Exploring and describing depressogenic cognitive schema, levels of depression and hopelessness among depressed and non depressed adults
- Authors: Ahlfeldt, Alan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Depression, Mental -- South Africa , Depressed persons -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/393 , Depression, Mental -- South Africa , Depressed persons -- South Africa
- Description: The subject of mood disorders and in particular depression is pertinent with rapidly increasing incidences of depression and suicide a widespread phenomenon in the world today. In South Africa, the rates of depression are increasing steadily each year. Much research has been undertaken in the area of depression, with negative cognitive schema identified as a common factor, which increases an individual’s vulnerability or diathesis to depression and hopelessness. The primary aims of this research are to explore and describe the depressogenic cognitive schema of both a depressed as well as normal (nondepressed) individuals and identify the relationship these schema have to levels of depression and hopelessness. In order to achieve these objectives, three measures were administered, the Beck’s Depression Inventory, the Beck’s Hopelessness Scale and the Inferential Style Questionnaire. The research design is quantitative in nature and took the form of an exploratory-descriptive study. The researcher made use of frequency tests to identify frequencies of scores and descriptive statistics to identify the mean, range and standard deviations. T tests, a Pearson product- moment correlation coefficient and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) were also employed for statistical analysis within this research study. The findings of this research study identify that the depressed sample scored higher levels of depression, hopelessness and negative inferential style than that of the normal sample.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Ahlfeldt, Alan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Depression, Mental -- South Africa , Depressed persons -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/393 , Depression, Mental -- South Africa , Depressed persons -- South Africa
- Description: The subject of mood disorders and in particular depression is pertinent with rapidly increasing incidences of depression and suicide a widespread phenomenon in the world today. In South Africa, the rates of depression are increasing steadily each year. Much research has been undertaken in the area of depression, with negative cognitive schema identified as a common factor, which increases an individual’s vulnerability or diathesis to depression and hopelessness. The primary aims of this research are to explore and describe the depressogenic cognitive schema of both a depressed as well as normal (nondepressed) individuals and identify the relationship these schema have to levels of depression and hopelessness. In order to achieve these objectives, three measures were administered, the Beck’s Depression Inventory, the Beck’s Hopelessness Scale and the Inferential Style Questionnaire. The research design is quantitative in nature and took the form of an exploratory-descriptive study. The researcher made use of frequency tests to identify frequencies of scores and descriptive statistics to identify the mean, range and standard deviations. T tests, a Pearson product- moment correlation coefficient and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) were also employed for statistical analysis within this research study. The findings of this research study identify that the depressed sample scored higher levels of depression, hopelessness and negative inferential style than that of the normal sample.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Public sector pharmacists' perception of the public sector performance management system
- Authors: Ranchod, Shameem Roshnee
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Pharmacy management , Performance standards , Public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10077 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/596 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011728 , Performance -- Management , Pharmacy management , Performance standards , Public administration
- Description: Performance Management aims to develop the employee and ensure that the work which the employee does is in line with organisational goals. However, many managers and employees do not like performance management systems and very often, for this reason, such a system does not succeed in meeting the organisation’s goals. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions towards the performance management system of pharmacists working in the public sector. A questionnaire was compiled and pharmacists working in all public sector hospitals, provincial and municipal clinics and medical depots were asked to complete the questionnaire. The response rate was 66 percent. Seventy three percent of respondents had never undergone a performance evaluation, 75 percent stated it did not motivate them, 62.5 percent felt it did not improve poor performance, 90.6 percent felt the Performance Appraisal System did not reward good performance sufficiently and 63.6 percent felt it did not help with career progression. Seventy eight percent believed that the Performance Appraisal System did not effectively measure the pharmacists’ performance, and 82 percent felt that the System needed to be developed further. At least four evaluations should have been completed per year, yet 85 percent of respondents had experienced three or fewer evaluations since the System had been introduced. The analysis of the responses indicated that there was great dissatisfaction with the current performance management system. A few of the reasons are that the system in place did not effectively measure the pharmacists performance, that additional work done was not recognised, and that the process was extremely time-consuming. It may be concluded that the government needs to address the current problems being experienced with this system, as at present, it is not meeting the objectives it was intended to meet.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Ranchod, Shameem Roshnee
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Pharmacy management , Performance standards , Public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10077 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/596 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011728 , Performance -- Management , Pharmacy management , Performance standards , Public administration
- Description: Performance Management aims to develop the employee and ensure that the work which the employee does is in line with organisational goals. However, many managers and employees do not like performance management systems and very often, for this reason, such a system does not succeed in meeting the organisation’s goals. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions towards the performance management system of pharmacists working in the public sector. A questionnaire was compiled and pharmacists working in all public sector hospitals, provincial and municipal clinics and medical depots were asked to complete the questionnaire. The response rate was 66 percent. Seventy three percent of respondents had never undergone a performance evaluation, 75 percent stated it did not motivate them, 62.5 percent felt it did not improve poor performance, 90.6 percent felt the Performance Appraisal System did not reward good performance sufficiently and 63.6 percent felt it did not help with career progression. Seventy eight percent believed that the Performance Appraisal System did not effectively measure the pharmacists’ performance, and 82 percent felt that the System needed to be developed further. At least four evaluations should have been completed per year, yet 85 percent of respondents had experienced three or fewer evaluations since the System had been introduced. The analysis of the responses indicated that there was great dissatisfaction with the current performance management system. A few of the reasons are that the system in place did not effectively measure the pharmacists performance, that additional work done was not recognised, and that the process was extremely time-consuming. It may be concluded that the government needs to address the current problems being experienced with this system, as at present, it is not meeting the objectives it was intended to meet.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Reflections of South African nurses migrating to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a framework for support
- Authors: Telford-Smith, Colette
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Nurses -- Supply and demand -- Saudi Arabia , Nurses -- Employment -- Foreign countries , Saudi Arabia -- Emigration and immigration , Brain drain -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10017 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/401 , Nurses -- Supply and demand -- Saudi Arabia , Nurses -- Employment -- Foreign countries , Saudi Arabia -- Emigration and immigration , Brain drain -- South Africa
- Description: The last decade has seen an exodus of South African nurses migrating to "greener pastures". As a result of this migration, the South African Healthcare Service has been drained of one of its most essential resources – nurses. Subsequently, the crippling flight of nurses has thrown the nursing profession into a state of crisis. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the more popular destinations for South African nurses, the main reason being the attractive financial rewards. One agency reports that they send an average of thirty nurses a month to various hospitals within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country. Due to the uniqueness of the enforcement of the Islamic faith and the Saudi culture, many restrictions are imposed, particularly on women. The challenges and problems facing the South African nurses were, therefore, unique compared to elsewhere in the world. This research study had a primary and a secondary objective: The primary objective of this study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of South African nurses related to living and working in Saudi Arabia; The secondary objective of this study was to develop orientation guidelines to support South African nurses working and living in Saudi Arabia. The researcher utilized a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design based on a phenomenological approach to inquiry, in an attempt to answer the question: "What are the professional and personal experiences of the South African registered nurses working and living in Saudi Arabia?" Eleven registered nurses were selected to participate by means of purposive sampling. These nurses had been living in Saudi Arabia between three and six months. Consent was obtained from participants and the ethics committee of both the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. The central theme emanating from the study was recognized as being 'Cultural Diversity'. The sub-themes identified related to the registered nurses’: - Religious/spiritual adaptation - Environmental adaptation - Emotional/psychological adaptation - Professional adaptation Based on the identified themes, guidelines were formulated to assist South African registered nurses when migrating to Saudi Arabia. Utilization of these should assist the South African registered nurse in assimilating into both the cultural and working environment. However, in reality, the outcome showed that no one can be prepared fully for what awaits them in Saudi Arabia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Reflections of South African nurses migrating to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a framework for support
- Authors: Telford-Smith, Colette
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Nurses -- Supply and demand -- Saudi Arabia , Nurses -- Employment -- Foreign countries , Saudi Arabia -- Emigration and immigration , Brain drain -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10017 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/401 , Nurses -- Supply and demand -- Saudi Arabia , Nurses -- Employment -- Foreign countries , Saudi Arabia -- Emigration and immigration , Brain drain -- South Africa
- Description: The last decade has seen an exodus of South African nurses migrating to "greener pastures". As a result of this migration, the South African Healthcare Service has been drained of one of its most essential resources – nurses. Subsequently, the crippling flight of nurses has thrown the nursing profession into a state of crisis. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the more popular destinations for South African nurses, the main reason being the attractive financial rewards. One agency reports that they send an average of thirty nurses a month to various hospitals within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country. Due to the uniqueness of the enforcement of the Islamic faith and the Saudi culture, many restrictions are imposed, particularly on women. The challenges and problems facing the South African nurses were, therefore, unique compared to elsewhere in the world. This research study had a primary and a secondary objective: The primary objective of this study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of South African nurses related to living and working in Saudi Arabia; The secondary objective of this study was to develop orientation guidelines to support South African nurses working and living in Saudi Arabia. The researcher utilized a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design based on a phenomenological approach to inquiry, in an attempt to answer the question: "What are the professional and personal experiences of the South African registered nurses working and living in Saudi Arabia?" Eleven registered nurses were selected to participate by means of purposive sampling. These nurses had been living in Saudi Arabia between three and six months. Consent was obtained from participants and the ethics committee of both the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. The central theme emanating from the study was recognized as being 'Cultural Diversity'. The sub-themes identified related to the registered nurses’: - Religious/spiritual adaptation - Environmental adaptation - Emotional/psychological adaptation - Professional adaptation Based on the identified themes, guidelines were formulated to assist South African registered nurses when migrating to Saudi Arabia. Utilization of these should assist the South African registered nurse in assimilating into both the cultural and working environment. However, in reality, the outcome showed that no one can be prepared fully for what awaits them in Saudi Arabia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Registered nurses' knowledge related to the management of patients with diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA)
- Authors: Fourie, René
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Diabetic acidosis -- Nursing -- South Africa , Nurses -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/448 , Diabetic acidosis -- Nursing -- South Africa , Nurses -- South Africa
- Description: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is on the increase globally, with further increases expected in developing countries, such as South Africa. World Health Organization (Medical Chronicle, 2006:14) estimations indicate that the number of DM sufferers will double over the next 30 years. This increasing number of diabetics is expected to have enormous economical implications. One of the consequences of the increase in DM sufferers is the increase in deaths due to diabetes related complications. In 2000, 3.2 million people died of DM and diabetes related complications compared with 3 million who died from HIV/AIDS related illnesses (William & Pickup, 2004:64). Health services are financially burdened by DM complications that result in heavy demands in both direct costs of hospitalization and medication as well as indirect costs such as manpower of staff involved in the care of the patient (Leuner, 2000:410). Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a prominent life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus and, if not treated medically, it can lead to coma and death. DKA accounts for 14 per cent of all diabetic related hospital admissions and has a mortality rate of 5 to 10 per cent (Pickup & Williams, 2003:1). Rapid identification of DKA is necessary to improve patient care. George- Gray and Chernecky (2002:96) suggest patient outcomes are affected by the nurse’s ability to recognize the clinical features of DKA. It is important, therefore, for the nurses to understand the signs and symptoms and treatment of this diabetes related complication. National health policies and treatment guidelines should be aimed at addressing DKA treatment through setting guidelines for diabetic care (Peters, 2004:22). The main goal of this study was to determine registered nurses’ knowledge of DKA and to develop guidelines to assist registered nurses in providing adequate and effective health care to prevent DKA reoccurrence. The research study is based pm Bergam’s model on quality of care and accountability. Bergman claims that several preconditions must be filled in order to be accountable, including: • Accountability • Responsibility • Authority • Ability (Bergman (1982:8) emphasizes that ability reflects the registered nurses’ accountability, which is composed of values, knowledge and skills.) The study was divided into two phases. Phase one determined registered nurses’ knowledge related to the management of DKA. Phase two of the study included the developing guidelines to assist registered nurses in providing adequate and effective health care to patients with DKA. The design of the study is quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual; a survey was performed using a questionnaire based on a literature study. Ethical principals were maintained throughout the study. Permission to the study was sought from the Local Health Authorities and the heads of department where the research was undertaken. Findings of the research were analysed and discussed in the research. The knowledge of the majority of the respondents was found to be average. Out of the thirty- two respondents 52.8 percent possessed adequate knowledge the management of DKA and 63.4 percent possessed adequate knowledge on the management of DM. Two recommendations to assist registered nurses in the implementation of guidelines of the recommendations were also provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Registered nurses' knowledge related to the management of patients with diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA)
- Authors: Fourie, René
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Diabetic acidosis -- Nursing -- South Africa , Nurses -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/448 , Diabetic acidosis -- Nursing -- South Africa , Nurses -- South Africa
- Description: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is on the increase globally, with further increases expected in developing countries, such as South Africa. World Health Organization (Medical Chronicle, 2006:14) estimations indicate that the number of DM sufferers will double over the next 30 years. This increasing number of diabetics is expected to have enormous economical implications. One of the consequences of the increase in DM sufferers is the increase in deaths due to diabetes related complications. In 2000, 3.2 million people died of DM and diabetes related complications compared with 3 million who died from HIV/AIDS related illnesses (William & Pickup, 2004:64). Health services are financially burdened by DM complications that result in heavy demands in both direct costs of hospitalization and medication as well as indirect costs such as manpower of staff involved in the care of the patient (Leuner, 2000:410). Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a prominent life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus and, if not treated medically, it can lead to coma and death. DKA accounts for 14 per cent of all diabetic related hospital admissions and has a mortality rate of 5 to 10 per cent (Pickup & Williams, 2003:1). Rapid identification of DKA is necessary to improve patient care. George- Gray and Chernecky (2002:96) suggest patient outcomes are affected by the nurse’s ability to recognize the clinical features of DKA. It is important, therefore, for the nurses to understand the signs and symptoms and treatment of this diabetes related complication. National health policies and treatment guidelines should be aimed at addressing DKA treatment through setting guidelines for diabetic care (Peters, 2004:22). The main goal of this study was to determine registered nurses’ knowledge of DKA and to develop guidelines to assist registered nurses in providing adequate and effective health care to prevent DKA reoccurrence. The research study is based pm Bergam’s model on quality of care and accountability. Bergman claims that several preconditions must be filled in order to be accountable, including: • Accountability • Responsibility • Authority • Ability (Bergman (1982:8) emphasizes that ability reflects the registered nurses’ accountability, which is composed of values, knowledge and skills.) The study was divided into two phases. Phase one determined registered nurses’ knowledge related to the management of DKA. Phase two of the study included the developing guidelines to assist registered nurses in providing adequate and effective health care to patients with DKA. The design of the study is quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual; a survey was performed using a questionnaire based on a literature study. Ethical principals were maintained throughout the study. Permission to the study was sought from the Local Health Authorities and the heads of department where the research was undertaken. Findings of the research were analysed and discussed in the research. The knowledge of the majority of the respondents was found to be average. Out of the thirty- two respondents 52.8 percent possessed adequate knowledge the management of DKA and 63.4 percent possessed adequate knowledge on the management of DM. Two recommendations to assist registered nurses in the implementation of guidelines of the recommendations were also provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Registered nurses' perceptions of factors causing stress in the intensive care environment in state hospitals
- Authors: Beau, S P
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Intensive care nursing -- South Africa , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa , Stress management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/457 , Intensive care nursing -- South Africa , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa , Stress management -- South Africa
- Description: The complex environment of an intensive care unit is associated with a considerable amount of stress. Intensive care nurses are confronted daily with increasing work demands, emanating from the growing numbers of critically-ill patients; the introduction of highly sophisticated technologies in the intensive care environment; increasing competition between health care institutions; increased work loads; and limited career opportunities caused by, among other things, budget cuts by the government (Janssen, De Jonge & Bakker, 1999:1360). Research has shown that such stressors can result in mental, physical and behavioural stress reactions among nurses (Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner and Schaufeli, 2000:454). The objective of this study is to explore and describe registered nurses’ perceptions of factors causing stress in intensive care environments of state hospitals. The main purpose of the study is to develop guidelines for a stress management programme, to assist registered nurses to cope with the stressors in an intensive care environment. The research design is placed within a quantitative, explorative and descriptive contextual framework. Validity and reliability in testing and evaluating the research questionnaire are discussed, as well as the ethical and legal considerations relating to this research study. Findings of the research study will be utilized to assist the researcher in developing guidelines for a stress management programme to assist registered nurses in coping with stress in an intensive care environment
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Beau, S P
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Intensive care nursing -- South Africa , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa , Stress management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/457 , Intensive care nursing -- South Africa , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa , Stress management -- South Africa
- Description: The complex environment of an intensive care unit is associated with a considerable amount of stress. Intensive care nurses are confronted daily with increasing work demands, emanating from the growing numbers of critically-ill patients; the introduction of highly sophisticated technologies in the intensive care environment; increasing competition between health care institutions; increased work loads; and limited career opportunities caused by, among other things, budget cuts by the government (Janssen, De Jonge & Bakker, 1999:1360). Research has shown that such stressors can result in mental, physical and behavioural stress reactions among nurses (Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner and Schaufeli, 2000:454). The objective of this study is to explore and describe registered nurses’ perceptions of factors causing stress in intensive care environments of state hospitals. The main purpose of the study is to develop guidelines for a stress management programme, to assist registered nurses to cope with the stressors in an intensive care environment. The research design is placed within a quantitative, explorative and descriptive contextual framework. Validity and reliability in testing and evaluating the research questionnaire are discussed, as well as the ethical and legal considerations relating to this research study. Findings of the research study will be utilized to assist the researcher in developing guidelines for a stress management programme to assist registered nurses in coping with stress in an intensive care environment
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The appropriateness of Holland's interest code typology for South African field guides
- Authors: Allen, Lynda Jean
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Personality and occupation -- South Africa , Vocational interests -- South Africa , Personality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/432 , Personality and occupation -- South Africa , Vocational interests -- South Africa , Personality
- Description: The foundational principles of Holland’s (1985b, 1992, 1997) vocational theory state that career choice is an expression of personality, in that individuals with specific personality types seek out work or learning environments that match their personality types. Furthermore, interest inventories such as the Self-Directed Search (Holland, Powell, & Fritzsche, 1994) can be regarded as personality inventories and used to ensure that individuals find themselves in a working environment that is best suited to their interests and personality type. In addition to instruments that measure interests, Holland also developed dictionaries of occupations coded according to the characteristics and interests of different occupations and working environments, such as the Dictionary of Holland occupational codes (Gottfredson & Holland, 1996). The level of congruence between personality types and occupational types is linked to career satisfaction, stability and achievement. This premise only holds true, however, if the codes for the occupational environment suggested by Holland (1985c) are, in fact, valid. In other words, do the codes suggested by Holland match the personality types of individuals entering or who are already employed in a particular work or learning environment? There have been many studies conducted with regard to the validity of Holland’s prescribed interest typology codes. Spokane, Meier and Catalano (2000) located a large number of empirical studies published since 1985 that relate directly to the validity of Holland’s codes, many of which have suggested that the existing codes may not be valid. There is a scarcity of such research in South Africa, especially with regard to vital and growing occupational fields, such as the ecotourism industry, that are so important to the economic well-being of the country. Consequently, the overall aim of the present study was to explore and describe the interest codes of male and female South African student and working field guides in order to discuss the appropriateness of the occupational codes prescribed by Holland for the field guiding profession. The quantitative design of the study was exploratory-descriptive in nature and made use of the Self-Directed Search Questionnaire (Holland, Fritzsche, & Powell, 1994). The total sample consisted of 100 participants (68 male and 32 female), constituting 40 working field guides and 60 field guide students. Descriptive analyses were conducted with the use of frequency tables, charts, means and standard ix deviations. In addition, Independent sample t-tests were computed in order to describe and compare the mean scores of the interests for males and females, and to compare the mean scores of the interests for student and working field guides. The results of this study suggest that the prescribed occupational code (SRI; Social, Realistic, Investigative) for South African field guides may not be appropriate and that an interest profile such as SREI AC may be more appropriate. These results, in combination with the findings of the research review, suggest the need for a more extensive, cross-cultural study to determine the appropriateness of Holland’s occupational codes for South African occupations, which may lead to a revision of the South African Dictionary of Occupations (Taljaard & von Mollendorf, 1987).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Allen, Lynda Jean
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Personality and occupation -- South Africa , Vocational interests -- South Africa , Personality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/432 , Personality and occupation -- South Africa , Vocational interests -- South Africa , Personality
- Description: The foundational principles of Holland’s (1985b, 1992, 1997) vocational theory state that career choice is an expression of personality, in that individuals with specific personality types seek out work or learning environments that match their personality types. Furthermore, interest inventories such as the Self-Directed Search (Holland, Powell, & Fritzsche, 1994) can be regarded as personality inventories and used to ensure that individuals find themselves in a working environment that is best suited to their interests and personality type. In addition to instruments that measure interests, Holland also developed dictionaries of occupations coded according to the characteristics and interests of different occupations and working environments, such as the Dictionary of Holland occupational codes (Gottfredson & Holland, 1996). The level of congruence between personality types and occupational types is linked to career satisfaction, stability and achievement. This premise only holds true, however, if the codes for the occupational environment suggested by Holland (1985c) are, in fact, valid. In other words, do the codes suggested by Holland match the personality types of individuals entering or who are already employed in a particular work or learning environment? There have been many studies conducted with regard to the validity of Holland’s prescribed interest typology codes. Spokane, Meier and Catalano (2000) located a large number of empirical studies published since 1985 that relate directly to the validity of Holland’s codes, many of which have suggested that the existing codes may not be valid. There is a scarcity of such research in South Africa, especially with regard to vital and growing occupational fields, such as the ecotourism industry, that are so important to the economic well-being of the country. Consequently, the overall aim of the present study was to explore and describe the interest codes of male and female South African student and working field guides in order to discuss the appropriateness of the occupational codes prescribed by Holland for the field guiding profession. The quantitative design of the study was exploratory-descriptive in nature and made use of the Self-Directed Search Questionnaire (Holland, Fritzsche, & Powell, 1994). The total sample consisted of 100 participants (68 male and 32 female), constituting 40 working field guides and 60 field guide students. Descriptive analyses were conducted with the use of frequency tables, charts, means and standard ix deviations. In addition, Independent sample t-tests were computed in order to describe and compare the mean scores of the interests for males and females, and to compare the mean scores of the interests for student and working field guides. The results of this study suggest that the prescribed occupational code (SRI; Social, Realistic, Investigative) for South African field guides may not be appropriate and that an interest profile such as SREI AC may be more appropriate. These results, in combination with the findings of the research review, suggest the need for a more extensive, cross-cultural study to determine the appropriateness of Holland’s occupational codes for South African occupations, which may lead to a revision of the South African Dictionary of Occupations (Taljaard & von Mollendorf, 1987).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The career development of South African Grade 11 adolescents a career systems and discursive perspective
- Authors: Kuit, Wim
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Career development -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/462 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011929 , Career development -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Description: Career psychology in South Africa has traditionally been constituted by the vocabularies, assessment methods, counselling practices and research objectives of the modernist-positivist paradigm. This paradigm has produced a rich but disparate and fragmented range of career theories, research perspectives and career education practices that have been limited in their consideration and integration of the broad range of contextual factors that influence the career development of South African adolescents in unique ways. This limitation has had, and still has, the potential of promoting prescriptive and disqualifying constructions of career development for South African youth. A search for alternatives to traditional modernist-positivist understandings of career has led, however, to a further fragmentation of the career field into what can broadly be termed qualitative and quantitative approaches. This twofold fragmentation, as well as the dynamic complexity of the world of work in the twenty-first century, has inspired this study’s investigation of an integrating framework that employs a wide range of career theoretical perspectives in the service of constructing experience-near accounts of the complex and fluid interrelationship between individual career makers and their specific social, environmental and societal contexts. The present study has therefore employed the Systems Theory Framework (STF) in investigating and co-constructing representations of the career development of a group of South African adolescents in a way that acknowledges their unique systems of career influence and discursive contexts. The research adopted an exploratory-descriptive design in collaborating with the participants in this investigation. In the first phase of the study a sample of 70 grade 11 male and female adolescents from middle socioeconomic status environments were invited to complete the My Systems of Career Influences (MSCI) workbook in re-presenting systemic constructions of their career development. Tesch’s model of qualitative content analysis and frequency counts has been used to re-present that process to you in this text. In the second phase of the study the researcher collaborated with one participant in a systemic narrative career counselling process. During this process an account of the participant’s career narrative was co-constructed in conversations guided by a poststructural narrative approach to career counselling and the MSCI’s structuring of the participant’s complex systems of influence. The co-constructed account was critically examined according to Parker’s approach to discourse analysis. The second phase investigated how the counselling and research processes had positioned the participant in relation to her influential systems and their privileged discourses of career development. The study is particularly pertinent to a growing need for the development of respectful, critical and non-discriminatory career assessment, career research and career counselling collaborations between professionals and career makers navigating the unique and diverse South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Kuit, Wim
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Career development -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/462 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011929 , Career development -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Description: Career psychology in South Africa has traditionally been constituted by the vocabularies, assessment methods, counselling practices and research objectives of the modernist-positivist paradigm. This paradigm has produced a rich but disparate and fragmented range of career theories, research perspectives and career education practices that have been limited in their consideration and integration of the broad range of contextual factors that influence the career development of South African adolescents in unique ways. This limitation has had, and still has, the potential of promoting prescriptive and disqualifying constructions of career development for South African youth. A search for alternatives to traditional modernist-positivist understandings of career has led, however, to a further fragmentation of the career field into what can broadly be termed qualitative and quantitative approaches. This twofold fragmentation, as well as the dynamic complexity of the world of work in the twenty-first century, has inspired this study’s investigation of an integrating framework that employs a wide range of career theoretical perspectives in the service of constructing experience-near accounts of the complex and fluid interrelationship between individual career makers and their specific social, environmental and societal contexts. The present study has therefore employed the Systems Theory Framework (STF) in investigating and co-constructing representations of the career development of a group of South African adolescents in a way that acknowledges their unique systems of career influence and discursive contexts. The research adopted an exploratory-descriptive design in collaborating with the participants in this investigation. In the first phase of the study a sample of 70 grade 11 male and female adolescents from middle socioeconomic status environments were invited to complete the My Systems of Career Influences (MSCI) workbook in re-presenting systemic constructions of their career development. Tesch’s model of qualitative content analysis and frequency counts has been used to re-present that process to you in this text. In the second phase of the study the researcher collaborated with one participant in a systemic narrative career counselling process. During this process an account of the participant’s career narrative was co-constructed in conversations guided by a poststructural narrative approach to career counselling and the MSCI’s structuring of the participant’s complex systems of influence. The co-constructed account was critically examined according to Parker’s approach to discourse analysis. The second phase investigated how the counselling and research processes had positioned the participant in relation to her influential systems and their privileged discourses of career development. The study is particularly pertinent to a growing need for the development of respectful, critical and non-discriminatory career assessment, career research and career counselling collaborations between professionals and career makers navigating the unique and diverse South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The coping orientation and resources of teachers educating learners with intellectual disabilities
- Authors: Jacobs, Tracey Senora
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Special education teachers -- Job stress -- South Africa , Adjustment (Psychology) -- South Africa -- Testing , Teachers of children with mental disabilities -- Psychological testing -- South Africa , Coping Responses Inventory -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/460 , Special education teachers -- Job stress -- South Africa , Adjustment (Psychology) -- South Africa -- Testing , Teachers of children with mental disabilities -- Psychological testing -- South Africa , Coping Responses Inventory -- South Africa
- Description: An overview of recent literature and research indicates that stress in teaching is now a wellrecognised phenomenon. More specifically, research has found special education to be more demanding than mainstream education. However, in comparison with the literature on mainstream education, both South African and international research relating to special education do not occupy prominent status in the literature. This study thus aims to explore and describe the coping orientation and resources of teachers educating learners with intellectual disabilities. The sample consisted of 59 special education teachers (49 females and 10 males) in the Nelson Mandela Metropole who educate learners with intellectual disabilities. The special education teachers who agreed to participate in the study were requested to complete a biographical questionnaire, Antonovsky’s Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-29) and Hammer and Marting’s Coping Resources Inventory (CRI). An exploratory, descriptive design was utilised in this study. The data for this study was analysed by using descriptive and correlation statistics. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was utilized in order to explore and describe the relationship between the sense of coherence and the coping resources of the sample. Key findings include the following: Results from the SOC-29 revealed fairly high mean scores for the current sample. Results from the CRI indicated average mean scores on both the total coping resources scale and all five subscales. Significant positive relationships were found to exist between the SOC-29 and the CRI for the current sample. Significant positive relationships were also found between the SOC-29 score and some of the subscale scores of the CRI for the current sample. In general, the findings of the present study reveal a need for further research on special education teachers. The focus should not only be limited to the pathogenic orientation, but should include more salutogenic approaches to better assist special education teachers to more effectively cope with their challenging work environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Jacobs, Tracey Senora
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Special education teachers -- Job stress -- South Africa , Adjustment (Psychology) -- South Africa -- Testing , Teachers of children with mental disabilities -- Psychological testing -- South Africa , Coping Responses Inventory -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/460 , Special education teachers -- Job stress -- South Africa , Adjustment (Psychology) -- South Africa -- Testing , Teachers of children with mental disabilities -- Psychological testing -- South Africa , Coping Responses Inventory -- South Africa
- Description: An overview of recent literature and research indicates that stress in teaching is now a wellrecognised phenomenon. More specifically, research has found special education to be more demanding than mainstream education. However, in comparison with the literature on mainstream education, both South African and international research relating to special education do not occupy prominent status in the literature. This study thus aims to explore and describe the coping orientation and resources of teachers educating learners with intellectual disabilities. The sample consisted of 59 special education teachers (49 females and 10 males) in the Nelson Mandela Metropole who educate learners with intellectual disabilities. The special education teachers who agreed to participate in the study were requested to complete a biographical questionnaire, Antonovsky’s Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-29) and Hammer and Marting’s Coping Resources Inventory (CRI). An exploratory, descriptive design was utilised in this study. The data for this study was analysed by using descriptive and correlation statistics. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was utilized in order to explore and describe the relationship between the sense of coherence and the coping resources of the sample. Key findings include the following: Results from the SOC-29 revealed fairly high mean scores for the current sample. Results from the CRI indicated average mean scores on both the total coping resources scale and all five subscales. Significant positive relationships were found to exist between the SOC-29 and the CRI for the current sample. Significant positive relationships were also found between the SOC-29 score and some of the subscale scores of the CRI for the current sample. In general, the findings of the present study reveal a need for further research on special education teachers. The focus should not only be limited to the pathogenic orientation, but should include more salutogenic approaches to better assist special education teachers to more effectively cope with their challenging work environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The experience of adolescense girls regarding verbal bullying in secondary school
- Authors: Jacobs, Ruwayda
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Teenage girls -- Mental health -- South Africa , Bullying in schools -- South Africa , Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10045 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/449 , Teenage girls -- Mental health -- South Africa , Bullying in schools -- South Africa , Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa
- Description: The experience of verbal bullying at school may cause a female adolescent much distress. This distress can result in the adolescent experiencing life as traumatic and may influence her sense of well being negatively. Verbal bullying usually takes the form of name-calling, put-downs and insults. This can be very traumatic for adolescents and can lower their self-esteem, which may eventually lead to mental illness. The parents of adolescent learners often have the misconception that bullying is a normal part of a teenager’s life and are unaware of the distress it may cause the adolescent. The victimized adolescent should, therefore, be provided with support in order to avert the occurrence of mental illness. The goals of this study were to: • Explore and describe the experiences of adolescent girls regarding verbal bullying in secondary school settings. • Develop guidelines to assist mental health nursing specialists in helping adolescent girls to cope with bullying in secondary schools. The researcher used a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design with a phenomenological approach. The research population consisted of female learners in a secondary school setting. Purposive sampling was used in this study to identify participants. Data was collected by means of naïve sketches, one-to-one-interviews and field notes based on observations. Data was analyzed using Tesch’s method (in Creswell, 1994:190) of descriptive analysis. The identified themes were compared to available literature. The data collected from this study was used to develop guidelines to aid mental health nursing specialists to help adolescents to cope with verbal bullying.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Jacobs, Ruwayda
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Teenage girls -- Mental health -- South Africa , Bullying in schools -- South Africa , Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10045 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/449 , Teenage girls -- Mental health -- South Africa , Bullying in schools -- South Africa , Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa
- Description: The experience of verbal bullying at school may cause a female adolescent much distress. This distress can result in the adolescent experiencing life as traumatic and may influence her sense of well being negatively. Verbal bullying usually takes the form of name-calling, put-downs and insults. This can be very traumatic for adolescents and can lower their self-esteem, which may eventually lead to mental illness. The parents of adolescent learners often have the misconception that bullying is a normal part of a teenager’s life and are unaware of the distress it may cause the adolescent. The victimized adolescent should, therefore, be provided with support in order to avert the occurrence of mental illness. The goals of this study were to: • Explore and describe the experiences of adolescent girls regarding verbal bullying in secondary school settings. • Develop guidelines to assist mental health nursing specialists in helping adolescent girls to cope with bullying in secondary schools. The researcher used a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design with a phenomenological approach. The research population consisted of female learners in a secondary school setting. Purposive sampling was used in this study to identify participants. Data was collected by means of naïve sketches, one-to-one-interviews and field notes based on observations. Data was analyzed using Tesch’s method (in Creswell, 1994:190) of descriptive analysis. The identified themes were compared to available literature. The data collected from this study was used to develop guidelines to aid mental health nursing specialists to help adolescents to cope with verbal bullying.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The experiences and perceptions of midwives at Provincial Hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality regarding exclusive breastfeeding by HIV positive first-time mothers
- Authors: Moobi, Emily Keadimilwe
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Breastfeeding -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Midwives -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Attitudes , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10016 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/427 , Breastfeeding -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Midwives -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Attitudes , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Prevention
- Description: The Department of Health in South Africa, as in many countries, has developed a policy guideline and recommendations for feeding of infants of HIV positive mothers. This is aimed at providing midwives with detailed and sound information about HIV and infant feeding practices based on current understanding of HIV and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the infant’s life. The policy states that breastfeeding is a significant and preventable mode of HIV transmission to infants and there is an urgent need to educate, counsel and support women and families, so that they can make decisions about how best to feed infants in the context of HIV (http://www.doh.gov.za/aids/doc/feeding/html.2005-03-07). Speaking to midwives from the Provincial Hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, the researcher became aware of the midwives’ often-expressed unhappiness about the new policy from the Department of Health on exclusive breastfeeding. Midwives complained about the dilemma with which they are faced regarding infant feeding practices. They could not understand the advocacy of exclusive breastfeeding, when breastfeeding is recognised as one of the modes of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The aim of the study was to help, support and encourage midwives to implement the policy of exclusive breastfeeding. The objectives of the study were to: • Explore and describe the experiences and perceptions of midwives related to promoting exclusive breastfeeding in HIV positive first-time mothers. • Make recommendations to the Department of Health regarding the support and help that can be given to midwives to encourage their implementation of the exclusive breastfeeding policy. The researcher made use of a qualitative, phenomenological, descriptive, explorative and contextual design. Permission for conducting the research was iv obtained from relevant authorities, and participants were asked to sign a consent form before the researcher proceeded with the study. Collection of data was done by means of unstructured interviews using an audiotape recorder. Once data was saturated, the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed, using the steps described by Tesch’s (1990 in Creswell, 1994: 153) method of descriptive analysis. Field notes were also taken to record non-verbal communication during the interviews. In order to ensure trustworthiness of the study, the ethical principles of Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991:215), namely truth-value, applicability, consistency and neutrality were used. The services of an independent coder were utilised and a consensus meeting was held between the researcher and the independent coder in order to discuss the identified themes. Prior to the consensus meeting, the independent coder was provided with interview transcripts and a protocol to guide the data analysis. Following the data analysis, a literature control was undertaken to highlight the similarities and differences found in the data analysis. Three themes with sub-themes were identified. The participants expressed positive views on the policy of exclusive breastfeeding in HIV positive first-time mothers. They were satisfied with the policy and viewed the policy of exclusive breastfeeding as an effective contribution to feeding options of babies born of HIV positive first-time mothers. However, the participants identified several factors hindering the effective implementation of the policy of exclusive breastfeeding in HIV positive first-time mothers. Factors identified were staffshortages, lack of cooperation among staff members regarding promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, lack of information regarding the CD4 count of patients on admission in the ward, cultural beliefs, lack of training among staff members and inadequate counseling facilities to ensure privacy and confidentiality for mothers. Participants also experienced a variety of emotions related to exclusive breastfeeding such as happiness, confidence, helplessness, frustration, worry and concern, stress and exhaustion. Based on the findings of the study, guidelines were developed and recommendations made concerning nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Moobi, Emily Keadimilwe
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Breastfeeding -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Midwives -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Attitudes , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10016 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/427 , Breastfeeding -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Midwives -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Attitudes , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Prevention
- Description: The Department of Health in South Africa, as in many countries, has developed a policy guideline and recommendations for feeding of infants of HIV positive mothers. This is aimed at providing midwives with detailed and sound information about HIV and infant feeding practices based on current understanding of HIV and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the infant’s life. The policy states that breastfeeding is a significant and preventable mode of HIV transmission to infants and there is an urgent need to educate, counsel and support women and families, so that they can make decisions about how best to feed infants in the context of HIV (http://www.doh.gov.za/aids/doc/feeding/html.2005-03-07). Speaking to midwives from the Provincial Hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, the researcher became aware of the midwives’ often-expressed unhappiness about the new policy from the Department of Health on exclusive breastfeeding. Midwives complained about the dilemma with which they are faced regarding infant feeding practices. They could not understand the advocacy of exclusive breastfeeding, when breastfeeding is recognised as one of the modes of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The aim of the study was to help, support and encourage midwives to implement the policy of exclusive breastfeeding. The objectives of the study were to: • Explore and describe the experiences and perceptions of midwives related to promoting exclusive breastfeeding in HIV positive first-time mothers. • Make recommendations to the Department of Health regarding the support and help that can be given to midwives to encourage their implementation of the exclusive breastfeeding policy. The researcher made use of a qualitative, phenomenological, descriptive, explorative and contextual design. Permission for conducting the research was iv obtained from relevant authorities, and participants were asked to sign a consent form before the researcher proceeded with the study. Collection of data was done by means of unstructured interviews using an audiotape recorder. Once data was saturated, the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed, using the steps described by Tesch’s (1990 in Creswell, 1994: 153) method of descriptive analysis. Field notes were also taken to record non-verbal communication during the interviews. In order to ensure trustworthiness of the study, the ethical principles of Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991:215), namely truth-value, applicability, consistency and neutrality were used. The services of an independent coder were utilised and a consensus meeting was held between the researcher and the independent coder in order to discuss the identified themes. Prior to the consensus meeting, the independent coder was provided with interview transcripts and a protocol to guide the data analysis. Following the data analysis, a literature control was undertaken to highlight the similarities and differences found in the data analysis. Three themes with sub-themes were identified. The participants expressed positive views on the policy of exclusive breastfeeding in HIV positive first-time mothers. They were satisfied with the policy and viewed the policy of exclusive breastfeeding as an effective contribution to feeding options of babies born of HIV positive first-time mothers. However, the participants identified several factors hindering the effective implementation of the policy of exclusive breastfeeding in HIV positive first-time mothers. Factors identified were staffshortages, lack of cooperation among staff members regarding promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, lack of information regarding the CD4 count of patients on admission in the ward, cultural beliefs, lack of training among staff members and inadequate counseling facilities to ensure privacy and confidentiality for mothers. Participants also experienced a variety of emotions related to exclusive breastfeeding such as happiness, confidence, helplessness, frustration, worry and concern, stress and exhaustion. Based on the findings of the study, guidelines were developed and recommendations made concerning nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The extent of discharge planning by nurses for patients who have undergone valvular surgery
- Authors: Verwey, Oriana
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Heart -- Surgery -- Nursing -- South Africa , Heart valves -- Surgery -- South Africa , Heart valves -- Surgery , Heart -- Surgery -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Hospitals -- Admission and discharge -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10015 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/445 , Heart -- Surgery -- Nursing -- South Africa , Heart valves -- Surgery -- South Africa , Heart valves -- Surgery , Heart -- Surgery -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Hospitals -- Admission and discharge -- South Africa
- Description: Valvular disorders can be corrected by means of surgery, after which very comprehensive discharge planning should be implemented to prevent the occurrence of post-operative complications. Advances in medical technology and intellect instigate earlier discharge for patients after they have undergone valvular surgery. The aim of this research study is to establish the extent of discharge planning by nurses for patients who have undergone valvular surgery, so that practice guidelines in the form of an in-service educational framework can be compiled for nurses in the management of these patients post-operatively. Patients, many of whom are from rural areas, are discharged without an adequate referral system. There are, currently, no set guidelines or referral persons to direct these patients during their rehabilitation period. Based on the researcher’s personal observations, it is evident that many patients suffer from bacterial endocarditis or clotted valves due to poor post-surgery management. However, both of these conditions could be avoided if proper health education was given to these patients. The study will take the form of a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual survey. Data will be collected by means of a structured questionnaire that will be completed by the nurses working in the cardiac general ward and the cardiac clinic. Findings of the research study will be used to assist the researcher in developing an in-service educational framework for staff that are both nursing and preparing post valvular surgery patients for discharge. The goal is to prevent complications such as clot formation and endocarditis and to enable patients to deal effectively with their rehabilitation period.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Verwey, Oriana
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Heart -- Surgery -- Nursing -- South Africa , Heart valves -- Surgery -- South Africa , Heart valves -- Surgery , Heart -- Surgery -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Hospitals -- Admission and discharge -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10015 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/445 , Heart -- Surgery -- Nursing -- South Africa , Heart valves -- Surgery -- South Africa , Heart valves -- Surgery , Heart -- Surgery -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Hospitals -- Admission and discharge -- South Africa
- Description: Valvular disorders can be corrected by means of surgery, after which very comprehensive discharge planning should be implemented to prevent the occurrence of post-operative complications. Advances in medical technology and intellect instigate earlier discharge for patients after they have undergone valvular surgery. The aim of this research study is to establish the extent of discharge planning by nurses for patients who have undergone valvular surgery, so that practice guidelines in the form of an in-service educational framework can be compiled for nurses in the management of these patients post-operatively. Patients, many of whom are from rural areas, are discharged without an adequate referral system. There are, currently, no set guidelines or referral persons to direct these patients during their rehabilitation period. Based on the researcher’s personal observations, it is evident that many patients suffer from bacterial endocarditis or clotted valves due to poor post-surgery management. However, both of these conditions could be avoided if proper health education was given to these patients. The study will take the form of a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual survey. Data will be collected by means of a structured questionnaire that will be completed by the nurses working in the cardiac general ward and the cardiac clinic. Findings of the research study will be used to assist the researcher in developing an in-service educational framework for staff that are both nursing and preparing post valvular surgery patients for discharge. The goal is to prevent complications such as clot formation and endocarditis and to enable patients to deal effectively with their rehabilitation period.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The knowledge and attitudes of registered nurses in public hospitals related to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission
- Authors: Mo, Yabin
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Nurses -- South Africa -- Attitudes , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Nursing -- South Africa , Nurse and patient -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10018 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/571 , Nurses -- South Africa -- Attitudes , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Nursing -- South Africa , Nurse and patient -- South Africa
- Description: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have brought about a global epidemic far more extensive than was predicted even a decade ago (van Rensburg, 2002:1). South Africa has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world (South African Department of Health, 2000: 5), it still increase yearly. Before a vaccine and/or effective treatment become available, effective education and information campaigns are necessary for preventing the spreading of HIV and AIDS (WHO (the World Health Organization), 1988:21). According to WHO and ICN (International Council of Nurses) (1988:12), Nurses can play a pivotal role in the education of patients, their families and friends with regard to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission, so as to control the spread of this disease. In South Africa, more than 60 percent of the healthcare human resources comprise professional nursing practitioners (Muller, 2002: 95). Therefore, the education and training of nurses is one of the effective methods to preventing further spread of HIV and AIDS infection in South Africa. Accordingly, nurses need to reduce both personal and occupational risk of becoming infected with HIV themselves, as well as provide education to patients and their families. Before effective and efficient in-service education guidelines on the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission can be developed, any knowledge deficit and negative attitudes of registered nurses regarding the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission should be identified. Thus, it is important to survey the knowledge and attitudes of nurses in healthcare institutions related to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission. The main goal of the study was to explore and describe the knowledge and attitudes of registered nurses in public hospitals related to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission. The secondary objective was to develop in-service education guidelines for registered nurses in public hospitals to optimise both personal and occupational prevention measures relating to HIV and AIDS transmission. The research was conducted using a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The purposive sampling method was used to select the participants and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. This data was analysed by inferential statistics and descriptive statistics and areas of deficits concerning knowledge and negative attitudes were identified. In this study there were deficits concerning the knowledge and negative attitudes regarding the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission to a greater or lesser degree in all the subgroups of the questionnaire. In general, the registered nurses with the attendance of HIV and AIDS training program, experience in caring for HIV and AIDS patients made the level of certain knowledge related to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission different; Working experience as a registered nurses and the attendance of HIV and AIDS training programmes did not make attitudes towards the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission significantly different. The registered nurses with experience of caring for HIV and AIDS patients had more positive attitudes than those without the experience. This information was used to compile in-service education guidelines for registered nurses concerning the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission. The in-service education guidelines will be given to clinical facilitators at public hospitals. It is envisaged that this will guide them as to what to include in their in-service education programmes concerning the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission for registered nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Mo, Yabin
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Nurses -- South Africa -- Attitudes , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Nursing -- South Africa , Nurse and patient -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10018 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/571 , Nurses -- South Africa -- Attitudes , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Nursing -- South Africa , Nurse and patient -- South Africa
- Description: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have brought about a global epidemic far more extensive than was predicted even a decade ago (van Rensburg, 2002:1). South Africa has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world (South African Department of Health, 2000: 5), it still increase yearly. Before a vaccine and/or effective treatment become available, effective education and information campaigns are necessary for preventing the spreading of HIV and AIDS (WHO (the World Health Organization), 1988:21). According to WHO and ICN (International Council of Nurses) (1988:12), Nurses can play a pivotal role in the education of patients, their families and friends with regard to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission, so as to control the spread of this disease. In South Africa, more than 60 percent of the healthcare human resources comprise professional nursing practitioners (Muller, 2002: 95). Therefore, the education and training of nurses is one of the effective methods to preventing further spread of HIV and AIDS infection in South Africa. Accordingly, nurses need to reduce both personal and occupational risk of becoming infected with HIV themselves, as well as provide education to patients and their families. Before effective and efficient in-service education guidelines on the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission can be developed, any knowledge deficit and negative attitudes of registered nurses regarding the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission should be identified. Thus, it is important to survey the knowledge and attitudes of nurses in healthcare institutions related to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission. The main goal of the study was to explore and describe the knowledge and attitudes of registered nurses in public hospitals related to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission. The secondary objective was to develop in-service education guidelines for registered nurses in public hospitals to optimise both personal and occupational prevention measures relating to HIV and AIDS transmission. The research was conducted using a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The purposive sampling method was used to select the participants and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. This data was analysed by inferential statistics and descriptive statistics and areas of deficits concerning knowledge and negative attitudes were identified. In this study there were deficits concerning the knowledge and negative attitudes regarding the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission to a greater or lesser degree in all the subgroups of the questionnaire. In general, the registered nurses with the attendance of HIV and AIDS training program, experience in caring for HIV and AIDS patients made the level of certain knowledge related to the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission different; Working experience as a registered nurses and the attendance of HIV and AIDS training programmes did not make attitudes towards the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission significantly different. The registered nurses with experience of caring for HIV and AIDS patients had more positive attitudes than those without the experience. This information was used to compile in-service education guidelines for registered nurses concerning the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission. The in-service education guidelines will be given to clinical facilitators at public hospitals. It is envisaged that this will guide them as to what to include in their in-service education programmes concerning the prevention of HIV and AIDS transmission for registered nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The women's health initiative study: impact on the prescribing of hormone replacement therapy in a defined South African population
- Authors: Hanly, Teia
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Women's health services -- South Africa , Menopause -- Hormone therapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011713 , Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Women's health services -- South Africa , Menopause -- Hormone therapy -- South Africa
- Description: Context: The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, published in July 2002, had a significant impact on the prescribing of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The controversy surrounding the findings, however, has led to much uncertainty regarding the prescription of HRT. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine both the initial and the continued impact of the WHI study on the prescribing of HRT in a defined South African population and to determine whether HRT was appropriately individualised based on recommendations published subsequent to the WHI study. Setting: Claims data from a Managed Healthcare Organisation (MHO) that administers for a number of medical aid schemes in South Africa. Method: A retrospective drug utilisation review (DUR) was conducted to identify HRT-related prescribing patterns in the defined populations. The time-frame of the dataset included January 2002, to assess prescribing patterns prior to the publication of the WHI study, January 2003 to determine the initial impact of the WHI study, and January 2005 to assess the continued impact. An extensive, additional dataset of all the HRT users in the defined populations was utilised to conduct a sub-group analysis and determine whether HRT had been appropriately individualised. Key Findings: The percentage of patients in the dataset using HRT decreased from 30.05 percent in January 2002 to 28.30 percent in January 2003 and to 23.24 percent in January 2005, with the latter decrease reaching statistical significance. Although sex hormones and modulators (G03) of the genital system were the most frequently prescribed drug class in all three years of the study period, the prescribing frequency decreased significantly from 10.40 percent in January 2002 to 9.32 percent in January 2003 and 7.44 percent in January 2005. The most noteworthy change in the prescribing of HRT was a 3.95 percent decrease in the prescribing of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), with a corresponding 2.53 percent increase in the prescribing of estradiol between January 2002 and January 2003. However, less pronounced changes were observed in the prescribing frequencies of other types of HRT, including medroxyprogesterone and estrogen (the HRT type investigated in the estrogen plus progestin phase of the WHI study). Patients initiating HRT post-WHI publication were generally found to be in the younger menopausal age categories (40 to 49 years). These patients were more likely to have been initiated on HRT types other than those investigated in the WHI study and were at a higher risk for disease states for which HRT use is beneficial, such as osteoporosis. Patients discontinuing HRT post-WHI publication were generally found to be in the older menopausal age categories (60 to 69 years), were more likely to have been combined HRT users (although not necessarily the type investigated in the WHI study) and were at a higher risk for disease states for which HRT use is considered harmful or has an uncertain effect, such as diseases affecting the cardiovascular system. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the WHI study did have an impact on the prescribing of HRT in the defined South African population of this study, but that the impact was considerably less than the impact reported in global studies. It was also determined that HRT was appropriately individualised according to recommendations made subsequent to publication of the WHI study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Hanly, Teia
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Women's health services -- South Africa , Menopause -- Hormone therapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011713 , Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Women's health services -- South Africa , Menopause -- Hormone therapy -- South Africa
- Description: Context: The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, published in July 2002, had a significant impact on the prescribing of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The controversy surrounding the findings, however, has led to much uncertainty regarding the prescription of HRT. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine both the initial and the continued impact of the WHI study on the prescribing of HRT in a defined South African population and to determine whether HRT was appropriately individualised based on recommendations published subsequent to the WHI study. Setting: Claims data from a Managed Healthcare Organisation (MHO) that administers for a number of medical aid schemes in South Africa. Method: A retrospective drug utilisation review (DUR) was conducted to identify HRT-related prescribing patterns in the defined populations. The time-frame of the dataset included January 2002, to assess prescribing patterns prior to the publication of the WHI study, January 2003 to determine the initial impact of the WHI study, and January 2005 to assess the continued impact. An extensive, additional dataset of all the HRT users in the defined populations was utilised to conduct a sub-group analysis and determine whether HRT had been appropriately individualised. Key Findings: The percentage of patients in the dataset using HRT decreased from 30.05 percent in January 2002 to 28.30 percent in January 2003 and to 23.24 percent in January 2005, with the latter decrease reaching statistical significance. Although sex hormones and modulators (G03) of the genital system were the most frequently prescribed drug class in all three years of the study period, the prescribing frequency decreased significantly from 10.40 percent in January 2002 to 9.32 percent in January 2003 and 7.44 percent in January 2005. The most noteworthy change in the prescribing of HRT was a 3.95 percent decrease in the prescribing of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), with a corresponding 2.53 percent increase in the prescribing of estradiol between January 2002 and January 2003. However, less pronounced changes were observed in the prescribing frequencies of other types of HRT, including medroxyprogesterone and estrogen (the HRT type investigated in the estrogen plus progestin phase of the WHI study). Patients initiating HRT post-WHI publication were generally found to be in the younger menopausal age categories (40 to 49 years). These patients were more likely to have been initiated on HRT types other than those investigated in the WHI study and were at a higher risk for disease states for which HRT use is beneficial, such as osteoporosis. Patients discontinuing HRT post-WHI publication were generally found to be in the older menopausal age categories (60 to 69 years), were more likely to have been combined HRT users (although not necessarily the type investigated in the WHI study) and were at a higher risk for disease states for which HRT use is considered harmful or has an uncertain effect, such as diseases affecting the cardiovascular system. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the WHI study did have an impact on the prescribing of HRT in the defined South African population of this study, but that the impact was considerably less than the impact reported in global studies. It was also determined that HRT was appropriately individualised according to recommendations made subsequent to publication of the WHI study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Tracking spoor of the wild woman archetype during a university merger
- Authors: Bodisch, Anja Maria
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Wild women -- Folklore , Women -- Psychology , Archetype (Psychology) , Individuation (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9936 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/477 , Wild women -- Folklore , Women -- Psychology , Archetype (Psychology) , Individuation (Philosophy)
- Description: Universities in South Africa are currently undergoing mergers. Intended for commercial gain, mergers rarely accommodate the psychological milieu of staff. Similarly, the majority of studies conducted with respect to university mergers adopt a quantitative approach. This study adopts a qualitative approach and locates the researcher within the epicentre of the research, using a case study, with the researcher as unit of analysis. The lack of merger studies that focus on the experiences of minority groups, including women, prompted me, as researcher, to adopt a feminist approach to conduct this study in the context of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University merger. A Jungian gendered view, which endorses the personal experiences of minority groups, explored the connection between organisational change and concomitant opportunities for psychic growth. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the presence of the Wild Woman archetype during a university merger. The data that made up this study were contained in my field notes, research journal and a wall montage. An analysis of the qualitative data and a comparison of Jung’s archetypal theory and Pinkola Estés’ theory of the Wild Woman archetype, enabled the researcher to find evidence of the presence of the Wild Woman archetype during the university merger. The secondary purpose of the study was to document the findings which could act as a spoor which other women could follow on their journey towards connecting with their own Wild Woman archetype. The limitations of this study, and recommendations for future research are also offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Bodisch, Anja Maria
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Wild women -- Folklore , Women -- Psychology , Archetype (Psychology) , Individuation (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9936 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/477 , Wild women -- Folklore , Women -- Psychology , Archetype (Psychology) , Individuation (Philosophy)
- Description: Universities in South Africa are currently undergoing mergers. Intended for commercial gain, mergers rarely accommodate the psychological milieu of staff. Similarly, the majority of studies conducted with respect to university mergers adopt a quantitative approach. This study adopts a qualitative approach and locates the researcher within the epicentre of the research, using a case study, with the researcher as unit of analysis. The lack of merger studies that focus on the experiences of minority groups, including women, prompted me, as researcher, to adopt a feminist approach to conduct this study in the context of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University merger. A Jungian gendered view, which endorses the personal experiences of minority groups, explored the connection between organisational change and concomitant opportunities for psychic growth. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the presence of the Wild Woman archetype during a university merger. The data that made up this study were contained in my field notes, research journal and a wall montage. An analysis of the qualitative data and a comparison of Jung’s archetypal theory and Pinkola Estés’ theory of the Wild Woman archetype, enabled the researcher to find evidence of the presence of the Wild Woman archetype during the university merger. The secondary purpose of the study was to document the findings which could act as a spoor which other women could follow on their journey towards connecting with their own Wild Woman archetype. The limitations of this study, and recommendations for future research are also offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Work methods and procedures for plague surveillance and control in South Africa
- Authors: Zhou, Hongxing
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Plague -- South Africa , Plague -- Vaccination
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/649 , Plague -- South Africa , Plague -- Vaccination
- Description: Plague is a classic zoonosis caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is subject to the International Health Regulations, 1969. In the last two millennia, plague has become widespread, with three pandemics occurring in the 6th, 14th and 20th centuries. Currently, plague outbreaks and epidemics still occur worldwide. This study attempts to develop formal work methods and procedures for plague surveillance and control by environmental health practitioners as a strategy to ensure that field data can be integrated within the municipal, provincial and national spheres of government. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, inductive and deductive research design was followed. A documentary research approach was employed as the primary method of data collection. To obtain additional information, both semi-structured personal interviews and physical observations during plague surveillance were adopted by the researcher. The organisational structure of the health care system in South Africa was analysed to identify and explain the role and functions of relevant decision-makers related to the surveillance and control of plague within the different spheres of government. Legislative measures regarding plague surveillance and control were also presented. As a prerequisite for the development of work methods and procedures for plague surveillance and control, the epidemiology of plague was discussed with emphasis on the distribution and characteristics of the disease in South Africa. Important rodent reservoirs and flea vectors of plague in South Africa were identified. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of plague were described and discussed. Within this qualitative study an attempt has been made to develop work methods (xiii) and procedures for plague surveillance and control in South Africa. Relevant field data forms to be used during plague surveillance and control strategies were also developed. Recommendations emanating from the study can be found in the final chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Zhou, Hongxing
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Plague -- South Africa , Plague -- Vaccination
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/649 , Plague -- South Africa , Plague -- Vaccination
- Description: Plague is a classic zoonosis caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is subject to the International Health Regulations, 1969. In the last two millennia, plague has become widespread, with three pandemics occurring in the 6th, 14th and 20th centuries. Currently, plague outbreaks and epidemics still occur worldwide. This study attempts to develop formal work methods and procedures for plague surveillance and control by environmental health practitioners as a strategy to ensure that field data can be integrated within the municipal, provincial and national spheres of government. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, inductive and deductive research design was followed. A documentary research approach was employed as the primary method of data collection. To obtain additional information, both semi-structured personal interviews and physical observations during plague surveillance were adopted by the researcher. The organisational structure of the health care system in South Africa was analysed to identify and explain the role and functions of relevant decision-makers related to the surveillance and control of plague within the different spheres of government. Legislative measures regarding plague surveillance and control were also presented. As a prerequisite for the development of work methods and procedures for plague surveillance and control, the epidemiology of plague was discussed with emphasis on the distribution and characteristics of the disease in South Africa. Important rodent reservoirs and flea vectors of plague in South Africa were identified. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of plague were described and discussed. Within this qualitative study an attempt has been made to develop work methods (xiii) and procedures for plague surveillance and control in South Africa. Relevant field data forms to be used during plague surveillance and control strategies were also developed. Recommendations emanating from the study can be found in the final chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
A drug utilisation review of Isotretinoin in the management of acne
- Authors: Burger, Solé
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Acne -- Treatment , Isotretinoin
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10147 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/673 , Acne -- Treatment , Isotretinoin
- Description: Acne is a common, chronic disorder that affects many adolescents. The most effective acne medication is systemic isotretinoin. It provides a permanent cure for many patients, but has various side effects. A South African Acne Treatment Guideline was introduced in 2005. Adherence to this guideline could lead to safer, more effective acne management. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the appropriateness of medications prescribed in the treatment of acne in South Africa, and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of systemic isotretinoin utilised by patients in the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM). A drug utilisation study (including 18 803 South African acne patients’ chronic prescription data between 2000 and 2005) and a patient questionnaire survey (including information from 57 patients in the NMM who used systemic isotretinoin) were conducted. Basic descriptive and interferential statistics were calculated. The drug utilisation study revealed that systemic antibiotics were the acne treatment prescribed to most (43.3 percent) patients, followed by 42.1 percent of patients on systemic isotretinoin, 33.2 percent on hormonal therapy and 18.9 percent on topical therapy. Topical retinoids were underused. The questionnaire survey indicated a lack of compliance by prescribers with guideline recommendations regarding the prescription (and accompanying counselling and monitoring) of isotretinoin. Incorrect cumulative doses were frequently prescribed, and a lack of proper implementation of pregnancy prevention measures was evident. The majority of isotretinoin patients reported a high efficacy of isotretinoin in clearing their acne.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Burger, Solé
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Acne -- Treatment , Isotretinoin
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10147 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/673 , Acne -- Treatment , Isotretinoin
- Description: Acne is a common, chronic disorder that affects many adolescents. The most effective acne medication is systemic isotretinoin. It provides a permanent cure for many patients, but has various side effects. A South African Acne Treatment Guideline was introduced in 2005. Adherence to this guideline could lead to safer, more effective acne management. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the appropriateness of medications prescribed in the treatment of acne in South Africa, and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of systemic isotretinoin utilised by patients in the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM). A drug utilisation study (including 18 803 South African acne patients’ chronic prescription data between 2000 and 2005) and a patient questionnaire survey (including information from 57 patients in the NMM who used systemic isotretinoin) were conducted. Basic descriptive and interferential statistics were calculated. The drug utilisation study revealed that systemic antibiotics were the acne treatment prescribed to most (43.3 percent) patients, followed by 42.1 percent of patients on systemic isotretinoin, 33.2 percent on hormonal therapy and 18.9 percent on topical therapy. Topical retinoids were underused. The questionnaire survey indicated a lack of compliance by prescribers with guideline recommendations regarding the prescription (and accompanying counselling and monitoring) of isotretinoin. Incorrect cumulative doses were frequently prescribed, and a lack of proper implementation of pregnancy prevention measures was evident. The majority of isotretinoin patients reported a high efficacy of isotretinoin in clearing their acne.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Accelerated staff turnover among professional nurses at a district hospital
- Authors: Toni, Gladys Nosisana
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10039 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/620 , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management
- Description: The study emanated from the researcher’s experience and involvement in clinical nursing and nursing management. The researcher noted how heavy losses of recruited professional nurses might have had an influence on the quality of service delivery. It is a costly and time-consuming task to recruit enough nurses into the profession and retention of staff is especially difficult. There had been a significant increase in the number of professional nurses leaving the district hospitals either to primary health care service, private hospitals or other countries. Before the commencement of the study the turnover rate at the district hospital where the study was conducted, almost doubled the accepted norm, which was ten percent of the staff. For those reasons the researcher decided to conduct a study named, “Accelerated staff turnover among professional nurses at a district hospital.” The constant heavy losses of qualified nurses from the profession constitute one of the serious challenges for nursing managers. The researcher wanted answers to the following question: “What were your experiences of your job as a professional nurse at the district hospital?” The objectives of the study were: · to explore and describe factors leading to high staff turnover of professional nurses at a district hospital · to develop guidelines to help retain professional nurses. The design of this study, which was conducted in one of the district hospitals in the Makana Local Service Area in the Eastern Cape, is qualitative, descriptive and contextual. Informed permission for conducting the research was obtained from relevant authorities and participants were asked to sign a consent form before the researcher proceeded with the study. Participants that met the selection criteria were selected by means of purposive sampling. Data was obtained by means of semi-structured telephonic interviews that were audio-taped and later transcribed verbatim. To ensure trustworthiness of the study, the researcher applied the four strategies as proposed by Lincoln and Guba (De Vos, 2002:351) namely, credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Collected data was analysed according to the descriptive method proposed by Tesch (in Creswell, 1994:154). The services of an independent coder, who was provided with transcripts and a protocol to guide data analysis, were utilised. A consensus meeting was held between the researcher and the independent coder to discuss the identified themes and sub-themes. Following the data analysis, a literature control was undertaken to highlight the similarities to and differences in comparison between this and previous studies. Four major themes and sub-themes were identified through analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Toni, Gladys Nosisana
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10039 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/620 , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management
- Description: The study emanated from the researcher’s experience and involvement in clinical nursing and nursing management. The researcher noted how heavy losses of recruited professional nurses might have had an influence on the quality of service delivery. It is a costly and time-consuming task to recruit enough nurses into the profession and retention of staff is especially difficult. There had been a significant increase in the number of professional nurses leaving the district hospitals either to primary health care service, private hospitals or other countries. Before the commencement of the study the turnover rate at the district hospital where the study was conducted, almost doubled the accepted norm, which was ten percent of the staff. For those reasons the researcher decided to conduct a study named, “Accelerated staff turnover among professional nurses at a district hospital.” The constant heavy losses of qualified nurses from the profession constitute one of the serious challenges for nursing managers. The researcher wanted answers to the following question: “What were your experiences of your job as a professional nurse at the district hospital?” The objectives of the study were: · to explore and describe factors leading to high staff turnover of professional nurses at a district hospital · to develop guidelines to help retain professional nurses. The design of this study, which was conducted in one of the district hospitals in the Makana Local Service Area in the Eastern Cape, is qualitative, descriptive and contextual. Informed permission for conducting the research was obtained from relevant authorities and participants were asked to sign a consent form before the researcher proceeded with the study. Participants that met the selection criteria were selected by means of purposive sampling. Data was obtained by means of semi-structured telephonic interviews that were audio-taped and later transcribed verbatim. To ensure trustworthiness of the study, the researcher applied the four strategies as proposed by Lincoln and Guba (De Vos, 2002:351) namely, credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Collected data was analysed according to the descriptive method proposed by Tesch (in Creswell, 1994:154). The services of an independent coder, who was provided with transcripts and a protocol to guide data analysis, were utilised. A consensus meeting was held between the researcher and the independent coder to discuss the identified themes and sub-themes. Following the data analysis, a literature control was undertaken to highlight the similarities to and differences in comparison between this and previous studies. Four major themes and sub-themes were identified through analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation into the introduction of process analytical technology, using near infrared analysis, to selected pharmaceutical processes
- Authors: Naicker, Krishnaveni
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Near infrared spectroscopy , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10153 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011710 , Near infrared spectroscopy , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Description: Introduction: Process analytical technologies are systems for the analysis and control of manufacturing processes to assure acceptable end-product quality. This is achieved by timely measurements of critical parameters and performance attributes of raw material and in-process material and processes. The introduction of process analytical technology using near infrared analysis was investigated in three areas, namely incoming raw material analysis, blend uniformity analysis and moisture determination in the fluid bed dryer. Methodology: Incoming raw material identification - The FOSS XDS rapid content analyzer was used for the development of a NIR method for the identification and material qualification of starch maize and lactose monohydrate. Blend uniformity analysis – The SP15 Laboratory Blender fitted with near infrared probe was utilized for the study. Two types of blend experiments were designed to monitor the distribution of magnesium stearate (lubricant) in the blend, namely, a powder blend utilizing lactose monohydrate and a granule blend utilizing Ridaq® granule. Software methods were developed to monitor the standard deviation of the absorbance at the wavelengths that were specific for lactose monohydrate, Ridaq® granule and magnesium stearate. To confirm the prediction of end-point using near infrared, results were verified using an atomic absorption method for magnesium stearate. The blends were sampled at the selected time intervals corresponding to three states of the blend, namely, before end-point, at end-point and after end-point using a sampling plan. An additional six blends were conducted for the granule blend and sampled when the standard deviation had reached a value below 3 x 10-6 at the magnesium stearate wavelength at four consecutive data points (standard deviation value extrapolated from blends carried out to predetermined time intervals). Moisture determination in the fluid bed dryer – Moisture values for two products (Product A and Product B) were retrospectively collected from past production batches. A process capability study was conducted on the moisture values to determine if the current process was in a state of control. Results and Discussion: Incoming raw material identification – The algorithms used for the spectral library were able to distinguish between the raw materials selected. The spectral library positively identified the starch maize and lactose monohydrate samples that were not present in the library. The negative challenge with pregelatinised starch and tablettose demonstrated that the spectral library was able to differentiate between closely related compounds. Blend uniformity analysis – Blends sampled at the predetermined time intervals demonstrated a homogeneous state when the standard deviation of the absorbance was low and a non-homogeneous state when the standard deviation of the absorbance was high, thus near infrared prediction on the state of the blend was confirmed by the standard analytical methods. The series of Ridaq® granule and magnesium stearate blends sampled when the standard deviation was below 3 x 10-6 were homogeneous with the exception of one blend that was marginally out of specification. Blend durations were significantly lower than the standard blend durations used in the facility and ranged from 112 to 198 seconds. Moisture determination in the fluid bed dryer – From the process capability study of the two products it was noted that Product A is stable but can still be optimized while Product B is at a desirable state. The statistical evaluation of the moisture values for Product A and Product B demonstrated that the use of the product temperature to monitor the moisture gave consistent results. The current process is stable and capable of producing repeatable results although near infrared provides a means for continuously monitoring the product moisture and allows one to take action to prevent over-drying or under-drying. Conclusion: From the investigations conducted, it can be seen that there is definitely a niche for process analytical technology at this pharmaceutical company. The implementation is a gradual process of change, which may take time, probably several years (Heinze & Hansen 2005).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Naicker, Krishnaveni
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Near infrared spectroscopy , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10153 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011710 , Near infrared spectroscopy , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Description: Introduction: Process analytical technologies are systems for the analysis and control of manufacturing processes to assure acceptable end-product quality. This is achieved by timely measurements of critical parameters and performance attributes of raw material and in-process material and processes. The introduction of process analytical technology using near infrared analysis was investigated in three areas, namely incoming raw material analysis, blend uniformity analysis and moisture determination in the fluid bed dryer. Methodology: Incoming raw material identification - The FOSS XDS rapid content analyzer was used for the development of a NIR method for the identification and material qualification of starch maize and lactose monohydrate. Blend uniformity analysis – The SP15 Laboratory Blender fitted with near infrared probe was utilized for the study. Two types of blend experiments were designed to monitor the distribution of magnesium stearate (lubricant) in the blend, namely, a powder blend utilizing lactose monohydrate and a granule blend utilizing Ridaq® granule. Software methods were developed to monitor the standard deviation of the absorbance at the wavelengths that were specific for lactose monohydrate, Ridaq® granule and magnesium stearate. To confirm the prediction of end-point using near infrared, results were verified using an atomic absorption method for magnesium stearate. The blends were sampled at the selected time intervals corresponding to three states of the blend, namely, before end-point, at end-point and after end-point using a sampling plan. An additional six blends were conducted for the granule blend and sampled when the standard deviation had reached a value below 3 x 10-6 at the magnesium stearate wavelength at four consecutive data points (standard deviation value extrapolated from blends carried out to predetermined time intervals). Moisture determination in the fluid bed dryer – Moisture values for two products (Product A and Product B) were retrospectively collected from past production batches. A process capability study was conducted on the moisture values to determine if the current process was in a state of control. Results and Discussion: Incoming raw material identification – The algorithms used for the spectral library were able to distinguish between the raw materials selected. The spectral library positively identified the starch maize and lactose monohydrate samples that were not present in the library. The negative challenge with pregelatinised starch and tablettose demonstrated that the spectral library was able to differentiate between closely related compounds. Blend uniformity analysis – Blends sampled at the predetermined time intervals demonstrated a homogeneous state when the standard deviation of the absorbance was low and a non-homogeneous state when the standard deviation of the absorbance was high, thus near infrared prediction on the state of the blend was confirmed by the standard analytical methods. The series of Ridaq® granule and magnesium stearate blends sampled when the standard deviation was below 3 x 10-6 were homogeneous with the exception of one blend that was marginally out of specification. Blend durations were significantly lower than the standard blend durations used in the facility and ranged from 112 to 198 seconds. Moisture determination in the fluid bed dryer – From the process capability study of the two products it was noted that Product A is stable but can still be optimized while Product B is at a desirable state. The statistical evaluation of the moisture values for Product A and Product B demonstrated that the use of the product temperature to monitor the moisture gave consistent results. The current process is stable and capable of producing repeatable results although near infrared provides a means for continuously monitoring the product moisture and allows one to take action to prevent over-drying or under-drying. Conclusion: From the investigations conducted, it can be seen that there is definitely a niche for process analytical technology at this pharmaceutical company. The implementation is a gradual process of change, which may take time, probably several years (Heinze & Hansen 2005).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation of indoor air quality assessment in office buildings
- Janse van Rensburg, Francois
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Francois
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Indoor air pollution , Air quality management , Air quality -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10824 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32 , Indoor air pollution , Air quality management , Air quality -- Measurement
- Description: Over the last several years studies have shown that the quality of indoor air may be worse than outdoor air. People spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, therefor, the associated health risk due to indoor air pollution may be greater than the risk due to outdoor air pollution. Building designs have altered dramatically over the last two decades resulted in "tighter" buildings that rely on sophisticated mechanical systems to provide for the quantity of air required throughout the building. These changes over the years could result in an increased number of complaints received regarding Sick Building Syndrome symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 30% of office buildings world-wide may have significant problems regarding poor indoor air quality (IAQ). This study involves a literature study of the major indoor air pollutants regarding the source of the pollutant, the associated health effects, the measuring techniques available and the results of previous studies conducted on the specific pollutant. Measurements will be taken in two sealed buildings, one an old and the other a new building to identify the major pollutants. A questionnaire was compiled specifically for building occupants and completed by the occupants of both buildings. From the results obtained a step-by-step method for solving indoor air quality (IAQ) problems was proposed. The method was applied and evaluated in a case study of a problem building where indoor air quality related problems were experienced. The results of the study revealed that the major indoor air pollutants are present in old as well as new buildings. The study also revealed that some office workers might be more susceptible than others to the medical reactions cause to human beings by these pollutants. Some concentrations are higher in new buildings than in old buildings. The responses from the questionnaire was evaluated against the results obtained from the measurement study. The step-by-step method in the case study provided a more systematic approach at solving IAQ problems at buildings. Solving indoor air quality problems is a very practical issue and does not necessarily require an investment of expensive high technology equipment, but might merely require a practical approach. Environmental Health Officers can play a major role in providing expert advice when scrutinizing building plans. Environmental Health Officers should empower themselves with the knowledge to do inspections or investigations in office buildings by using the step-by-step method for investigating indoor air quality problems. By addressing indoor air quality problems in buildings, the workers in healthy buildings can increase their productivity with lasting effects on a company’s bottom line.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Francois
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Indoor air pollution , Air quality management , Air quality -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10824 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32 , Indoor air pollution , Air quality management , Air quality -- Measurement
- Description: Over the last several years studies have shown that the quality of indoor air may be worse than outdoor air. People spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, therefor, the associated health risk due to indoor air pollution may be greater than the risk due to outdoor air pollution. Building designs have altered dramatically over the last two decades resulted in "tighter" buildings that rely on sophisticated mechanical systems to provide for the quantity of air required throughout the building. These changes over the years could result in an increased number of complaints received regarding Sick Building Syndrome symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 30% of office buildings world-wide may have significant problems regarding poor indoor air quality (IAQ). This study involves a literature study of the major indoor air pollutants regarding the source of the pollutant, the associated health effects, the measuring techniques available and the results of previous studies conducted on the specific pollutant. Measurements will be taken in two sealed buildings, one an old and the other a new building to identify the major pollutants. A questionnaire was compiled specifically for building occupants and completed by the occupants of both buildings. From the results obtained a step-by-step method for solving indoor air quality (IAQ) problems was proposed. The method was applied and evaluated in a case study of a problem building where indoor air quality related problems were experienced. The results of the study revealed that the major indoor air pollutants are present in old as well as new buildings. The study also revealed that some office workers might be more susceptible than others to the medical reactions cause to human beings by these pollutants. Some concentrations are higher in new buildings than in old buildings. The responses from the questionnaire was evaluated against the results obtained from the measurement study. The step-by-step method in the case study provided a more systematic approach at solving IAQ problems at buildings. Solving indoor air quality problems is a very practical issue and does not necessarily require an investment of expensive high technology equipment, but might merely require a practical approach. Environmental Health Officers can play a major role in providing expert advice when scrutinizing building plans. Environmental Health Officers should empower themselves with the knowledge to do inspections or investigations in office buildings by using the step-by-step method for investigating indoor air quality problems. By addressing indoor air quality problems in buildings, the workers in healthy buildings can increase their productivity with lasting effects on a company’s bottom line.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Collaborative research with traditional African health practitioners of the Nelson Mandela Metropole : antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-diabetic activities of five medicinal plants
- Authors: Van Huyssteen, Mea
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Healers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/663 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Healers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Anti-infective agents
- Description: The promotion and development of indigenous knowledge pertaining to the traditional African healing system is one of the prime objectives set out by the South African government. Despite excellent research opportunities and funding, the biggest problem with ethnopharmacological research is a lack of interaction with indigenous communities, which tends to dilute the benefits this research has to offer these communities. The primary aim of this study was thus to promote the traditional African healing system through collaborative medicinal plant research with local traditional health practitioners. The research collaboration aimed to validate some biological activities of traditional remedies used by collaborating traditional health practitioners and ensured interactive sessions where scientific literature, research practices, findings and relevant legislation were discussed and debated. The joint development of a medicinal garden was a valuable tool in realising these goals. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Bulbine frutescens, Ornithogalum longibracteatum, Ruta graveolens, Tarchonanthus camphoratus and Tulbaghia violacea were selected for antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-diabetic screening, because of their sustainable utilisation potential. The ethanol extract of T. violacea produced the best antimicrobial activity on Bacillus subtilis (100% growth inhibition) and Candida albicans (89% growth inhibition) at 250 μg/ml. The EC50 for the ethanol extract of T. violacea against HT29 colon cancer cells was 101 μg/ml. The aqueous extracts of B. frutescens and T. camphoratus (0.5 and 50 μg/ml) produced the highest overall glucose uptake activity in Chang liver and C2C12 muscle cells. T. camphoratus was unanimously chosen by participating practitioners as the plant to be investigated further. The aqueous extract of T. camphoratus increased glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells through increased translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane and activation of the PI3-kinase and AMP-kinase pathways. It produced some alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity at concentrations of ≥ 200 μg/ml. Apart from interactive feedback seminars at which the findings were presented to participating practitioners, all scientific literature regarding the plants was summarised, translated, compiled and given to participating practitioners in written format. An indigenous knowledge agreement has been negotiated and will formalise the collaboration in future. It is recommended that future research focuses on plants with economic development potential that can be cultivated in the medicinal garden.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Van Huyssteen, Mea
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Healers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/663 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Healers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Anti-infective agents
- Description: The promotion and development of indigenous knowledge pertaining to the traditional African healing system is one of the prime objectives set out by the South African government. Despite excellent research opportunities and funding, the biggest problem with ethnopharmacological research is a lack of interaction with indigenous communities, which tends to dilute the benefits this research has to offer these communities. The primary aim of this study was thus to promote the traditional African healing system through collaborative medicinal plant research with local traditional health practitioners. The research collaboration aimed to validate some biological activities of traditional remedies used by collaborating traditional health practitioners and ensured interactive sessions where scientific literature, research practices, findings and relevant legislation were discussed and debated. The joint development of a medicinal garden was a valuable tool in realising these goals. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Bulbine frutescens, Ornithogalum longibracteatum, Ruta graveolens, Tarchonanthus camphoratus and Tulbaghia violacea were selected for antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-diabetic screening, because of their sustainable utilisation potential. The ethanol extract of T. violacea produced the best antimicrobial activity on Bacillus subtilis (100% growth inhibition) and Candida albicans (89% growth inhibition) at 250 μg/ml. The EC50 for the ethanol extract of T. violacea against HT29 colon cancer cells was 101 μg/ml. The aqueous extracts of B. frutescens and T. camphoratus (0.5 and 50 μg/ml) produced the highest overall glucose uptake activity in Chang liver and C2C12 muscle cells. T. camphoratus was unanimously chosen by participating practitioners as the plant to be investigated further. The aqueous extract of T. camphoratus increased glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells through increased translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane and activation of the PI3-kinase and AMP-kinase pathways. It produced some alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity at concentrations of ≥ 200 μg/ml. Apart from interactive feedback seminars at which the findings were presented to participating practitioners, all scientific literature regarding the plants was summarised, translated, compiled and given to participating practitioners in written format. An indigenous knowledge agreement has been negotiated and will formalise the collaboration in future. It is recommended that future research focuses on plants with economic development potential that can be cultivated in the medicinal garden.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007