An evaluation of state assisted human settlement development model: a case study of Duncan village and Reeston human settlement project in Buffalo city metropolitan municipality in the Eastern Cape.
- Authors: Mthembu,Bhekisisa Jacob
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Human settlements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D.Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13764 , vital:39709
- Description: This study undertook an extensive evaluation of state assisted Human Settlement development, with specific vigor on the case study of Reeston Human Settlement project in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape. This was motivated by a number of factors such as satisfaction issues in the area of Human settlements and the issues that continue to hinder the effective delivery of houses such as availability of land, the willingness of the beneficial to relocate to the allocated houses. South Africa is in its 24 years of democratic dispensation, the human settlements continue to be the thorn in a flesh in the government effectiveness. The existing legislation on the housing development serves as the cornerstone of development, housing theories also continue to be the guiding principles under which the development can flourish if followed to the latter. It is evident that, the democratic government in the country has delivered millions of houses to the beneficiaries, thus restoring dignity to many. However, there has been significant backlog of over 2.1 million houses. This is based on the housing waiting list available with the various Local Municipalities and the respective provinces department is Human Settlements. The objectives of the study was taken into consideration in ensuring congruence with the study aim. The objectives are stated below is to evaluate the application of Human settlement programmes, policy imperatives, implementation and practice in South Africa by means of the case study of the Reeston project in the Eastern Cape. The following objectives are set for the study: To analyse the policy and institutional framework guiding the establishment of state-assisted human settlement projects in the country. To analyse the level of execution in the selected human settlement projects in the Buffalo City Metropolitan area reflected the policy and institutional framework for the establishment of state-assisted human settlements. v To ascertain the beneficiaries’ narratives about the projects (and the overarching policy/institutional framework), and what socio-cultural and/or economic factors, if any, mediate those narratives. To detail the socio-economic conditions and livelihood strategies of Reeston Human settlements residents. The study took the combined method of research, being the qualitative and quantitative research method. The choice of a research approach is guided among others by three main aspects: the research problem, the researcher’s experience and the audience at whom the research is directed. A mixed approach method has been employed for this study, because as several authors confirm, this is how to get the best out of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches. The evaluation took the analysis of the Duncan Village, looking at the transition from the informal settlements to the Reeston Housing development in the Eastern Cape Province. Respondents were visited in their places of comfort where they were able to express themselves so that the researcher can be able to retrieve more information in this regard. The findings of the research revealed the level of satisfaction, dwelling attributes, neighborhood issues, environmental issues for consideration in the housing development as a form of dwelling. The study contributes significantly to the body of knowledge as it provides solution to the provision of housing development in South Africa, especially the Duncan Village as a prime site for development for Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The study presents a new model for developing houses in the informal settlements without relocating the beneficiaries from their area of comfort. A sustainable housing development to the need of the people will be the one that is re4sponsive to the findings of this study, these are: satisfaction with the government services rendered in the area, the surroundings in the dwellings and most importantly the environmental considerations
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mthembu,Bhekisisa Jacob
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Human settlements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D.Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13764 , vital:39709
- Description: This study undertook an extensive evaluation of state assisted Human Settlement development, with specific vigor on the case study of Reeston Human Settlement project in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape. This was motivated by a number of factors such as satisfaction issues in the area of Human settlements and the issues that continue to hinder the effective delivery of houses such as availability of land, the willingness of the beneficial to relocate to the allocated houses. South Africa is in its 24 years of democratic dispensation, the human settlements continue to be the thorn in a flesh in the government effectiveness. The existing legislation on the housing development serves as the cornerstone of development, housing theories also continue to be the guiding principles under which the development can flourish if followed to the latter. It is evident that, the democratic government in the country has delivered millions of houses to the beneficiaries, thus restoring dignity to many. However, there has been significant backlog of over 2.1 million houses. This is based on the housing waiting list available with the various Local Municipalities and the respective provinces department is Human Settlements. The objectives of the study was taken into consideration in ensuring congruence with the study aim. The objectives are stated below is to evaluate the application of Human settlement programmes, policy imperatives, implementation and practice in South Africa by means of the case study of the Reeston project in the Eastern Cape. The following objectives are set for the study: To analyse the policy and institutional framework guiding the establishment of state-assisted human settlement projects in the country. To analyse the level of execution in the selected human settlement projects in the Buffalo City Metropolitan area reflected the policy and institutional framework for the establishment of state-assisted human settlements. v To ascertain the beneficiaries’ narratives about the projects (and the overarching policy/institutional framework), and what socio-cultural and/or economic factors, if any, mediate those narratives. To detail the socio-economic conditions and livelihood strategies of Reeston Human settlements residents. The study took the combined method of research, being the qualitative and quantitative research method. The choice of a research approach is guided among others by three main aspects: the research problem, the researcher’s experience and the audience at whom the research is directed. A mixed approach method has been employed for this study, because as several authors confirm, this is how to get the best out of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches. The evaluation took the analysis of the Duncan Village, looking at the transition from the informal settlements to the Reeston Housing development in the Eastern Cape Province. Respondents were visited in their places of comfort where they were able to express themselves so that the researcher can be able to retrieve more information in this regard. The findings of the research revealed the level of satisfaction, dwelling attributes, neighborhood issues, environmental issues for consideration in the housing development as a form of dwelling. The study contributes significantly to the body of knowledge as it provides solution to the provision of housing development in South Africa, especially the Duncan Village as a prime site for development for Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The study presents a new model for developing houses in the informal settlements without relocating the beneficiaries from their area of comfort. A sustainable housing development to the need of the people will be the one that is re4sponsive to the findings of this study, these are: satisfaction with the government services rendered in the area, the surroundings in the dwellings and most importantly the environmental considerations
- Full Text:
An intervention study for low risk pregnant women and high risk pregnant women with GDM in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Vellem, Nonceba Mercy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Diabetes in pregnancy -- South Africa Nursing services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Administration Pregnancy -- Complications
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9723 , vital:34891
- Description: Low risk and high risk pregnant women (HRPW) with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who practise sedentary life style are at risk of overweight and obesity that predispose to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The purpose of the study is to describe the effectiveness of an intervention strategy of modified diet and planned physical activity implemented amongst low-risk and high-risk pregnant women with GDM in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Quantitative experimental intervention design and stratified random sampling was used for drawing a sample of low-risk and high risk pregnant women with GDM. A sample size 291 of LRPW and n=34 HRPW were eligible for the study. The sample frame of the study was taken from the registers of the CHCs, Frere Hospital and Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH). Questionnaires were used to collect data from the low and high risk pregnant with GDM. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation) were used for categorical variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The total analysed of LRPW were n=135 and HRPW n=34 all in control group due to miscarriages, phone loss and relocation. LRPW had some risk factors of overweight (6.2 percent), obesity (15.5 percent), family history of diabetes (16.5 percent). HRPW also had overweight and obesity of (14.7 percent) and family history of (26.4 percent) as the Pvalue was statistically significant of weight was 001, MUAC Pvalue of 000 and Pvalue of BMI 000. There were alarming abnormalities of urinalysis of protein, glucose, leucocytes and blood in urine. The LRPW and HRPW had consumption of high content of carbohydrates, vegetables, fats and low in fruit, vegetables and fibre diet. Both LRPW and HRPW were also interested on the education about modified diet benefits (95.1 percent) and modified diet programs networks (87.5 percent). The barriers showed that LRPW and HRPW were low motivation (90 percent) minimal knowledge and benefits of modified diet (93 percent) and socio-cultural issues (86 percent). The majority of participants both LRPW and HRPW showed the interest in the planned physical activity benefits especially frequent education (96.9 percent) and encouragement of social support networks (90.2 percent) and convenient location (89.4 percent). But the HRPW had lower engagement than the LRPW in planned physical activity and is associated with risk of GDM. Although pregnant women were faced with fatigue and low energy (98.6 percent), as pregnancy progresses, minimum information regarding benefits of planned physical activity (87.6 percent) and the socio-cultural influence (77.8 percent). The recommendations are education on frequent use of modified diet and planned physical activity that is available, less economical and within their context. Frequent screening of all pregnant women during pregnancy of BMI, MUAC and weight and educate accordingly. The availability of dietician and physical activity speciality is needed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Vellem, Nonceba Mercy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Diabetes in pregnancy -- South Africa Nursing services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Administration Pregnancy -- Complications
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9723 , vital:34891
- Description: Low risk and high risk pregnant women (HRPW) with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who practise sedentary life style are at risk of overweight and obesity that predispose to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The purpose of the study is to describe the effectiveness of an intervention strategy of modified diet and planned physical activity implemented amongst low-risk and high-risk pregnant women with GDM in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Quantitative experimental intervention design and stratified random sampling was used for drawing a sample of low-risk and high risk pregnant women with GDM. A sample size 291 of LRPW and n=34 HRPW were eligible for the study. The sample frame of the study was taken from the registers of the CHCs, Frere Hospital and Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH). Questionnaires were used to collect data from the low and high risk pregnant with GDM. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation) were used for categorical variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The total analysed of LRPW were n=135 and HRPW n=34 all in control group due to miscarriages, phone loss and relocation. LRPW had some risk factors of overweight (6.2 percent), obesity (15.5 percent), family history of diabetes (16.5 percent). HRPW also had overweight and obesity of (14.7 percent) and family history of (26.4 percent) as the Pvalue was statistically significant of weight was 001, MUAC Pvalue of 000 and Pvalue of BMI 000. There were alarming abnormalities of urinalysis of protein, glucose, leucocytes and blood in urine. The LRPW and HRPW had consumption of high content of carbohydrates, vegetables, fats and low in fruit, vegetables and fibre diet. Both LRPW and HRPW were also interested on the education about modified diet benefits (95.1 percent) and modified diet programs networks (87.5 percent). The barriers showed that LRPW and HRPW were low motivation (90 percent) minimal knowledge and benefits of modified diet (93 percent) and socio-cultural issues (86 percent). The majority of participants both LRPW and HRPW showed the interest in the planned physical activity benefits especially frequent education (96.9 percent) and encouragement of social support networks (90.2 percent) and convenient location (89.4 percent). But the HRPW had lower engagement than the LRPW in planned physical activity and is associated with risk of GDM. Although pregnant women were faced with fatigue and low energy (98.6 percent), as pregnancy progresses, minimum information regarding benefits of planned physical activity (87.6 percent) and the socio-cultural influence (77.8 percent). The recommendations are education on frequent use of modified diet and planned physical activity that is available, less economical and within their context. Frequent screening of all pregnant women during pregnancy of BMI, MUAC and weight and educate accordingly. The availability of dietician and physical activity speciality is needed.
- Full Text:
Anthropogenic effects on sustainability of fish biodiversity in Tyume River, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Kinya, Jane Njeri
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fishes--Behavior Fishes--Physiology Biotic communities
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Zoology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11740 , vital:39102
- Description: To determine the anthropogenic effects on the sustainability of fish biodiversity in Tyhume River, a mixture of ecological, economic and institutional parameters were used. To measure ecological parameters, 10 study sites were selected to represent varying intensities of anthropogenic effects on habitat, to represent typical river zones, and to correspond with historical survey sites for trend analysis. In these study sites, habitat characteristics that represent geomorphology (habitat quantity), water quality and ‘alien’ (non–native) fishes were used to determine anthropogenic effects on habitat and fish assemblage. The measured geomorphology characteristics included current velocity, wetted width and depth. The water quality characteristics used were temperature, pH and conductivity. To determine the effects of native and non-native on indigenous fish species in situ, electro fishing was used in riffles, small pools and runs; as well, in situ seine-netting was done in pools. The riches of river fish species was measured, using numbers abundance and longitudinal distribution indices. It was established that only 11percent of the Tyhume River habitat was relatively near natural, while 89percent exhibited anthropogenic habitat modification. Three major sources ofanthropogenic modification on habitat were identified. The major contributor of anthropogenic effects was Binfield Park Dam which accounted for 43percent of modification. The second source of anthropogenic effects on habitat was Alice urban area where storm water runoff accounted for 28percent of modification. Agricultural and livestock grazing, the third anthropogenic effect, accounted for 18percent of modification. The Eastern Cape Rocky, Sandelia bainsii Castelnau, 1861 and Border Barb, Barbus trevelyani Günther, 1868, exhibited reduced distribution. B. trevelyani longitudinal distribution was less than 25 km along the river continuum, with sporadic presence in the sandy foothills. S. bainsii was not found in the Lowland Zone, while previously this species extended from the mountainous zone to the confluence of the Tyhume and Keiskamma Rivers in the Lowland Zone. These indices supported the homogenization theory, as reflected by increased dissimilarity for two indigenous fish species, S. bainsii and B. trevelyani, among study sites. S. bainsii was previously distributed from source to confluence, while B. trevelyani recorded a 50percent decline at the study site below the Binfield Park Dam. To assign economic value to ecosystem services and assess post Rio-institutional parameters two hypothetical scenarios were developed from the ecological survey; one depicting current conditions and another depicting improved ecosystem services. Using a structured interview questionnaire, five ecosystem services in need of restoration were described to respondents. Applying the contingent valuation method respondents were asked a dichotomous choice question on willingness to pay (WTP). Results of the economic study from 209 personal interviews revealed, individuals were willing to pay an additional R 32.00 on their monthly water bill or R 384.00 annually. Generalizing this to 2 829 households living in the Alice and Ntselamanzi urban areas, a total value of R 1 086 336 would be realized annually. This was equivalent to the Nkonkobe Municipality annual budget for storm water management in Alice urban area. Costs/benefits revealed a positive net present value (NPV) = 1, which, in line with economic theory, meant gainers were able to compensate losers The institutional part of the economic survey sought to determine the effects of post Rio Earth Summit institutional measures on sustainable management of Tyhume River fish assemblage. A desk review of Rio Declaration and three South African statutes were used namely; Constitution Act 108 of 1996 (South African Constitution 1996); the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act No. 10 of 2004 (NEMBA 2004), the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA 1998), and the National Water Act No. 36 of 1998 (NWA 1998). The Institutional and Analytic Development (IAD) Framework, coupled with requirements for sustainability of Multiple Use Resource Domains were used for the analysis. De Jure, the statutes had internationalization of environmental costs through “polluter pays principle”, while sustainable use was the overarching goal. De facto, the community participation, a requisite of post Rio measures, was low; however 89percent of community respondents were willing to join an environmental conservation group. This, coupled with the fact that 77percent of those interviewed supported the establishment of a Tyhume River Restoration Fund, provided scope for a broad based community participation framework This study contributes to sustainable use of Tyhume River and other lotic systems by generating information on the link between anthropogenic effects on fish biodiversity, economic value of ecosystems services and institutional mechanisms.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kinya, Jane Njeri
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fishes--Behavior Fishes--Physiology Biotic communities
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Zoology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11740 , vital:39102
- Description: To determine the anthropogenic effects on the sustainability of fish biodiversity in Tyhume River, a mixture of ecological, economic and institutional parameters were used. To measure ecological parameters, 10 study sites were selected to represent varying intensities of anthropogenic effects on habitat, to represent typical river zones, and to correspond with historical survey sites for trend analysis. In these study sites, habitat characteristics that represent geomorphology (habitat quantity), water quality and ‘alien’ (non–native) fishes were used to determine anthropogenic effects on habitat and fish assemblage. The measured geomorphology characteristics included current velocity, wetted width and depth. The water quality characteristics used were temperature, pH and conductivity. To determine the effects of native and non-native on indigenous fish species in situ, electro fishing was used in riffles, small pools and runs; as well, in situ seine-netting was done in pools. The riches of river fish species was measured, using numbers abundance and longitudinal distribution indices. It was established that only 11percent of the Tyhume River habitat was relatively near natural, while 89percent exhibited anthropogenic habitat modification. Three major sources ofanthropogenic modification on habitat were identified. The major contributor of anthropogenic effects was Binfield Park Dam which accounted for 43percent of modification. The second source of anthropogenic effects on habitat was Alice urban area where storm water runoff accounted for 28percent of modification. Agricultural and livestock grazing, the third anthropogenic effect, accounted for 18percent of modification. The Eastern Cape Rocky, Sandelia bainsii Castelnau, 1861 and Border Barb, Barbus trevelyani Günther, 1868, exhibited reduced distribution. B. trevelyani longitudinal distribution was less than 25 km along the river continuum, with sporadic presence in the sandy foothills. S. bainsii was not found in the Lowland Zone, while previously this species extended from the mountainous zone to the confluence of the Tyhume and Keiskamma Rivers in the Lowland Zone. These indices supported the homogenization theory, as reflected by increased dissimilarity for two indigenous fish species, S. bainsii and B. trevelyani, among study sites. S. bainsii was previously distributed from source to confluence, while B. trevelyani recorded a 50percent decline at the study site below the Binfield Park Dam. To assign economic value to ecosystem services and assess post Rio-institutional parameters two hypothetical scenarios were developed from the ecological survey; one depicting current conditions and another depicting improved ecosystem services. Using a structured interview questionnaire, five ecosystem services in need of restoration were described to respondents. Applying the contingent valuation method respondents were asked a dichotomous choice question on willingness to pay (WTP). Results of the economic study from 209 personal interviews revealed, individuals were willing to pay an additional R 32.00 on their monthly water bill or R 384.00 annually. Generalizing this to 2 829 households living in the Alice and Ntselamanzi urban areas, a total value of R 1 086 336 would be realized annually. This was equivalent to the Nkonkobe Municipality annual budget for storm water management in Alice urban area. Costs/benefits revealed a positive net present value (NPV) = 1, which, in line with economic theory, meant gainers were able to compensate losers The institutional part of the economic survey sought to determine the effects of post Rio Earth Summit institutional measures on sustainable management of Tyhume River fish assemblage. A desk review of Rio Declaration and three South African statutes were used namely; Constitution Act 108 of 1996 (South African Constitution 1996); the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act No. 10 of 2004 (NEMBA 2004), the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA 1998), and the National Water Act No. 36 of 1998 (NWA 1998). The Institutional and Analytic Development (IAD) Framework, coupled with requirements for sustainability of Multiple Use Resource Domains were used for the analysis. De Jure, the statutes had internationalization of environmental costs through “polluter pays principle”, while sustainable use was the overarching goal. De facto, the community participation, a requisite of post Rio measures, was low; however 89percent of community respondents were willing to join an environmental conservation group. This, coupled with the fact that 77percent of those interviewed supported the establishment of a Tyhume River Restoration Fund, provided scope for a broad based community participation framework This study contributes to sustainable use of Tyhume River and other lotic systems by generating information on the link between anthropogenic effects on fish biodiversity, economic value of ecosystems services and institutional mechanisms.
- Full Text:
Application of health belief model in developing contextual guidelines for adherence to antiretroviral treatment among adolescents and youths in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality District, East London, South Africa
- Authors: Mayeye, Bulelwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: HIV-positive children--Treatment--Management AIDS (Disease) in adolescence HIV-positive youth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15572 , vital:40472
- Description: Background: Adhering to the treatment instructions for a long-term illness poses a great challenge to the client especially adolescents and youths. In public health centers it is observed that most adolescents and youths on Ante Retroviral Treatment (ART) do not continue taking ART and do not honor their Art related scheduled appointments at the clinic. An increase loss to follow up among these cohorts is noticeable in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality district. Inconsistent adherence to ART may result in the development of resistance mutations. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop and describe context – specific antiretroviral treatment guidelines based on the biomedical, cognitive and psychosocial needs of the adolescents and youths at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality district. Methodology: The study was conducted in two phases, phase one consisted of quantitative and qualitative approaches. For phase one an explanatory sequential mixed method of quantitative and qualitative designs was employed. The study was guided by Health Belief Model. The target population were adolescents and youths receiving ART from the selected health facilities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality District in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Participants were chosen based on purposive sampling. A convenience sample of 206 adolescents and youths between the ages of 14 to 24 attending ARV clinics were approached. Ethical considerations, that is, the rights of all the participants were honoured. Data was collected using self administered questionnaires followed by semi-structured interview where face to face interviews were conducted. Reliability validity and trustworthiness of the research was ensured. Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics. For qualitative approach transcrips were coded thematically. In Phase 2, context – specific antiretroviral treatment guidelines were developed to promote adherence to ART by adolescents and youths of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality district. Results: About 35percent of the participants indicated low adherence, 31percent for moderate adherence and 34percent for high adherence. A strong correlation between interpersonal relationship and adherence (p = 0.008), a correlation between aspect of care related to clinic and adherence (p = 0.028), a significant correlation between social support and adherence to ART (p = 0.006) and a significant relationship between self- efficacy and adherence to ART (p = 0.000) were obtained. No correlation between demographic status and adherence except for race. Results from the interviews revealed that barriers to adherence were more evident than enabling factors. Recommendations: Health service providers should strengthen ART adherence programmes for adolescents and youths by applying principles as they appear in the context – based guidelines.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mayeye, Bulelwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: HIV-positive children--Treatment--Management AIDS (Disease) in adolescence HIV-positive youth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15572 , vital:40472
- Description: Background: Adhering to the treatment instructions for a long-term illness poses a great challenge to the client especially adolescents and youths. In public health centers it is observed that most adolescents and youths on Ante Retroviral Treatment (ART) do not continue taking ART and do not honor their Art related scheduled appointments at the clinic. An increase loss to follow up among these cohorts is noticeable in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality district. Inconsistent adherence to ART may result in the development of resistance mutations. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop and describe context – specific antiretroviral treatment guidelines based on the biomedical, cognitive and psychosocial needs of the adolescents and youths at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality district. Methodology: The study was conducted in two phases, phase one consisted of quantitative and qualitative approaches. For phase one an explanatory sequential mixed method of quantitative and qualitative designs was employed. The study was guided by Health Belief Model. The target population were adolescents and youths receiving ART from the selected health facilities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality District in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Participants were chosen based on purposive sampling. A convenience sample of 206 adolescents and youths between the ages of 14 to 24 attending ARV clinics were approached. Ethical considerations, that is, the rights of all the participants were honoured. Data was collected using self administered questionnaires followed by semi-structured interview where face to face interviews were conducted. Reliability validity and trustworthiness of the research was ensured. Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics. For qualitative approach transcrips were coded thematically. In Phase 2, context – specific antiretroviral treatment guidelines were developed to promote adherence to ART by adolescents and youths of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality district. Results: About 35percent of the participants indicated low adherence, 31percent for moderate adherence and 34percent for high adherence. A strong correlation between interpersonal relationship and adherence (p = 0.008), a correlation between aspect of care related to clinic and adherence (p = 0.028), a significant correlation between social support and adherence to ART (p = 0.006) and a significant relationship between self- efficacy and adherence to ART (p = 0.000) were obtained. No correlation between demographic status and adherence except for race. Results from the interviews revealed that barriers to adherence were more evident than enabling factors. Recommendations: Health service providers should strengthen ART adherence programmes for adolescents and youths by applying principles as they appear in the context – based guidelines.
- Full Text:
Appraisal of wastewater final effluents and river water as reservoirs of cholera and non-cholera causing vibrio species : case study of the Amatole and OR Tambo District Municipalities
- Authors: Nontongana, Nolonwabo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vibrio cholerae Disease Reservoirs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Microbiology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9929 , vital:35146
- Description: Vibrio infections remain a serious threat to public health. In the last decade, Vibrio disease outbreaks have created a painful awareness of the personal, economic, societal, and public health costs associated with the impact of inadequately treated wastewater effluents. This study was therefore designed to assess the occurrence of cholera and non-cholera causing Vibrio species in the final effluents of wastewater treatment plants and river waters in the Amatole (BT WWTP) and OR Tambo District municipalities (MT WWTP and QN River) of the Eastern Cape Province. Samples were collected monthly from December 2016 to November 2017 from the final effluent, 500 meters upstream and downstream of the discharge points and analysed for physicochemical parameters, Vibrio pathogens prevalence and their antibiogram characteristics using both culture-based and molecular techniques. Samples were collected aseptically using sterile 1L glass bottles containing 0.5 ml of sterile sodium thiosulphate solution and transported on ice to the laboratory for analyses within 6hrs of collection. The membrane filtration method was used for enumeration of presumptive Vibrio densities on thiosulfate citrate bile salt (TCBS) agar plates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then used to confirm the identities of the presumptive Vibrio species using the species-specific primers. The confirmed isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization to confirm their respective pathotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by the standard disc diffusion method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The recovered Vibrio species were tested against a panel of 17 antibiotics. Physicochemical parameters measured include pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chlorine (only for BT WWTP). Unacceptably high levels of the assayed parameters were observed in many cases for TDS (66 - 879 mg/l), turbidity (2.0 -722.33 NTU) and DO (2.5 – 9.7 mg/l) as well as chlorine (0.2 – 3.2 mg/L). Presumptive Vibrio densities varied from 2.91 to 3.91 log10 CFU/100 ml and 2.67 to 3.18 log CFU/100ml, for BT WWTP and MT WWTP respectively. The densities for the QN River ranged between 2.51 to 3.99 log10 CFU/100mL. Out of 720 presumptive isolates recovered, 619 (86 percent) were found to be positive for the Vibrio genus. Molecular confirmation of the presumptive Vibrio species revealed the presence of V. fluvialis (16), V. vulnificus (12), V aliginolyticus (9), V. parahaemolyticus (37) and V. cholerae (5) isolates were confirmed. The susceptibility against 17 different antibiotics by the recovered species were examined. V. cholerae was notably resistant against nalidixic acid (3) and Ampicilin (2), all the V. vulnificus isolates were resistant against ampicillin (16), V. fluvialis showed resistance against ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, all (9) isolates for V. alginolyticus were resistant against ampicillin. V. parahaemolyticus showed resistance against cefutoxime (16), cefuxime (8) and ampicillin (13). The recovery of Vibrio in the discharged effluents throughout the sampling period even in adequately disinfected effluents is not acceptable considering that Vibrio are pathogenic bacteria. The findings of this study underline the need for constant monitoring of the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of discharged effluents and might also be suggestive for a review of the disinfection methods used at the treatment works as this might pose adverse health risk to the communities which still rely heavily on these surface waters.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nontongana, Nolonwabo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vibrio cholerae Disease Reservoirs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Microbiology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9929 , vital:35146
- Description: Vibrio infections remain a serious threat to public health. In the last decade, Vibrio disease outbreaks have created a painful awareness of the personal, economic, societal, and public health costs associated with the impact of inadequately treated wastewater effluents. This study was therefore designed to assess the occurrence of cholera and non-cholera causing Vibrio species in the final effluents of wastewater treatment plants and river waters in the Amatole (BT WWTP) and OR Tambo District municipalities (MT WWTP and QN River) of the Eastern Cape Province. Samples were collected monthly from December 2016 to November 2017 from the final effluent, 500 meters upstream and downstream of the discharge points and analysed for physicochemical parameters, Vibrio pathogens prevalence and their antibiogram characteristics using both culture-based and molecular techniques. Samples were collected aseptically using sterile 1L glass bottles containing 0.5 ml of sterile sodium thiosulphate solution and transported on ice to the laboratory for analyses within 6hrs of collection. The membrane filtration method was used for enumeration of presumptive Vibrio densities on thiosulfate citrate bile salt (TCBS) agar plates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then used to confirm the identities of the presumptive Vibrio species using the species-specific primers. The confirmed isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization to confirm their respective pathotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by the standard disc diffusion method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The recovered Vibrio species were tested against a panel of 17 antibiotics. Physicochemical parameters measured include pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chlorine (only for BT WWTP). Unacceptably high levels of the assayed parameters were observed in many cases for TDS (66 - 879 mg/l), turbidity (2.0 -722.33 NTU) and DO (2.5 – 9.7 mg/l) as well as chlorine (0.2 – 3.2 mg/L). Presumptive Vibrio densities varied from 2.91 to 3.91 log10 CFU/100 ml and 2.67 to 3.18 log CFU/100ml, for BT WWTP and MT WWTP respectively. The densities for the QN River ranged between 2.51 to 3.99 log10 CFU/100mL. Out of 720 presumptive isolates recovered, 619 (86 percent) were found to be positive for the Vibrio genus. Molecular confirmation of the presumptive Vibrio species revealed the presence of V. fluvialis (16), V. vulnificus (12), V aliginolyticus (9), V. parahaemolyticus (37) and V. cholerae (5) isolates were confirmed. The susceptibility against 17 different antibiotics by the recovered species were examined. V. cholerae was notably resistant against nalidixic acid (3) and Ampicilin (2), all the V. vulnificus isolates were resistant against ampicillin (16), V. fluvialis showed resistance against ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, all (9) isolates for V. alginolyticus were resistant against ampicillin. V. parahaemolyticus showed resistance against cefutoxime (16), cefuxime (8) and ampicillin (13). The recovery of Vibrio in the discharged effluents throughout the sampling period even in adequately disinfected effluents is not acceptable considering that Vibrio are pathogenic bacteria. The findings of this study underline the need for constant monitoring of the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of discharged effluents and might also be suggestive for a review of the disinfection methods used at the treatment works as this might pose adverse health risk to the communities which still rely heavily on these surface waters.
- Full Text:
Assessing the Contribution of SMMEs to Job creation in the Eastern Cape South Africa
- Authors: Mbambo, William Bongile
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD ( Public Administration)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13675 , vital:39690
- Description: Job creation through support to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) is one of the South African government’s priorities in the Eastern Cape Vision 2030 Provincial Development Plan, to overcome the chronic unemployment situation faced by millions of South Africans. The Eastern Cape Province is amongst one of the areas challenged by high levels of unemployment in South Africa. In order to assess whether SMMEs had the capacity to create employment opportunities in the Eastern Cape Province. This study investigate on how SMMEs plans to provide employment opportunities, also examine whether SMMEs has created any employment opportunities thus far in the Eastern Cape Province. The study used David Birch (1979 and 1981) Kerr, Wittenberg and Arrow (2013), theories to assess whether SMMEs had the capacity to create employment opportunities in the Province. The study adopted a mixed methods approach in order to assess SMMEs as a tool for employment creation in its various dimensions. The results of the study reveal that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises do not necessarily generate substantial employment. Therefore, the study recommends that the government should provide more financial support for SMMEs, organize entrepreneurship workshops, seminars and training workshops, which could improve their business operating skills as well as provide easy access to loans.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbambo, William Bongile
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD ( Public Administration)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13675 , vital:39690
- Description: Job creation through support to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) is one of the South African government’s priorities in the Eastern Cape Vision 2030 Provincial Development Plan, to overcome the chronic unemployment situation faced by millions of South Africans. The Eastern Cape Province is amongst one of the areas challenged by high levels of unemployment in South Africa. In order to assess whether SMMEs had the capacity to create employment opportunities in the Eastern Cape Province. This study investigate on how SMMEs plans to provide employment opportunities, also examine whether SMMEs has created any employment opportunities thus far in the Eastern Cape Province. The study used David Birch (1979 and 1981) Kerr, Wittenberg and Arrow (2013), theories to assess whether SMMEs had the capacity to create employment opportunities in the Province. The study adopted a mixed methods approach in order to assess SMMEs as a tool for employment creation in its various dimensions. The results of the study reveal that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises do not necessarily generate substantial employment. Therefore, the study recommends that the government should provide more financial support for SMMEs, organize entrepreneurship workshops, seminars and training workshops, which could improve their business operating skills as well as provide easy access to loans.
- Full Text:
Assessment of the human health implications of climate variability in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Orimoloye, Israel Ropo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Geography
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10113 , vital:35346
- Description: Impacts associated with climate variability and extreme heat are already obvious in varying degrees and expected to be disruptive in the near future across the globe especially in the urban regions. Urban areas have distinctive features that leave their residents and properties vulnerable to extreme climate events. Global temperatures continue to change, reaching new levels almost every year for the past two decades. However, even though the causes are debated it is evident that climate variability is real. Climate variability and disaster risk are threats to human health that adversely reinforce each other. Better knowledge on the association between climate change, variability and extreme weather-related illness is needed and can aid strategies to reduce vulnerabilities. The impacts of climate variability on the health of residents in East London (EL) area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa were explored through four interdependent research segments. The first section examined the climate variability and urban surface thermal characteristics implication on human health using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Remote sensing was used to assess the Land Surface Temperature (LST) and estimated Radiation (R) of East London area from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images for 1986, 1996, 2006 as well as from Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) for 2016 spanning a period of 30 years. Rapid urbanization and land cover changes in this area have contributed significantly to this drastic change in the natural land surface characteristics (increased land surface temperature and surface solar radiation). For instance, vegetation cover declined by about 358.812km2 while built-up areas increased by 175.473km2 during this period which correlates with the area thermal characteristics changes. Radiation levels also increased over the years with values exceeding the global solar radiation index. Exposure to increased surface radiation poses risks of heat stroke, skin cancer and heart disease to the local population. Consequently, this study provides pertinent information on human health sustainability and epidemiological case management. The second part explored past temperature and humidity trends (1986-2016) and projects future trends (2017-2030). The historical data of meteorological variables were obtained from the archives of the South African Weather Service and analyzed using the ordinary least square regression model in GRETL (GNU Regression Econometric and Time-series Library) statistical software. This study discovered a local consistency between models and the observations add to existing knowledge and this is crucial in knowing the shifts in climatic change as well as recognizing variability and its conflicting effects on human health, environment, agriculture, ecological sustainability and socioeconomic status in the region. The third segment assessed the potential impacts of climate variability on health using existing heat indices during the study period. The results demonstrated that in East London from 1986 to 2016 during summer and autumn (December to May) of various years exceeded high heat index values. It is obvious that summer and autumn months are more vulnerable to heat extreme and humidex. The humidex and Heat Index (HI) increased annually by 0.03percent and 0.9percent respectively throughout the study period. The increment in the various indices showed highly significant ill-health and environmental impacts on humans especially with prolonged exposure. The last segment appraised the association between climatic elements and epidemiological incidences of the study area between 2012 and 2016. The epidemiology incidences data were obtained from the archives of the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in East London area and National Tertiary Service Grant (NTSG) database for the period. The results have showed that there exists significant effects of climate variability on the health of East London residents and these have been identified to have negative impacts on health of the people in the area. This study also revealed noticeable impacts of extreme heat on human health and a positive correlation between meteorological components (HI and temperature) and epidemiological cases (cardiovascular, skin cancer and diarrhea) during the study period.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Orimoloye, Israel Ropo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Geography
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10113 , vital:35346
- Description: Impacts associated with climate variability and extreme heat are already obvious in varying degrees and expected to be disruptive in the near future across the globe especially in the urban regions. Urban areas have distinctive features that leave their residents and properties vulnerable to extreme climate events. Global temperatures continue to change, reaching new levels almost every year for the past two decades. However, even though the causes are debated it is evident that climate variability is real. Climate variability and disaster risk are threats to human health that adversely reinforce each other. Better knowledge on the association between climate change, variability and extreme weather-related illness is needed and can aid strategies to reduce vulnerabilities. The impacts of climate variability on the health of residents in East London (EL) area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa were explored through four interdependent research segments. The first section examined the climate variability and urban surface thermal characteristics implication on human health using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Remote sensing was used to assess the Land Surface Temperature (LST) and estimated Radiation (R) of East London area from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images for 1986, 1996, 2006 as well as from Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) for 2016 spanning a period of 30 years. Rapid urbanization and land cover changes in this area have contributed significantly to this drastic change in the natural land surface characteristics (increased land surface temperature and surface solar radiation). For instance, vegetation cover declined by about 358.812km2 while built-up areas increased by 175.473km2 during this period which correlates with the area thermal characteristics changes. Radiation levels also increased over the years with values exceeding the global solar radiation index. Exposure to increased surface radiation poses risks of heat stroke, skin cancer and heart disease to the local population. Consequently, this study provides pertinent information on human health sustainability and epidemiological case management. The second part explored past temperature and humidity trends (1986-2016) and projects future trends (2017-2030). The historical data of meteorological variables were obtained from the archives of the South African Weather Service and analyzed using the ordinary least square regression model in GRETL (GNU Regression Econometric and Time-series Library) statistical software. This study discovered a local consistency between models and the observations add to existing knowledge and this is crucial in knowing the shifts in climatic change as well as recognizing variability and its conflicting effects on human health, environment, agriculture, ecological sustainability and socioeconomic status in the region. The third segment assessed the potential impacts of climate variability on health using existing heat indices during the study period. The results demonstrated that in East London from 1986 to 2016 during summer and autumn (December to May) of various years exceeded high heat index values. It is obvious that summer and autumn months are more vulnerable to heat extreme and humidex. The humidex and Heat Index (HI) increased annually by 0.03percent and 0.9percent respectively throughout the study period. The increment in the various indices showed highly significant ill-health and environmental impacts on humans especially with prolonged exposure. The last segment appraised the association between climatic elements and epidemiological incidences of the study area between 2012 and 2016. The epidemiology incidences data were obtained from the archives of the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in East London area and National Tertiary Service Grant (NTSG) database for the period. The results have showed that there exists significant effects of climate variability on the health of East London residents and these have been identified to have negative impacts on health of the people in the area. This study also revealed noticeable impacts of extreme heat on human health and a positive correlation between meteorological components (HI and temperature) and epidemiological cases (cardiovascular, skin cancer and diarrhea) during the study period.
- Full Text:
Assessment of the impact of land use practices on vegetation , soil and carbon-nitrogen sequestration potential in Mopane rangelands of Central Northern Namibia
- Authors: Kahumba, Absalom
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rural development Land use Land tenure
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Pasture Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11718 , vital:39100
- Description: This study was conducted in Ogongo district, situated in Omusati Region of the central northern Namibia. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of land use practices on 1) vegetation distribution and status; 2) soil properties; 3) carbon-nitrogen sequestration potential, and 4) investigate the indigenous pastoralists’ knowledge and perceptions on livestock production, rangeland degradation and its indicators in three villages (Omaandi, Epukunoyana and Oshitutuma) in Mopane savannah rangelands of central northern Namibia. For vegetation and soil assessment, three grazing land management systems (communal, game reserve and cattle ranch) were identified adjacent to each other. In each grazing system, three sites (for game reserve and cattle ranch, these were camps) were selected. In each site, three belt transects of 50 m x 5 m2 were marked to record vegetation and soil data as well as to collect vegetation samples for analysis. Grass species composition was recorded using step point methods from 250 points per belt transect. A total of five 0.25 m2 quadrats were randomly laid within each 250 m2 belt transect to record the herbaceous plant density, tuft diameter, tuft distance and biomass. All woody plants in the belt transect (250 m2) were measured and recorded for species plant height and canopy diameters. Three soil samples per belt transect were collected at the time of forage sampling down to a depth of 20 cm using a soil auger. Soil and plant samples were analysed for macro and micro minerals, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon-nitrogen ratios, and carbon and nitrogen isotopes. For bulk density, soil samples were collected using soil core samplers. In the social study, a total of 90 households were randomly selected from three villages and a total of 48 elders were purposefully selected based on the age, time spent in the village and livestock ownership. A combination of structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to gather household information, while a structured questionnaire and open ended discussion were used to interview elders on the constraints of livestock production, rangeland degradation related issues and their consequences on livelihood. Field vegetation and soil data were analyzed using a General Linear Model (GLM) in SAS (2007), whereas the social data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 (2014). A total of 23 grass species were identified in all three land management systems, of which 48% were perennials and the remaining 52% were annuals. Aristida meridionalis dominated the game reserve and the ranch, whereas Eragrostis trichophora was dominant in all land management systems. Forbs occurred commonly in the game reserve and the ranch, but were dominant in the communal areas. The abundance of A. meridionalis responded significantly (P < 0.001) to land management systems with the game reserve showing remarkably greater abundance than the ranch. In summer, the abundance of E. trichophora was high (P < 0.001) in the game reserve followed by the communal and ranch sites, whereas in winter, the species had still greater abundance in the game reserve followed by the ranch. In summer, the mean grass density was greatest (P < 0.001) in the game reserve and least in the communal lands, but vice versa for the tuft distance. In summer, the average distance between tufts showed great variations (P < 0.001) with the communal areas having greater values than the ranch and game reserve. In winter, both the game reserve and the ranch showed records of similar grass tuft density and distance between tufts, whereas these values were nil for communal areas, because, there were no grasses recorded. Herbaceous plant dry matter was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the game reserve followed by the ranch and the least in the communal areas. Results on biomass showed remarkably higher values (P < 0.001) in summer than winter in all land management systems. The total woody plant density was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the ranch (542 TE ha-1) than the game reserve (449 TE ha-1) and communal area (324 TE ha-1). However, percentage of canopy cover did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the three land management systems. Woody plant density of height classes were significantly different (P < 0.05) between three land management systems. The abundance of seedlings, saplings and young shrubs were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the ranch than the game reserve and communal area. The mature trees had a significantly greater density (P < 0.05) in the game reserve than the ranch and communal area. Soil analysis results showed that Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) had similar (P > 0.05) concentrations in soils obtained from all land management systems in both seasons. Soil Calcium (Ca) levels showed differences between land management systems in winter only being greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve than the ranch and the communal lands. Soil Phosphorus (P) and Iron (Fe) also showed variations between land management systems in winter being significantly greater (P < 0.001) in the ranch than the other land management systems. The concentration of soil K differed between the two seasons in soils collected from the ranch and the communal lands, being greater (P < 0.001) in winter than summer seasons. Soil Zinc (Zn) also showed differences between land management systems in summer being greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve than in the ranch and communal land. Seasonal variations were observed in soil P level of samples collected from the ranch being greater (P < 0.001) in winter than summer season. The concentration of soil Zn was higher (P < 0.001) in the soil collected from the game reserve and the ranch in summer than winter season. Woody forage analysis results showed that browse samples harvested from the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) Nitrogen (N) level than the other land management systems in both seasons. The browse samples harvested from the game reserve had greater (P < 0.001) Ca level than the other land management systems in winter season only. The level of P showed variations (P < 0.05) between land management systems in samples harvested during winter only being greater (P < 0.001) in samples from the ranch than the other land management systems. Similarly, browse harvested during winter showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in K levels being lowest in samples collected from game reserves, where the Ca level was greatest. Browse samples collected from the communal land and the ranch had the lowest Mg levels in summer and winter seasons, respectively. In all management systems, browse harvested during summer had greater (P < 0.001) N and P levels than those harvested in winter, and the reverse holds true for K and Ca levels. Browse samples harvested during winter had greater (P < 0.001) Mn levels in samples from the communal area and game reserve than the ranch, but in summer, the game reserve had higher Mn level than the other two sites. Browse samples harvested during winter only showed differences (P < 0.05) in Cu and Zn levels being greatest (P < 0.001) in samples collected from ranch and game reserves. In all management systems, browse samples harvested during winter had greater (P < 0.001) Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu (except for the game reserve and communal land) levels than those harvested in summer. Herbaceous analysis results showed that samples harvested in summer from the game reserve and ranch had greater (P < 0.001) TOC levels than the communal area, but in winter, samples from the game reserve and ranch had similar TOC levels, except for communal areas that had no herbaceous vegetation. Herbaceous samples harvested in winter from the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) TN levels than the game reserve, and that made the C:N ratio higher (P < 0.001) in the game reserve. Woody foliar samples harvested in winter from the game reserve and communal lands had greater (P < 0.001) TOC than the ranch. Values on C:N ratio showed that in winter, the communal and ranch had greater (P < 0.001) C:N than the game reserve, but in summer, the ranch had higher (P < 0.001) C:N than the game reserve and communal area. The vegetation TOC (kg ha-1) showed the order of the game reserve > ranch > communal area and the trend was similar in both seasons. In summer, the game reserve had the greatest (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) followed by the ranch and the lowest in the communal area, but in winter the game reserve and ranch had similar and higher (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) than the communal areas. In summer, both the game reserve and ranch recorded greater (P < 0.001) herbaceous δ13C and lowest δ15N than the communal area, but in winter, the game reserve had higher (P < 0.001) δ13C than the ranch, though both the game reserve and ranch had similar (P > 0.001) δ15N values. In summer, both the communal and ranch had slightly higher (P < 0.001) woody foliar δ13C than the game reserve, but in winter the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) δ13C than game reserve and communal areas. Woody foliar samples harvested from the ranch showed variations (P < 0.05) in δ15N between seasons being higher (P < 0.001) in summer than winter. The TOC was greatest in summer, in soils collected from the game reserve followed by the ranch and least in the communal land, but in winter, the lowest TOC was recorded in soils collected from the ranch. The soil C:N ratio varied between land management systems in soils collected during summer only being greater (P < 0.001) in the game and ranch than the communal area. The soil TOC (kg ha-1) and TN (kg ha-1) did not show (P > 0.05) differences between land management systems. Soil δ13C level was remarkably (P < 0.05) affected by land management systems, but did not interact with seasons. In both seasons, the communal land had slightly higher (P < 0.001) δ13C level than the other two land management systems. In both seasons, δ15N levels showed great differences (P < 0.001) between land management systems, with highest soil δ15N levels observed in the communal area than the ranch and game reserve. Results on social survey showed that the majority of the interviewed households in Omaandi (63percent), Oshitutuma (53percent) and Epukunoyana (50percent) were female headed families and the remaining were male headed. The mean population of goats and cattle were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Omaandi and Epukunoyana than in Oshitutuma village, respectively. In this study, household respondents in all villages indicated that all livestock species were primarily kept for wealth status and provision of meat for consumption. Respondents in all villages also indicated that lack of grazing lands and shortage of feed were the primary constraints of livestock production followed by water scarcity and recurring droughts. Elder respondents in all villages perceived overgrazing and climate change as the primary cause of rangeland degradation. Elder interviewees in Omaandi and Oshitutuma villages regarded low grass cover and dominance of poor quality grass (Epukunoyana only) as the primary vegetation indicators of rangeland degradation. The animal related indicators such as stunted animal body as a result of mineral deficiency, high livestock mortality, emaciated body and animals traveling long distance for grazing and water (Oshitutuma only) were regarded in all villages as the primary livestock related indicators of rangeland degradation. Elders from Epukunoyana village ranked low rainfall, high soil and atmospheric temperatures as the primary climate related indicators of rangeland degradation, although in Omaandi and Oshitutuma, high soil and atmospheric temperatures were considered as the primary climate related indicators of rangeland degradation. Based on the findings, this study concludes that land management systems had great influences on the distribution and production of herbaceous and woody vegetation in summer and winter seasons. This study also observed that land management systems interacted strongly with season to influence most vegetation and soil variables. Lastly, based on the study findings, the study concludes that all three communal rangelands are degraded and degradation led to a gradual declining trend in the livestock population over the past 10 to 20 years in the communal areas as a result of feed shortage.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kahumba, Absalom
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rural development Land use Land tenure
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Pasture Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11718 , vital:39100
- Description: This study was conducted in Ogongo district, situated in Omusati Region of the central northern Namibia. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of land use practices on 1) vegetation distribution and status; 2) soil properties; 3) carbon-nitrogen sequestration potential, and 4) investigate the indigenous pastoralists’ knowledge and perceptions on livestock production, rangeland degradation and its indicators in three villages (Omaandi, Epukunoyana and Oshitutuma) in Mopane savannah rangelands of central northern Namibia. For vegetation and soil assessment, three grazing land management systems (communal, game reserve and cattle ranch) were identified adjacent to each other. In each grazing system, three sites (for game reserve and cattle ranch, these were camps) were selected. In each site, three belt transects of 50 m x 5 m2 were marked to record vegetation and soil data as well as to collect vegetation samples for analysis. Grass species composition was recorded using step point methods from 250 points per belt transect. A total of five 0.25 m2 quadrats were randomly laid within each 250 m2 belt transect to record the herbaceous plant density, tuft diameter, tuft distance and biomass. All woody plants in the belt transect (250 m2) were measured and recorded for species plant height and canopy diameters. Three soil samples per belt transect were collected at the time of forage sampling down to a depth of 20 cm using a soil auger. Soil and plant samples were analysed for macro and micro minerals, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon-nitrogen ratios, and carbon and nitrogen isotopes. For bulk density, soil samples were collected using soil core samplers. In the social study, a total of 90 households were randomly selected from three villages and a total of 48 elders were purposefully selected based on the age, time spent in the village and livestock ownership. A combination of structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to gather household information, while a structured questionnaire and open ended discussion were used to interview elders on the constraints of livestock production, rangeland degradation related issues and their consequences on livelihood. Field vegetation and soil data were analyzed using a General Linear Model (GLM) in SAS (2007), whereas the social data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 (2014). A total of 23 grass species were identified in all three land management systems, of which 48% were perennials and the remaining 52% were annuals. Aristida meridionalis dominated the game reserve and the ranch, whereas Eragrostis trichophora was dominant in all land management systems. Forbs occurred commonly in the game reserve and the ranch, but were dominant in the communal areas. The abundance of A. meridionalis responded significantly (P < 0.001) to land management systems with the game reserve showing remarkably greater abundance than the ranch. In summer, the abundance of E. trichophora was high (P < 0.001) in the game reserve followed by the communal and ranch sites, whereas in winter, the species had still greater abundance in the game reserve followed by the ranch. In summer, the mean grass density was greatest (P < 0.001) in the game reserve and least in the communal lands, but vice versa for the tuft distance. In summer, the average distance between tufts showed great variations (P < 0.001) with the communal areas having greater values than the ranch and game reserve. In winter, both the game reserve and the ranch showed records of similar grass tuft density and distance between tufts, whereas these values were nil for communal areas, because, there were no grasses recorded. Herbaceous plant dry matter was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the game reserve followed by the ranch and the least in the communal areas. Results on biomass showed remarkably higher values (P < 0.001) in summer than winter in all land management systems. The total woody plant density was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the ranch (542 TE ha-1) than the game reserve (449 TE ha-1) and communal area (324 TE ha-1). However, percentage of canopy cover did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the three land management systems. Woody plant density of height classes were significantly different (P < 0.05) between three land management systems. The abundance of seedlings, saplings and young shrubs were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the ranch than the game reserve and communal area. The mature trees had a significantly greater density (P < 0.05) in the game reserve than the ranch and communal area. Soil analysis results showed that Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) had similar (P > 0.05) concentrations in soils obtained from all land management systems in both seasons. Soil Calcium (Ca) levels showed differences between land management systems in winter only being greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve than the ranch and the communal lands. Soil Phosphorus (P) and Iron (Fe) also showed variations between land management systems in winter being significantly greater (P < 0.001) in the ranch than the other land management systems. The concentration of soil K differed between the two seasons in soils collected from the ranch and the communal lands, being greater (P < 0.001) in winter than summer seasons. Soil Zinc (Zn) also showed differences between land management systems in summer being greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve than in the ranch and communal land. Seasonal variations were observed in soil P level of samples collected from the ranch being greater (P < 0.001) in winter than summer season. The concentration of soil Zn was higher (P < 0.001) in the soil collected from the game reserve and the ranch in summer than winter season. Woody forage analysis results showed that browse samples harvested from the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) Nitrogen (N) level than the other land management systems in both seasons. The browse samples harvested from the game reserve had greater (P < 0.001) Ca level than the other land management systems in winter season only. The level of P showed variations (P < 0.05) between land management systems in samples harvested during winter only being greater (P < 0.001) in samples from the ranch than the other land management systems. Similarly, browse harvested during winter showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in K levels being lowest in samples collected from game reserves, where the Ca level was greatest. Browse samples collected from the communal land and the ranch had the lowest Mg levels in summer and winter seasons, respectively. In all management systems, browse harvested during summer had greater (P < 0.001) N and P levels than those harvested in winter, and the reverse holds true for K and Ca levels. Browse samples harvested during winter had greater (P < 0.001) Mn levels in samples from the communal area and game reserve than the ranch, but in summer, the game reserve had higher Mn level than the other two sites. Browse samples harvested during winter only showed differences (P < 0.05) in Cu and Zn levels being greatest (P < 0.001) in samples collected from ranch and game reserves. In all management systems, browse samples harvested during winter had greater (P < 0.001) Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu (except for the game reserve and communal land) levels than those harvested in summer. Herbaceous analysis results showed that samples harvested in summer from the game reserve and ranch had greater (P < 0.001) TOC levels than the communal area, but in winter, samples from the game reserve and ranch had similar TOC levels, except for communal areas that had no herbaceous vegetation. Herbaceous samples harvested in winter from the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) TN levels than the game reserve, and that made the C:N ratio higher (P < 0.001) in the game reserve. Woody foliar samples harvested in winter from the game reserve and communal lands had greater (P < 0.001) TOC than the ranch. Values on C:N ratio showed that in winter, the communal and ranch had greater (P < 0.001) C:N than the game reserve, but in summer, the ranch had higher (P < 0.001) C:N than the game reserve and communal area. The vegetation TOC (kg ha-1) showed the order of the game reserve > ranch > communal area and the trend was similar in both seasons. In summer, the game reserve had the greatest (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) followed by the ranch and the lowest in the communal area, but in winter the game reserve and ranch had similar and higher (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) than the communal areas. In summer, both the game reserve and ranch recorded greater (P < 0.001) herbaceous δ13C and lowest δ15N than the communal area, but in winter, the game reserve had higher (P < 0.001) δ13C than the ranch, though both the game reserve and ranch had similar (P > 0.001) δ15N values. In summer, both the communal and ranch had slightly higher (P < 0.001) woody foliar δ13C than the game reserve, but in winter the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) δ13C than game reserve and communal areas. Woody foliar samples harvested from the ranch showed variations (P < 0.05) in δ15N between seasons being higher (P < 0.001) in summer than winter. The TOC was greatest in summer, in soils collected from the game reserve followed by the ranch and least in the communal land, but in winter, the lowest TOC was recorded in soils collected from the ranch. The soil C:N ratio varied between land management systems in soils collected during summer only being greater (P < 0.001) in the game and ranch than the communal area. The soil TOC (kg ha-1) and TN (kg ha-1) did not show (P > 0.05) differences between land management systems. Soil δ13C level was remarkably (P < 0.05) affected by land management systems, but did not interact with seasons. In both seasons, the communal land had slightly higher (P < 0.001) δ13C level than the other two land management systems. In both seasons, δ15N levels showed great differences (P < 0.001) between land management systems, with highest soil δ15N levels observed in the communal area than the ranch and game reserve. Results on social survey showed that the majority of the interviewed households in Omaandi (63percent), Oshitutuma (53percent) and Epukunoyana (50percent) were female headed families and the remaining were male headed. The mean population of goats and cattle were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Omaandi and Epukunoyana than in Oshitutuma village, respectively. In this study, household respondents in all villages indicated that all livestock species were primarily kept for wealth status and provision of meat for consumption. Respondents in all villages also indicated that lack of grazing lands and shortage of feed were the primary constraints of livestock production followed by water scarcity and recurring droughts. Elder respondents in all villages perceived overgrazing and climate change as the primary cause of rangeland degradation. Elder interviewees in Omaandi and Oshitutuma villages regarded low grass cover and dominance of poor quality grass (Epukunoyana only) as the primary vegetation indicators of rangeland degradation. The animal related indicators such as stunted animal body as a result of mineral deficiency, high livestock mortality, emaciated body and animals traveling long distance for grazing and water (Oshitutuma only) were regarded in all villages as the primary livestock related indicators of rangeland degradation. Elders from Epukunoyana village ranked low rainfall, high soil and atmospheric temperatures as the primary climate related indicators of rangeland degradation, although in Omaandi and Oshitutuma, high soil and atmospheric temperatures were considered as the primary climate related indicators of rangeland degradation. Based on the findings, this study concludes that land management systems had great influences on the distribution and production of herbaceous and woody vegetation in summer and winter seasons. This study also observed that land management systems interacted strongly with season to influence most vegetation and soil variables. Lastly, based on the study findings, the study concludes that all three communal rangelands are degraded and degradation led to a gradual declining trend in the livestock population over the past 10 to 20 years in the communal areas as a result of feed shortage.
- Full Text:
Bayesian spatial modelling of tuberculosis and its effects on socio-economic and demographic factors in South Africa : a case study of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Obaromi, Abiodun Davies
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Tuberculosis -- Epidemiology -- Statistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9648 , vital:34813
- Description: This dissertation is concerned with evolving and extending statistical models in the area of Bayesian spatial modelling, an increasingly important field of spatial epidemiology with particular interest towards application to Tuberculosis data in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. In spatial epidemiology, the diseases to be examined usually occur within a map that needs spatial statistical methods that are appropriate, to model the observed data in the presence of some covariates and also cater for the variation of the disease. In this thesis, the Bayesian models were developed in such a way that they allowed several factors classified as fixed and random effects, to be included in the models and using the Bayesian approach. The basic model used in disease mapping is the Besag, York and Mollie model, which incorporates two random effects; one which is spatially structured and the other random effect which is spatially unstructured. The effects (fixed and random) were the covariate effects, socio-economic and demographic variability and the spatial variability respectively, which were all investigated in seven different hierarchical/multilevel Bayesian models. These factors showed varying and substantial effects in the posterior relative risk estimation of the disease. We assumed a negative binomial and generalized Poisson distributions to the response variable or relative risk estimate, 𝑦𝑖 ,to capture the over-dispersion phenomenon that is common and inherent with Poisson density for counts data. Spatial and non-spatial models were developed to model over-dispersion with all the distributions; Poisson, negative binomial and generalized Poisson. Negative binomial and generalized Poisson showed varying properties from comparisons with DIC values and parameter estimates to standard errors, which made either of them fit depending on the choice of model selection. It was found that a lower DIC value could be insufficient to determine a best fit model, if other models present estimates with lower variances even at higher DIC values. The generalized Poisson, a two parameter distribution like the negative binomial, which also has the ability to capture both under-dispersion and over-dispersion, was found to perform better in the results than the negative binomial on the basis of a lower variance and with more exact parameter estimates. A new weighted prior distribution, the “Besag2” ICAR model for the structured spatial random effects, which is an extension of the traditional ICAR prior model with two hyperparameters, was also developed and compared with some existing prior models; BYM and ICAR, to measure for spatial dependency in the regions. This new prior distribution was found to show a better fit, when compared to the basic ICAR prior usually assumed for the spatial random effect in the BYM model. This newly parameterized prior distribution in the Besag, York and Mollie model also led to improved parameter control, as the hyperparameters can be seen independently from each other. The result also showed that the new model performed well, both presenting good learning abilities and good shrinkage behaviour. In terms of model choice criteria, the proposed model performed at least equally well and better than the existing models, and the new formulation also gave parameters that are interpretable and have a clearer meaning. To interpolate scattered or regularly distributed data, there are imprecise or exact methods, but there are some of these methods that could be used for interpolating data in a regular grid and others in an irregular grid. Linear and biharmonic spline methods were implemented in MATLAB, to compare for smoothing in the distribution patterns of tuberculosis in the province. This smoothing spline is a method of fitting a smooth curve to a set of noisy observations using a spline function. This new method is rarely used in disease mapping applications, but it has a superior advantage to be assessed at subjective locations rather than only on a rectangular grid as seen in most traditional GIS methods of geospatial analyses. The proposed new models and methods in this thesis were found to be flexible and robust, since they can be reduced or extended according to the nature of the data. Nevertheless, great care must be considered in the choice of prior densities. The approaches developed in this dissertation helped to broaden the scope for spatial analysis and disease mapping applications in epidemiology and public health studies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Obaromi, Abiodun Davies
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Tuberculosis -- Epidemiology -- Statistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9648 , vital:34813
- Description: This dissertation is concerned with evolving and extending statistical models in the area of Bayesian spatial modelling, an increasingly important field of spatial epidemiology with particular interest towards application to Tuberculosis data in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. In spatial epidemiology, the diseases to be examined usually occur within a map that needs spatial statistical methods that are appropriate, to model the observed data in the presence of some covariates and also cater for the variation of the disease. In this thesis, the Bayesian models were developed in such a way that they allowed several factors classified as fixed and random effects, to be included in the models and using the Bayesian approach. The basic model used in disease mapping is the Besag, York and Mollie model, which incorporates two random effects; one which is spatially structured and the other random effect which is spatially unstructured. The effects (fixed and random) were the covariate effects, socio-economic and demographic variability and the spatial variability respectively, which were all investigated in seven different hierarchical/multilevel Bayesian models. These factors showed varying and substantial effects in the posterior relative risk estimation of the disease. We assumed a negative binomial and generalized Poisson distributions to the response variable or relative risk estimate, 𝑦𝑖 ,to capture the over-dispersion phenomenon that is common and inherent with Poisson density for counts data. Spatial and non-spatial models were developed to model over-dispersion with all the distributions; Poisson, negative binomial and generalized Poisson. Negative binomial and generalized Poisson showed varying properties from comparisons with DIC values and parameter estimates to standard errors, which made either of them fit depending on the choice of model selection. It was found that a lower DIC value could be insufficient to determine a best fit model, if other models present estimates with lower variances even at higher DIC values. The generalized Poisson, a two parameter distribution like the negative binomial, which also has the ability to capture both under-dispersion and over-dispersion, was found to perform better in the results than the negative binomial on the basis of a lower variance and with more exact parameter estimates. A new weighted prior distribution, the “Besag2” ICAR model for the structured spatial random effects, which is an extension of the traditional ICAR prior model with two hyperparameters, was also developed and compared with some existing prior models; BYM and ICAR, to measure for spatial dependency in the regions. This new prior distribution was found to show a better fit, when compared to the basic ICAR prior usually assumed for the spatial random effect in the BYM model. This newly parameterized prior distribution in the Besag, York and Mollie model also led to improved parameter control, as the hyperparameters can be seen independently from each other. The result also showed that the new model performed well, both presenting good learning abilities and good shrinkage behaviour. In terms of model choice criteria, the proposed model performed at least equally well and better than the existing models, and the new formulation also gave parameters that are interpretable and have a clearer meaning. To interpolate scattered or regularly distributed data, there are imprecise or exact methods, but there are some of these methods that could be used for interpolating data in a regular grid and others in an irregular grid. Linear and biharmonic spline methods were implemented in MATLAB, to compare for smoothing in the distribution patterns of tuberculosis in the province. This smoothing spline is a method of fitting a smooth curve to a set of noisy observations using a spline function. This new method is rarely used in disease mapping applications, but it has a superior advantage to be assessed at subjective locations rather than only on a rectangular grid as seen in most traditional GIS methods of geospatial analyses. The proposed new models and methods in this thesis were found to be flexible and robust, since they can be reduced or extended according to the nature of the data. Nevertheless, great care must be considered in the choice of prior densities. The approaches developed in this dissertation helped to broaden the scope for spatial analysis and disease mapping applications in epidemiology and public health studies.
- Full Text:
Chemical transformation and phytochemical studies of bioactive constituents from extract of callistemon citrinus (curtis) skeels
- Authors: Larayetan, Rotimi Abisoye
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Callistemon Wild flowers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9122 , vital:34272
- Description: Callistemon citrinus belongs to the family Myrtaceae and exhibits therapeutic activities. The aerial parts of this plant are used to treat different ailments, among them are parasitic infections. The leaves, flowers and stems of Callistemon citrinus were subjected to hydrodistillation. The oils collected were studied by GC-MS analysis for the essential constituents. The overall phenolic content of the leaves oil, radical scavenging, antibacterial action and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Callistemon citrinus were determined using standard methods, with free radical DPPH or ABTS as reference antioxidants. Chemical transformation of the components was examined for a whole year. A relationship between the chemical change in the volatile oil constituents, antioxidant capacity, percentage yield of the oil of Callistemon citrinus and fluctuation in season has been established. Active phytochemicals present in both ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of Callistemon citrinus were determined spectrophotometrically. The antimicrobial properties, time of kill, and antioxidant activity of the extracts were explored. The bioactive components were characterized by high level of fatty acids. Squalene, a triterpenoid synthesized in human liver was obtained in the two extracts at varying amounts. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated strong activity against P. aeruginosa ACC (28.7 ± 1.2 mm), Listeria ACC (26.0 ± 2.0 mm) and Escherichia coli ATCC 35150 (24.0 ± 3.5 mm). Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids, fats and oils, flavonoids, phenols and tannins in them. In the quantitative phytochemical determination (total tannin, total flavonoids and flavonols, total phenolic and total antioxidant capacity) were carried out. The minimum time needed to kill the tested bacterial strains totally ranged from 15 to 24 hours. The aqueous extracts used for biosynthesis of nanoparticles were obtained from the fresh aerial parts of the plant. The biosynthesized gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs) of the aqueous extracts of the seed, flower and leaf of the plant, which are active as reducing and capping agents, were characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, and FT IR. The XRD analysis revealed that the AgNPs were crystalline and the TEM showed that the shapes were spherical with an average size of 29 nm. For AuNPs, an average particle size of about 37 nm was confirmed by the TEM while the morphology and composition of the AuNPs were ascertained by SEM and EDS micrographs; uneven spherical shaped nanoparticles were established by the SEM. Both SEM and EDS demonstrated triangular shaped materials made up of silver and oxygen only. Absorption spectra confirmed by UV-VIS signify the dispersed nature of the synthesized nanoparticles with absorption band observed at 280 nm for the leaf AgNPs. FT IR had absorption bands at about 1700 cm-1 establishing the C=O stretching due to the amide bond while the FT IR for the AuNPs showed an absorption peak at 230 cm-1 confirming the presence of gold nanoparticles. The phytochemical investigation, isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds of various organic crude extracts like hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and ethyl acetate were as well carried out, and the compounds responsible for their medicinal actions were determined. The results from different experiments revealed that the leaves and flowers of Callistemon citrinus possessed phenolic compounds and cyclic ethers with a variety of pharmacological action. The ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts were found to possess broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities and pharmaceutically essential bioactive components with striking antioxidant capacities that may be used in the synthesis of novel drugs for the management of different ailments. The AuNPs and AgNPs synthesized from the seed, flower and leaf extracts of Callistemon citrinus where found to have prominent antimalarial, antiplasmodial, and antibacterial activities. The biosynthesized nanoparticles inhibit all the bacterial strains used and they were not cytotoxic to Hela cells, confirming their prospect for use as an excellent source for naturally occurring drugs against malaria, cell cytotoxicity, trypanosomes, and microbial infection. Similarly the crude organic extracts and the fractions derived from them exhibited high antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities, but they were toxic to Hela cells. This is an indication that they will not be safe for use as targeted drugs for mammalian organism.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Larayetan, Rotimi Abisoye
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Callistemon Wild flowers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9122 , vital:34272
- Description: Callistemon citrinus belongs to the family Myrtaceae and exhibits therapeutic activities. The aerial parts of this plant are used to treat different ailments, among them are parasitic infections. The leaves, flowers and stems of Callistemon citrinus were subjected to hydrodistillation. The oils collected were studied by GC-MS analysis for the essential constituents. The overall phenolic content of the leaves oil, radical scavenging, antibacterial action and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Callistemon citrinus were determined using standard methods, with free radical DPPH or ABTS as reference antioxidants. Chemical transformation of the components was examined for a whole year. A relationship between the chemical change in the volatile oil constituents, antioxidant capacity, percentage yield of the oil of Callistemon citrinus and fluctuation in season has been established. Active phytochemicals present in both ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of Callistemon citrinus were determined spectrophotometrically. The antimicrobial properties, time of kill, and antioxidant activity of the extracts were explored. The bioactive components were characterized by high level of fatty acids. Squalene, a triterpenoid synthesized in human liver was obtained in the two extracts at varying amounts. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated strong activity against P. aeruginosa ACC (28.7 ± 1.2 mm), Listeria ACC (26.0 ± 2.0 mm) and Escherichia coli ATCC 35150 (24.0 ± 3.5 mm). Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids, fats and oils, flavonoids, phenols and tannins in them. In the quantitative phytochemical determination (total tannin, total flavonoids and flavonols, total phenolic and total antioxidant capacity) were carried out. The minimum time needed to kill the tested bacterial strains totally ranged from 15 to 24 hours. The aqueous extracts used for biosynthesis of nanoparticles were obtained from the fresh aerial parts of the plant. The biosynthesized gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs) of the aqueous extracts of the seed, flower and leaf of the plant, which are active as reducing and capping agents, were characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, and FT IR. The XRD analysis revealed that the AgNPs were crystalline and the TEM showed that the shapes were spherical with an average size of 29 nm. For AuNPs, an average particle size of about 37 nm was confirmed by the TEM while the morphology and composition of the AuNPs were ascertained by SEM and EDS micrographs; uneven spherical shaped nanoparticles were established by the SEM. Both SEM and EDS demonstrated triangular shaped materials made up of silver and oxygen only. Absorption spectra confirmed by UV-VIS signify the dispersed nature of the synthesized nanoparticles with absorption band observed at 280 nm for the leaf AgNPs. FT IR had absorption bands at about 1700 cm-1 establishing the C=O stretching due to the amide bond while the FT IR for the AuNPs showed an absorption peak at 230 cm-1 confirming the presence of gold nanoparticles. The phytochemical investigation, isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds of various organic crude extracts like hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and ethyl acetate were as well carried out, and the compounds responsible for their medicinal actions were determined. The results from different experiments revealed that the leaves and flowers of Callistemon citrinus possessed phenolic compounds and cyclic ethers with a variety of pharmacological action. The ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts were found to possess broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities and pharmaceutically essential bioactive components with striking antioxidant capacities that may be used in the synthesis of novel drugs for the management of different ailments. The AuNPs and AgNPs synthesized from the seed, flower and leaf extracts of Callistemon citrinus where found to have prominent antimalarial, antiplasmodial, and antibacterial activities. The biosynthesized nanoparticles inhibit all the bacterial strains used and they were not cytotoxic to Hela cells, confirming their prospect for use as an excellent source for naturally occurring drugs against malaria, cell cytotoxicity, trypanosomes, and microbial infection. Similarly the crude organic extracts and the fractions derived from them exhibited high antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities, but they were toxic to Hela cells. This is an indication that they will not be safe for use as targeted drugs for mammalian organism.
- Full Text:
Critical assessment of the human resource capacity needs of senior management at Thaba Chweu Municipality in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
- Authors: Dube, Boy David
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal government Rural poor Senior leadership teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12172 , vital:39193
- Description: The terrain of local government is not only very complex, dynamic, and challenging, but also very unique. The quality of human resources is vital in a public institution, particularly in institutions that are meant to service communities by providing sustainable basic services. Amongst the concerns raised at a municipal level are the lack of professionalism and the required competency and capacity amongst the workforce that must perform the actual duties of servicing the local communities. This study was aimed at identifying and analysing human resource development and human resource management policies, strategies and needs in line with the current circumstances and conditions at a particular municipality. A series of challenges (that a number of community members, newspaper articles, community leaders and both the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and other spheres of government raised and complained about) prompted this study. Constant complaints are leveled against municipalities about appropriate and well qualified candidates being overlooked for employment opportunities at the expense of nepotism, cronyism and blatant corrupt activities. This study is a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. In line with the quantitative method of generating and assembling information, the researcher used the judgement sampling method. Questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data while primary data was collected via interviews. Data was obtained from 45 participants in Thaba Chweu Municipality. The findings show that the majority of respondents (in the form of percentages) spoke against the capacity of the officials. A smaller percentage spoke in favour of the availability of capacity. These respondents stated that municipal officials have the required skills and capacity to perform their duties. Furthermore, the study found that there was inconsistency in the implementation of council resolutions and interference in administrative matters. These factors compromised achieving the objectives of the municipal strategies and policies. The study recommends that the municipality ensures that the human resource management and development departments are consonant with current and modernised needs and that delegations to line functionaries are properly assigned and documented.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dube, Boy David
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal government Rural poor Senior leadership teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12172 , vital:39193
- Description: The terrain of local government is not only very complex, dynamic, and challenging, but also very unique. The quality of human resources is vital in a public institution, particularly in institutions that are meant to service communities by providing sustainable basic services. Amongst the concerns raised at a municipal level are the lack of professionalism and the required competency and capacity amongst the workforce that must perform the actual duties of servicing the local communities. This study was aimed at identifying and analysing human resource development and human resource management policies, strategies and needs in line with the current circumstances and conditions at a particular municipality. A series of challenges (that a number of community members, newspaper articles, community leaders and both the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and other spheres of government raised and complained about) prompted this study. Constant complaints are leveled against municipalities about appropriate and well qualified candidates being overlooked for employment opportunities at the expense of nepotism, cronyism and blatant corrupt activities. This study is a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. In line with the quantitative method of generating and assembling information, the researcher used the judgement sampling method. Questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data while primary data was collected via interviews. Data was obtained from 45 participants in Thaba Chweu Municipality. The findings show that the majority of respondents (in the form of percentages) spoke against the capacity of the officials. A smaller percentage spoke in favour of the availability of capacity. These respondents stated that municipal officials have the required skills and capacity to perform their duties. Furthermore, the study found that there was inconsistency in the implementation of council resolutions and interference in administrative matters. These factors compromised achieving the objectives of the municipal strategies and policies. The study recommends that the municipality ensures that the human resource management and development departments are consonant with current and modernised needs and that delegations to line functionaries are properly assigned and documented.
- Full Text:
Cross-Border Migration, Social Cohesion and African Continental Integration: Perspectives of African Immigrants and South African Nationals in Gauteng, South Africa
- Authors: Maseng, Jonathan Oshupeng
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Migration -- Africa Emigration and immigration Social integration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8855 , vital:33673
- Description: Using the Sunnyside suburb of South Africa’s capital city of Pretoria as a case study, this study sought to gather, analyse and engage the perspectives, narratives and idealisations of African migrants and South African nationals in Gauteng province on cross-border migration, social cohesion and African continental integration. The goal was to interrogate the dominant discourse and assumption in migration scholarship that contact between nationals and immigrants is inherently conflict-inducing. The study adopted a qualitative methodology, with in-depth interviews, “street ethnography”, expert interviews and document analysis as the main sources of primary data. Overall, 85 in-depth interviews were conducted with immigrants and nationals of different occupational, gender and class backgrounds. The study found, among other things, that while many respondents expressed negative sentiments with regard to how cross-border migration affected their experience of social cohesion and idealisations about African continental integration, the relations between African immigrants and South African nationals in the study area were overwhelmingly congenial. This was even when there was no policy-oriented action by government to promote these positive relations. Respondents attributed this congeniality to, among other things, the fact that most small immigrant businesses depended on a predominantly South African clientele, while South African nationals in the study area saw such businesses as filling a crucial gap in their immediate socio-economic environments. Importantly, service provider-client relations served as “enhancers” of social cohesion in the study area. On the other hand, the relative dominance of immigrants in the small business sector in the study area served as a “threat” to social cohesion. From these findings, the study concluded that, contact between immigrants and nationals was not necessarily inherently conflict-inducing, and that social cohesion also rested on the logic of mutual dependence.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maseng, Jonathan Oshupeng
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Migration -- Africa Emigration and immigration Social integration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8855 , vital:33673
- Description: Using the Sunnyside suburb of South Africa’s capital city of Pretoria as a case study, this study sought to gather, analyse and engage the perspectives, narratives and idealisations of African migrants and South African nationals in Gauteng province on cross-border migration, social cohesion and African continental integration. The goal was to interrogate the dominant discourse and assumption in migration scholarship that contact between nationals and immigrants is inherently conflict-inducing. The study adopted a qualitative methodology, with in-depth interviews, “street ethnography”, expert interviews and document analysis as the main sources of primary data. Overall, 85 in-depth interviews were conducted with immigrants and nationals of different occupational, gender and class backgrounds. The study found, among other things, that while many respondents expressed negative sentiments with regard to how cross-border migration affected their experience of social cohesion and idealisations about African continental integration, the relations between African immigrants and South African nationals in the study area were overwhelmingly congenial. This was even when there was no policy-oriented action by government to promote these positive relations. Respondents attributed this congeniality to, among other things, the fact that most small immigrant businesses depended on a predominantly South African clientele, while South African nationals in the study area saw such businesses as filling a crucial gap in their immediate socio-economic environments. Importantly, service provider-client relations served as “enhancers” of social cohesion in the study area. On the other hand, the relative dominance of immigrants in the small business sector in the study area served as a “threat” to social cohesion. From these findings, the study concluded that, contact between immigrants and nationals was not necessarily inherently conflict-inducing, and that social cohesion also rested on the logic of mutual dependence.
- Full Text:
Developing a model for promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyle of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Gomwe, Howard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Physical fitness for children -- South Africa Physical education for children Schools -- Health promotion services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10050 , vital:35307
- Description: The challenge of low level participation in physical activity and, consequently, limited physical fitness has been acknowledged as being a national public health concern in South African schools. The main aim of this study was to develop a behavioural model for promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyle of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The first thing was to determine their physical fitness level and body composition then develop a behavioural model based on the findings. The study was conducted in three phases. A quantitative, qualitative and theory-generating research design was conducted using questionnaires, deductive and inductive strategies and literature triangulation. The study involved primary school learners: 356 boys and 520 girls aged 9-14 years old, who were randomly selected. Anthropometric assessments were conducted using ISAK (Marfell-Jones et al., 2006) and EUROFIT (1988) test batteries.The following measurements of body mass, stature, skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), waist circumference and gluteal were taken. The percent BF was calculated from a sum of two skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), using Slaughter et al.‘ s (1988) equation to predict body fat. Physical fitness measurements included sit and reach, push-ups, sit-ups and a 20 metre shuttle run. Physical activity level and sedentary behaviour were assessed by means of self-report questionnaires. Demographic, psychological and environmental variables were also measured by a self-report questionnaire. Six focus group discussions were conducted with school learners. The physical fitness levels were categorized as hypoactive, minimal active and inactive. Sedentary behaviours were categorized by number of minutes spent on sedentary activities. Dietary intake was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Food intake was classified as healthy, unhealthy/junk and traditional food. Body composition was measured by calculating body mass index (BMI) (weight/height2) and waist-to-hip ratio, respectively. Categories: underweight: 0<18, normal weight: 18, 5<25, overweight: 25<30 or obese: 30 and blood pressure measurements were classified as healthy and unhealthy. The main findings were as follows: underweight 60, 25 percent: normal weight 30, 54 percent: overweight 4, 18 percent: and obese 5, 02 percent: for the peri-urban school learners. Underweight 64, 78 percent: normal 31, 52 percent: overweight 2,83 percent: and obesity 0,87 percent:for the rural school learners. 56,25 percent underweight: 36,93 percent normal weight: 5,68 percent overweight: and 1,14 percent obese for the urban school learners. The mean body mass of learners from three locations were urban 40.0±10.185; peri-urban 39.8±10.181 and rural 38.7±10.279, respectively. (Chi-square = 3.3107; P=0.191). The mean values stature of all the three residences are urban; 144.1 ±10.400 peri-urban 144.4±9.187 and rural 143.7±12.617 (Chi-square = 1.2651; P=0.5312). The mean waist circumference for urban was (78.4±9.493), peri-urban (78.4±9.399) and rural was (77.1±10.214), respectively (Z=2.474;p=0.2903). The triceps value (z=21.4565p <.0001). Urban (13.9±5.589), (12.5±6.023) for peri-urban and (12.1±6.390) for rural. Subscapular (z=4.1151;p=0.1278). Urban area had (9.3±5.426), (9.3±5.463) for peri-urban and (8.9±6.381) for rural. The mean systolic blood pressure of urban school learners was (109.2±19.512), (107.9±19.273) for peri-urban and (107.4±19.488) for rural school learners. Lumbar and hamstring flexibility (z= 57.733; p<.0001). (25.3±5.507) for urban, (23.0±6.435) for peri-urban and (26.9±6.854) for rural. Sit-up (z=9.8414;p=0.0073). (18.3±12.571) for urban, (19.7±12.323) for peri-urban and (21.7±13.782) for rural area. Push-ups (z= 37.7591p=<.00001). (15.8±10.285) for urban, (18.5±11.086) for peri-urban and (20.9±9.981) for rural area. Maximal oxygen intake (z= 163.186p=<.0001). (25.0±6.454) for urban, (29.9±7.225) for peri-urban and (35.5±11.085) for rural area. PA enjoyment (4.1±0.698) for urban, (4.0±0.764) for peri-urban, (4.0±0.799) for rural. With regard to health-related physical fitness, the learners in the rural and peri-urban better than those in urban areas. PA attitude (z=7.5507;p=0.0563), (2.5±0.792) for urban area, (2.6±0.802) for peri-urban and (2.7±0.890) for rural area. Parental role modelling in PA (z=0.3083; p=<.000). (3.1±1.008) for urban area, (3.3±0.916) for peri-urban (3.1±0.981) for rural area. Peer encouragement (z=2.5367; p=0.2813) (3.4±0.893) for urban, (3.3±1.064) for peri-urban, (3.3±1.005) for rural area. Parental encouragement (z= 7.2266p=0.027),(3.7±0.985) for urban area, (3.5±0.906) for peri-urban and (3.7±0.774 ) for rural area. Teacher encouragement (z=2.0069p=0.3668).The mean values for three residences are (3.5±0.802) for urban area, (3.4±0.784) for peri-urban, (3.5±0.733) for rural areas. Most of the school learners in all the three residences prefer unhealthy/junky food. Based on the results, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data to identify and analyse the factors for model development. The findings indicated that there is evidence of low level of physical fitness and high prevalence of excessive weight and obesity among primary school learners, the study, therefore, suggests the development of the behavioural model to enhance physical fitness and prevent or reduce overweight/obesity among school learners.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gomwe, Howard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Physical fitness for children -- South Africa Physical education for children Schools -- Health promotion services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10050 , vital:35307
- Description: The challenge of low level participation in physical activity and, consequently, limited physical fitness has been acknowledged as being a national public health concern in South African schools. The main aim of this study was to develop a behavioural model for promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyle of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The first thing was to determine their physical fitness level and body composition then develop a behavioural model based on the findings. The study was conducted in three phases. A quantitative, qualitative and theory-generating research design was conducted using questionnaires, deductive and inductive strategies and literature triangulation. The study involved primary school learners: 356 boys and 520 girls aged 9-14 years old, who were randomly selected. Anthropometric assessments were conducted using ISAK (Marfell-Jones et al., 2006) and EUROFIT (1988) test batteries.The following measurements of body mass, stature, skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), waist circumference and gluteal were taken. The percent BF was calculated from a sum of two skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), using Slaughter et al.‘ s (1988) equation to predict body fat. Physical fitness measurements included sit and reach, push-ups, sit-ups and a 20 metre shuttle run. Physical activity level and sedentary behaviour were assessed by means of self-report questionnaires. Demographic, psychological and environmental variables were also measured by a self-report questionnaire. Six focus group discussions were conducted with school learners. The physical fitness levels were categorized as hypoactive, minimal active and inactive. Sedentary behaviours were categorized by number of minutes spent on sedentary activities. Dietary intake was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Food intake was classified as healthy, unhealthy/junk and traditional food. Body composition was measured by calculating body mass index (BMI) (weight/height2) and waist-to-hip ratio, respectively. Categories: underweight: 0<18, normal weight: 18, 5<25, overweight: 25<30 or obese: 30 and blood pressure measurements were classified as healthy and unhealthy. The main findings were as follows: underweight 60, 25 percent: normal weight 30, 54 percent: overweight 4, 18 percent: and obese 5, 02 percent: for the peri-urban school learners. Underweight 64, 78 percent: normal 31, 52 percent: overweight 2,83 percent: and obesity 0,87 percent:for the rural school learners. 56,25 percent underweight: 36,93 percent normal weight: 5,68 percent overweight: and 1,14 percent obese for the urban school learners. The mean body mass of learners from three locations were urban 40.0±10.185; peri-urban 39.8±10.181 and rural 38.7±10.279, respectively. (Chi-square = 3.3107; P=0.191). The mean values stature of all the three residences are urban; 144.1 ±10.400 peri-urban 144.4±9.187 and rural 143.7±12.617 (Chi-square = 1.2651; P=0.5312). The mean waist circumference for urban was (78.4±9.493), peri-urban (78.4±9.399) and rural was (77.1±10.214), respectively (Z=2.474;p=0.2903). The triceps value (z=21.4565p <.0001). Urban (13.9±5.589), (12.5±6.023) for peri-urban and (12.1±6.390) for rural. Subscapular (z=4.1151;p=0.1278). Urban area had (9.3±5.426), (9.3±5.463) for peri-urban and (8.9±6.381) for rural. The mean systolic blood pressure of urban school learners was (109.2±19.512), (107.9±19.273) for peri-urban and (107.4±19.488) for rural school learners. Lumbar and hamstring flexibility (z= 57.733; p<.0001). (25.3±5.507) for urban, (23.0±6.435) for peri-urban and (26.9±6.854) for rural. Sit-up (z=9.8414;p=0.0073). (18.3±12.571) for urban, (19.7±12.323) for peri-urban and (21.7±13.782) for rural area. Push-ups (z= 37.7591p=<.00001). (15.8±10.285) for urban, (18.5±11.086) for peri-urban and (20.9±9.981) for rural area. Maximal oxygen intake (z= 163.186p=<.0001). (25.0±6.454) for urban, (29.9±7.225) for peri-urban and (35.5±11.085) for rural area. PA enjoyment (4.1±0.698) for urban, (4.0±0.764) for peri-urban, (4.0±0.799) for rural. With regard to health-related physical fitness, the learners in the rural and peri-urban better than those in urban areas. PA attitude (z=7.5507;p=0.0563), (2.5±0.792) for urban area, (2.6±0.802) for peri-urban and (2.7±0.890) for rural area. Parental role modelling in PA (z=0.3083; p=<.000). (3.1±1.008) for urban area, (3.3±0.916) for peri-urban (3.1±0.981) for rural area. Peer encouragement (z=2.5367; p=0.2813) (3.4±0.893) for urban, (3.3±1.064) for peri-urban, (3.3±1.005) for rural area. Parental encouragement (z= 7.2266p=0.027),(3.7±0.985) for urban area, (3.5±0.906) for peri-urban and (3.7±0.774 ) for rural area. Teacher encouragement (z=2.0069p=0.3668).The mean values for three residences are (3.5±0.802) for urban area, (3.4±0.784) for peri-urban, (3.5±0.733) for rural areas. Most of the school learners in all the three residences prefer unhealthy/junky food. Based on the results, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data to identify and analyse the factors for model development. The findings indicated that there is evidence of low level of physical fitness and high prevalence of excessive weight and obesity among primary school learners, the study, therefore, suggests the development of the behavioural model to enhance physical fitness and prevent or reduce overweight/obesity among school learners.
- Full Text:
Development of health promotion guidelines for weight management among primary health care nurses in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Monakali, Sizeka
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health promotion Body weight -- Regulation Obesity -- prevention and control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10006 , vital:35285
- Description: Overweight and obesity have become significant public health threats both globally and in South Africa. PHC professional nurses are first contact to patients and the community as well as key stakeholders in the management and education of obese patients. However, anecdotal evidence seems to question their suitability as good models of the advocated healthy lifestyle behaviours and weight management, as overweight and obesity is also prevalent among the professional nurses. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among PHC professional nurses in the Eastern Cape (EC) Province of South Africa. This was a workplace, cross-sectional study involving 203 PHC professional nurses conveniently selected across 41 PHC facilities in EC, South Africa. A WHO STEP wise questionnaire was used to collect demographic and behavioural data. Anthropometric (weight, height and waist circumference [WC]) measurements were taken following a standard protocol. Overweight and obesity was defined as a BMI of 25-29.9kgm-2, and BMI ≥ 30kgm-2, respectively. Seventy six percent of the nurses were obese. An additional 18 percent were overweight. Age, gender, marital status, duration of practice, alcohol use and smoking were significantly associated with obesity. There was no association between physical activity and obesity. After adjusting for confounders, only age more than 30 years (OR=5.2, 95 percentCI=1.6-16.4) and not using alcohol (OR= 4.0 95 percentCI= 1.7-9.1) were significant and independent predictors of obesity among the nurses. In conclusion is an alarmingly high prevalence of obesity among primary healthcare professional nurses in Eastern Cape, South Africa. This shows that PHC professional nurses in EC are not good models of the healthy behaviours, judge be BMI indicator, if they do advocates for healthy weight management to patients. This constitutes a future risk for an increased prevalence of chronic diseases and a handicapped healthcare workforce. There is a need to implement measures to promote healthy lifestyle behaviour and weight management among professional nurses in this setting.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Monakali, Sizeka
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health promotion Body weight -- Regulation Obesity -- prevention and control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10006 , vital:35285
- Description: Overweight and obesity have become significant public health threats both globally and in South Africa. PHC professional nurses are first contact to patients and the community as well as key stakeholders in the management and education of obese patients. However, anecdotal evidence seems to question their suitability as good models of the advocated healthy lifestyle behaviours and weight management, as overweight and obesity is also prevalent among the professional nurses. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among PHC professional nurses in the Eastern Cape (EC) Province of South Africa. This was a workplace, cross-sectional study involving 203 PHC professional nurses conveniently selected across 41 PHC facilities in EC, South Africa. A WHO STEP wise questionnaire was used to collect demographic and behavioural data. Anthropometric (weight, height and waist circumference [WC]) measurements were taken following a standard protocol. Overweight and obesity was defined as a BMI of 25-29.9kgm-2, and BMI ≥ 30kgm-2, respectively. Seventy six percent of the nurses were obese. An additional 18 percent were overweight. Age, gender, marital status, duration of practice, alcohol use and smoking were significantly associated with obesity. There was no association between physical activity and obesity. After adjusting for confounders, only age more than 30 years (OR=5.2, 95 percentCI=1.6-16.4) and not using alcohol (OR= 4.0 95 percentCI= 1.7-9.1) were significant and independent predictors of obesity among the nurses. In conclusion is an alarmingly high prevalence of obesity among primary healthcare professional nurses in Eastern Cape, South Africa. This shows that PHC professional nurses in EC are not good models of the healthy behaviours, judge be BMI indicator, if they do advocates for healthy weight management to patients. This constitutes a future risk for an increased prevalence of chronic diseases and a handicapped healthcare workforce. There is a need to implement measures to promote healthy lifestyle behaviour and weight management among professional nurses in this setting.
- Full Text:
Donor support, electoral dynamics and democratisation in South Africa :the case of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Bosompem, Henry Kofi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Democratization -- South Africa Elections -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11243 , vital:37612
- Description: This thesis is on Donor Support, Electoral Dynamics and Democratisation in South Africa with particular focus on the Buffalo City Municipality of the Eastern Cape. The main aim of the thesis is to investigate and highlight the global outlook of donor support perspectives and conditionalities and to examine the basic tenets of democratisation and link them to the interplay of the electoral dynamics that influence grassroots political participation. Furthermore, the study attempts to ascertain the involvement and perceptions of local communities with regard to the role of donor support in democratic governance, development and electoral dynamics. In this era and dispensation of democracy, the fledging democratic institutions require substantial donor support to perform their constitutional mandatory obligations. Most of this support had traditionally come from government. Given the weight and pressure on the government budget, the widening unemployment and inequality in South African communities, there is the need to solicit assistance from development partners for electoral administration and development. The current study, therefore, investigated community voters, political parties and the Elected or Nominated Councillors’ perceptions of donor support and democratisation. This thesis further investigated the roles and functions of the Donor Agency, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in donor support, electoral administration and democratisation. The study utilized a mixed method approach where 384 structured questionnaires were administered and 52 in-depth interviews conducted with the respondents. The study made use of a systematic empirical inquiry and literature review to understand its subject matter. It did not only scrutinise data previously collected by other researchers but also utilised information from other sources such as tabloid surveys, brochures, bulletins and the internet. Thus, this strategy is ideal for the present study which seeks to capture the views, experiences and feelings and understanding of party officials. This study utilized the Development aid theory, political party and democratisation theories, Gouldner’s theory of Moral Norm of Reciprocity and Social Support in combination with Larzasfeld’s Voters’ behaviour theory and the social justice and equity perspective as elements of the theoretical framework.The purpose of achieving electoral confidence among the citizens is to demonstrate the value of electoral dynamics and perspectives of democratization that forms an expressed vi indicator of the relationship between politics and development. The electoral dynamics that shape political institutions, governance and its discourses in any democratic enterprise include: party affiliation, party and donor support mobilisation, voting patterns, government and the state agency’s performance. In addition, it includes economic policies towards poverty alleviation, service delivery, ethnic politics and all the state democratization policies which are pursued to bring greater relief to its citizens. Correspondingly, it is geared towards creating a balanced relationship on the donor-recipient equation and to ensure socio-economic well-being to the citizens guided by reciprocity, good governance, transparency, accountability and social justice.The emerging findings indicate that most political parties and elected councillors in the municipality receive donor support beside the traditional sources that we know such as membership dues, party subscriptions, levies, state sponsorship,fundraising for special projects and sale of souvenirs. Some of the sources were from international community and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The study found that donors require huge returns on their support and investments. The IEC and BCMM were largely funded by Treasury for their projects and programmes. However, the BCMM also gets substantial support from sister-city relations with other municipalities abroad. Some community voters hold the view that political party funding opens the doors for the hijacking of democracy. Others hold the opinion that dishonest donors corrupt weak governments, undiscerning officials and immoral leaders. Nevertheless, some political party officials felt that donors were not all that evil. They hold the view that genuine donors help to build the capacity of officials and strengthen party structures, thereby deepening democratic ethics and culture. They were of the view that good donors promote transparency, accountability and good governance to strengthen the pillars and the threshold of democracy and the democratisation processes in emerging states in sub-Saharan Africa. On the basis of these findings, the core argument of this study is that donor support induces democratisation which mainly benefit donor communities and municipal elites at the expense of local communities. Nevertheless, the perception that development projects funded by donor agencies are meant for donor poverty alleviation, despite the absence of visible effects of trickle down, account for community members’ participation in the electoral system.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bosompem, Henry Kofi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Democratization -- South Africa Elections -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11243 , vital:37612
- Description: This thesis is on Donor Support, Electoral Dynamics and Democratisation in South Africa with particular focus on the Buffalo City Municipality of the Eastern Cape. The main aim of the thesis is to investigate and highlight the global outlook of donor support perspectives and conditionalities and to examine the basic tenets of democratisation and link them to the interplay of the electoral dynamics that influence grassroots political participation. Furthermore, the study attempts to ascertain the involvement and perceptions of local communities with regard to the role of donor support in democratic governance, development and electoral dynamics. In this era and dispensation of democracy, the fledging democratic institutions require substantial donor support to perform their constitutional mandatory obligations. Most of this support had traditionally come from government. Given the weight and pressure on the government budget, the widening unemployment and inequality in South African communities, there is the need to solicit assistance from development partners for electoral administration and development. The current study, therefore, investigated community voters, political parties and the Elected or Nominated Councillors’ perceptions of donor support and democratisation. This thesis further investigated the roles and functions of the Donor Agency, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in donor support, electoral administration and democratisation. The study utilized a mixed method approach where 384 structured questionnaires were administered and 52 in-depth interviews conducted with the respondents. The study made use of a systematic empirical inquiry and literature review to understand its subject matter. It did not only scrutinise data previously collected by other researchers but also utilised information from other sources such as tabloid surveys, brochures, bulletins and the internet. Thus, this strategy is ideal for the present study which seeks to capture the views, experiences and feelings and understanding of party officials. This study utilized the Development aid theory, political party and democratisation theories, Gouldner’s theory of Moral Norm of Reciprocity and Social Support in combination with Larzasfeld’s Voters’ behaviour theory and the social justice and equity perspective as elements of the theoretical framework.The purpose of achieving electoral confidence among the citizens is to demonstrate the value of electoral dynamics and perspectives of democratization that forms an expressed vi indicator of the relationship between politics and development. The electoral dynamics that shape political institutions, governance and its discourses in any democratic enterprise include: party affiliation, party and donor support mobilisation, voting patterns, government and the state agency’s performance. In addition, it includes economic policies towards poverty alleviation, service delivery, ethnic politics and all the state democratization policies which are pursued to bring greater relief to its citizens. Correspondingly, it is geared towards creating a balanced relationship on the donor-recipient equation and to ensure socio-economic well-being to the citizens guided by reciprocity, good governance, transparency, accountability and social justice.The emerging findings indicate that most political parties and elected councillors in the municipality receive donor support beside the traditional sources that we know such as membership dues, party subscriptions, levies, state sponsorship,fundraising for special projects and sale of souvenirs. Some of the sources were from international community and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The study found that donors require huge returns on their support and investments. The IEC and BCMM were largely funded by Treasury for their projects and programmes. However, the BCMM also gets substantial support from sister-city relations with other municipalities abroad. Some community voters hold the view that political party funding opens the doors for the hijacking of democracy. Others hold the opinion that dishonest donors corrupt weak governments, undiscerning officials and immoral leaders. Nevertheless, some political party officials felt that donors were not all that evil. They hold the view that genuine donors help to build the capacity of officials and strengthen party structures, thereby deepening democratic ethics and culture. They were of the view that good donors promote transparency, accountability and good governance to strengthen the pillars and the threshold of democracy and the democratisation processes in emerging states in sub-Saharan Africa. On the basis of these findings, the core argument of this study is that donor support induces democratisation which mainly benefit donor communities and municipal elites at the expense of local communities. Nevertheless, the perception that development projects funded by donor agencies are meant for donor poverty alleviation, despite the absence of visible effects of trickle down, account for community members’ participation in the electoral system.
- Full Text:
Educators' perceptions of inclusive education for learners with physical disabilities
- Authors: Mpu, Nondumiso Yolanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa Inclusive education -- South Africa Disability studies -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9401 , vital:34346
- Description: There is a grave concern that in South Africa, the total population of learners between the ages of 5 and 18 was estimated at approximately 14.6 million – of which near 1,000,000 are disabled. The record in addition to this regard estimates that the wide variety of children with disabilities who are of school‐going age, yet are out of school, could be as high as half a million. The motives why disabled children are not attending school are manifold; however paramount among them is that their needs are not catered for. Inclusive education entails changing values, attitudes of people, specifically of educators and learners, policies and the practices inside schools. Since post apartheid there is only one known policy which reveals that only 20 percent of learners with disabilities were accommodated in special schools. Current statistics show that only about 64,200 learners with disabilities or impairments are accommodated in about 380 special schools. This indicates that, potentially, 280,000 learners with disabilities or impairments are unaccounted for. Analysis of the data reveals the extent of the disparities in provision for learners with disabilities, for example: The incidence of disabilities in the Eastern Cape constitutes 17.39 percent of the disabled population, yet the province has only 10.79 percent of the total number of special schools. Gauteng has 17.14 percent of the disabled population but has 25.26 percent of the schools. The Western Cape has 5.47 percent of the disabled population but has 21.58 percent of the schools. This mismatch between needs and provision is a direct result of previous apartheid policies that allocated facilities on a racial basis. Inclusive education calls for an education system, which does no longer discriminate, however welcomes all individuals, providing support and services so that every child benefits equally in mainstream schools around their regions as only 41 special schools are in the Eastern Cape. Educator perceptions as the key personnel in the inclusion and in the implementation of policies related with classroom related issued play centre stage and need to be considered.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mpu, Nondumiso Yolanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa Inclusive education -- South Africa Disability studies -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9401 , vital:34346
- Description: There is a grave concern that in South Africa, the total population of learners between the ages of 5 and 18 was estimated at approximately 14.6 million – of which near 1,000,000 are disabled. The record in addition to this regard estimates that the wide variety of children with disabilities who are of school‐going age, yet are out of school, could be as high as half a million. The motives why disabled children are not attending school are manifold; however paramount among them is that their needs are not catered for. Inclusive education entails changing values, attitudes of people, specifically of educators and learners, policies and the practices inside schools. Since post apartheid there is only one known policy which reveals that only 20 percent of learners with disabilities were accommodated in special schools. Current statistics show that only about 64,200 learners with disabilities or impairments are accommodated in about 380 special schools. This indicates that, potentially, 280,000 learners with disabilities or impairments are unaccounted for. Analysis of the data reveals the extent of the disparities in provision for learners with disabilities, for example: The incidence of disabilities in the Eastern Cape constitutes 17.39 percent of the disabled population, yet the province has only 10.79 percent of the total number of special schools. Gauteng has 17.14 percent of the disabled population but has 25.26 percent of the schools. The Western Cape has 5.47 percent of the disabled population but has 21.58 percent of the schools. This mismatch between needs and provision is a direct result of previous apartheid policies that allocated facilities on a racial basis. Inclusive education calls for an education system, which does no longer discriminate, however welcomes all individuals, providing support and services so that every child benefits equally in mainstream schools around their regions as only 41 special schools are in the Eastern Cape. Educator perceptions as the key personnel in the inclusion and in the implementation of policies related with classroom related issued play centre stage and need to be considered.
- Full Text:
Effect of a participatory voter education programme on secondary school students' political knowledge and attitude in Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Authors: Dada, Adekunle Babatunde
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Voting -- Education (Secondary) -- Nigeria Political participation -- Nigeria Education, Secondary -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9478 , vital:34355
- Description: Nigeria has been besieged by an array of political, economic and social problems. This became obvious as many Nigerian youths that are said to be future leaders, because of the crucial role played in political and social development of the nation are derailing politically. These young leaders don’t just wake up to become leaders in a day; they need to be empowered and their minds need to be redirected through appropriate civic and electoral education in order for them to be strong enough to play their inevitable roles in sustainable national development and electoral processes. The continuous use of teacher-centered strategies portends retardation in teaching-learning processes; as learning outcomes are largely reduced to mere passing of examination; leaving out the essential knowledge, attitude and practice which are required for enhancing responsible citizenry and active political participation of students. The use of conventional method has also led to poor attitude of students to socio-political issues. This study therefore determined the effect of a Participatory Voter Education Programme on Secondary School Students’ Political Knowledge and Attitude. It also investigated the moderating effects of location and gender on the dependent variables. The pre-test, post-test, control group quasi-experimental design with a 2x2x2 factorial matrix was adopted for the study. One hundred and fifty-four secondary school two students from the three senatorial districts of Ekiti State were randomly selected for the study using multi-stage random sampling and assigned to experimental and control groups. An intact class sample selection was also employed for the study. Seven null hypotheses were generated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Four instruments were developed. These were Voter Education Concepts (Political) Knowledge Test (VECKT), Voter Education (political) Attitude Test (VEAS) Instructional Guide for the Participatory Teaching Strategy and,Conventional Teaching Method Guide. The study lasted for ten weeks. Data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), Estimated Marginal Means (EMM) and graphs. There was a significant effect of treatment on secondary school students’ political knowledge (F (1,385) = 1026.945; P <0.05). The Secondary school students exposed to the participatory Voter Education programme performed better (X= 29.17) than those exposed to the conventional Method ( X = 6.65). Also there was a significant effect of treatment on Secondary School Students Political Attitude (F (1,385) = 98.970; p < 0.05). Those exposed to participatory Voter Education programme performed better ( X = 63.97) than those in the conventional Method ( X = 56.27). Also, those in the Urban area obtained higher mean Political Knowledge score ( X = 19.78) than those in the rural area ( X = 16.78). While there were no significant main effect of gender on secondary school students’ political knowledge and attitude. The participatory Voter Education programme is effective in impacting Secondary School Students’ political knowledge and attitude. It was, therefore, recommended that the Participatory Voter Education programme be adopted by the Social Studies/ Civic Educators for presenting the political concepts to students in their classroom.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dada, Adekunle Babatunde
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Voting -- Education (Secondary) -- Nigeria Political participation -- Nigeria Education, Secondary -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9478 , vital:34355
- Description: Nigeria has been besieged by an array of political, economic and social problems. This became obvious as many Nigerian youths that are said to be future leaders, because of the crucial role played in political and social development of the nation are derailing politically. These young leaders don’t just wake up to become leaders in a day; they need to be empowered and their minds need to be redirected through appropriate civic and electoral education in order for them to be strong enough to play their inevitable roles in sustainable national development and electoral processes. The continuous use of teacher-centered strategies portends retardation in teaching-learning processes; as learning outcomes are largely reduced to mere passing of examination; leaving out the essential knowledge, attitude and practice which are required for enhancing responsible citizenry and active political participation of students. The use of conventional method has also led to poor attitude of students to socio-political issues. This study therefore determined the effect of a Participatory Voter Education Programme on Secondary School Students’ Political Knowledge and Attitude. It also investigated the moderating effects of location and gender on the dependent variables. The pre-test, post-test, control group quasi-experimental design with a 2x2x2 factorial matrix was adopted for the study. One hundred and fifty-four secondary school two students from the three senatorial districts of Ekiti State were randomly selected for the study using multi-stage random sampling and assigned to experimental and control groups. An intact class sample selection was also employed for the study. Seven null hypotheses were generated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Four instruments were developed. These were Voter Education Concepts (Political) Knowledge Test (VECKT), Voter Education (political) Attitude Test (VEAS) Instructional Guide for the Participatory Teaching Strategy and,Conventional Teaching Method Guide. The study lasted for ten weeks. Data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), Estimated Marginal Means (EMM) and graphs. There was a significant effect of treatment on secondary school students’ political knowledge (F (1,385) = 1026.945; P <0.05). The Secondary school students exposed to the participatory Voter Education programme performed better (X= 29.17) than those exposed to the conventional Method ( X = 6.65). Also there was a significant effect of treatment on Secondary School Students Political Attitude (F (1,385) = 98.970; p < 0.05). Those exposed to participatory Voter Education programme performed better ( X = 63.97) than those in the conventional Method ( X = 56.27). Also, those in the Urban area obtained higher mean Political Knowledge score ( X = 19.78) than those in the rural area ( X = 16.78). While there were no significant main effect of gender on secondary school students’ political knowledge and attitude. The participatory Voter Education programme is effective in impacting Secondary School Students’ political knowledge and attitude. It was, therefore, recommended that the Participatory Voter Education programme be adopted by the Social Studies/ Civic Educators for presenting the political concepts to students in their classroom.
- Full Text:
Employee motivation, workplace surveillance and employee engagement among selected Zimbabwe revenue authority employees
- Tsvangirai, Fidelis Pedzisai
- Authors: Tsvangirai, Fidelis Pedzisai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee motivation Employee motivation--Zimbabwe Organizational effectiveness--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17384 , vital:40961
- Description: Orientation: The study is located in the micro environmental circumstances in Zimbabwe where the size of the informal sector is overtaking that of the formal sector. The country is experiencing a high labour turnover averaging at 19percent per year due to an unstable economic setting. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is experiencing an employee engagement score as low as 2.1 out of 5. This low employee engagement level and high labour turnover call for employers to find strategies not only to keep their employees motivated and engaged but also to monitor how they work. Research purpose: The study sought to examine how employee motivation mediates between workplace surveillance and employee engagement among selected employees at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). Motivation of the study: Public organisations often face the criticism that they do not deliver the quality of service expected and one in every five of their employees is disengaged from their work. ZIMRA’s mandate has a significant impact on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the organisation needs to deliver against all odds. Currently no research exists which provides information on the mediating effect of employee motivation on the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement in Zimbabwe. Research philosophy, design and method: This study adopted the positivism research philosophy and a survey research design, which is quantitative and descriptive in nature. The study utilised the principles of structural equation modelling (SEM) in formulating the research hypotheses and in data analysis. Main findings: The findings of the study, through utilising SEM, were that a negative relationship exists between workplace surveillance and employee engagement and that employee motivation has a positive significant relationship with employee engagement. The study also found that workplace surveillance positively relates to employee motivation. The study also found that employee motivation partially mediates the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement. Practical/Managerial implications: A negative relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement calls for ZIMRA management to seek employee buy-in when implementing workplace surveillance measures. A positive relationship between employee motivation and employee engagement calls for ZIMRA management to invest much in these two variables. A positive relationship between workplace surveillance and employee motivation calls for ZIMRA management to put in place policies that ensure employees do not abuse work time by doing their own business. Contribution or value-add: The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the debate around the impact of employee motivation as a mediator of the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement. This study agree with the vast amount of literature that the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee motivation is not always negative.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tsvangirai, Fidelis Pedzisai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee motivation Employee motivation--Zimbabwe Organizational effectiveness--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17384 , vital:40961
- Description: Orientation: The study is located in the micro environmental circumstances in Zimbabwe where the size of the informal sector is overtaking that of the formal sector. The country is experiencing a high labour turnover averaging at 19percent per year due to an unstable economic setting. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is experiencing an employee engagement score as low as 2.1 out of 5. This low employee engagement level and high labour turnover call for employers to find strategies not only to keep their employees motivated and engaged but also to monitor how they work. Research purpose: The study sought to examine how employee motivation mediates between workplace surveillance and employee engagement among selected employees at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). Motivation of the study: Public organisations often face the criticism that they do not deliver the quality of service expected and one in every five of their employees is disengaged from their work. ZIMRA’s mandate has a significant impact on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the organisation needs to deliver against all odds. Currently no research exists which provides information on the mediating effect of employee motivation on the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement in Zimbabwe. Research philosophy, design and method: This study adopted the positivism research philosophy and a survey research design, which is quantitative and descriptive in nature. The study utilised the principles of structural equation modelling (SEM) in formulating the research hypotheses and in data analysis. Main findings: The findings of the study, through utilising SEM, were that a negative relationship exists between workplace surveillance and employee engagement and that employee motivation has a positive significant relationship with employee engagement. The study also found that workplace surveillance positively relates to employee motivation. The study also found that employee motivation partially mediates the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement. Practical/Managerial implications: A negative relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement calls for ZIMRA management to seek employee buy-in when implementing workplace surveillance measures. A positive relationship between employee motivation and employee engagement calls for ZIMRA management to invest much in these two variables. A positive relationship between workplace surveillance and employee motivation calls for ZIMRA management to put in place policies that ensure employees do not abuse work time by doing their own business. Contribution or value-add: The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the debate around the impact of employee motivation as a mediator of the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee engagement. This study agree with the vast amount of literature that the relationship between workplace surveillance and employee motivation is not always negative.
- Full Text:
Engagement of fathers in early childhood care and education provisioning in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mufutau, Monsuru Atanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Parent participation Early childhood education -- Parent participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8942 , vital:34175
- Description: This study focused on the engagement of fathers in early childhood care and education provisioning in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Significantly, a specific programme to get fathers engaged in the early childhood of their children is not well addressed by the National Integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy of 2015, despite the notion that early childhood education provisioning demands the total involvement of multiple partners and other stakeholders. The research drew its theoretical framework from the ecological system theory. Ecological system theory argues that, in order to understand human development, one must consider the entire ecological system in which growth occurs. This study utilized the quantitative research approach to obtain primary data in line with the positivist paradigm. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The instruments were scrutinized by the research supervisor to ensure validity and were pre-tested in the field study. The reliability was obtained at a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, of 0.94 and 0.96. The results were presented in the form of pie chart and grouped into different tables of sixteen. Pearson’s ProductMoment Correlation, Analysis of Variance and t-test were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Two structured questionnaire instruments were used in the study, Principal and Teachers’ Views Questionnaire (PTVQ) and Father’s and Mother’s Views Questionnaire (FMVQ). The Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the sample for this study. To this end, 16 principals, 12 teachers, 18 mothers and 18 fathers of children in the selected sample served as respondents. The results reveal that stakeholders have positive views about fathers’ engagement in early childhood care and education provisioning. The result indicated that schools do provide support mechanisms to encourage fathers’ engagement in early childhood care and education provisioning. The results showed that a number of strategies are used by the schools. The result also indicated that functional policy and practice will no doubt improve and encourage the engagement of fathers in ECCE provisioning. Furthermore, the study concluded that stakeholders have positive views on the engagement of fathers in ECCE provisioning. The study recommends that all stakeholders and media houses should be involved in the effective dissemination of information, and that the South African government should advocate for ECCE policies that lay out concrete commitment and guidelines for fathers and, above all, symposia, lectures, workshops, and seminars should be organized for fathers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mufutau, Monsuru Atanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Parent participation Early childhood education -- Parent participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8942 , vital:34175
- Description: This study focused on the engagement of fathers in early childhood care and education provisioning in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Significantly, a specific programme to get fathers engaged in the early childhood of their children is not well addressed by the National Integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy of 2015, despite the notion that early childhood education provisioning demands the total involvement of multiple partners and other stakeholders. The research drew its theoretical framework from the ecological system theory. Ecological system theory argues that, in order to understand human development, one must consider the entire ecological system in which growth occurs. This study utilized the quantitative research approach to obtain primary data in line with the positivist paradigm. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The instruments were scrutinized by the research supervisor to ensure validity and were pre-tested in the field study. The reliability was obtained at a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, of 0.94 and 0.96. The results were presented in the form of pie chart and grouped into different tables of sixteen. Pearson’s ProductMoment Correlation, Analysis of Variance and t-test were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Two structured questionnaire instruments were used in the study, Principal and Teachers’ Views Questionnaire (PTVQ) and Father’s and Mother’s Views Questionnaire (FMVQ). The Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the sample for this study. To this end, 16 principals, 12 teachers, 18 mothers and 18 fathers of children in the selected sample served as respondents. The results reveal that stakeholders have positive views about fathers’ engagement in early childhood care and education provisioning. The result indicated that schools do provide support mechanisms to encourage fathers’ engagement in early childhood care and education provisioning. The results showed that a number of strategies are used by the schools. The result also indicated that functional policy and practice will no doubt improve and encourage the engagement of fathers in ECCE provisioning. Furthermore, the study concluded that stakeholders have positive views on the engagement of fathers in ECCE provisioning. The study recommends that all stakeholders and media houses should be involved in the effective dissemination of information, and that the South African government should advocate for ECCE policies that lay out concrete commitment and guidelines for fathers and, above all, symposia, lectures, workshops, and seminars should be organized for fathers.
- Full Text:
Enhancing parental involvement in children’s academic work: Implications for teaching and learning
- Authors: Fihla, Gcobisa Victoria
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation Parent-teacher relationships Academic achievement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8042 , vital:31485
- Description: Partnership between schools and parents seems to substandard, leading to both parties questioning each other on why children underperform. Most parents view the school as an instrument for the achievement of children and parents with limited or no education may have little or no interest in supporting children’s academic work. The aim of this study was to investigate how parental involvement in children’s academic work can be enhanced. It focused on three rural secondary schools in the Amathole West Education District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study particularly investigated how school schools involved parents in children’s academic work and how they, together with principals, teachers and learners view their involvement in children’s academic work. Guided by Epstein’s theory of parental involvement, this qualitative study was premised on the interpretative paradigm. Face to face interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from three high schools in the Amathole West Education District. Purposive sampling was used to select participants who comprised a target population of 24 participants. It emerged from the data that although schools were trying to involve parents in children’s academic work, their activities were uncoordinated, occurred at school level rather than classroom level and focused less on learners’ academic work. Parent’ involvement in their children’s academic work was not touching the real curriculum issues; rather it touched on the outside. The data also showed that parents’ academic statuses influenced their participation as those who had little education seemed to be reluctant to participate on academic issues. The study concludes that there was lack of coordinated strategies by schools to involve parents in children’s academic work. The study, therefore, recommends that Coordinated Grade-based Parent-Teacher Forums be established. This will assist in opening a planform for teachers and parents to engage on teaching and learning discussions and curriculum debates.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fihla, Gcobisa Victoria
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation Parent-teacher relationships Academic achievement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8042 , vital:31485
- Description: Partnership between schools and parents seems to substandard, leading to both parties questioning each other on why children underperform. Most parents view the school as an instrument for the achievement of children and parents with limited or no education may have little or no interest in supporting children’s academic work. The aim of this study was to investigate how parental involvement in children’s academic work can be enhanced. It focused on three rural secondary schools in the Amathole West Education District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study particularly investigated how school schools involved parents in children’s academic work and how they, together with principals, teachers and learners view their involvement in children’s academic work. Guided by Epstein’s theory of parental involvement, this qualitative study was premised on the interpretative paradigm. Face to face interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from three high schools in the Amathole West Education District. Purposive sampling was used to select participants who comprised a target population of 24 participants. It emerged from the data that although schools were trying to involve parents in children’s academic work, their activities were uncoordinated, occurred at school level rather than classroom level and focused less on learners’ academic work. Parent’ involvement in their children’s academic work was not touching the real curriculum issues; rather it touched on the outside. The data also showed that parents’ academic statuses influenced their participation as those who had little education seemed to be reluctant to participate on academic issues. The study concludes that there was lack of coordinated strategies by schools to involve parents in children’s academic work. The study, therefore, recommends that Coordinated Grade-based Parent-Teacher Forums be established. This will assist in opening a planform for teachers and parents to engage on teaching and learning discussions and curriculum debates.
- Full Text: