Challenges faced by healthcare professionals in reporting near miss incidents in a hospital, at the Amathole District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ntlanganiso, Lindiwe
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Industrial accidents , Accident investigation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27094 , vital:66276
- Description: Background Recording and investigation of NMIs can provide valuable information on monitoring and enhancing patient safety in the healthcare facilities. This in turn, can reduce the likelihood of medico-legal claims. Regardless of attempts to establish efficient incident reporting systems across the entire healthcare industry, underreporting of errors persists worldwide. Therefore, not only do near miss incidents serve as early warning signs of impending potential failure in the healthcare system, but they also provide a chance for patient safety improvement. With that in mind, this study was undertaken to investigate challenges faced by health care professionals in reporting near miss incidents at a hospital in the Amathole District, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Aim The aim of the study was to develop recommendations for healthcare management and healthcare professionals on how to better manage NMIs, and by identifying the challenges faced by health care professionals and the impact they have on the quality of care at one state-funded district hospital. Setting The study was conducted with healthcare professionals at a district hospital in the Amathole District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Methods This study used a mixed method study design. Purposive and convenience sampling were used for participants’ selection for the study. Quantitative data was collected using the WHO Near-Miss Approach while individual and focus group interviews with healthcare professionals were carried out for collecting qualitative data. The maternity and neonatal intensive care units were identified as the two high-risk areas from which most medical negligence claims are lodged. The number of complications that occurred in each month of the year 2019 was determined by using components of the WHO near miss approach. The researcher adopted this approach to serve as a baseline assessment. Data was analysed using both Nvivo Version 10 and SPSS Version 20. Findings The challenges that healthcare professionals face in reporting near miss incidents at the study site included lack of knowledge about the reporting tool and system, inability to identify a near miss incident and healthcare professional attitudes and practices. The document review revealed that the NMIs are existent but not reported on the prescribed reporting system, a total of 210 actual incidents had occurred in the maternity and neonatal units of the hospital, which accounts for 62% of the 357 deliveries in the year 2019. Conclusion Based on the study result and findings, the healthcare system should shift towards a proactive rather than a reactive approach to medical and clinical errors. Continuously reducing the incidence of all patient safety incidents requires improved prevention strategies and effective strategies for recovery from possible medico-legal claims. The study further suggests that additional focus should be placed on NMI reporting and investigation so that operative improvement plans can be developed, implemented, monitored and evaluated. In essence, these improvement plans should be designed to progress patient care, reduce avoidable PSIs and reduce medico-legal claims. , Thesis (MCur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Chicken feather delipidation by lipolytic bacteria isolated from an aquatic environment
- Authors: Shiri, Tariro https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0290-9854
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Keratin
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21479 , vital:48693
- Description: Keratinous biomass contributes a significant proportion of agro-based wastes in the ecosystem with minimal potentials for valuable product recovery. The generation of huge quantities of chicken feather from poultry processing farms prompts the valorization attempt via diverse avenues. Chicken feathers are a rich source of valuable keratin, yet the overall value chain is rudimentary based on unsustainable recovery techniques involving corrosive chemicals and high energy input processes. Although attempts have been made to extract keratin using microbial techniques successfully, the pre-treatment stage remains dominated by chemical use. Chicken feathers are composed of approximately 91percent keratin, 1percent lipids, and 8percent water. Therefore, lipid removal is a critical step in the valorization process as they contribute to access hindrance of the keratinases and other sulfitolytic systems to keratin. Consequently, the study undertook to explore the environment for lipolytic bacteria capable of degrading chicken feathers' lipid components. Sediment samples were collected for bacteria isolation. The bacteria were evaluated for lipolytic activity, and the potent isolates were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The fermentation conditions for the production of extracellular lipases were optimized, and the produced lipases were characterized. Lastly, chicken feather lipids were hydrolysed with lipolytic bacteria. Out of twenty bacteria isolated from the sediment samples, six isolates coded as ACT003, ACT004, ACT010, ACT013, ACT016, and ACT019 showed lipolytic activity on solid media with a respective diameter of 12 mm, 66 mm, 29 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, and 10 mm. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, the isolates coded as ACT004 and ACT010 were identified as Bacillus sp. TTs1 and Bacillus sp. TTs2; and the nucleotide sequences were submitted to GenBank (NCBI) with the accession numbers MW556206 and MW556207, respectively. Bacillus sp. TTs1 showed the maximum lipase production of 641.25 U/mL at 72 h, under optimized conditions that included initial pH (5), inoculum size (2percent, v/v), incubation temperature (45 oC), agitation speed (140 rpm), CaCl2 (0.01percent, w/v), yeast extract (1percent, w/v), and tween-80 (10percent, v/v). Similarly, the lipase production by Bacillus sp. TTs2 peaked at 96 h with enzyme activity of 618.8 U/mL in improved fermentation conditions consisting of initial pH (5), inoculum size (2-8percent, v/v), incubation temperature (25 oC), agitation speed (180 rpm), CaCl2 (0.01percent, w/v), yeast extract and peptone (1percent, w/v), and tween-80 (10percent, v/v). The evaluation of chicken feather concentrations on free fatty acid liberation showed that 6-8percent (w/v) chicken feather was adequate with free fatty acids contents of 0.58percent and 0.86percent for Bacillus sp. TTs1 and Bacillus sp. TTs2, respectively. Both isolates' lipases showed remarkable catalytic efficiency at pH and temperature of 7 and 40oC, respectively. The comparative analysis of residual lipids between pre-and post-fermentation indicated a 39.9 ± 7.8percent and 51.2 ± 20.2percent hydrolysis efficiency for Bacillus sp. TTs1 and Bacillus sp. TTs2, respectively. This study's findings indicated the lipolytic potentials of Bacillus spp. and suggest the possibility of a full bio-based approach for chicken feather lipid removal in the valorization of chicken feathers. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
Anti-oxidant and cytotoxicity activity against the HCC70 Breast cancer cell line of aqueous and methanolic extracts of two red algae species from the Eastern Cape Coast, South Africa
- Authors: Basera, Afra Tsitsi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Drug resistance in cancer cells , Oxidative stress
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22589 , vital:52586
- Description: Cancer, despite extensive research, remains one of the leading causes of mortality. Research into plant-derived compounds has gained traction, as some are not cytotoxic towards healthy cells and pose fewer side effects. Marine algae produce secondary metabolites, protecting them from oxidative stress, which causes cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of selected red algae species, collected from Humewood Beach, Gqeberha in South Africa, against HCC70 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cancer cells. Identification of the species was made through DNA barcoding of the rbcL gene. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Gelidium pristoides and Laurencia natalensis were evaluated for antioxidant activity, phytochemical content, and anticancer potential. The phytochemical composition was determined using the phenol, flavonoid, flavonol, tannin, and proanthocyanidin content assays. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using the Ferric reducing antioxidant potential, Diphenyl-1- Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, 2, 2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays. The resazurin assay was used to determine the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extracts and solid-phase extraction fractions against the HCC70 breast cancer cells. The red algae species were identified as G. pristoides and L. natalensis. The aqueous extract of G. pristoides exhibited significantly higher phenols (24.0 mg/g GAE), tannins (31.6 mg/g TAE), and flavonols content (20.5 mg/g RE) than its methanolic extract, or the aqueous and methanolic extracts of L. natalensis. Methanolic extracts of G. pristoides and L. natalensis exhibited significantly higher proanthocyanidin contents (19.4 mg/g and 15.7 mg/g CE) than their respective aqueous extracts (13.0 mg/g and 11.8 mg/g CE). Flavonoids, however, were absent in both species. The aqueous and methanol extracts of Laurencia natalensis and Gelidium pristoides exhibited low inhibitory activities (less than 50%) against DPPH, ABTS, and nitric oxide radicals. Both species also showed low ferric reducing power. All the extracts were antiproliferative and cytotoxic against the HCC70 breast cancer cells, with L. natalensis exhibiting more significant inhibitory activity. However, its Solid Phase Extraction fractions did not display antiproliferative potential, unlike fraction 4 of G. pristoides. The study results suggest that both G. pristoides and L. natalensis possess bioactive compounds with potential anticancer activity. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Factors affecting the Quality of Food Provided by School Nutrition Programme in Mthatha, OR Tambo Inland Education District
- Authors: Mjali, Neziwe Nellitia
- Date: 2019-10
- Subjects: Nutrition students
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6615 , vital:47164
- Description: This study sought to evaluate factors affecting the quality of food provided by the school nutrition programme in Mthatha, OR Tambo Inland Education District. This was a qualitative study in the form of case study research design. Two (2) schools were conveniently selected and from these, 2 principals, 2 school nutrition coordinators, 4 food handlers and 10 learners were purposefully selected to form the sample. Thus, 18 participants were selected in total. Interviews were used to collect data. A review of literature demonstrated that the school nutrition programme was valuable and played an important role towards addressing some of challenges prevalent in South Africa due to the history of the country. The literature reviewed also highlighted challenges faced by the school nutrition programme despite its tremendous success. These are some of the findings: the school nutrition programme was successful towards improving learner punctuality and engaging in the classroom. This had the potential to improve learner health overall; however, it was observed that lack of training around food preparation and hygiene could reduce the effectiveness of the programme. The provision for appropriate storage facilities was also noted as an issue that placed the programme at risk. These are some of the recommendations: the government should provide appropriate training and proper storage facilities in schools with nutrition programme; this could contribute meaningfully towards improving the quality of food provided by the school nutrition programme. , Thesis (M.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019-10
A critical examination of the regulation of fixed term employment services under South African Labour Laws
- Authors: Faku, Xolisa
- Date: 2018-12
- Subjects: Labor laws and legislation , Labor contract , Industrial relations
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23034 , vital:55101
- Description: South Africa is the most unequal society on the planet, overwhelming Brazil, with a critical increment in wage inequalities. In a quest to reduce unemployment, this research is at the focal point of our nation's activity emergency. In any case, there ought to be components to ensure representation against oppressive work rehearses. The Labour Relations Act denoted a noteworthy change in South Africa's statutory modern relations framework. Following the progress to political majority rule government, the LRA embodied the new government's means to remake and democratize the economy and society as connected in the work relations field. Specifically, it presented new organizations went for giving managers and labourers a chance to break with the serious adversarialism that portrayed their relations before. In extending the equitable change, the Labour Relations Act which offered ascend to the foundation of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) appeared on 18 February 1995, in an offer to add authenticity and straightforwardness to the financial basic leadership process. This research will investigate the law representing fixed term employment in South Africa. It will further give an investigation of the legitimate framework of fixed term representative keeping in mind the end goal to decide if it advances not too bad work in South Africa. This investigation intends to call attention to any substantive and procedural imperfections that might be accessible in the law. The study will likewise be taking the potential lessons which can be gained from different nations with comparative Fixed-term work challenges i.e. Namibia. This implies the examination will survey the current zone of law and propose an alternate approach. This will be finished by investigating important case law and enactments which secure settled term business. In certainty, the investigation intends to give new point of view regarding the matter of fixed term work and proffer a few changes to the law. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Law, 2018
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018-12
Using GIS and remote sensing to map suitable sites for wind farms: a case study of Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape.
- Authors: Gwena, Jay
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Geographic information systems http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh90001880 , Remote sensing http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85112798 , Renewable energy sources http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85112837
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19420 , vital:43082
- Description: Issues relating to energy use, renewable energy introduction and climate change have received a lot of attention from governments throughout the world in the past two decades. Many developing nations like South Africa heavily rely on coal and other non-renewable resources for their production of energy. The processing of the non-renewable resources into secondary energy forms is according to many energy experts a chief contributor to climate change. Climate change is affecting agricultural production in many developing countries that entirely rely on rainfall for their production. The loss in production in South Africa is increasing the level of poverty in low-income earners and unemployed people. Also a lot of households found in rural areas of South Africa have no access to electricity. Electricity in South Africa is generated and distributed by Eskom a state owned company. In April 2008 Eskom failed to meet power demand and started introducing load shedding to maintain and upgrade their power plants. The load shedding stopped for while and was introduced again in 2014 when the power utility faced the challenge of failing to produce power to meet demand again due to problems with their power stations. The ongoing energy provision problems in South Africa can be alleviated by introducing alternative sources like renewable energy. Introduction of renewable energy in poorly developed areas like Nkonkobe Municipality can help households‘ access electricity and reduce load on the national grid. The aim of this study was to locate suitable sites for setting up wind farms in Nkonkobe municipality in South Africa. Wind energy as a resource is abundant in many areas of South Africa and areas to set wind farms for optimum harness of wind power were identified using GIS, remote sensing and multi-criteria decision making techniques. Wind speed, distance from settlements, distance from main roads, distance from national, slope and land use/land cover were chosen as the factors to consider in selecting a suitable site. Data was collected from South Africa Weather Services, University of Fort Hare and online free data sources. Thematic maps for all the factors were developed in ArcGIS and fed into Nkonkobe Municipality database developed for the study. Thematic maps were assigned weights before being overlaid using weighted overlay tool. Weights for the factors were determined using Analytical hierarchy Process‘ pairwise comparison approach. Weighted overlay of the thematic maps produced a map showing suitable areas based on the weight influence of each factor. The output map was compared to results obtained from using Boolean approach and weighted sum method as a way of checking the accuracy of obtained suitable sites. Results showed there are three sites that can be used for setting up wind farms in the study area. , Thesis (MSc) (Applied Remote Sensing and GIS) -- University of Fort Hare, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015