leave and listening to music. Facilitators of self-care included; the need to maintain good health; the strenuous nature of their work; family; the need to be more productive; and peer influence. Financial constraints; a poor appreciation of self-care; health conditions; and busy work schedules hindered self-care. This study enrolled different proportions of male and female CFPU officers so we may not be able to draw conclusions on differences in male and female self-care practices. It is critical future studies exploring self-care practices include equal gender proportions. Other recommendations include organizing self-care workshops, conducting self-care needs assessments for employees and facilitating and encouraging CFPU officers to practice self-care.