Determinants of adaptation to climate variability:A case study of crop farming households in Tyhume Valley communities Eastern Cape,South Africa.
- Authors: Mtintsilana, Olona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Climatic changes Sustainable agriculture Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18789 , vital:42733
- Description: Climate variability affects rural households and agricultural productivity, yet it is just one of many stresses that vulnerable rural households have to cope with. Climate variability is not as noticeable as weather variability, because it happens over seasons and years. It is the manner in which climate fluctuates above or below a long-term average value. Without measures at local and national level to adapt to climate variability, risk of food insecurity will continue to increase at household level. The objective of the study was to determine factors affecting adaptation to climate variability. Purposive sampling was used to identify households who participated because of un-availability of sampling frame. Information was elicited from the selected households with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey of 205 farming households in Tyhume Valley communities. Data gathered was subjected to descriptive statistics, Cross tabulations and Binary logit model. The results indicate that rural households from Tyhume Valley communities practiced coping adaptation through use of the following adaptation strategies; crop rotation, planted drought resistant crops, changed planting dates and used indigenous strategies such as using ash to kill mule (intuku). Most of the households used irrigation as the coping strategy to adapt to climate variability. However, heatwave, high winds, employment status, cell phones, age and gender of the rural households’ heads have effects on households’ adaptation to climate variability in Tyhume Valley. In view of the research findings, a large number of farming households are old and are females, there is a need for development of labour saving technologies and extension services to increase the likelihood of adaptation of climate variability by vulnerable farmers such as women and elderly farmers.The study also recommends that there must be a development of infrastructure for farmers as they are negatively affect by high winds due to low infrastructural development.The study also shows that farming households who have access to cellphones are more likely to adapt to climate variability, therefore the study recommends that communication of farming households must be improved.Adapting to climate variability is an increasingly important issue in agriculture and one that is likely to persist for many years.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mtintsilana, Olona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Climatic changes Sustainable agriculture Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18789 , vital:42733
- Description: Climate variability affects rural households and agricultural productivity, yet it is just one of many stresses that vulnerable rural households have to cope with. Climate variability is not as noticeable as weather variability, because it happens over seasons and years. It is the manner in which climate fluctuates above or below a long-term average value. Without measures at local and national level to adapt to climate variability, risk of food insecurity will continue to increase at household level. The objective of the study was to determine factors affecting adaptation to climate variability. Purposive sampling was used to identify households who participated because of un-availability of sampling frame. Information was elicited from the selected households with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey of 205 farming households in Tyhume Valley communities. Data gathered was subjected to descriptive statistics, Cross tabulations and Binary logit model. The results indicate that rural households from Tyhume Valley communities practiced coping adaptation through use of the following adaptation strategies; crop rotation, planted drought resistant crops, changed planting dates and used indigenous strategies such as using ash to kill mule (intuku). Most of the households used irrigation as the coping strategy to adapt to climate variability. However, heatwave, high winds, employment status, cell phones, age and gender of the rural households’ heads have effects on households’ adaptation to climate variability in Tyhume Valley. In view of the research findings, a large number of farming households are old and are females, there is a need for development of labour saving technologies and extension services to increase the likelihood of adaptation of climate variability by vulnerable farmers such as women and elderly farmers.The study also recommends that there must be a development of infrastructure for farmers as they are negatively affect by high winds due to low infrastructural development.The study also shows that farming households who have access to cellphones are more likely to adapt to climate variability, therefore the study recommends that communication of farming households must be improved.Adapting to climate variability is an increasingly important issue in agriculture and one that is likely to persist for many years.
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Developing a Machine Learning Algorithm for Outdoor Scene Image Segmentation
- Authors: Zangwa, Yamkela
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computational intelligence Computer science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science )
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12087 , vital:39150
- Description: Image segmentation is one of the major problems in image processing, computer vision and machine learning fields. The main reason for image segmentation existence is to reduce the gap between computer vision and human vision by training computers with different data. Outdoor image segmentation and classification has become very important in the field of computer vision with its applications in woodland-surveillance, defence and security. The task of assigning an input image to one class from a fixed set of categories seem to be a major problem in image segmentation. The main question that has been addressed in this research is how outdoor image classification algorithms can be improved using Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) architecture. There has been no one segmentation method that works best on any given problem. To determine the best segmentation method for a certain dataset, various tests have to be done in order to achieve the best performance. However deep learning models have often achieved increasing success due to the availability of massive datasets and the expanding model depth and parameterisation. In this research Convolutional Neural Network architecture is used in trying to improve the implementation of outdoor scene image segmentation algorithms, empirical research method was used to answer questions about existing image segmentation algorithms and the techniques used to achieve the best performance. Outdoor scene images were trained on a pre-trained region-based convolutional neural network with Visual Geometric Group-16 (VGG-16) architecture. A pre-trained R-CNN model was retrained on five different sample data, the samples had different sizes. Sample size increased from sample one to five, to increase the size on the last two samples the data was duplicated. 21 test images were used to evaluate all the models. Researchers has shown that deep learning methods perform better in image segmentation because of the increase and availability of datasets. The duplication of images did not yield the best results; however, the model performed well on the first three samples.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zangwa, Yamkela
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computational intelligence Computer science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science )
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12087 , vital:39150
- Description: Image segmentation is one of the major problems in image processing, computer vision and machine learning fields. The main reason for image segmentation existence is to reduce the gap between computer vision and human vision by training computers with different data. Outdoor image segmentation and classification has become very important in the field of computer vision with its applications in woodland-surveillance, defence and security. The task of assigning an input image to one class from a fixed set of categories seem to be a major problem in image segmentation. The main question that has been addressed in this research is how outdoor image classification algorithms can be improved using Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) architecture. There has been no one segmentation method that works best on any given problem. To determine the best segmentation method for a certain dataset, various tests have to be done in order to achieve the best performance. However deep learning models have often achieved increasing success due to the availability of massive datasets and the expanding model depth and parameterisation. In this research Convolutional Neural Network architecture is used in trying to improve the implementation of outdoor scene image segmentation algorithms, empirical research method was used to answer questions about existing image segmentation algorithms and the techniques used to achieve the best performance. Outdoor scene images were trained on a pre-trained region-based convolutional neural network with Visual Geometric Group-16 (VGG-16) architecture. A pre-trained R-CNN model was retrained on five different sample data, the samples had different sizes. Sample size increased from sample one to five, to increase the size on the last two samples the data was duplicated. 21 test images were used to evaluate all the models. Researchers has shown that deep learning methods perform better in image segmentation because of the increase and availability of datasets. The duplication of images did not yield the best results; however, the model performed well on the first three samples.
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Digitization as a strategy for preservation of and access to private collections in the Eastern Cape: a case study of National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre and International Library of African Music
- Authors: Tyali, Lungisani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Preservation Digitization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Library and Information Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18302 , vital:42250
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate digitization as a strategy for the preservation and access to private collections in Eastern Cape covering National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre (NAHECS) at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus and International Library of African Music (ILAM) at Grahamstown. The objectives of the study were: to find out the types of artefacts digitized at NAHECS and ILAM; to describe the available infrastructure for the digitization of collections at NAHECS and ILAM; to determine the impact of digitization on the preservation of and access to digitized materials; to find out the extent to which digitization programme at NAHECS and ILAM comply with the relevant legal and regulated framework, and to investigate challenges to the current digitization programmes at NAHECS and ILAM. The study used a purposive non-probability sampling technique to select the participants. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Qualitative data collected was analysed using thematic analysis while quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPSS software using frequencies, pie charts, bar charts and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there are different challenges faced by both institutions (that is, ILAM and NAHECS). Some of the challenges faced by ILAM include inadequate funds for supporting the digitalizing project/ programme, inadequate staff and poor infrastructure. The finding has shown that the majority of respondents’ indicated that NAHECS has available knowledge of infrastructures such as Meta Data and Audio for the digitization of collections while all respondents confirmed that ILAM has the various distribution of available instrument for digitization and these include Meta Data, Video Tapes and Audio. iv The study recommends that proper necessary access to the digitized documents should be made available through Africa Media Online (AMO) so that all the interested users can search for digitized materials.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tyali, Lungisani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Preservation Digitization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Library and Information Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18302 , vital:42250
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate digitization as a strategy for the preservation and access to private collections in Eastern Cape covering National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre (NAHECS) at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus and International Library of African Music (ILAM) at Grahamstown. The objectives of the study were: to find out the types of artefacts digitized at NAHECS and ILAM; to describe the available infrastructure for the digitization of collections at NAHECS and ILAM; to determine the impact of digitization on the preservation of and access to digitized materials; to find out the extent to which digitization programme at NAHECS and ILAM comply with the relevant legal and regulated framework, and to investigate challenges to the current digitization programmes at NAHECS and ILAM. The study used a purposive non-probability sampling technique to select the participants. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Qualitative data collected was analysed using thematic analysis while quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPSS software using frequencies, pie charts, bar charts and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there are different challenges faced by both institutions (that is, ILAM and NAHECS). Some of the challenges faced by ILAM include inadequate funds for supporting the digitalizing project/ programme, inadequate staff and poor infrastructure. The finding has shown that the majority of respondents’ indicated that NAHECS has available knowledge of infrastructures such as Meta Data and Audio for the digitization of collections while all respondents confirmed that ILAM has the various distribution of available instrument for digitization and these include Meta Data, Video Tapes and Audio. iv The study recommends that proper necessary access to the digitized documents should be made available through Africa Media Online (AMO) so that all the interested users can search for digitized materials.
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Diversion Programmes and Empowerment: A Case Study of Young Offenders’ Experiences in the Buffalo City Metropolitan and Amathole District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mangwiro, Vongai P
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social work with criminals Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18031 , vital:42006
- Description: Crime amongst the young in South Africa has been high since the attainment of democracy in 1994. Diversion programmes were established through the National Framework Chid Justice Act of 2008, as part of a plethora of measures to curb the ever spiralling problem of crime amongst the youth. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the experiences of young offenders regarding their empowerment vis-à-vis diversion programmes in the Buffalo City Metropolitan and Amathole District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province. Underpinned by the Empowerment and Social Control Theories, the study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and used focus group discussions and in-depth interviews amongst thirty-five young offenders and five social workers, who work as probation officers at NICRO, to collect data, which was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings indicated that diversion programmes are effective in reducing the number of children who commit crimes in these two municipalities and in influencing their behavioural change, resulting in fewer chances of re-offending. The Life Skills Programme was identified as the most effective programme, in comparison to the other programmes, such as the Community pre-trial Service Programme, in changing the behaviour of the young offenders, as it helps them to discover themselves; learn respect for the self and others in the community; help with family and community reintegration; and helps them focus on who they want to be in the future. In spite of such positive attributes for the diversion programmes, the study observed that there are challenges being faced by the implementing organisation, NICRO. These include high caseloads; lack of support from the probation officers who refer young offenders; limited support from parents; paucity of financial resources; lack of transport; poor v coordination from the courts; and delays in the implementation of some accredited but not credited programmes. Overall, the study concluded that diversion programmes in the Buffalo city Metropolitan and Amathole district municipalities in the Eastern Cape suffer due to weak partnerships between different organisations and stakeholders that are supposed to complement the efforts of the judiciary. From the research findings above, it is recommended that the Child Justice System should promote a multi-sectored approach in order to restore and reunify all the stakeholders, working with children in conflict with the law. This adds more roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders, such as the Department of Justice and Department of Social development. Furthermore, there is a need to increase the monitoring and evaluation of diversion programmes to advance accountability and improve effectiveness; and there is a need to enhance the efficiency of accrediting authorities to timeously accredit other diversion programmes that, so far, have not yet been accredited, but may be useful in empowering young offenders. Therefore, the study proposes an extension of the framework with additions of strategies to support diversion programmes at NICRO, through a stakeholder extension to the model allocating more roles and responsibilities for stakeholders in the Child Justice system, in order for diversion programmes to effectively achieve desired goals.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mangwiro, Vongai P
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social work with criminals Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18031 , vital:42006
- Description: Crime amongst the young in South Africa has been high since the attainment of democracy in 1994. Diversion programmes were established through the National Framework Chid Justice Act of 2008, as part of a plethora of measures to curb the ever spiralling problem of crime amongst the youth. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the experiences of young offenders regarding their empowerment vis-à-vis diversion programmes in the Buffalo City Metropolitan and Amathole District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province. Underpinned by the Empowerment and Social Control Theories, the study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and used focus group discussions and in-depth interviews amongst thirty-five young offenders and five social workers, who work as probation officers at NICRO, to collect data, which was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings indicated that diversion programmes are effective in reducing the number of children who commit crimes in these two municipalities and in influencing their behavioural change, resulting in fewer chances of re-offending. The Life Skills Programme was identified as the most effective programme, in comparison to the other programmes, such as the Community pre-trial Service Programme, in changing the behaviour of the young offenders, as it helps them to discover themselves; learn respect for the self and others in the community; help with family and community reintegration; and helps them focus on who they want to be in the future. In spite of such positive attributes for the diversion programmes, the study observed that there are challenges being faced by the implementing organisation, NICRO. These include high caseloads; lack of support from the probation officers who refer young offenders; limited support from parents; paucity of financial resources; lack of transport; poor v coordination from the courts; and delays in the implementation of some accredited but not credited programmes. Overall, the study concluded that diversion programmes in the Buffalo city Metropolitan and Amathole district municipalities in the Eastern Cape suffer due to weak partnerships between different organisations and stakeholders that are supposed to complement the efforts of the judiciary. From the research findings above, it is recommended that the Child Justice System should promote a multi-sectored approach in order to restore and reunify all the stakeholders, working with children in conflict with the law. This adds more roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders, such as the Department of Justice and Department of Social development. Furthermore, there is a need to increase the monitoring and evaluation of diversion programmes to advance accountability and improve effectiveness; and there is a need to enhance the efficiency of accrediting authorities to timeously accredit other diversion programmes that, so far, have not yet been accredited, but may be useful in empowering young offenders. Therefore, the study proposes an extension of the framework with additions of strategies to support diversion programmes at NICRO, through a stakeholder extension to the model allocating more roles and responsibilities for stakeholders in the Child Justice system, in order for diversion programmes to effectively achieve desired goals.
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Educators’ views on the effectiveness of alternatives to corporal punishment to maintain discipline: a case of four high schools in the O.R. Tambo District
- Kassim, Abdul Fatau, Pylman, N J
- Authors: Kassim, Abdul Fatau , Pylman, N J
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Corporal punishment of children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11329 , vital:39060
- Description: The purpose of this study is to explore educators’ views on the effectiveness of alternatives to corporal punishment to maintain discipline in selected high schools in the O.R. Tambo District. Corporal punishment has been outlawed in all South African schools through the South African Schools Act and was replaced by alternatives to corporal punishment. The objectives of this research were to determine educators’ understanding of alternatives to corporal punishment; the interface between alternatives to corporal punishment and learner behaviour; alternatives to corporal punishment in relation to effective teaching and learning and the barriers that educators experience with the implementation of alternatives to corporal punishment. This research study is fundamentally placed within two schools of thought, namely, Thorndike’s traditional behaviour modification theory and Roger’s diffusion of innovations theory. This study is a multiple-case study located within the interpretivist paradigm, and qualitative in nature. Purposive sampling was used to sample four secondary schools in the O.R. Tambo districts. Twelve (12) participants comprising four principals, four teachers and four SMT members were purposively selected from the four schools. In depth semi-structured interviews and document reviews were used as data generating instruments. Thematic analysis was used to analyse taperecorded data obtained from the semi-structured interviews and document reviews. Findings revealed that there seems to be a common understanding amongst participants around the issue of alternatives to corporal punishment. The findings indicated that participants are aware of the different strategies that can be used to discipline learners without causing physical pain or a violation of their rights. The second finding noted that alternatives to corporal punishment did not serve the purpose which it was intended to. This view points to the fact that learners do not take alternatives to corporal punishment seriously and as such do not lead to improved discipline and behaviour amongst learners. The third finding also revealed that the implementation of alternatives to corporal punishment does not contribute to effective teaching and learning as well as the academic performance in the classroom, because learners frequently absent themselves and are also bunking classes which leads to poor academic performance. It was also claimed that teaching and learning is not all that effective as learners do not respect educators anymore and as such also fail to v complete homework and assignments on a regular basis. The final finding alluded to the fact that insufficient orientation and lack of training on alternative methods of discipline by the Department of Education made it extremely difficult for teachers to implement and administer alternatives to corporal punishment in schools. Given the aforementioned findings, it can be concluded that alternatives to corporal are mainly viewed as ineffective. Furthermore, findings from this study also revealed that educators have not adopted alternatives to corporal punishment, which is in line with Rogers’ theory who aptly states that any new idea or innovation can either be adopted or rejected by social groups. In addition is also seems as if educators have as yet not undergone a change in behaviour in line with Thorndike’s traditional behaviour modification theory, which further hinders the successful implementation of alternatives to corporal punishment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kassim, Abdul Fatau , Pylman, N J
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Corporal punishment of children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11329 , vital:39060
- Description: The purpose of this study is to explore educators’ views on the effectiveness of alternatives to corporal punishment to maintain discipline in selected high schools in the O.R. Tambo District. Corporal punishment has been outlawed in all South African schools through the South African Schools Act and was replaced by alternatives to corporal punishment. The objectives of this research were to determine educators’ understanding of alternatives to corporal punishment; the interface between alternatives to corporal punishment and learner behaviour; alternatives to corporal punishment in relation to effective teaching and learning and the barriers that educators experience with the implementation of alternatives to corporal punishment. This research study is fundamentally placed within two schools of thought, namely, Thorndike’s traditional behaviour modification theory and Roger’s diffusion of innovations theory. This study is a multiple-case study located within the interpretivist paradigm, and qualitative in nature. Purposive sampling was used to sample four secondary schools in the O.R. Tambo districts. Twelve (12) participants comprising four principals, four teachers and four SMT members were purposively selected from the four schools. In depth semi-structured interviews and document reviews were used as data generating instruments. Thematic analysis was used to analyse taperecorded data obtained from the semi-structured interviews and document reviews. Findings revealed that there seems to be a common understanding amongst participants around the issue of alternatives to corporal punishment. The findings indicated that participants are aware of the different strategies that can be used to discipline learners without causing physical pain or a violation of their rights. The second finding noted that alternatives to corporal punishment did not serve the purpose which it was intended to. This view points to the fact that learners do not take alternatives to corporal punishment seriously and as such do not lead to improved discipline and behaviour amongst learners. The third finding also revealed that the implementation of alternatives to corporal punishment does not contribute to effective teaching and learning as well as the academic performance in the classroom, because learners frequently absent themselves and are also bunking classes which leads to poor academic performance. It was also claimed that teaching and learning is not all that effective as learners do not respect educators anymore and as such also fail to v complete homework and assignments on a regular basis. The final finding alluded to the fact that insufficient orientation and lack of training on alternative methods of discipline by the Department of Education made it extremely difficult for teachers to implement and administer alternatives to corporal punishment in schools. Given the aforementioned findings, it can be concluded that alternatives to corporal are mainly viewed as ineffective. Furthermore, findings from this study also revealed that educators have not adopted alternatives to corporal punishment, which is in line with Rogers’ theory who aptly states that any new idea or innovation can either be adopted or rejected by social groups. In addition is also seems as if educators have as yet not undergone a change in behaviour in line with Thorndike’s traditional behaviour modification theory, which further hinders the successful implementation of alternatives to corporal punishment.
- Full Text:
Effect of increasing fossil shell flour levels on digestive and metabolic utilization, health, body weight change and wool production, and quality in Dohne-Merino wethers
- Authors: Ikusika, Olusegun Oyebade
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Merino sheep Sheep -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18465 , vital:42542
- Description: The study's broad objective was to assess growth performance, blood and parasitic profiles, wool parameters, methane emission, and nutritional status of Dohne-Merino wethers fed diets supplemented with varying levels of fossil shell flour. Twenty-four Dohne-Merino wethers, averagely weighing 20.0±1.50 kg, were divided into four groups and used in this study. The effects of varying inclusion levels of fossil shell flour (FSF) (0, 2, 4, and 6 %) on feed intake, water intake, nutrient digestibility, N-retention, hematobiochemical and parasitic profiles, body condition scores, feed preference, wool parameters and methane output were determined. The influence of FSF's varying inclusion levels on fermentation parameters, in vitro true digestibility, and relative feed values were also determined. Wethers fed with 4% FSF inclusion level diet showed the highest (P<0.05) values for dry matter intake, average daily weight gain, N retention, (Nitrogen retention) and apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP), Ether Extract (EE) and Ash 6 % (P < 0.05). The urinary N and fecal N were lowest in wethers fed 4% FSF inclusion level and highest in those fed on diets without FSF (P < 0.05). Water intake was highest in wethers fed 0% FSF diet, followed by those fed on 4% and lowest in 6% FSF (P< 0.05). There was a significant increase in white blood cell counts in wethers fed on a diet with 4% and 6% FSF inclusion levels from day 10 to 100 compared to wethers fed on a diet with 0% and 2% FSF (P <0.05). Red blood cell counts also increased significantly in wethers fed on a diet containing 4% FSF, but a slight increase in wethers with 6 % FSF diet, throughout the experimental period (P < 0.05). Blood urea was highest in wethers fed 0% FSF inclusion level and lowest in 6% at day 30 to day 100. Wethers on 4% FSF diet showed an increase in blood urea from day 30 to day 100 (P < 0.05) while wethers on 0% and 2% remained unchanged (P<0.05) during this period and not different (P > 0.05) from wethers on 4% FSF as well. The total protein concentration, albumin, total bilirubin, Na, K, glucose, cholesterol, and liver enzymes were normal for wethers. However, serum creatinine level was lower in wethers fed on 4% FSF than those on 0% FSF (P < 0.01). Haemonchus and Coccidian fecal egg counts were low in wethers fed diets with 2%, 4%, and 6 % FSF (P < 0.01) compared 11 with wethers fed with 0% FSF inclusion level during the same period. The body condition score of wethers fed on diets with 2%, 4%, and 6% FSF inclusion levels were higher than those on 0% (P < 0.05). Wool yield, staple length, the coefficient variation of the fibre diameter, and fibre of wethers fed on diets with FSF were higher than those without FSF (P < 0.05). The fibre diameter of the wethers fed on FSF supplemented diets was the same as those on 0 % FSF (P > 0.05). The wethers spent more time on FSF supplemented diets and consumed more feed compared to that without FSF supplemented (P < 0.05). The levels of FSF inclusion in the diet affected the enteric methane output (ppm-m), where 4 % FSF had the highest enteric methane output while wethers on 2 % FSF had the lowest methane output (P < 0.05). Resting wethers produced more methane (g/day) than those feeding or standing (P < 0.05). Increasing levels of FSF did not affect ruminal temperature and pH. Ammonia-N increased with increasing FSF except in wethers fed on a diet with 4% FSF (P < 0.01). The total molar concentrations of the wethers' volatile fatty acids decreased with increasing FSF levels (P > 0.05). The acetic propionic ratio of the wethers also decreased except at a 4% inclusion level. The in vitro true digestibility dry matter (IVTDDM), in vitro true digestibility neutral detergent fibre (IVTDNDF), and in vitro true digestibility acid detergent fibre (IVTDADF) of the wethers decreased up to 4% FSF inclusion but tended to increase at 6% inclusion. This study's result as one of the pioneer studies in Dohne-Marino wethers showed that FSF treatment has the potential to improve the nutritional status of the animal and the animal performance and wool quality. Health-wise, FSF decrease nematode population and boost animal immunity as seen in RBC and WBC counts. It also can play a major role in protecting the environment, as seen in its reduction in feacal and urinary nitrogen, which is heavily involved in environmental pollution. Result also confirmed that the best period to target for methane mitigation in ruminants is the resting period. In conclusion, the inclusion of FSF in the diet of Dohne-Merino wethers has the potential to improve the overall performance, with a 4% FSF inclusion level having optimal productivity. However, future research is required to investigate FSF's effect on meat quality, rumen microbial community, in-vivo digestibility, and milk production.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ikusika, Olusegun Oyebade
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Merino sheep Sheep -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18465 , vital:42542
- Description: The study's broad objective was to assess growth performance, blood and parasitic profiles, wool parameters, methane emission, and nutritional status of Dohne-Merino wethers fed diets supplemented with varying levels of fossil shell flour. Twenty-four Dohne-Merino wethers, averagely weighing 20.0±1.50 kg, were divided into four groups and used in this study. The effects of varying inclusion levels of fossil shell flour (FSF) (0, 2, 4, and 6 %) on feed intake, water intake, nutrient digestibility, N-retention, hematobiochemical and parasitic profiles, body condition scores, feed preference, wool parameters and methane output were determined. The influence of FSF's varying inclusion levels on fermentation parameters, in vitro true digestibility, and relative feed values were also determined. Wethers fed with 4% FSF inclusion level diet showed the highest (P<0.05) values for dry matter intake, average daily weight gain, N retention, (Nitrogen retention) and apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP), Ether Extract (EE) and Ash 6 % (P < 0.05). The urinary N and fecal N were lowest in wethers fed 4% FSF inclusion level and highest in those fed on diets without FSF (P < 0.05). Water intake was highest in wethers fed 0% FSF diet, followed by those fed on 4% and lowest in 6% FSF (P< 0.05). There was a significant increase in white blood cell counts in wethers fed on a diet with 4% and 6% FSF inclusion levels from day 10 to 100 compared to wethers fed on a diet with 0% and 2% FSF (P <0.05). Red blood cell counts also increased significantly in wethers fed on a diet containing 4% FSF, but a slight increase in wethers with 6 % FSF diet, throughout the experimental period (P < 0.05). Blood urea was highest in wethers fed 0% FSF inclusion level and lowest in 6% at day 30 to day 100. Wethers on 4% FSF diet showed an increase in blood urea from day 30 to day 100 (P < 0.05) while wethers on 0% and 2% remained unchanged (P<0.05) during this period and not different (P > 0.05) from wethers on 4% FSF as well. The total protein concentration, albumin, total bilirubin, Na, K, glucose, cholesterol, and liver enzymes were normal for wethers. However, serum creatinine level was lower in wethers fed on 4% FSF than those on 0% FSF (P < 0.01). Haemonchus and Coccidian fecal egg counts were low in wethers fed diets with 2%, 4%, and 6 % FSF (P < 0.01) compared 11 with wethers fed with 0% FSF inclusion level during the same period. The body condition score of wethers fed on diets with 2%, 4%, and 6% FSF inclusion levels were higher than those on 0% (P < 0.05). Wool yield, staple length, the coefficient variation of the fibre diameter, and fibre of wethers fed on diets with FSF were higher than those without FSF (P < 0.05). The fibre diameter of the wethers fed on FSF supplemented diets was the same as those on 0 % FSF (P > 0.05). The wethers spent more time on FSF supplemented diets and consumed more feed compared to that without FSF supplemented (P < 0.05). The levels of FSF inclusion in the diet affected the enteric methane output (ppm-m), where 4 % FSF had the highest enteric methane output while wethers on 2 % FSF had the lowest methane output (P < 0.05). Resting wethers produced more methane (g/day) than those feeding or standing (P < 0.05). Increasing levels of FSF did not affect ruminal temperature and pH. Ammonia-N increased with increasing FSF except in wethers fed on a diet with 4% FSF (P < 0.01). The total molar concentrations of the wethers' volatile fatty acids decreased with increasing FSF levels (P > 0.05). The acetic propionic ratio of the wethers also decreased except at a 4% inclusion level. The in vitro true digestibility dry matter (IVTDDM), in vitro true digestibility neutral detergent fibre (IVTDNDF), and in vitro true digestibility acid detergent fibre (IVTDADF) of the wethers decreased up to 4% FSF inclusion but tended to increase at 6% inclusion. This study's result as one of the pioneer studies in Dohne-Marino wethers showed that FSF treatment has the potential to improve the nutritional status of the animal and the animal performance and wool quality. Health-wise, FSF decrease nematode population and boost animal immunity as seen in RBC and WBC counts. It also can play a major role in protecting the environment, as seen in its reduction in feacal and urinary nitrogen, which is heavily involved in environmental pollution. Result also confirmed that the best period to target for methane mitigation in ruminants is the resting period. In conclusion, the inclusion of FSF in the diet of Dohne-Merino wethers has the potential to improve the overall performance, with a 4% FSF inclusion level having optimal productivity. However, future research is required to investigate FSF's effect on meat quality, rumen microbial community, in-vivo digestibility, and milk production.
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Evaluating the exclusion of certain categories of workers from the coverage of the unemployment insurance act 63 of 2001 and the consequences thereof
- Authors: Ncamane, Ntando
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18347 , vital:42254
- Description: The South African Unemployment Insurance system esteems from Social Insurance as a stream of Social Security, which consist of various elements, such as private savings, social assistance and social relief as well as social insurance. The Unemployment Insurance Act 63 of 2001 together with its sister Act, which is the Unemployment Insurance Contribution Act 4 of 2002 regulate South Africa’s unemployment insurance system. The Unemployment Insurance Act made provision for the establishment of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, which will pay unemployment benefits to certain categories of employees for unemployment, illness, maternity, adoption and dependents benefits. The UIA further makes provision for the establishment of the Unemployment Insurance Board and the appointment of the Unemployment Insurance Commissioner. The UIA applies to all employers and employees including domestic workers and seasonal workers, except to employees who work for less than 24 hours a month, employees who are employed on a leanership registered under the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 and employees employed by the national or provincial government. Although the new Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill makes provision for workers who were previously excluded from the coverage to be covered under the Amendment Act, these workers includes, workers on learnership, government workers and migrant workers. However, there are still some workers who do not enjoy the scope and application of the UIA those workers are workers working in the informal sector and employees who work less than 24 hours a month and workers who voluntary resign. Apart from the challenge of coverage, the study also examines other challenges faced by the UIA such as non-compliance with international standards, failure to minimise unemployment, discrimination of women against unemployment benefits, the short financial intervention provided by the UIF and the lack of proper dispute resolution mechanism. It is therefore the aim of this study to evaluate the exclusionary practice of the UIA and its repercussions on these certain categories of workers mentioned above. To achieve this abovementioned aim, the study embarks on a journey in which the background is outlined; the historical background of both social security and unemployment insurance including both the constitutional and legislative background (vi) is examined. The study scrutinises the unemployment insurance legal framework this include the structure of the UIF, benefits paid by the UIF, requirements for qualifying for benefits stipulated by the UIA. It goes further in scrutinising these certain categories of workers and other notable challenges of the UIA and UIF. Lastly but not least, an International Perspective and Comparative study is engaged on, so to outline relevant international instrument to the study and to get a better understanding of other countries unemployment insurance system and to enable South Africa to learn from these countries to enhance its unemployment insurance. Finally, recommendations are made to provide solutions to the UIA shortcomings identified in this study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ncamane, Ntando
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18347 , vital:42254
- Description: The South African Unemployment Insurance system esteems from Social Insurance as a stream of Social Security, which consist of various elements, such as private savings, social assistance and social relief as well as social insurance. The Unemployment Insurance Act 63 of 2001 together with its sister Act, which is the Unemployment Insurance Contribution Act 4 of 2002 regulate South Africa’s unemployment insurance system. The Unemployment Insurance Act made provision for the establishment of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, which will pay unemployment benefits to certain categories of employees for unemployment, illness, maternity, adoption and dependents benefits. The UIA further makes provision for the establishment of the Unemployment Insurance Board and the appointment of the Unemployment Insurance Commissioner. The UIA applies to all employers and employees including domestic workers and seasonal workers, except to employees who work for less than 24 hours a month, employees who are employed on a leanership registered under the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 and employees employed by the national or provincial government. Although the new Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill makes provision for workers who were previously excluded from the coverage to be covered under the Amendment Act, these workers includes, workers on learnership, government workers and migrant workers. However, there are still some workers who do not enjoy the scope and application of the UIA those workers are workers working in the informal sector and employees who work less than 24 hours a month and workers who voluntary resign. Apart from the challenge of coverage, the study also examines other challenges faced by the UIA such as non-compliance with international standards, failure to minimise unemployment, discrimination of women against unemployment benefits, the short financial intervention provided by the UIF and the lack of proper dispute resolution mechanism. It is therefore the aim of this study to evaluate the exclusionary practice of the UIA and its repercussions on these certain categories of workers mentioned above. To achieve this abovementioned aim, the study embarks on a journey in which the background is outlined; the historical background of both social security and unemployment insurance including both the constitutional and legislative background (vi) is examined. The study scrutinises the unemployment insurance legal framework this include the structure of the UIF, benefits paid by the UIF, requirements for qualifying for benefits stipulated by the UIA. It goes further in scrutinising these certain categories of workers and other notable challenges of the UIA and UIF. Lastly but not least, an International Perspective and Comparative study is engaged on, so to outline relevant international instrument to the study and to get a better understanding of other countries unemployment insurance system and to enable South Africa to learn from these countries to enhance its unemployment insurance. Finally, recommendations are made to provide solutions to the UIA shortcomings identified in this study.
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Exploring challenges in implementing a health referral system in the Buffalo city metropolitan municipality in the Eastern Cape Province”
- Authors: Matolengwe, Aseza
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Primary health care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18441 , vital:42266
- Description: The purpose of the study is to explore and describe challenges experienced by health professionals regarding implementation of the referral system used in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in the Eastern Cape Province. A referral system in health care can be defined as a method whereby a health worker with insufficient skills and less resources in the primary health care setting, who has fewer remedies or options to manage medical conditions, seeks assistance from a more senior practitioner in a tertiary setting with better resources to provide guidance in managing the patient or to take over the management of the patient (Eastern Cape Department of Health, 2007:7). A qualitative descriptive explorative contextual design was used to explore and describe the challenges pertaining to the implementation of a referral system in the public health sector in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in the Eastern Cape. A purposive sampling technique was employed with an inclusion criteria of health care professionals who are doctors, professional nurses, pharmacists and specialists. After obtaining ethical clearance from the respective departments, steps for data collection were implemented. Individual interviews were conducted using an interview guide that was prepared by the researcher. Findings in the study indicate that there are challenges in implementing a referral system in relation to infrastructure, workforce capacity, equipment, transport and drug availability. The participants provided suggestions according to their experiences on what they felt the Department of Health in BCMM could do to strengthen the referral system in place. The researcher then provided recommendations to the Department of Health of BCMM. The health referral system in BCMM needs to be strengthened through provision of adequate infrastructure, improving workforce capacity, and availability of medicines and equipment. A monitoring and evaluation plan must be affected by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Education and training are needed for the health care workers and the community through their involvement in stakeholder meetings
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matolengwe, Aseza
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Primary health care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18441 , vital:42266
- Description: The purpose of the study is to explore and describe challenges experienced by health professionals regarding implementation of the referral system used in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in the Eastern Cape Province. A referral system in health care can be defined as a method whereby a health worker with insufficient skills and less resources in the primary health care setting, who has fewer remedies or options to manage medical conditions, seeks assistance from a more senior practitioner in a tertiary setting with better resources to provide guidance in managing the patient or to take over the management of the patient (Eastern Cape Department of Health, 2007:7). A qualitative descriptive explorative contextual design was used to explore and describe the challenges pertaining to the implementation of a referral system in the public health sector in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in the Eastern Cape. A purposive sampling technique was employed with an inclusion criteria of health care professionals who are doctors, professional nurses, pharmacists and specialists. After obtaining ethical clearance from the respective departments, steps for data collection were implemented. Individual interviews were conducted using an interview guide that was prepared by the researcher. Findings in the study indicate that there are challenges in implementing a referral system in relation to infrastructure, workforce capacity, equipment, transport and drug availability. The participants provided suggestions according to their experiences on what they felt the Department of Health in BCMM could do to strengthen the referral system in place. The researcher then provided recommendations to the Department of Health of BCMM. The health referral system in BCMM needs to be strengthened through provision of adequate infrastructure, improving workforce capacity, and availability of medicines and equipment. A monitoring and evaluation plan must be affected by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Education and training are needed for the health care workers and the community through their involvement in stakeholder meetings
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Exploring gender roles in traditional healing practice at selected areas of Buffalo City Municipality Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Gqibithole,Zizipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Healers Healing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18107 , vital:42233
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the gender roles in traditional healing practice at selected areas of Buffalo City Municipality. A qualitative method was used to explore and identify gender roles in traditional healing practice. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty traditional healers, both males and females. In depth interviews and focus group discussions were also used to collect data and an interview guide was used to conduct interviews with participants. Thematic analysis and open coding were used in identifying themes. The results were: there are different roles ascribed for both male and female traditional healers. Those roles may lead to stereotypes and the stereotypes may have negative effects to the traditional healers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gqibithole,Zizipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Healers Healing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18107 , vital:42233
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the gender roles in traditional healing practice at selected areas of Buffalo City Municipality. A qualitative method was used to explore and identify gender roles in traditional healing practice. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty traditional healers, both males and females. In depth interviews and focus group discussions were also used to collect data and an interview guide was used to conduct interviews with participants. Thematic analysis and open coding were used in identifying themes. The results were: there are different roles ascribed for both male and female traditional healers. Those roles may lead to stereotypes and the stereotypes may have negative effects to the traditional healers.
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Exploring the experiences of female child marriage survivors: A case study of Epworth in Harare Metropolitan, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Muchawaya, Ropafadzo D
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenage marriage Forced marriage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18199 , vital:42241
- Description: Child marriage is a marriage is a formal or informal marriage where one or both parties are under 18 years of age. The practice has an undesirable impact especially on the wellbeing of girls; it affects them physically, intellectually, psychologically and emotionally. Besides having an undesirable impact on young girls, child marriages also have negative impact on their children and families as a whole. The experiences of survivors of child marriage have been ignored in previous research. The literature largely focused on the causes and effects of child marriage. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of survivors of child marriage. The objectives of the study were to examine causes of child marriage in Epworth Harare, finding out challenges faced by survivors of child marriage, exploring the different coping mechanisms employed by survivors of child marriage and investigating the social services provided to survivors of child marriage by different stakeholders in Epworth Harare. The qualitative research method was adopted in the study and it informed its data collection and analysis process. In-depth and focus group discussions were therefore used to gain insight into the experiences of participants. Through the use of purposive sampling, 36 participants comprising of survivors of child marriage, parents, community leaders, and social workers in Epworth were selected. The study was guided by family systems theory and resilience theory. The findings revealed that drivers of child marriage are many and affected survivors of child marriage. However, it was found out that each cause of child marriage affected survivors of child marriage differently. Survivors of child marriage in Epworth encounter many challenges including relationship, emotional and psychological, social and economic and financial challenges that affect their livelihoods. An analysis of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions shows that survivors of child marriage face various challenges because of the economic situation in Zimbabwe, negative societal views and negative impact of child marriage on their mental health. It was, therefore concluded that for survivors of child marriage to have an improved life, there is a need for partnership and collaboration of different stakeholders in their social service delivery. It is recommended that more income-generating community-based v projects are provided to survivors of child marriage with basic opportunities they often lack and social support networks that promote change in attitudes and behavior. Lastly, there is a need to increase the number of social workers working with survivors of child marriage in Epworth
- Full Text:
- Authors: Muchawaya, Ropafadzo D
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenage marriage Forced marriage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18199 , vital:42241
- Description: Child marriage is a marriage is a formal or informal marriage where one or both parties are under 18 years of age. The practice has an undesirable impact especially on the wellbeing of girls; it affects them physically, intellectually, psychologically and emotionally. Besides having an undesirable impact on young girls, child marriages also have negative impact on their children and families as a whole. The experiences of survivors of child marriage have been ignored in previous research. The literature largely focused on the causes and effects of child marriage. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of survivors of child marriage. The objectives of the study were to examine causes of child marriage in Epworth Harare, finding out challenges faced by survivors of child marriage, exploring the different coping mechanisms employed by survivors of child marriage and investigating the social services provided to survivors of child marriage by different stakeholders in Epworth Harare. The qualitative research method was adopted in the study and it informed its data collection and analysis process. In-depth and focus group discussions were therefore used to gain insight into the experiences of participants. Through the use of purposive sampling, 36 participants comprising of survivors of child marriage, parents, community leaders, and social workers in Epworth were selected. The study was guided by family systems theory and resilience theory. The findings revealed that drivers of child marriage are many and affected survivors of child marriage. However, it was found out that each cause of child marriage affected survivors of child marriage differently. Survivors of child marriage in Epworth encounter many challenges including relationship, emotional and psychological, social and economic and financial challenges that affect their livelihoods. An analysis of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions shows that survivors of child marriage face various challenges because of the economic situation in Zimbabwe, negative societal views and negative impact of child marriage on their mental health. It was, therefore concluded that for survivors of child marriage to have an improved life, there is a need for partnership and collaboration of different stakeholders in their social service delivery. It is recommended that more income-generating community-based v projects are provided to survivors of child marriage with basic opportunities they often lack and social support networks that promote change in attitudes and behavior. Lastly, there is a need to increase the number of social workers working with survivors of child marriage in Epworth
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Exploring the psychosocial effects of removing teenagers from their homes to places of safety
- Authors: Boxongo , Sisipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenagers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18073 , vital:42226
- Description: The child welfare system investigate over 2 Million children each year for parental abuse or neglect, yet little is known about the psychosocial effects of removing teenagers from their homes and placing them in the place of safety. Although an abusive family would undoubtedly be harmful to children, removing a child from his or her family can be just as traumatic. Long term outcome are rarely observed, and teenagers placed in the place of safety are likely differ from those not placed. Hence this study took a microscopic scrutiny at the effects of the teenager`s removal from their home environment to a place of safety. In carrying out this research qualitative method of data collection was used. The study outlined the factors that lead to removal of teenagers from their home environment to the place of safety. The study found that some of the teenagers who were removed from their home environment were due to poverty, maltreatment, negligence and child abuse at home. The study also revealed that the placement of the teenagers in the places of safety expose the teenagers to psychological, physical, emotional and behavioural negative experiences. The teenagers that participated in the study mentioned that they are stigmatised by the community and peers at school, some also cited that they have lost contact with their families. It was also found out that; the professionals who participated in the study also too experience some challenges in rendering services to the teenagers as sometimes they don`t get informed about the children`s situation on their arrival in the centre. On the other hand, another professional declared that they are trying by all means to cater for all the needs of the children, but they are failed by the case managers and other stakeholders, such as department of social development who delay the process of obtaining court orders which makes it difficult for the child to be funded and also the process of reunifying the child with the biological family.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Boxongo , Sisipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenagers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18073 , vital:42226
- Description: The child welfare system investigate over 2 Million children each year for parental abuse or neglect, yet little is known about the psychosocial effects of removing teenagers from their homes and placing them in the place of safety. Although an abusive family would undoubtedly be harmful to children, removing a child from his or her family can be just as traumatic. Long term outcome are rarely observed, and teenagers placed in the place of safety are likely differ from those not placed. Hence this study took a microscopic scrutiny at the effects of the teenager`s removal from their home environment to a place of safety. In carrying out this research qualitative method of data collection was used. The study outlined the factors that lead to removal of teenagers from their home environment to the place of safety. The study found that some of the teenagers who were removed from their home environment were due to poverty, maltreatment, negligence and child abuse at home. The study also revealed that the placement of the teenagers in the places of safety expose the teenagers to psychological, physical, emotional and behavioural negative experiences. The teenagers that participated in the study mentioned that they are stigmatised by the community and peers at school, some also cited that they have lost contact with their families. It was also found out that; the professionals who participated in the study also too experience some challenges in rendering services to the teenagers as sometimes they don`t get informed about the children`s situation on their arrival in the centre. On the other hand, another professional declared that they are trying by all means to cater for all the needs of the children, but they are failed by the case managers and other stakeholders, such as department of social development who delay the process of obtaining court orders which makes it difficult for the child to be funded and also the process of reunifying the child with the biological family.
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Extraction, Isolation and Biological studies of Pentanisia prunelloides and Hippobromus pauciflorus
- Authors: Ngcetane , Lazola Luyolo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Medicinal plants Antioxidants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18766 , vital:42731
- Description: Enormous amounts of drugs or drug components have been found with the use and help of ethnobotanical knowledge of plants by the indigenous civilisation of that region. The primary reason that plants are chosen as a potential source of new medicines is that they are readily available to researcher and the public either free of charge or at a low and affordable cost in the rural majority community in the developing world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical content of two commonly used medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and to explore their antioxidant potential. Crude extracts of Hippobromus pauciflorus and Pentanisia prunelloides were obtained by means of sequential solvent extraction followed by evaluation of the phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts and the anti-oxidant ability of the both plant samples and also their ability to hinder lipid peroxidation. For the H.pauciflorus sample, different masses of crude extracts were obtained with Dichloromethane (0.817 g) yielding the smallest mass and the 70% Ethanol (120.196 g) extract yielding the largest mass. The total phenolic content of the plant sample extracts were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. The Methanol extract (133.019 ± 0.003 μgGAE/mL) exhibited the largest content while the EtOH extract (13.981 ± 0.001 μgGAE/mL) exhibited the least content. The MeOH extract exhibited the highest flavonoid content (46.005 ± 0.001 μgQE/mg extract) while the Hexane extract (19.000 ± 0.008 μgQE/mg extract) exhibited the least. 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper Frap assay was performed with the Ethyl Acetate extract displaying the least anti-oxidant ability (10.284 ± 0.014 AAE/mL) while the Hex extract (204.705 ± 0.119 AAE/mL) displayed the highest anti-oxidant ability. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was performed with the hexane, methanol and ethanol extracts exhibiting an anti-oxidant property with IC50 values of 3.594x10-3 ± 0.133 mg/mL, 0.185 ± 0.019 mg/mL and 0.011 ± 0.002 mg/mL respectively. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation at 150 μg/mL was performed where the Dichloromethane extract showed the highest inhibition percentage (-75.000 ± 0.119%) while the Hex extract (-41.667 ± 0.021005%) showed the lowest inhibition percentage at 300 μg/mL; only the DCM extract (-3.051 ± 0.018%) displayed inhibition ability. For the P.prunelloides sample, different masses of crude extracts were obtained with EA extract (0.348 g) yielding the smallest mass and the MeOH (47.941 g) extract yielding the largest mass. Phenolic content was evaluated with the DCM extract (122.827 ± 0.010 μgGAE/mL) exhibited the largest content while the MeOH extract (48.788 ± 0.001 μgGAE/mL) exhibited the least content. Flavonoid content was evaluated with the DCM extract (88.543 ± 0.005 μgQE/mg extract) exhibited the largest content while the EtOH extract (19.254 ± 0.001 μgQE/mg extract) exhibited the least content. FRAP assay was performed with the DCM extract (13.021 ± 0.008 AAE/mL) displaying the least anti-oxidant ability while the MeOH extract (217.758 ± 0.025 AAE/mL) displaying the highest anti-oxidant ability. DPPH assay was conducted with EA and methanol extracts exhibiting antianti-oxidant ability and having IC50 values of 0.579 ± 0.021 mg/mL and 0.006± 0.001 mg/mL respectively. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation at 150 μg/mL was performed with the n-Hex extract (-36.395 ± 0.015%) showing the highest inhibition percentage while the DCM extract (-17.647 ± 0.005%) the lowest and at 300μg/mL the EA (- 12.881 ± 0.018%) and DCM (-0.847 ± 0.009%) extracts displayed inhibition. An attempt was made to isolate and elucidate the compounds in the extracts but unsuccessful, although the TLC results indicated several compounds that can be elucidated in future study
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngcetane , Lazola Luyolo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Medicinal plants Antioxidants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18766 , vital:42731
- Description: Enormous amounts of drugs or drug components have been found with the use and help of ethnobotanical knowledge of plants by the indigenous civilisation of that region. The primary reason that plants are chosen as a potential source of new medicines is that they are readily available to researcher and the public either free of charge or at a low and affordable cost in the rural majority community in the developing world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical content of two commonly used medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and to explore their antioxidant potential. Crude extracts of Hippobromus pauciflorus and Pentanisia prunelloides were obtained by means of sequential solvent extraction followed by evaluation of the phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts and the anti-oxidant ability of the both plant samples and also their ability to hinder lipid peroxidation. For the H.pauciflorus sample, different masses of crude extracts were obtained with Dichloromethane (0.817 g) yielding the smallest mass and the 70% Ethanol (120.196 g) extract yielding the largest mass. The total phenolic content of the plant sample extracts were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. The Methanol extract (133.019 ± 0.003 μgGAE/mL) exhibited the largest content while the EtOH extract (13.981 ± 0.001 μgGAE/mL) exhibited the least content. The MeOH extract exhibited the highest flavonoid content (46.005 ± 0.001 μgQE/mg extract) while the Hexane extract (19.000 ± 0.008 μgQE/mg extract) exhibited the least. 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper Frap assay was performed with the Ethyl Acetate extract displaying the least anti-oxidant ability (10.284 ± 0.014 AAE/mL) while the Hex extract (204.705 ± 0.119 AAE/mL) displayed the highest anti-oxidant ability. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was performed with the hexane, methanol and ethanol extracts exhibiting an anti-oxidant property with IC50 values of 3.594x10-3 ± 0.133 mg/mL, 0.185 ± 0.019 mg/mL and 0.011 ± 0.002 mg/mL respectively. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation at 150 μg/mL was performed where the Dichloromethane extract showed the highest inhibition percentage (-75.000 ± 0.119%) while the Hex extract (-41.667 ± 0.021005%) showed the lowest inhibition percentage at 300 μg/mL; only the DCM extract (-3.051 ± 0.018%) displayed inhibition ability. For the P.prunelloides sample, different masses of crude extracts were obtained with EA extract (0.348 g) yielding the smallest mass and the MeOH (47.941 g) extract yielding the largest mass. Phenolic content was evaluated with the DCM extract (122.827 ± 0.010 μgGAE/mL) exhibited the largest content while the MeOH extract (48.788 ± 0.001 μgGAE/mL) exhibited the least content. Flavonoid content was evaluated with the DCM extract (88.543 ± 0.005 μgQE/mg extract) exhibited the largest content while the EtOH extract (19.254 ± 0.001 μgQE/mg extract) exhibited the least content. FRAP assay was performed with the DCM extract (13.021 ± 0.008 AAE/mL) displaying the least anti-oxidant ability while the MeOH extract (217.758 ± 0.025 AAE/mL) displaying the highest anti-oxidant ability. DPPH assay was conducted with EA and methanol extracts exhibiting antianti-oxidant ability and having IC50 values of 0.579 ± 0.021 mg/mL and 0.006± 0.001 mg/mL respectively. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation at 150 μg/mL was performed with the n-Hex extract (-36.395 ± 0.015%) showing the highest inhibition percentage while the DCM extract (-17.647 ± 0.005%) the lowest and at 300μg/mL the EA (- 12.881 ± 0.018%) and DCM (-0.847 ± 0.009%) extracts displayed inhibition. An attempt was made to isolate and elucidate the compounds in the extracts but unsuccessful, although the TLC results indicated several compounds that can be elucidated in future study
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Fabrication of a photocatalytic PAN supported C-TiO2-CFA nanocomposite for use in water treatment
- Authors: Mpelane, Amkelwa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Photocatalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18744 , vital:42729
- Description: The goal of this study was to fabricate a visible light responsive composite of C-TiO2-CFA. The prepared nanocomposite (C-TiO2-CFA) was immobilized on poly(acrylonitrile) membrane to address the drawback of recovering the nanosized photocatalyst from water after photodegradation experiments. The C-TiO2-CFA nanocomposites were fabricated using a modified sol-gel method, while the C-TiO2-CFA/PAN membranes were prepared via the phase inversion technique. The nanocomposites were fully characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, DRS, and BET surface area analysis. The prepared C-TiO2-CFA/PAN membranes were evaluated in the photodegradation of methyl orange and the golden yellow dyes, as well as the photoreduction of lead and cadmium heavy metals in synthetic wastewater. UV-Visible spectroscopy was used to follow the changes in the concentration of organic dyes, while inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy was used to follow changes in the concentration of the heavy metals. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups expected on the prepared C-TiO2- CFA/PAN membranes and EDX analysis accounted for the elements expected. The prepared membranes all exhibited an asymmetric structure as depicted by cross-sectional view study via SEM analysis. TEM and SEM analyses revealed that the prepared C-TiO2-CFA nanocomposite was roughly spherical in shape with an estimate particle size of 10.94 nm according to TEM and 11.62 nm according to XRD using Scherrer equation. The incorporation of carbon into the lattice structure of titanium dioxide resulted in a reduction in bandgap from 3.19 eV to 2.78 eV through introduction of mid-band states, allowing visible light utilization. The best nanocomposite was obtained by doping TiO2 with 4% carbon and having a C-TiO2 to CFA ratio of 4:1 respectively. The C-TiO2-CFA nanocomposite exhibits a crystalline structure with a mixture of rutile and anatase phases. The parameters investigated in the evaluation of photocatalytic performance of C-TiO2- CFA/PAN were effect of photocatalyst load on PAN membrane, initial dye concentration, pH and light source in the activation of photocatalyst. For both dyes (methyl arrange and golden yellow), it was observed that photodegradation efficiencies increased with an increase in catalyst load. In the photodegradation of MO and GY using the membrane with 1% C-TiO2- CFA, removal efficiencies of 73.3% and 59.99% were attained respectively, while the membrane with 2% C-TiO2-CFA achieved MO and GY photodegradation efficiencies of 99.8% and 99.2% respectively. Photodegradation efficiencies of MO and GY were observed to decrease with an increase in dye concentration. Low pH (3) was observed to favour the photodegradation of MO and GY azo dyes. Photodegradation efficiencies of 99.8% and 99.2% were attained where obtained at lower MO and GY initial concentration. The modified photocatalyst (C-TiO2-CFA/PAN) exhibited better photoactivity under sunlight irradiation compared to strict UV light irradiation. Evidently, the C-TiO2-CFA/PAN membranes can be 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper utilized as a sustainable and stable photocatalyst to efficiently eliminate methyl orange and golden yellow dyes. A PAN membrane with 2 wt% C-TiO2-CFA revealed enhanced cadmium and lead removal efficiencies in comparison to PAN membranes with 1 wt% and 1.5% C-TiO2-CFA. A Cd2+ removal efficiency of 95% was obtained using 2 wt% C-TiO2-CFA/PAN nanocomposite membranes. Cadmium removal efficiencies of 92.5% and 91% were obtained using the 1.5 wt% and 1 wt% C-TiO2-CFA/PAN nanocomposite membranes. A lead removal efficiency of 97% was obtained using PAN membrane with 2 wt% C-TiO2-CFA. Pb2+ removal efficiencies of 90.9% and 94.6% were obtained using the 1.5 wt% and 1 wt% C-TiO2-CFA/PAN nanocomposite membranes. The photoreduction activity was observed to decrease with an increase in cadmium and lead initial concentrations. A cadmium and lead removal efficiencies of 95% and 97% were observed at lower Cd2+ and Pb2+ initial concentrations (20 ppm), respectively. The removal efficiencies varied marginally with changes in pH values. The fouling activity of the C-TiO2 modified PAN asymmetric membranes and pure PAN was investigated by carrying out pure water filtration tests as well as bovine serum albumin (BSA) filtration tests. A bovine serum albumin rejection of 98% was obtained utilizing the 2 wt% CTiO2-CFA/PAN membrane.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mpelane, Amkelwa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Photocatalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18744 , vital:42729
- Description: The goal of this study was to fabricate a visible light responsive composite of C-TiO2-CFA. The prepared nanocomposite (C-TiO2-CFA) was immobilized on poly(acrylonitrile) membrane to address the drawback of recovering the nanosized photocatalyst from water after photodegradation experiments. The C-TiO2-CFA nanocomposites were fabricated using a modified sol-gel method, while the C-TiO2-CFA/PAN membranes were prepared via the phase inversion technique. The nanocomposites were fully characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, DRS, and BET surface area analysis. The prepared C-TiO2-CFA/PAN membranes were evaluated in the photodegradation of methyl orange and the golden yellow dyes, as well as the photoreduction of lead and cadmium heavy metals in synthetic wastewater. UV-Visible spectroscopy was used to follow the changes in the concentration of organic dyes, while inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy was used to follow changes in the concentration of the heavy metals. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups expected on the prepared C-TiO2- CFA/PAN membranes and EDX analysis accounted for the elements expected. The prepared membranes all exhibited an asymmetric structure as depicted by cross-sectional view study via SEM analysis. TEM and SEM analyses revealed that the prepared C-TiO2-CFA nanocomposite was roughly spherical in shape with an estimate particle size of 10.94 nm according to TEM and 11.62 nm according to XRD using Scherrer equation. The incorporation of carbon into the lattice structure of titanium dioxide resulted in a reduction in bandgap from 3.19 eV to 2.78 eV through introduction of mid-band states, allowing visible light utilization. The best nanocomposite was obtained by doping TiO2 with 4% carbon and having a C-TiO2 to CFA ratio of 4:1 respectively. The C-TiO2-CFA nanocomposite exhibits a crystalline structure with a mixture of rutile and anatase phases. The parameters investigated in the evaluation of photocatalytic performance of C-TiO2- CFA/PAN were effect of photocatalyst load on PAN membrane, initial dye concentration, pH and light source in the activation of photocatalyst. For both dyes (methyl arrange and golden yellow), it was observed that photodegradation efficiencies increased with an increase in catalyst load. In the photodegradation of MO and GY using the membrane with 1% C-TiO2- CFA, removal efficiencies of 73.3% and 59.99% were attained respectively, while the membrane with 2% C-TiO2-CFA achieved MO and GY photodegradation efficiencies of 99.8% and 99.2% respectively. Photodegradation efficiencies of MO and GY were observed to decrease with an increase in dye concentration. Low pH (3) was observed to favour the photodegradation of MO and GY azo dyes. Photodegradation efficiencies of 99.8% and 99.2% were attained where obtained at lower MO and GY initial concentration. The modified photocatalyst (C-TiO2-CFA/PAN) exhibited better photoactivity under sunlight irradiation compared to strict UV light irradiation. Evidently, the C-TiO2-CFA/PAN membranes can be 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper utilized as a sustainable and stable photocatalyst to efficiently eliminate methyl orange and golden yellow dyes. A PAN membrane with 2 wt% C-TiO2-CFA revealed enhanced cadmium and lead removal efficiencies in comparison to PAN membranes with 1 wt% and 1.5% C-TiO2-CFA. A Cd2+ removal efficiency of 95% was obtained using 2 wt% C-TiO2-CFA/PAN nanocomposite membranes. Cadmium removal efficiencies of 92.5% and 91% were obtained using the 1.5 wt% and 1 wt% C-TiO2-CFA/PAN nanocomposite membranes. A lead removal efficiency of 97% was obtained using PAN membrane with 2 wt% C-TiO2-CFA. Pb2+ removal efficiencies of 90.9% and 94.6% were obtained using the 1.5 wt% and 1 wt% C-TiO2-CFA/PAN nanocomposite membranes. The photoreduction activity was observed to decrease with an increase in cadmium and lead initial concentrations. A cadmium and lead removal efficiencies of 95% and 97% were observed at lower Cd2+ and Pb2+ initial concentrations (20 ppm), respectively. The removal efficiencies varied marginally with changes in pH values. The fouling activity of the C-TiO2 modified PAN asymmetric membranes and pure PAN was investigated by carrying out pure water filtration tests as well as bovine serum albumin (BSA) filtration tests. A bovine serum albumin rejection of 98% was obtained utilizing the 2 wt% CTiO2-CFA/PAN membrane.
- Full Text:
Factors Affecting Archives and Records Management in The City of Johannesburg Municipality
- Authors: Vula, Malusi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Records -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Library and Information Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18314 , vital:42251
- Description: This study sought to evaluate the factors that affect the development of archives in the City of Johannesburg Municipality. The use of old records management strategies is posing serious challenges in most African countries and it is affecting the development of archives and records. Literature shows that most municipalities in Southern African countries have not adapted advance records management strategies like Integrated records management and Cloud systems for the realization of benefits of effectiveness and efficiency in records management. The history of Johannesburg municipality and the significance of records management in terms of leveraging effective service delivery raised critical concerns over the development of archives and records management. Proper management of records is the foundation of any government needs to provide services, to fulfil its obligation of accountability towards its citizens and protect their rights. According to the continuum model, the archivists and records managers need to be involved together with information systems designers in the creation of records keeping systems. The records continuum model emphasizes advanced records management strategies and systems in order to ensure the systematic preservation, retrieval and disposal of records. As the records management systems shift from the narrow physical records management as well as imaging into the broader electronic records world there is need for the municipality to embrace more advanced records management strategies like Outsource/Cloud service and integrated records management systems. In order to get a deeper understanding of the factors that affect the development of archives and records management; this study combined both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The census method was used to select all the 80 members of the records management department in the metropolitan municipality. An in-depth interview schedule was conducted with 4 records managers in order to collect qualitative data. Questionnaires were distributed to 76 personnel in the records management department. Without an operational and effective policy in the department of records, there is no vanguard against unlawful records and archives access and corruption, which is affecting archives development and records management in the long run. The study established although email backups and archiving of files are important strategies, more effective and modern strategies like Integrated Records Management system across the entire organization and the cloud system have not been put in place. This is attributed to the lack of funding and IT expertise. The study concluded that that although training and skills development programs are being ii implemented, skills transfer is not fully taking place due to lack of; equipment, time, managerial support and post-training interventions as well monitoring and evaluation systems. The study recommends an integrated records management system, operationalization of the records management system, effective skills transfer programs, the competency-based model.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Vula, Malusi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Records -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Library and Information Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18314 , vital:42251
- Description: This study sought to evaluate the factors that affect the development of archives in the City of Johannesburg Municipality. The use of old records management strategies is posing serious challenges in most African countries and it is affecting the development of archives and records. Literature shows that most municipalities in Southern African countries have not adapted advance records management strategies like Integrated records management and Cloud systems for the realization of benefits of effectiveness and efficiency in records management. The history of Johannesburg municipality and the significance of records management in terms of leveraging effective service delivery raised critical concerns over the development of archives and records management. Proper management of records is the foundation of any government needs to provide services, to fulfil its obligation of accountability towards its citizens and protect their rights. According to the continuum model, the archivists and records managers need to be involved together with information systems designers in the creation of records keeping systems. The records continuum model emphasizes advanced records management strategies and systems in order to ensure the systematic preservation, retrieval and disposal of records. As the records management systems shift from the narrow physical records management as well as imaging into the broader electronic records world there is need for the municipality to embrace more advanced records management strategies like Outsource/Cloud service and integrated records management systems. In order to get a deeper understanding of the factors that affect the development of archives and records management; this study combined both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The census method was used to select all the 80 members of the records management department in the metropolitan municipality. An in-depth interview schedule was conducted with 4 records managers in order to collect qualitative data. Questionnaires were distributed to 76 personnel in the records management department. Without an operational and effective policy in the department of records, there is no vanguard against unlawful records and archives access and corruption, which is affecting archives development and records management in the long run. The study established although email backups and archiving of files are important strategies, more effective and modern strategies like Integrated Records Management system across the entire organization and the cloud system have not been put in place. This is attributed to the lack of funding and IT expertise. The study concluded that that although training and skills development programs are being ii implemented, skills transfer is not fully taking place due to lack of; equipment, time, managerial support and post-training interventions as well monitoring and evaluation systems. The study recommends an integrated records management system, operationalization of the records management system, effective skills transfer programs, the competency-based model.
- Full Text:
Financial services use in a rural context: a case of rural communities in South Africa
- Authors: Maciko,Loyiso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Finance --South Africa Financial institutions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18930 , vital:42999
- Description: The thesis focuses on the gap between access and usage of financial services in rural communities of South Africa by using primary data and secondary data. It seeks to examine the factors that affect financial inclusion in rural communities of South Africa and to investigate South African trends regarding utilisation of financial services. This is since there has been an increase on adoption of financial services in South Africa however, this has not been complemented by effective usage. This rise in access of banks paints a misleading picture that majority of South Africans are included while the usage strand remains unmet as most people use bank accounts as a ‘mailbox’. This creates interest on what might be the underlying causes for lack of use, particularly in rural areas. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach in the form of exploratory sequential approach. This study was done in two stages. Firstly, focus groups were conducted in 20 villages from the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. During the second stage, the quantitative research was conducted, using Finscope data for all provinces covering 2013 to 2017. For data analysis the Binary logistic regression and Multinomial regressions were adopted The study discovered that rural households from the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo and other provinces, dominated by rural areas, are often detached from the formal economy. As is the case with the rural residents that partook in this study relative to Gauteng, they did not derive any benefit from most formal economic initiatives or policies aimed at improving their well-being through access and use of financial services. Secondly, lack of income, trust, costs of financial services and distance to the nearest financial service provider remain barriers to use of financial services. To have a qualification or degree is regarded as an important factor that influences whether one saves at a bank. This causes rural residents with less education to rely on more informal saving methods. Furthermore, this study showed that households in rural locations of South Africa were either not aware or confident enough about the use and benefits of insurance and other financial services. Therefore, awareness campaigns should be promoted to gain client confidence by educating the current and potential clients. Rural households should be made aware of the safety that financial institutions give them, the interest rates earned, and the benefits that come with investing in formal institutions contrary to not investing. This study suggests that access and use of financial services has a non-uniform impact on household wealth. Thus, for effective poverty eradication in rural communities, there is a need for customized financial services and products aimed at addressing the explicit needs of the marginalised, as their needs diverge along the poverty distribution line. The results provide support to Andersen’s model as a mechanism that can be used to explain the demand-side perspective within the South African rural context. The study has made an empirical contribution tailored to the South African context. This study contributes to the current body of literature by applying the modified version of the Andersen Behavioural Model to financial vi services. It further contributes to the understanding of the relationship between the barrier to use or not use financial services in South African rural areas. It proposes that for financial market participation in the old traditional banking way there is a need to bring services to the people, and design the financial products in the manner that addresses the specific needs of the people in rural communities.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maciko,Loyiso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Finance --South Africa Financial institutions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18930 , vital:42999
- Description: The thesis focuses on the gap between access and usage of financial services in rural communities of South Africa by using primary data and secondary data. It seeks to examine the factors that affect financial inclusion in rural communities of South Africa and to investigate South African trends regarding utilisation of financial services. This is since there has been an increase on adoption of financial services in South Africa however, this has not been complemented by effective usage. This rise in access of banks paints a misleading picture that majority of South Africans are included while the usage strand remains unmet as most people use bank accounts as a ‘mailbox’. This creates interest on what might be the underlying causes for lack of use, particularly in rural areas. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach in the form of exploratory sequential approach. This study was done in two stages. Firstly, focus groups were conducted in 20 villages from the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. During the second stage, the quantitative research was conducted, using Finscope data for all provinces covering 2013 to 2017. For data analysis the Binary logistic regression and Multinomial regressions were adopted The study discovered that rural households from the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo and other provinces, dominated by rural areas, are often detached from the formal economy. As is the case with the rural residents that partook in this study relative to Gauteng, they did not derive any benefit from most formal economic initiatives or policies aimed at improving their well-being through access and use of financial services. Secondly, lack of income, trust, costs of financial services and distance to the nearest financial service provider remain barriers to use of financial services. To have a qualification or degree is regarded as an important factor that influences whether one saves at a bank. This causes rural residents with less education to rely on more informal saving methods. Furthermore, this study showed that households in rural locations of South Africa were either not aware or confident enough about the use and benefits of insurance and other financial services. Therefore, awareness campaigns should be promoted to gain client confidence by educating the current and potential clients. Rural households should be made aware of the safety that financial institutions give them, the interest rates earned, and the benefits that come with investing in formal institutions contrary to not investing. This study suggests that access and use of financial services has a non-uniform impact on household wealth. Thus, for effective poverty eradication in rural communities, there is a need for customized financial services and products aimed at addressing the explicit needs of the marginalised, as their needs diverge along the poverty distribution line. The results provide support to Andersen’s model as a mechanism that can be used to explain the demand-side perspective within the South African rural context. The study has made an empirical contribution tailored to the South African context. This study contributes to the current body of literature by applying the modified version of the Andersen Behavioural Model to financial vi services. It further contributes to the understanding of the relationship between the barrier to use or not use financial services in South African rural areas. It proposes that for financial market participation in the old traditional banking way there is a need to bring services to the people, and design the financial products in the manner that addresses the specific needs of the people in rural communities.
- Full Text:
Fraud tolerance level as a predictor of insurance claims behavior: A South African Study
- Authors: Chetty,Moonsamy Perumal
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Insurance fraud Fraud -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Criminology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17964 , vital:41999
- Description: The insurance sector as a foundation which other sectors depend on is a critical cornerstone of a well-functioning society. An insurer’s strength exists in its ability to foresee, assess, price and mitigate current and emerging risks. Despite the value that insurance brings to maintaining and sustaining society there is large scale abuse of the various insurance products on offer. The abuse is predominately committed through the submitting of either false or inflated claims which negatively impacts the entire insurance value chain from underwriting to claims processes. Insurance claims fraud is classified as opportunistic or organised. Opportunistic claims fraud consists of claims inflation or claims padding for a genuine loss while organised claims fraud involves the lodging a claim for a loss that did not occur and usually involves staging of incidents. Opportunistic fraud is the most common type of fraud experienced by insurers and presents the greatest challenge to the insurance industry. While there are challenges in accurately determining the true costs of insurance fraud; there is consensus that the costs are significant. In response to incidents of insurance fraud insurers have implemented various measures to curb fraud; these measures range from the establishment of insurance crime bureaus, creation of internal investigation teams and the employment of technology as early warning systems. These measures although useful have not been able to be very effective as insurance fraud still continues to rise. Studies indicate that consumer attitudes towards insurance fraud play an important role which must be considered when developing fraud prevention strategies. Tolerance has been identified as an important factor which influence consumer v attitudes towards insurance fraud. Previous studies found that factors such as high insurance premiums, excess payments, consumer relationship with insurers, consumer’s previous claims experience and societal acceptability of insurance fraud played a role in shaping a consumer’s tolerance level. This study was undertaken to explore the role that policyholder tolerance has on predicting claims behaviour in the South African insurance market. The study also aimed at identifying reasons which motivated policyholder’s to commit and deter them from committing insurance fraud. A further aim was to identify the common types of insurance fraud and to measure policyholders’ perceptions towards their primary insurer, the insurance industry, brokers and insurance assessors. The fraud triangle and the theory of planned behaviour were used as theories in support of this study. Primary data for this study was gather through an online self-administered questionnaire and the sample population consisted of policyholders within the shortterm insurance market. A total of 560 completed valid questionnaires were received and analysed. The study shows that respondents have low levels of tolerance for insurance fraud. Results indicated that financial pressure, greed, financial benefit and opportunity were reasons why policyholders’ committed insurance fraud in SA. Factors which deterred policyholders from committing insurance fraud included consumer integrity and honesty, fear of being caught and prosecuted and fairness and value for money. vi Respondents indicated that inflated claims were more prevalent than false claims and it was easier to submit an inflated claim than a false claim. Regarding perceptions the study shows that respondents have a more positive view of their own primary insurer than the insurance industry in general, brokers and insurance assessors. Lastly, the research identified five factors that significantly explain levels of short-term insurance fraud tolerance, namely 'Unfairness/injustice', “Have policyholders’ best interest at heart”, 'Industry relations', ‘Opportunity’ and 'Morality'. The findings of this study could be useful to insurers when developing consumer education and awareness programmes. There exists opportunities for future research regarding several aspects of insurance fraud which was not dealt with in this study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chetty,Moonsamy Perumal
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Insurance fraud Fraud -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Criminology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17964 , vital:41999
- Description: The insurance sector as a foundation which other sectors depend on is a critical cornerstone of a well-functioning society. An insurer’s strength exists in its ability to foresee, assess, price and mitigate current and emerging risks. Despite the value that insurance brings to maintaining and sustaining society there is large scale abuse of the various insurance products on offer. The abuse is predominately committed through the submitting of either false or inflated claims which negatively impacts the entire insurance value chain from underwriting to claims processes. Insurance claims fraud is classified as opportunistic or organised. Opportunistic claims fraud consists of claims inflation or claims padding for a genuine loss while organised claims fraud involves the lodging a claim for a loss that did not occur and usually involves staging of incidents. Opportunistic fraud is the most common type of fraud experienced by insurers and presents the greatest challenge to the insurance industry. While there are challenges in accurately determining the true costs of insurance fraud; there is consensus that the costs are significant. In response to incidents of insurance fraud insurers have implemented various measures to curb fraud; these measures range from the establishment of insurance crime bureaus, creation of internal investigation teams and the employment of technology as early warning systems. These measures although useful have not been able to be very effective as insurance fraud still continues to rise. Studies indicate that consumer attitudes towards insurance fraud play an important role which must be considered when developing fraud prevention strategies. Tolerance has been identified as an important factor which influence consumer v attitudes towards insurance fraud. Previous studies found that factors such as high insurance premiums, excess payments, consumer relationship with insurers, consumer’s previous claims experience and societal acceptability of insurance fraud played a role in shaping a consumer’s tolerance level. This study was undertaken to explore the role that policyholder tolerance has on predicting claims behaviour in the South African insurance market. The study also aimed at identifying reasons which motivated policyholder’s to commit and deter them from committing insurance fraud. A further aim was to identify the common types of insurance fraud and to measure policyholders’ perceptions towards their primary insurer, the insurance industry, brokers and insurance assessors. The fraud triangle and the theory of planned behaviour were used as theories in support of this study. Primary data for this study was gather through an online self-administered questionnaire and the sample population consisted of policyholders within the shortterm insurance market. A total of 560 completed valid questionnaires were received and analysed. The study shows that respondents have low levels of tolerance for insurance fraud. Results indicated that financial pressure, greed, financial benefit and opportunity were reasons why policyholders’ committed insurance fraud in SA. Factors which deterred policyholders from committing insurance fraud included consumer integrity and honesty, fear of being caught and prosecuted and fairness and value for money. vi Respondents indicated that inflated claims were more prevalent than false claims and it was easier to submit an inflated claim than a false claim. Regarding perceptions the study shows that respondents have a more positive view of their own primary insurer than the insurance industry in general, brokers and insurance assessors. Lastly, the research identified five factors that significantly explain levels of short-term insurance fraud tolerance, namely 'Unfairness/injustice', “Have policyholders’ best interest at heart”, 'Industry relations', ‘Opportunity’ and 'Morality'. The findings of this study could be useful to insurers when developing consumer education and awareness programmes. There exists opportunities for future research regarding several aspects of insurance fraud which was not dealt with in this study.
- Full Text:
Geological and geophysical investigations of groundwater resource in the area of Ndlambe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Authors: Mpofu, Mthulisi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Groundwater Geophysical surveys
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18755 , vital:42730
- Description: Groundwater is an essential resource contributing extensively to overall total annual supply. However, overexploitation has depleted groundwater availability significantly and also brought about land subsidence at some places. The evaluation of groundwater potential zones is essential in protecting the quality of water and managing of groundwater structures. The Eastern Cape Province is one of the provinces faced with the challenge of supplying clean fresh water to the communities residing in it. Ndlambe municipality is a case in point where people rely on groundwater for agriculture and domestic activities. Few studies have been undertaken to evaluate groundwater resource in the study area. This study aims to assess groundwater resources as a way of achieving the goal of water sustainability. In the southeast of the Cape Fold Belt (CBF), is the Ndlambe municipality underneath folded Cape and Karoo Supergroup rocks. The rock sequence in the region reflects the geological history over a considerable period. In general, the area of study comprises of the Bokkeveld and Witteberg groups. The Bokkeveld comprises of shale along with sandstone whilst the Witteberg Group consists predominantly of quartzites with minor interbedded shales. The aims of the study were to target potential zones for groundwater exploration, analyse zones of lineaments, investigate the networks of fractures and the mineralogy of the area of study. In line with studies for groundwater exploration, a number of methods were undertaken for obtaining the results. These included literature review, remote sensing and geographic information system, thin section analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), structural analysis and geophysical investigations (magnetic and vertical electrical sounding). Potential zones for groundwater were identified using remote sensing techniques and geographical information systems (GIS). Maps were generated using GIS tools. Geology, slope, lineaments and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were considered as parameters for determining groundwater potential zones. A geological and geophysical study was conducted in the Ndlambe municipality. Twelve samples for thin sections, 12 samples for XRF analysis and 4 samples for SEM analysis were collected at different locations in the area of study and were analysed. Thin section analysis revealed that quartz arenite has been metamorphosed to quartzite due to high pressure and temperatures and the cracks in the quartz grains are due to pressure and brittle deformation that has in turn enhanced secondary porosity resulting in joints and fractures which are good for groundwater movement. Scanning electron microscopy complemented the findings from optical microscopy by revealing splatter pores which are due to intense fracturing and these contribute to increasing permeability of the rock structures. XRF revealed the chemical composition of various rock types in the area of study. The analysed samples were dominated by silica reflecting their source from weathering of silicate rocks. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Al2O3 values of the analysed samples reflected moderate to intensive weathering. In the study area, three main hydrogeologically important structures were taken into account. These included primary structures (bedding), contacts (geological) and secondary structures like fractures and folds. The study area comprises of several faults that are an important factor for porosity and permeability. The study area is dominated by blocky quartz veins that have been crushed due to compression hence higher permeability of groundwater. The Syscal Pro multichannel resistivity equipment was used to conduct the survey using the Schlumberger- Dipole-dipole array on three lines of varying length (350 m, 530 m and 340 m). Data collected were processed using RES2DINV software, producing a subsurface 2-D geoelectrical model from the pseudosections of apparent resistivity. Low resistivities in the study area were inferred to be weathered moist sandstone while low resistivities with depth indicated an overlying zone of fractured sandstone and quartzite which may be hosting some groundwater. An area of low resistivity zones between two large bodies suggests that the massive rock bodies are being weathered and fractured and fractures act as conduits for groundwater. High resistivity values indicate hard rock bodies that are unweathered hence low potential zone for groundwater localisation. The ground magnetic survey was used to delineate the subsurface structures as these control groundwater potential.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mpofu, Mthulisi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Groundwater Geophysical surveys
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18755 , vital:42730
- Description: Groundwater is an essential resource contributing extensively to overall total annual supply. However, overexploitation has depleted groundwater availability significantly and also brought about land subsidence at some places. The evaluation of groundwater potential zones is essential in protecting the quality of water and managing of groundwater structures. The Eastern Cape Province is one of the provinces faced with the challenge of supplying clean fresh water to the communities residing in it. Ndlambe municipality is a case in point where people rely on groundwater for agriculture and domestic activities. Few studies have been undertaken to evaluate groundwater resource in the study area. This study aims to assess groundwater resources as a way of achieving the goal of water sustainability. In the southeast of the Cape Fold Belt (CBF), is the Ndlambe municipality underneath folded Cape and Karoo Supergroup rocks. The rock sequence in the region reflects the geological history over a considerable period. In general, the area of study comprises of the Bokkeveld and Witteberg groups. The Bokkeveld comprises of shale along with sandstone whilst the Witteberg Group consists predominantly of quartzites with minor interbedded shales. The aims of the study were to target potential zones for groundwater exploration, analyse zones of lineaments, investigate the networks of fractures and the mineralogy of the area of study. In line with studies for groundwater exploration, a number of methods were undertaken for obtaining the results. These included literature review, remote sensing and geographic information system, thin section analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), structural analysis and geophysical investigations (magnetic and vertical electrical sounding). Potential zones for groundwater were identified using remote sensing techniques and geographical information systems (GIS). Maps were generated using GIS tools. Geology, slope, lineaments and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were considered as parameters for determining groundwater potential zones. A geological and geophysical study was conducted in the Ndlambe municipality. Twelve samples for thin sections, 12 samples for XRF analysis and 4 samples for SEM analysis were collected at different locations in the area of study and were analysed. Thin section analysis revealed that quartz arenite has been metamorphosed to quartzite due to high pressure and temperatures and the cracks in the quartz grains are due to pressure and brittle deformation that has in turn enhanced secondary porosity resulting in joints and fractures which are good for groundwater movement. Scanning electron microscopy complemented the findings from optical microscopy by revealing splatter pores which are due to intense fracturing and these contribute to increasing permeability of the rock structures. XRF revealed the chemical composition of various rock types in the area of study. The analysed samples were dominated by silica reflecting their source from weathering of silicate rocks. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Al2O3 values of the analysed samples reflected moderate to intensive weathering. In the study area, three main hydrogeologically important structures were taken into account. These included primary structures (bedding), contacts (geological) and secondary structures like fractures and folds. The study area comprises of several faults that are an important factor for porosity and permeability. The study area is dominated by blocky quartz veins that have been crushed due to compression hence higher permeability of groundwater. The Syscal Pro multichannel resistivity equipment was used to conduct the survey using the Schlumberger- Dipole-dipole array on three lines of varying length (350 m, 530 m and 340 m). Data collected were processed using RES2DINV software, producing a subsurface 2-D geoelectrical model from the pseudosections of apparent resistivity. Low resistivities in the study area were inferred to be weathered moist sandstone while low resistivities with depth indicated an overlying zone of fractured sandstone and quartzite which may be hosting some groundwater. An area of low resistivity zones between two large bodies suggests that the massive rock bodies are being weathered and fractured and fractures act as conduits for groundwater. High resistivity values indicate hard rock bodies that are unweathered hence low potential zone for groundwater localisation. The ground magnetic survey was used to delineate the subsurface structures as these control groundwater potential.
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Hegemon and handmaiden: a neo-gramscian approach to South Africa’s position in the global political economy
- Authors: Koza, Zintle
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hegemony
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc (Political Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18325 , vital:42252
- Description: Despite its assumed leadership of and investment in the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa has not developed its own hegemonic project and is consequently unable to exert significant influence over the ideas of the two institutions. Rooted in Antonio Gramsci’s absolute historicism, which locates decisions and actions at the level of the state within specific contexts, Robert Cox’s Method of Historical Structures (MHS) offers a framework that enables an approach informed by Critical Theory to analysing and empirically understanding the underlying factors of this situation. Utilising the three elements of the MHS, namely, material capabilities, ideas and institutions, and applying them to the context of international relations, it was found that South Africa’s choices have been informed by the global context of the post-USSR global arena it entered in 1990. The triumph of the neoliberal world order led by the United States framed the context of South Africa’s engagement with Africa and the world, with its choices informed by a composite of neoliberally defined global social relations of production and ideas that had already elicited global consent. South Africa’s organisation of material capabilities and resources was thus limited within the parameters of a neoliberal world order, and the predominance of institutions that facilitated the penetration of neoliberalism, regionally and globally. The global hegemonic order relies on surrogates for its functioning and South Africa’s subsequent domestic adherence to the hegemonic neoliberal order has been transferred to SADC and, to a limited extent, to the AU through the policies and institutional projects that South Africa has championed since 1994. Nonetheless, in the face of persistent inequality and poverty, internal contestation to this adherence has emanated from trade unions and civil society organisations. It was found that the continued and intensifying domestic contestation iii reinforces the lack of a domestic hegemonic project that could have been projected externally to SADC and the AU, so that South Africa, as a dominant peripheral state in the global world order, displays more characteristics of handmaiden than hegemon.
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- Authors: Koza, Zintle
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hegemony
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc (Political Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18325 , vital:42252
- Description: Despite its assumed leadership of and investment in the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa has not developed its own hegemonic project and is consequently unable to exert significant influence over the ideas of the two institutions. Rooted in Antonio Gramsci’s absolute historicism, which locates decisions and actions at the level of the state within specific contexts, Robert Cox’s Method of Historical Structures (MHS) offers a framework that enables an approach informed by Critical Theory to analysing and empirically understanding the underlying factors of this situation. Utilising the three elements of the MHS, namely, material capabilities, ideas and institutions, and applying them to the context of international relations, it was found that South Africa’s choices have been informed by the global context of the post-USSR global arena it entered in 1990. The triumph of the neoliberal world order led by the United States framed the context of South Africa’s engagement with Africa and the world, with its choices informed by a composite of neoliberally defined global social relations of production and ideas that had already elicited global consent. South Africa’s organisation of material capabilities and resources was thus limited within the parameters of a neoliberal world order, and the predominance of institutions that facilitated the penetration of neoliberalism, regionally and globally. The global hegemonic order relies on surrogates for its functioning and South Africa’s subsequent domestic adherence to the hegemonic neoliberal order has been transferred to SADC and, to a limited extent, to the AU through the policies and institutional projects that South Africa has championed since 1994. Nonetheless, in the face of persistent inequality and poverty, internal contestation to this adherence has emanated from trade unions and civil society organisations. It was found that the continued and intensifying domestic contestation iii reinforces the lack of a domestic hegemonic project that could have been projected externally to SADC and the AU, so that South Africa, as a dominant peripheral state in the global world order, displays more characteristics of handmaiden than hegemon.
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Household and business recycling programs as green strategies for waste management in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Fotoyi, Tenjiwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18687 , vital:42706
- Description: Municipalities in South Africa generate enormous waste which is disposed of in a few landfill sites which, in turn, have a limited life span. Household recycling is one important mechanism that can be used to reduce the amount of waste that reaches overfilled landfill sites. The city of East London is running out of land to dispose waste, and their landfill sites, in particular, are filing up fast. Most of the waste generated, is recyclable, however recycling in the city remains fragmented, and is moving very slowly. This is because of the lack of a co-ordinated approach between the BCMM and the local communities, across the many suburbs of East London. Considering that urban areas have limited space, effective and efficient use of current landfills is of strategic importance. This research therefore will examine ways of improving recycling in East London, addressing challenges facing current recycling. Data for this study was collected from the random administration of 100 questionnaires on different categories of respondents in the study area. The study revealed that by the introduction of the “Hand-on-waste” programme, the waste management personnel have taken the first step towards household waste recycling. However, the level of awareness and knowledge of the public on domestic recycling was quite poor, if residents are given the necessary encouragement, motivation and recycling infrastructure waste minimisation would be achieved
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- Authors: Fotoyi, Tenjiwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18687 , vital:42706
- Description: Municipalities in South Africa generate enormous waste which is disposed of in a few landfill sites which, in turn, have a limited life span. Household recycling is one important mechanism that can be used to reduce the amount of waste that reaches overfilled landfill sites. The city of East London is running out of land to dispose waste, and their landfill sites, in particular, are filing up fast. Most of the waste generated, is recyclable, however recycling in the city remains fragmented, and is moving very slowly. This is because of the lack of a co-ordinated approach between the BCMM and the local communities, across the many suburbs of East London. Considering that urban areas have limited space, effective and efficient use of current landfills is of strategic importance. This research therefore will examine ways of improving recycling in East London, addressing challenges facing current recycling. Data for this study was collected from the random administration of 100 questionnaires on different categories of respondents in the study area. The study revealed that by the introduction of the “Hand-on-waste” programme, the waste management personnel have taken the first step towards household waste recycling. However, the level of awareness and knowledge of the public on domestic recycling was quite poor, if residents are given the necessary encouragement, motivation and recycling infrastructure waste minimisation would be achieved
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Household food insecurity and its association with psychological well-being of pregnant women in Ghana: the role of selected psychosocial factors
- Authors: Addai, Prince
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Food security -- Ghana Households -- Ghana Self-reliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12547 , vital:39286
- Description: The inability to get enough food has contributed immensely to dangers confronting pregnant women, especially in the developing countries. Food insecurity has been associated with a variety of negative consequences such as poor health and wellbeing. However, the impact of food insecurity on well-being has not received the needed attention by researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa where the state of food insecurity and its consequence is very pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of food insecurity on psychological well-being and its components among pregnant women in Northern Ghana and to assess the roles of self-esteem, locus of control, proactivity, and social support on the underlying relationship. The cross-sectional survey was adopted where 386 pregnant women were recruited to complete questionnaires on demographic, some psychological factors, psychological well-being and food insecurity. Dimensionality and Item analyses were conducted to detect complex and poor items and also to ensure unidimensionality. Regression analysis, MANOVA, Baron and Kenney Model of moderation and mediation, the multivariate ANOVA and the Two-way ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that the measurement and the structural models showed a good fit with the observed data. Results showed that about 37.5% (n=144) out of the 384 pregnant women experienced severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was negatively significantly related with psychological well-being and all its components among pregnant women. Food insecurity elucidated 48.5% of the observed variance of food insecurity. Food insecurity correlated highly to personal growth (β = -.327) element of psychological well-being compared to autonomy (β = -.227), interpersonal relationship (β = -.207), environmental mastery (β = -.168), self-acceptance (β = -.117), and of purpose in life (β = -.107). Self-esteem and locus of control mediated the relationship between food insecurity and psychological well-being. Proactivity and social support also moderated the nexus between food insecurity and psychological well-being. 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper Having higher income status and being employed were associated positively with higher psychological well-being. Support was not found for the nexus between marital status and age with psychological well-being. Recommendations are made for pregnant mothers to be supported and empowered to boost their self-esteem and make them proactive.
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- Authors: Addai, Prince
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Food security -- Ghana Households -- Ghana Self-reliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12547 , vital:39286
- Description: The inability to get enough food has contributed immensely to dangers confronting pregnant women, especially in the developing countries. Food insecurity has been associated with a variety of negative consequences such as poor health and wellbeing. However, the impact of food insecurity on well-being has not received the needed attention by researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa where the state of food insecurity and its consequence is very pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of food insecurity on psychological well-being and its components among pregnant women in Northern Ghana and to assess the roles of self-esteem, locus of control, proactivity, and social support on the underlying relationship. The cross-sectional survey was adopted where 386 pregnant women were recruited to complete questionnaires on demographic, some psychological factors, psychological well-being and food insecurity. Dimensionality and Item analyses were conducted to detect complex and poor items and also to ensure unidimensionality. Regression analysis, MANOVA, Baron and Kenney Model of moderation and mediation, the multivariate ANOVA and the Two-way ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that the measurement and the structural models showed a good fit with the observed data. Results showed that about 37.5% (n=144) out of the 384 pregnant women experienced severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was negatively significantly related with psychological well-being and all its components among pregnant women. Food insecurity elucidated 48.5% of the observed variance of food insecurity. Food insecurity correlated highly to personal growth (β = -.327) element of psychological well-being compared to autonomy (β = -.227), interpersonal relationship (β = -.207), environmental mastery (β = -.168), self-acceptance (β = -.117), and of purpose in life (β = -.107). Self-esteem and locus of control mediated the relationship between food insecurity and psychological well-being. Proactivity and social support also moderated the nexus between food insecurity and psychological well-being. 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper Having higher income status and being employed were associated positively with higher psychological well-being. Support was not found for the nexus between marital status and age with psychological well-being. Recommendations are made for pregnant mothers to be supported and empowered to boost their self-esteem and make them proactive.
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