A framework for communicating climate information to rural small-scale farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa using systems thinking approach
- Authors: Pindura, Tineyi Herbert https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7233-6222
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Farms, Small , Agriculture -- Environmental aspects , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22809 , vital:52784
- Description: In the Eastern Cape of South Africa, rural small-scale farmers live in uncertain times characterized by climate change and variability, which intensify social, political and financial inequalities. Therefore, there is a need to increase the understanding and interpretation of climate information to minimize crop production risk, reduce rural small-scale farmers’ vulnerability to climate, and maximize opportunities. Increasing the resilience among rural small-scale farmers requires appropriate and viable practical approaches. By using systems thinking approach (and the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality in the Eastern Cape as a study area), this research disseminates the complex nature of current climate information frameworks. Through inputs from farmers (through a Farmers Research Group methodology) and climate data, this thesis developed a new framework for communicating climate information (herein referred as the climate information communication systems framework) to rural small-scale farmers. The proposed climate information communication systems framework successfully integrates scientific and traditional knowledge. The framework constitutes certain stages, where the farming system and crop identification is the first stage. The second stage is the requirements stage, which has two relationships: scientist to crop requirements and farmers to crop requirements. At the scientist to crop requirements level, users will examine crop requirements by combining climatic data and crop simulations, while at the farmers to crop requirement, rural small-scale farmers use the scientific information to plan for the farming season. The farmer then decides the planting and growing period as well as the harvest timing. The study suggests that building links between rural small-scale farmers, extension officers, and scientists makes sharing information easier. The proposed climate information framework design illustrates that stakeholders now have a personal relationship with climate information transmission and can influence the different actions to reduce the effect of climate change unpredictability. The study established that climate change and variability influence recent agricultural output trends. Recent temperature and rainfall trends could have resulted in low crop productivity in the study area. The study also reflected that women are a critical resource in agriculture and rural economy and that middle-aged men and youth are less interested in farming. The findings also showed that women are more receptive to climate information; hence, to promote access and use of climate information remains vital to consider gender-specific aspects for appropriate decision-making in the agriculture sector. The study also recommends enhancing the Farmers Research Group technique. In the past, the scope of this methodology has been narrowly focused, and it must be explored to incorporate additional types of climate information and more debate about how climate is related to the decisions farmers for implementation or consideration. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
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A systematic review of published literature examining the link between maternal attachment and adolescent anxiety
- Authors: Amos-Brown, Alexa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-3176
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Adolescent psychopathology , Teenagers -- Mental health
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23677 , vital:58295
- Description: Aim: Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in mental health challenges in adolescents, specifically anxiety and depression. There has thus been concern around what could be causing this increase. The present study therefore aimed to examine the link between maternal attachment and adolescent anxiety. Methodology: The research was conducted using a qualitative systematic review as the methodological approach. The sample included ten academic journal articles. These articles were searched using Google Scholar and The University of Fort Hare’s library database search engine. Final articles were selected based on the systematic review process of ensuring that the articles matched the inclusion criteria, centred on the main research question and sub-questions. Findings and Results: At the end of the systematic review process, the final literature articles were analysed using thematic analysis, which identified, analysed, and reported emerging themes. The study revealed that secure attachment and sensitive parenting buffer and protect against the risk and onset of anxiety and adolescent internalizing behaviours. The thematic analysis findings identified emerging themes based on the data analysis, which include: ‘Sensitive parenting as a buffer’, ‘Quality attachment protects’, ‘Safe haven’, ‘Insecure attachment precedes emotion regulation difficulties’, ‘Insecure attachment is associated with anxiety’, ‘Social problems,’ and ‘Negative parental-control undermines attachment security’. Conclusion and recommendations: The extracts provided by the literature were able to successfully give sufficient information to meet all of my study’s research objectives. The findings revealed that very few articles spoke about interventions that can be applied to assist in the development of healthy maternal attachment. Therefore, it is recommended that research be conducted on attachment-based interventions and building restorative adolescent attachment bonds. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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An analysis of the link between monetary policy, exchange rate pass-through effect and domestic prices in South Africa.
- Authors: Ndamase, Asisipho Zingisa
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Monetary policy. , South Africa--Economic policy.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22165 , vital:51992
- Description: The study seeks to analyse the link between monetary policy, domestic prices and exchange rate pass-through effect in South Africa. South Africa’s imports are more than its exports. Therefore, given a higher PTE associated with the importation of necessities, the poor are always left worse off since they are faced with imported inflation that is depreciating exchange rate driven. The Johansen co integration for the long run and the Vector Error Correctional Model for the short run were used to analyse monthly data obtained from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the World Bank from 1990 to 2019. The study consisted of five separate but closely linked models, which are the price equation, excess demand equation, the monetary policy equation, pass through equation and the money demand equation. The results revealed that all models are cointegrated meaning that a long run relationship exist in these equations. However, the VECM short-run results show that two of the models have an ECM term which is negative and significant. The results indicated that there is evidence of the passthrough effect. In this case, a positive pass-through effect of 222 per cent was established between domestic prices and import prices. A pass-through effect of 39 per cent was also identified between imports and exchange rate and lastly a pass-through effect (PTE) of 30 percent was established between oil prices and import prices. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
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Causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in Kwazulu-Natal Province
- Authors: Mabaso, Sindisiwe Carol Catherine
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21838 , vital:51822
- Description: BACKGROUND: Staff turnover, defined as the total separations from employment, is expensive, can result in lost capacity, and can limit local health departments’ ability to respond to public health needs. Despite the importance of workforce capacity in public health, little is known about workforce turnover in local health departments. This study sought to determine the causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province and to identify corrective measures. Professional nurses are a critical staff category in any health organisation and make up the backbone of health care system. It is thus vital to ensure that this category is retained for the benefit of health services and its ultimate beneficiary, the patient. Furthermore, Personnel and Salaries System (PERSAL) statistics have shown that the hospitals selected for this study viz., Nkandla Local Municipality (LM) has more that two times (28%) the turnover rates (TORs) for PNs when compared to the district target of 11%, thus the decision to conduct this study at this particular municipality. METHODOLOGY: This research adopted a mixed methods retrospective study where both quantitative and qualitative approach was used to analyse data. The primary data source was the Exit Interview forms completed when a staff member resigns. It consists of three sections viz., section one contained demographics of each respondent with variables such as name PERSAL number, gender, rank, appointment and termination dates; section two contained closed ended statements on potential causes of termination where the respondent answered yes or no to statements such as offered senior position; and section three which was mostly qualitative information where respondents stated own additional views and comments regarding other causes of termination and recommended solutions. Both sections one and two were analysed using quantitative analysis while section three was analysed using qualitative analysis. Qualitative data from comments sections of the exit interview forms was thematically presented and analysed. These results were grouped into five themes namely; Career Progression, Management, Unacceptable or Poor Conditions of Service, Remuneration and Personal Issues. These previously completed exit interview forms were manually analysed in order to determine the causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province, during the period 2015-2016. Exit interview forms, previously completed by professional nurses for the period 2015 to 2016, were collected from both Nkandla LM district hospitals namely Ekombe and Nkandla. A self-designed spread sheet was used to collate the quantitative data from the exit interview forms which contained personal and demographic data (names, gender, PERSAL numbers, appointment and termination dates, rank, etc.), type of exit, and causes of exit, comments and proposed changes, following which it was manually analysed. RESULTS: A total of 54 participants completed the exit interview forms and selected the causes of service termination which were relevant to them. Ekombe Hospital participants were twelve (12) and Nkandla Hospital participants were forty two (42). Not all professional nurses who exited the service during the study period completed the exit interview form. The exit interview form completion rate was 78% (54/69). Twenty-four percent (13/54) of participants did not complete the exit interview form in full. The quantitative analysis revealed that the gender distribution of participants was mostly female, making 80% (43/54). The majority of participants, 30% (16/54), had 21-25 years’ service prior to exiting. On qualitative data analysis, the majority of participants selected unacceptable or poor conditions of service as the cause of service termination 65% (35/54) participants. This trend was also similar when each hospital participants’ selections were examined. In Ekombe Hospital 83% (10/12) participants’ selected unacceptable or poor conditions of service as the cause of service termination and in Nkandla Hospital this was 60% (25/42) participants. The majority of participants, 78% (42/54), stated that they still intended to re-join the department, and most were seeking employment in the public service. Furthermore, 70% (38/54), of the participants stated they would have stayed had their expectations been met. Further examination of themes and sub-themes derived from the qualitative data of the exit interview forms, the majority of comments, (20 comments), were related to Unacceptable or Poor Conditions of Service as the cause of termination. Sub themes analysis further identified resource shortages as the most common comments related to this determination. CONCLUSION: The leading causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province was determined to be unacceptable or poor conditions of service. On thematic analysis of qualitative data that emerged from the exit interview forms, the key areas that contributed to this determination included mainly resource constraints issues such as shortage of staff, shortage of equipment, shortage of funds, as well as poor infrastructure. Recommendations for staff retention and improvements in service conditions have been proposed. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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Complaints and service recovery responses on South African banks’ facebook fan pages: a netnographic study.
- Authors: Phambuka, Nomfundo
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Online social networks. , Consumers--Research. , Marketing research.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22266 , vital:52011
- Description: The internet transformation over the past decade has changed the way businesses and consumers communicate. Instead of face-to-face transactions, businesses can now interact with their customers online, not just by marketing new products and services, but also by providing added value services in the online environment. The internet has become a dominant aspect in assisting businesses to attract and retain customers. One of the fastest growing platforms for this communication is through social networking sites. Many consumers are preferring to use social media platforms such as Facebook to express their views on the products or service of a business. In fact, the business’s Facebook page has become a preferred channel for customers who wish to voice concerns or complaints about the service they have received. As a result, many businesses are using that same platform for service recovery, and to make amends with their customers following a service failure. The aspect of online customer complaints and service recovery on social media, has not been well researched in the South African banking industry, which highlights both a gap and an opportunity. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis and categorisation of the types of customer complaints and service responses on the top five South African banks’ Facebook pages. These banks are; ABSA bank, Capitec Bank, First National Bank (FNB), Nedbank and Standard Bank. A qualitative approach known as netnography was adopted, as it provided an insider’s perspective on what customers complain about on a social media platform and how the banks responded to these complaints. 1250 complaints and the corresponding responses were extracted from each of the banks’ Facebook pages over a period of three months through a qualitative research software known as Nvivo 11. Using the framework provided by the justice theory, complaints and the corresponding responses were categorised. Customer complaints were categorised as either process, outcome or random and the banks’ responses were categorised as either procedural, interpersonal, distributional or informational dimensions. The main finding across all the banks, was that 1050 of the total number of complaints were related to the outcomes of the services provided; such as the banking app , the ATM machine and the general service the customers received. On average, the banks responded to around 70 percent of the 1250 complaints, with Nedbank having the best response rate (196/250) and Standard having the worst response rate (138/250). In addition, most of the banks responded in an interpersonal manner, dealing with customer’s problems directly. Once again, Standard Bank had the least number of interpersonal responses. On the whole, all the banks were mindful of the importance of explaining the reasons for service failures and explaining how the problem was going to be solved. Findings from this study indicate that consumer expectations of service failures and recovery are context driven, which requires companies to modify their recovery strategies to improve the customer’s personal experience. It can also be noted that many customer complaints stem from a general lack of understanding of banking systems and that banks should therefore be utilising their online platforms to keep customers well informed regarding common and frequent customer complaints. The main recommendation from the study is that banks should be entirely transparent during online service recovery and utilise their social media pages to do so. , Thesis (MCom) (Business Management) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
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Considering the scope of legal personality with special reference to the proposition of rights for non-human animals: the Al Shuwaikh Case and its implications for the development of South African Law
- Authors: Humpel, Daniel https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9961-6882
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Animal welfare -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Animal rights -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28402 , vital:74290
- Description: The treatment of sheep during export processes involving the Al Shuwaikh case has raised questions again about the scope and depth of non-human animal protections in South Africa and in particular the increasingly contested legal status of non-human animals under modern South African law. Currently non-human animals are classified as legal objects/things, and thus deprived of the benefits and protections afforded human animals, who are classified as legal subjects. Legal subjectivity is in turn the exclusive attribute of one who is considered a legal person i.e., a being or entity recognized under law as having legal personality. Fromthis basic distinction and concept in the law, all of the rights duties and capacities of humans and their collective legal vehicles arise. Equally, it is from their lack of legal personality under this legal classification, that non-human animals do not have/bear rights duties and capacities, and as a consequence are subject to the treatment that would otherwise be unacceptable if they were human animals. However, while this fundamental classification might seem to be an absolute in the legal system, the concept of legal personality is in fact a malleable construct, and has in fact changed and been changed through the ages in response to changing social mores of each age. Animal rights activists suggest therefore that one solution for addressing concerns regarding animal welfare would be to extend the scope of legal personality to include non-human animals. While prima face theoretically legally possible, this suggestion has been resisted on a variety of practical and intellectual grounds, thus creating a still contested area of social, and thus by natural extension, jurisprudential debate. Differing perceptions of the full nature and current capacity of the concept of legal personality lie at the heart of the debate/this contestation. Inspired by the Al Shuwaikh case, which serves as a new millennium factual basis/lens through which to beg the question of the exclusive attribution of personality to human but not non-human animals (or indeed other living or non-living entities), this thesis thus revisits the notion of legal personality, tracking its historical development and highlighting its de facto capacity for adaptation over time to respond changing social mores. Key changes and expansions of the construct are isolated, collected and compiled to provide a grounded overview of its larger potential for adaptation. Thereafter, and as a consequence of the aforementioned, the thesis then reflects on the current animal protection regime in South Africa, with due reference to glosses, where appropriate, gained to the perspectives gained from other jurisdictions about the potential for the extension of the concept of legal personality. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, 2022
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Exploring socio-economic factors influencing incidences and outcome of multidrug resistance tuberculosis among patients and facility staffs in Makana Sub-District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Cannon, Lesley-Ann https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7635-277X
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Multidrug resistance , Tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26706 , vital:65958
- Description: Background Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the main causes of global public health crisis, due to the morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. This DR TB is a complex illness having direct and indirect impact on finances, social functioning, and quality of life of infected individuals. Major research advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of DR-TB. However, minimal information exists on the socio-economic factors influencing the incidence and outcomes. This study aims to fill the gap by exploring the socio-economic factors from both the health care professional and patient perspective in particular settings to gain insights into developing context-specific strategies against the burden of DR-TB. Methodology The study applied a qualitative method to explore the socio-economic factors influencing MDR-TB through key-in-depth interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study enrolled a total of thirty-two (32) consenting participants. The KIIs was conducted for ten (10) healthcare workers and nine (9) MDR-TB patients. Two focus group discussions were done involving seven (7) MDR TB patients and six (6) MDR-TB patients, respectively. The study targeted healthcare workers working in the MDR-TB field and TB patients with the following: GeneXpert Rifampicin resistance and patient confirmed as MDR TB. Eligible participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique from the hospitals` routine data electronic records (EDR-WEB database) and hardcopy registers (drug-resistant TB register) on MDR-TB patients enrolled in care at the study site. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants after thoroughly explaining the purpose. No personal information of participants was used. All responses from respondents were coded during analysis for autonomy and the respondents were not identifiable in any published or unpublished work following this research. The interviews were transcribed, some translated into English, where necessary, and analysed until saturation was reached. Data was coded and analysed using both thematic and content analysis technique. Results There were 3 main themes identified in the study: social factors, economic factors, and other contributing factors. 7 sub- themes were recorded under social factors and 2 subthemes under economic factors. Two independent factors that were also considered to impact MDR-TB were the attitude of healthcare workers, as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion MDR-TB is a major public health concern in the Makana Sub-district of the Eastern Cape. The findings of this study highlight the impact of socio- economic factors on the incidence, spread, defaulter rate and outcomes of MDR-TB. The social areas highlighted by the study participants as affecting the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB were housing and relocation, decreased immunity, stigma, patients’ attitude and lack of support, alcohol and other substance usage and prison/ incarceration. The economic factors identified by the participants were unemployment and job loss and health related expenses. Other factors are those factors contributing to the increased incidence and possible poor outcomes of MDR TB. Healthcare workers impact and attitude and the effects of the covid-19 pandemic were highlighted as additional factors influencing the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB. The management of MDR-TB requires rigorous efforts that should be directed at addressing the socio-economic factors. Therefore, future quantitative studies and important programmatic strategies should be considered to tackle the socio-economic challenges that contribute to the burden of MDR-TB infection in the Makana community. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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Exploring socio-economic factors influencing incidences and outcome of multidrug resistance tuberculosis among patients and facility staffs in Makana Sub-District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Cannon, Lesley-Ann Lynnath
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Multidrug resistance , Multidrug-resistant -- tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23471 , vital:57896
- Description: Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the main causes of global public health crisis, due to the morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. This DR-TB is a complex illness having direct and indirect impact on finances, social functioning, and quality of life of infected individuals. Major research advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of DR-TB. However, minimal information exists on the socio-economic factors influencing the incidence and outcomes. This study aims to fill the gap by exploring the socio-economic factors from both the health care professional and patient perspective in particular settings to gain insights into developing context-specific strategies against the burden of DR-TB. The study applied a qualitative method to explore the socio-economic factors influencing MDR-TB through key-in-depth interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study enrolled a total of thirty-two (32) consenting participants. The KIIs was conducted for ten (10) healthcare workers and nine (9) MDR-TB patients. Two focus group discussions were done involving seven (7) MDR-TB patients and six (6) MDR-TB patients, respectively. The study targeted healthcare workers working in the MDR-TB field and TB patients with the following: GeneXpert Rifampicin resistance and patient confirmed as MDR TB. Eligible participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique from the hospitals` routine data electronic records (EDR-WEB database) and hardcopy registers (drug-resistant TB register) on MDR-TB patients enrolled in care at the study site. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants after thoroughly explaining the purpose. No personal information of participants was used. All responses from respondents were coded during analysis for autonomy and the respondents were not identifiable in any published or unpublished work following this research. The interviews were transcribed, some translated into English, where necessary, and analysed until saturation was reached. Data was coded and analysed using both thematic and content analysis technique. There were 3 main themes identified in the study: social factors, economic factors, and other contributing factors. 7 sub- themes were recorded under social factors and 2 subthemes under economic factors. Two independent factors that were also considered to impact MDR-TB were the attitude of healthcare workers, as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic. MDR-TB is a major public health concern in the Makana Sub-district of the Eastern Cape. The findings of this study highlight the impact of socio- economic factors on the incidence, spread, defaulter rate and outcomes of MDR-TB. The social areas highlighted by the study participants as affecting the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB were housing and relocation, decreased immunity, stigma, patients’ attitude and lack of support, alcohol and other substance usage and prison/ incarceration. The economic factors identified by the participants were unemployment and job loss and health related expenses. Other factors are those factors contributing to the increased incidence and possible poor outcomes of MDR TB. Healthcare workers impact and attitude and the effects of the covid-19 pandemic were highlighted as additional factors influencing the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB. The management of MDR-TB requires rigorous efforts that should be directed at addressing the socio-economic factors. Therefore, future quantitative studies and important programmatic strategies should be considered to tackle the socio-economic challenges that contribute to the burden of MDR-TB infection in the Makana community. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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Exploring suicide ideation and depression among university students: a systematic review
- Authors: Jarana, Luyanda https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9625-8302
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Suicide , Depression in adolescence
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23698 , vital:58580
- Description: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among the youth and university students. The aim of this study was to explore knowledge that is available in published literature on suicide ideation and depression among university students in the South African context. This study utilised a systematic review in exploring suicide ideation and depression among university students so that knowledge and awareness about the prevalence of and factors associated with suicide ideation and depression among young people at university could be established. Method: A systematic review was the methodology used in the study. The main aim of the systematic review was to answer the research question that was formulated through the Patient of interest, Intervention, Comparison intervention and Outcome of interest (PICO) format. After the research question was formulated, 100 articles were collected through PsycInfo, Google Scholar, Ebscohost, Research Gate, and Taylor and Francis websites. From the 100 articles, five articles which met the inclusion criteria were selected with guidance from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) flow chart. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) screening checklist was used to verify the eligibility of the five selected articles. Results: Three themes, which are effectiveness of psychological interventions, students who do not seek psychological interventions and decrease in suicide ideation and depression after intervention emerged from the eligible articles. The themes answered the research question and confirmed that psychological and psychosocial interventions decrease the rate of suicide ideation and depression among university students. The most effective interventions were individual therapy and online counselling. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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Factors associated with infant mortality in Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Muavha, Mukondeleli Selina
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Infants--Mortality
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22067 , vital:51980
- Description: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with infant mortality in Sarah Baartman District hospitals. A quantitative descriptive case-control design was used to investigate and describe the association between maternal socio-demographic, infant, environmental factors, and infant mortality. A data abstraction instrument was used to identify cases and their controls, and to retrieve information related to antenatal and obstetric care for the mothers of both cases and controls, as well as some information related to perinatal care for both mother and infant, from the registers in the district hospitals in Sarah Baartman district for the financial years 2015/2016 to 2017/2018. This was followed by structured questionnaires which were hand-delivered, to the mothers of the cases and controls. This study showed that seven maternal socio-demographic factors (educational level, mother’s source of income, religion, where mother took sick child to, frequency of visits by a health care worker within the last one year, number of alive siblings, and history of intrauterine death) were significantly related to infant mortality among the study participants. Among the environmental factors, the type of house, availability of tap and type of toilet were significantly related to infant mortality among the study participants. The study recommends public policies concerning maternal health through targeting mothers for food supplementation and prenatal care to reduce infant mortality rates. Infant mortality in the study area can also be reduced by improving mother’s education because women’s education has spill over effects on fertility and maternal health care behaviour. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health, 2021
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Parents and personnel’s partnership in early childhood education provisioning in the East London Education District
- Authors: Mudziwapasi, Lilymore https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7978-8499
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Education, Preschool -- Parent participation , Education, Preschool
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21700 , vital:51743
- Description: Early childhood development is fundamental to human development and success in later life. Several stakeholders influence that development. Developmental policies are advocating for formal education provision at that early childhood age. Therefore, relationships and interactions of these stakeholders are of paramount importance in ensuring effective early childhood education provisioning – especially between parents and practitioners. Yet it has been reported that sharing of information concerning children’s educational development is not happening between parents and ECD practitioners. ECD centres are said to face many problems such as poor teaching and learning which may result in weak childhood educational development. Some of these challenges can be addressed through enhancing the partnership between parents and the ECD practitioners. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the parents and practitioners’ partnership in early childhood education provisioning in ECD centres in the East London district. This study used the mixed method approach in the sampling, data collection and data analysis processes. The study focused on the partnership between parents and ECD practitioners, on how they work together, their views, how they communicate, on decision making and the strategies to enhance the partnership of parents and practitioners. Research questions in this study required both qualitative and quantitative data and analysis techniques. Quantitative data was collected from the ECD practitioners and principals by using questionnaires and qualitative data was collected through interviews with the parents. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and qualitative data was analysed using the thematic approach. The findings indicated that both parents and practitioners are working together in supporting learning and development. Parents are said to provide resources for use at the centre. Parents and practitioners are using different modes of communication for the learning and development of the children, including technology-based WhatsApp and emails. Practitioners are said to include parents in some decision making. The results indicated that even though some parents are working together with practitioners, while other parents are still showing ignorance and lack of knowledge on how they can partner for the educational development of the children. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
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The impact on restitution claims as a means of achieving a sustainable livelihood among the people of CATA Village in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mgweba, Bongani
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Land reform--Law and legislation , Land reform--Government policy--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23721 , vital:58594
- Description: Land reform contestation in South African reflects how restitution of lands has impacted the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the community at large. This study examines the restitution impact on the livelihood of Cata community members, a controversial land reform zone in Eastern Cape. Although the people of Cata suffered a loss of land through forced removal by the apartheid government, the ‘betterment planning’ by the state did not address their problem. The study investigates the extent of socioeconomic livelihood improvement that the land restitution policy has offered the people of Cata. The study explores the extent to which land restitution settlement has contributed to a sustainable development and how such development has impacted the everyday lives of the community. The study made use of qualitative approach for data collection. Interviews were conducted among land beneficiaries in Cata. These included land beneficiaries living in Cata and those who are also beneficiaries but were not presently living in Cata. To understand the state of developmental impact in the lives of Cata people, a focus-group discussion was organized to hear contributions from some community members. The study indicates that, financial compensation has not benefited many of the claimant. This is because many of the funds have not been put to good use considering the enormous socioeconomic challenges facing households. However, the formation of BRC brought some relief to the community members through helping beneficiaries by lodging their claims, helping with appropriate compensation awards and offering land restitution advice to claimants. The help from BRC has contributed to the developmental project that respondents attest has improved their livelihoods. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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The place of traditional circumcision in the initiation into manhood among the amaXhosa people of the Eastern Cape Province - South Africa: a human rights perspective
- Authors: Mkuzo, Pearl Zukiswa
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Circumcision -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Health and hygiene
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28388 , vital:74286
- Description: This desktop study sought to investigate the place of traditional circumcision in the initiation into manhood among the amaXhosa people of South Africa. It also explores this phenomenon from the human rights perspective. This is because male initiation is a highly significant Xhosa rite of passage that acts as the instrument for a transition from boyhood to manhood. In Xhosa custom, traditional circumcision is generally performed on boys (young males) ranging between the ages of 18 and 25. Traditionally, the circumcision ritual is a complex one involving several different stages each closely regulated by principles and requirements. Regrettably, failure to go to the initiation school results in a boy being socially stigmatized and orchestrated by society. In recent years many concerns have arisen due to the high number of deaths after circumcision during initiation sessions. This rite of passage to manhood among Xhosa people is riddled with numerous complications and concerns that raise questions regarding the initiates' human rights. Each year thousands of youths enter initiation schools during initiation seasons. Some of these initiates experience medical complications due to a number of factors that require treatment, among others, septicemia, gangrene, severe dehydration, genital mutilation, penal amputation, maltreatment, assault, abuse, and violence which ultimately may lead to death of the initiates. The present researcher is of the opinion that the physical and emotional harm experienced by initiates is not compatible with a range of basic human rights, including the right to liberty, the right to health, the right to be free from torture, the right to security of person, the right to privacy and the right to life. One can argue that when the practice takes place under unhygienic, uncoordinated, or illdisciplined conditions, the procedure poses a threat to health and life, thus, violating the core human rights instrument namely: The United Nations Human Rights Declarations, namely, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Children's Act. These instruments have several provisions which are applicable to the circumcision of children during initiation. The present circumstances surrounding the initiation practice are also evaluated, namely, the outcry of the church and other leaders, who are calling for the practice to be abolished, is noted. The present researcher asserts that, because of the importance of this practice to Xhosa culture, calling for its abolition is not a solution. Instead, it is suggested that the practice should rather be redefined to better contribute to the broader challenges of moral regeneration in South Africa. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Law, 2022
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