List of Titles

Delays in seeking treatment for sick children in rural Malawi: A study of the utilisation of village clinics

- Bonongwe, Enock (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2819-130X)

Authors: Bonongwe, Enock (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2819-130X)
Date: 2011-12
Subjects: Community Health Services , Rural Health , Health Planning
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23326 , vital:57314
Description: The world’s highest mortality figures are found in developing countries among under-five children (Black et al., 2003:2227). Efforts in reducing childhood mortality are stifled if treatment is delayed (sought after 24 hours). The aim of this study was to find out the factors that contribute to delays in seeking treatment for sick children in a community where health services are free and accessible. From data collected using a questionnaire through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), the study found out the factors that contribute to delayed care. It collected data from 150 mothers who sought treatment at village clinics within 14 days prior to the survey date. Qualitative data were collected in five FGDs with old women, young women, men, youth and community leaders. The study found that out of 150 mothers, 54 percent delayed seeking treatment for sick children. Mothers who had given sick children home treatment and those who sought treatment from other providers for the same illness brought to the village clinic were more likely to delay care. FGDs revealed that most factors contributing to delayed care were to do with the health system, although beliefs and perceptions played a part. In summary, delays in seeking treatment for sick children are a product of an interplay of many factors. Overall, it was found that caregivers’ interpretation of the child’s illness influenced timeliness of care and the choice of health care provider. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2011
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Date Issued: 2011-12

Experiences of community psychiatric nurses and guardians of discharged psychiatric patients on the effectiveness of community mental health services of the Zomba district in Malawi

- Kachingwe, Bertha Maggie

Authors: Kachingwe, Bertha Maggie
Date: 2011-12
Subjects: Psychiatric nursing , Community mental health services
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24183 , vital:62440
Description: Sturdy: Experiences of community psychiatric nurses and guardians of discharged psychiatric patients on the effectiveness of community mental health services of the Zomba District in Malawi. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of community psychiatric nurses and guardians of discharged psychiatric patients with regard to failure of Community Mental Health Services of the Zomba District, and make recommendations to improve community mental health services. Although such services exist, their effectiveness is unknown, either from the nurses’ point of view or from the consumers’ point of view. Method: A qualitative approach with phenomenological research design was used to answer the research question on the effectiveness of the services. This method was chosen because the researcher was committed to explore the lived in-depth experiences of the study participants. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants for the study, who were selected based on their knowledge of the phenomena. Data collection Instruments used were unstructured interviews, using face- to- face interaction. One broad, open-ended question was used to gather information from the participants. Data analysis was done using Atlas.ti software to help the researcher uncover complex phenomena hidden in the text. Findings: Participants from both groups overwhelmingly reported that community mental health services were not effective. Four categories and eleven themes of barriers impacting on ineffective services emerged from the nurses. For example; Inadequate service provision related to unavailability of resources (human, time and materials). Themes hindering effective services emerged from the guardians for example; Services not accessible related to inconsistent appointment dates, shortage of medications and poor economic status of participants. , Thesis (MCur) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2011
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Date Issued: 2011-12

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Exploring the role of rural entrepreneurship on welfare in South Africa: a case of Nkonkobe Municipal area in the Eastern Cape Province

- Ngorora, Grace Portia Kuda https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-3137

Authors: Ngorora, Grace Portia Kuda https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-3137
Date: 2011-12
Subjects: Rural development projects , Public welfare --South Africa , Entrepreneurship
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26357 , vital:65248
Description: The study set out to explore the role of rural entrepreneurship on welfare in Nkonkobe Municipal Area of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to identify the role rural entrepreneurship plays on welfare and determine the factors that promote or hinder rural entrepreneurship. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to establish the perceptions of rural entrepreneurs. Findings from the study suggest that rural entrepreneurship contributes immensely to the welfare of individuals, family and community in Nkonkobe Municipal Area of the Eastern Cape Province. Rural entrepreneurship is the most important activity for entrepreneurs for it enables individuals to access quality health facilities and experience an improved quality of life. The study also found that families have more income which they use to acquire assets. They are able to send children to good schools using earnings from their business activities. Entrepreneurs can also contribute to the welfare of their relatives as result of being entrepreneurial. The results imply that rural entrepreneurship improves the quality of livelihood for rural dwellers. There was a significant correlation between the role rural entrepreneurship plays in generating more income and the rural dwellers ability to send their children to good schools. Findings from this study also showed that rural entrepreneurship improves the quality of livelihood in rural areas through the creation of wealth and employment. For most respondents 83 percent entrepreneurship alone provides them with income. Social capital in the form of special relationships, access to critical information, unique local knowledge and previous experience was ranked the most important factor when starting businesses. Irregular payments from customers were considered the factor affecting entrepreneurs most in Nkonkobe Municipality. Lack of finance was ranked the factor hindering rural entrepreneurship most in Nkonkobe Municipality. Training and educational programs, capacitating as well as support from government were found to be very important for entrepreneurship to grow in Nkonkobe Municipality. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
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Date Issued: 2011-12

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Knowledge and attitudes of professional nurses towards HIV and AIDS patients at the Libode District Health Services in the Eastern Cape Province

- Gedu, Grace Nontuthuzelo

Authors: Gedu, Grace Nontuthuzelo
Date: 2011-12
Subjects: Rural health services , AIDS (Disease)
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24610 , vital:63213
Description: This study was conducted at the Libode District Health Services amongst professional nurses who render services to HIV and AIDS patients. Generally, caring for HIV positive patients, nurses need to be knowledgeable about the transmission of the HIV virus, in order to render quality care to the patients. They also need to be sensitive and to demonstrate positive attitudes towards the patients. It was unknown whether the professional nurses at the Libode District Health Services are knowledgeable or not regarding HIV and AIDS. Their attitudes towards the HIV positive patients, were also unknown. Not knowing the knowledge and attitude of professional nurses regarding HIV and AIDS has the potential to compromise the quality of nursing care rendered to the patients. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the level of knowledge of professional nurses regarding HIV and AIDS well as their attitudes towards the HIV-positive patients so as to make recommendations for quality patient care based on the results. A quantitative explorative descriptive research design was used to examine the level of knowledge about HIV and AIDS as well as the attitudes of professional nurses to HIV and AIDS patients. The target populations were the 218 professional nurses working at the Libode District Health services who had nursed HIV positive patients. A simple random sampling method was used to select a sample of 120 participants. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data. The questionnaire consisted of a section on the demographic profile of the participants, and two other sections for responses on knowledge and attitudes. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 software for consistency of the twenty (20) items in the questionnaire. Findings showed that nurses of Libode District Health Services had an approximately fair amount of knowledge. The majority (79percent) of participants scored above the cut-off point of 24. Twenty one percent (21percent) scored below 24. On attitude, the majority (76percent) had scored below the cut-off point of 36. Recommendations were that professional nurses of Libode District Health Services, need to be exposed to ongoing training on HIV and AIDS to increase their knowledge about HIV and AIDS and to ensure that they demonstrate positive attitudes towards HIV and AIDS patients. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2011
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Date Issued: 2011-12

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The design of a Hydrotherapy center on the Swartkops River

- Heuer, Morgan

Authors: Heuer, Morgan
Date: 2011-12
Subjects: Health resorts --South Africa -- Port Elizabeth --Designs and plans , Recreational therapy – South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58728 , vital:60032
Description: This treatise deals with the design of a Hydrotherapy Center, as well as it’s direct link to nature. Contemporary lifestyles in a technologically-advanced world have caused increased amounts of stress, anxiety, and chronic illness. The goal is to design a place of healing by reinforcing and establishing the connection between man and nature. Wellness is multidimensional; it deals with both mental and physical health. The design concept is a building that is one with nature, that leaves a small footprint on the natural landscape and that gives back more than it takes. The focus point is to work with the concept of healing in four different spheres: Psychological, Physiological, Sociological, and Environmental. By understanding the physical properties and applications of water to treat both mental and physical healthcare issues, an innovative center of natural healing can be established. The conventional healthcare facilities are mostly hostile, clinical, and institutional-like environments that do not contribute to a healthy state of mind. The mind is uneasy in distracting environments, and one is unable to focus solely on restoration. By bringing people to a natural environment and to the water source, their minds are at ease and they can focus on healing process, allowing them to reach a higher potential of functioning naturally. , Thesis (MArch) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Architecture, 2021
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Date Issued: 2011-12

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NUMSA Organising Strategy Conference: Ranburg-Johannesburg, 23rd-25th November 2011

- National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa

Authors: National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa
Date: 2011-11-23
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: text , pamphlet
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/104384 , vital:32376
Description: This document is titled Numsa Organising, Campaigns and Collective Bargaining Strategy. It is also referred to as OCCB Strategy or simply Organising Strategy. The first draft was circulated in 2010 following the National Organising Strategy Workshop. The second draft was presented to the Mid-year 2011 Central Committee. This is Third Draft. This draft takes into account recent developments and some of the lessons drawn from the visit to Canada by the GS, OCCB HOD, National Motor Sector Coordinator and National Engineering Sector Coordinator. We use the phrase “some of the lessons” because two reports concerning experiences from the North American visit are available.
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Date Issued: 2011-11-23

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Substantive agreement between Nestlé South Africa (PTY) LTD and Food Allied Workers Union and collectively referred to as the parties

- Nestlé South Africa (PTY) LTD, Food and Allied Workers Union

Authors: Nestlé South Africa (PTY) LTD , Food and Allied Workers Union
Date: 2011-11-17
Subjects: Nestlé South Africa (PTY) LTD Wages -- South Africa , Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) , Collective bargaining -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: collective labor agreements , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94334 , vital:31036 , Labour Research Service (LRS)
Description: Substantive agreement between Nestlé South Africa (PTY) LTD and Food Allied Workers Union and collectively referred to as the parties.
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Date Issued: 2011-11-17

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A qualitative exploration of the experience of Black women in violent relationships

- Mesatywa, Nontando Jennifer

Authors: Mesatywa, Nontando Jennifer
Date: 2011-11-16
Subjects: Abused women -- South Africa , Abused wives -- South Africa , Family violence -- Research -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
Identifier: vital:701 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006458 , Abused women -- South Africa , Abused wives -- South Africa , Family violence -- Research -- South Africa
Description: This study is a qualitative exploration of black women experiences in violent relationships. The study was conducted at Masimanyane Women Support Centre in East London. As a qualitative exploratory study, in-depth interviews were conducted and a sample of ten abused women was utilized. A study of related literature has been made to focus on the existing literature concerning abuse on black women. Various theories have been explored, various feminist views were discussed and the existing legal system, nationally and internationally was looked into. The findings suggest that black women are abused by their partners. Alcohol abuse, failing to support the children and extra marital relationships have been cited as some of the reasons. Women in abusive relationships in this study sustained physical as well as emotional abuse. The professional networks assisted these women to some extent. However, there is an indication of a dire need for training, interdisciplinary approach and a legal system that prohibits further abuse by male partners. Various recommendations have been postulated. The researcher indicated that there is a need for empowering programs for the abused, rehabilitative program for the abuser, and an effective legal system to prevent further abuse on women.
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An assessment of the sustainability of the selected NGOs' interventions on poverty alleviation: the case of Mafeteng and Leribe Districts

- Ntobo-Letsie, Hlompho

Authors: Ntobo-Letsie, Hlompho
Date: 2011-11
Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- Lesotho , Poverty -- Lesotho
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25777 , vital:64478
Description: The escalating levels of poverty present a serious challenge of vulnerability to most citizens of Lesotho. The government of Lesotho and its Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) partners have been engaged in several programs aimed at alleviating poverty, whose persistence has threatened the current and future generations of the country. This study aimed at assessing the sustainability of NGO`s poverty alleviation programmes established for selected beneficiaries in rural communities. The main participants in this study were beneficiaries of poverty alleviation projects, government officials and NGO project managers. Using a combination of empowerment, sustainable livelihood approach and the sustainable development theoretical frameworks, the study adopted the qualitative research methodology to investigate the pertinent issues. The research design was a case study which helped to direct the researcher in the process of collecting and analyzing data. The study revealed that the sustainability of these projects in poverty alleviation remains questionable due to a number of challenges. These challenges include; lack of participation of the beneficiaries, inadequate funding, natural disasters, lack of commitment of the beneficiaries and lack of government support to the project beneficiaries. Nevertheless, there are commendable efforts made by the NGOs involved to enhance the sustainability of these projects and these include; training the beneficiaries in crop production, marketing, natural resources management and disaster management. In light of the challenges faced by NGOs and participants in alleviating poverty, this study advocates, The three stakeholders are expected to work harmoniously together using communication channels that are open to all of them. That enables them to work with a singleness of purpose to attain the sustainability goals of the project. There is need also for NGOs to reconsider their targeting schemes, and to advance their training, monitoring and evaluation skills of their projects. It also recommended that the beneficiaries must be empowered in order for the sustainability of the projects to be realized. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
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Date Issued: 2011-11

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An evaluation of stress tolerant open pollinated maize varieties in selected environments of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

- Chimonyo, Vimbayi G P https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9912-9848

Authors: Chimonyo, Vimbayi G P https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9912-9848
Date: 2011-11
Subjects: Crops -- Effect of stress on
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24487 , vital:63045
Description: The use of farmer acceptable, stress tolerant open pollinated maize varieties (OPVs) could be a strategy to help increase maize productivity for resource-poor farmers in the Eastern Cape (EC) Province. The current study investigated the following: a) participatory selection of newly introduced stress tolerant maize OPVs; b) characteristics of maize producing farmers, their production constraints and criteria for variety selections; c) multi-environment yield trials in which genotype and environment interactions (GEI) were investigated, and d) morphological diversity of newly introduced maize varieties. Nine newly introduced maize OPVs were evaluated in this study. These varieties were: ZM 305, ZM 423 ZM 501, ZM 525, Obatanpa, ZM 621, ZM 627, which were from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), BR 993, and Comp 4 which from where the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Check varieties, Pan 6479 (a hybrid) and three locally grown OPVs (Okavango, Afric 1 and Nelson‘s Choice) were also included. Participatory variety selection (PVS) was conducted during the 2009/10 summer season to evaluate farmer acceptance of these newly introduced OPVs. The most preferred varieties farmers were Okavango, ZM 305 and ZM 501, and these varieties were not significantly different from the highest yielding variety within each site. Therefore, varieties like ZM 305 and ZM 501 could easily be adopted by farmers, and their use could result in yield improvements. To gather information on farmer characteristics, and perceptions on maize production constraints and maize selection criteria, focus group discussions and household surveys were conducted during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons, respectively. Results indicated that, elderly farmers dominated the farming communities. Maize production was generally low, with 98percent of the farmers obtaining less than 1.6 t/ha. The most important constraints affecting maize production were extreme weather events (floods and drought), pests and diseases, and poor access to credit. The most preferred traits that made up farmer selection criteria were ear traits such as taste, long cobs, and big kernels. Other traits, such as, prolificacy, early maturity, retainability of seed and dark leaves, were village specific. Yield trials, assessing genotype and environment interactions, were conducted in eight sites during the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons. The genotypes exhibited non-significant crossover and non-crossover GEI over the environments. Okavango, the most stable variety, was generally low yielding (4.28 t/ha) than other stable varieties such as ZM 305, ZM 501, ZM 621 and ZM 423. The later varieties had significantly (p<0.05) higher yields of between 4.46 t/ha and 4.97 t/ha. The highest yielding varieties, Pan 6479 (5.29 t/ha) and ZM 525 (4.87 t/ha), showed specific adaptations to high potential environments, while BR 993 (4.07 t/ha) and Afric 1 (4.24 t/ha) were low yielding, unstable and specifically adapted to low potential environments. New varieties, therefore, exhibited both specific and wide adaptation. Qualitative and quantitative traits were evaluated to establish the morphological diversity of the 13 varieties. Ear height, plant height, days to 50percent anthesis and grain yield contributed the most to variety diversity. Cluster Analysis discriminated varieties into four main clusters. The first cluster consisted of four CIMMYT varieties that were short in height and early maturing (ZM 305, ZM 423, ZM 501 and ZM 525), while hybrid Pan 6479 was placed into cluster two. Nelson‘s Choice and Okavango were grouped into the third cluster, while tall and late maturing varieties, ZM 621, ZM 627, Obatanpa, BR 993, Comp 4 and Afric 1, were placed in the fourth cluster. The segregation of the newly introduced varieties into two distinct groups shows that these varieties can be recommended into more than on cropping system and agro-ecology. Differences in village agro-ecologies resulted in farmers selecting varieties differently. This diversity in agro-ecology also brought about variations on farmer perceptions in selection criteria and production constraints. Most of the new varieties were observed to be superior in yield performance when compared to local check OPVs, exhibiting either wide or specific adaptation. The study also demonstrated that, the study of morphological diversity can be used to suggest varieties to different environmental potentials and cropping systems. Multi-evaluation trials were able to give an insight on variety preferences and performance. These new varieties should, therefore, be introduced to selected farmers living in their respective environments on the basis of results obtained. However, varieties still need to be evaluated under farmer-managed conditions to determine whether they actually bring about yield improvement when compared with current varieties being used. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2011
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Date Issued: 2011-11

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