A psychobiographical study of John Henry Newman
- Authors: Mitchell, Gregory Paul
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Newman, John Henry, 1801-1890 , Cardinals -- England -- Biography , Authors, English -- 19th century -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021085
- Description: This study is a psychobiographical study, aiming to explore and describe the life of John Henry Newman (1801-1890), a theologian, priest, and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, through the application of Erik Erikson’s theory of Psychosocial Development. Newman is a significant figure in the English-speaking Christian world and his life and thought remains of interest and importance, particularly in the fields of philosophy, theology, ecclesiology and education. Newman was beatified in 2010 and therefore this study also considers the hagiographical nature of biographical data. This study utilises a qualitative single case study approach and the subject was selected through purposive sampling based on interest value. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources to enhance validity. The data were analysed by organising and reducing information obtained regarding Newman’s life and then displaying it for discussion. The study considers Newman’s life, reconstructed from birth, through adolescence and adulthood to his death and also considers his posthumous legacy. The main themes of discussion revolve around Newman’s development of his religious identity and his life as a churchman and an academic. It considers how a psychosocially functional individual such as Newman manifests certain dystonic, maladaptive or malignant tendencies such as doubt, shame, guilt and overextension, and how these impact the formation of religious identity and the experience of God and the spiritual life. Basic trust, celibate intimacy and generativity emerged as three significant areas of importance in the Newman’s life and identity. The study highlighted the value of psychobiographical studies and of Erikson’s theory in understanding development. Recommendations for future research in this field are made in the hope of further uncovering and understanding personality, religious identity and psychosocial development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mitchell, Gregory Paul
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Newman, John Henry, 1801-1890 , Cardinals -- England -- Biography , Authors, English -- 19th century -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021085
- Description: This study is a psychobiographical study, aiming to explore and describe the life of John Henry Newman (1801-1890), a theologian, priest, and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, through the application of Erik Erikson’s theory of Psychosocial Development. Newman is a significant figure in the English-speaking Christian world and his life and thought remains of interest and importance, particularly in the fields of philosophy, theology, ecclesiology and education. Newman was beatified in 2010 and therefore this study also considers the hagiographical nature of biographical data. This study utilises a qualitative single case study approach and the subject was selected through purposive sampling based on interest value. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources to enhance validity. The data were analysed by organising and reducing information obtained regarding Newman’s life and then displaying it for discussion. The study considers Newman’s life, reconstructed from birth, through adolescence and adulthood to his death and also considers his posthumous legacy. The main themes of discussion revolve around Newman’s development of his religious identity and his life as a churchman and an academic. It considers how a psychosocially functional individual such as Newman manifests certain dystonic, maladaptive or malignant tendencies such as doubt, shame, guilt and overextension, and how these impact the formation of religious identity and the experience of God and the spiritual life. Basic trust, celibate intimacy and generativity emerged as three significant areas of importance in the Newman’s life and identity. The study highlighted the value of psychobiographical studies and of Erikson’s theory in understanding development. Recommendations for future research in this field are made in the hope of further uncovering and understanding personality, religious identity and psychosocial development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A psychobiographical study of Steven Paul Jobs
- Authors: Moore, Noelle
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Computer engineers -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021112
- Description: The study consists of a psychobiography of the American entrepreneur and innovative co-founder of Apple Computers, Steven Paul Jobs (1955 – 2011). The psychobiographical research method qualitatively considers the lived life of an individual in an attempt to understand the psychological development in the context of applied psychological theory. A theoretical integration of Adler‘s Individual Psychology and Antonovsky‘s Sense of Coherence was utilized in the present study. This integrative approach facilitated a dynamic and holistic picture of the individual‘s functioning in illuminating not only personality but also the individual‘s social context, choice making capacity, general resistance resources and the individual‘s ‗meaning making‘ capacity in the strive towards health and superiority. Steven Paul Jobs revolutionised personal computing. Ranked as Forbes‘ seventeenth most powerful person and Man of the Year by The Financial Times in 2010, Jobs‘ contribution to modern technology is widely acknowledged and revered. To ensure the accurate description of the lived life of Steven Paul Jobs, extensive data was examined by utilizing Alexander‘s model of identifying salient themes. The study considered the nature and methodology of psychobiography, the theories of Alfred Adler and Aaron Antonovsky and the life of Steven Paul Jobs that resulted in an integrated psychological description of the subject. The findings of this study indicate that Steven Paul Jobs‘ unique context (environment and constitutional attributes) was valuable in light of the theoretical frameworks that the present study is grounded upon as it illustrated an individual‘s self-determination and capacity to exercise choice in response to life challenges. The study highlighted that the individual is not necessarily a passive bystander to his life events but rather is driven by an internal forward striving. Key concepts: Aaron Antonovsky, Alfred Adler, Apple Computers, Individual Psychology, Psychobiography, Sense of Coherence, Steven Paul Jobs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Moore, Noelle
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Computer engineers -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021112
- Description: The study consists of a psychobiography of the American entrepreneur and innovative co-founder of Apple Computers, Steven Paul Jobs (1955 – 2011). The psychobiographical research method qualitatively considers the lived life of an individual in an attempt to understand the psychological development in the context of applied psychological theory. A theoretical integration of Adler‘s Individual Psychology and Antonovsky‘s Sense of Coherence was utilized in the present study. This integrative approach facilitated a dynamic and holistic picture of the individual‘s functioning in illuminating not only personality but also the individual‘s social context, choice making capacity, general resistance resources and the individual‘s ‗meaning making‘ capacity in the strive towards health and superiority. Steven Paul Jobs revolutionised personal computing. Ranked as Forbes‘ seventeenth most powerful person and Man of the Year by The Financial Times in 2010, Jobs‘ contribution to modern technology is widely acknowledged and revered. To ensure the accurate description of the lived life of Steven Paul Jobs, extensive data was examined by utilizing Alexander‘s model of identifying salient themes. The study considered the nature and methodology of psychobiography, the theories of Alfred Adler and Aaron Antonovsky and the life of Steven Paul Jobs that resulted in an integrated psychological description of the subject. The findings of this study indicate that Steven Paul Jobs‘ unique context (environment and constitutional attributes) was valuable in light of the theoretical frameworks that the present study is grounded upon as it illustrated an individual‘s self-determination and capacity to exercise choice in response to life challenges. The study highlighted that the individual is not necessarily a passive bystander to his life events but rather is driven by an internal forward striving. Key concepts: Aaron Antonovsky, Alfred Adler, Apple Computers, Individual Psychology, Psychobiography, Sense of Coherence, Steven Paul Jobs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A systematic review of the effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions
- Authors: Badenhorst, Estelle
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Animals -- Therapeutic use , Human-animal relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021139
- Description: There is a global increase in research on the benefits of animals and the value of incorporating them into interventional practices. This is referred to as animal-assisted interventions. Due to the novelty of this type of intervention and the accompanying complexity of variables, a need exists to explore the various aspects within these interventions. Looking specifically at animal-assisted interventions within the mental health field, this study focuses on the psycho-therapeutic value of companion animals, such as dogs and cats. The primary aim of this study was to identify the mechanisms through which an animal-assisted intervention exerts its influence. A secondary aim was to indentify salient methodological aspects within the included studies. A systematic review of existing literature was undertaken to explore these factors. Each study was appraised against specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and themes were extracted. The data was synthesised, integrated and discussed in relation to previously conducted studies in relevant fields. Six themes emerged from the systematic review. These included enhanced comfort, the living nature of animals, physical contact, adjunctive nature, an affinity for animals, as well as methodological considerations. Based on these emergent themes conclusions were drawn as to the psycho-therapeutic influences of companion animals. This may serve as informative knowledge regarding animal-assisted interventions for practitioners seeking additional methods to reach treatment goals. Information is also provided for researchers interested in the field, particularly methodological considerations, before embarking on a study of animal-assisted intervention efficacy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Badenhorst, Estelle
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Animals -- Therapeutic use , Human-animal relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021139
- Description: There is a global increase in research on the benefits of animals and the value of incorporating them into interventional practices. This is referred to as animal-assisted interventions. Due to the novelty of this type of intervention and the accompanying complexity of variables, a need exists to explore the various aspects within these interventions. Looking specifically at animal-assisted interventions within the mental health field, this study focuses on the psycho-therapeutic value of companion animals, such as dogs and cats. The primary aim of this study was to identify the mechanisms through which an animal-assisted intervention exerts its influence. A secondary aim was to indentify salient methodological aspects within the included studies. A systematic review of existing literature was undertaken to explore these factors. Each study was appraised against specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and themes were extracted. The data was synthesised, integrated and discussed in relation to previously conducted studies in relevant fields. Six themes emerged from the systematic review. These included enhanced comfort, the living nature of animals, physical contact, adjunctive nature, an affinity for animals, as well as methodological considerations. Based on these emergent themes conclusions were drawn as to the psycho-therapeutic influences of companion animals. This may serve as informative knowledge regarding animal-assisted interventions for practitioners seeking additional methods to reach treatment goals. Information is also provided for researchers interested in the field, particularly methodological considerations, before embarking on a study of animal-assisted intervention efficacy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An Eriksonian psychobiography of Martin Luther King Junior
- Authors: Pietersen, Sheri-Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African Americans -- Biography , Civil rights workers -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021037
- Description: The aim of the current study was to conduct a psychobiography of the life of Martin Luther King Junior, who was born in 1929 and died in 1968. He was an American clergyman, husband, father, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement. King fought for civil rights for all people. His “I Have a Dream” speech raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established him as one of the greatest orators in the United States of America. His main legacy was to secure access to civil rights for all Americans, thereby empowering people of all racial and religious backgrounds, and promoting equality in the American nation. This is a psychobiographical research study which aimed to explore and describe the life of Martin Luther King junior’s psychological development according to Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Developmental Theory. King was selected through purposive sampling on the basis of interest, value, and uniqueness to the researcher. Alexander’s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyse the data which were then compared to Erikson’s theory through a process of analytical generalisation. Limitations of the current study were identified and certain recommendations for future research in this field are offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Pietersen, Sheri-Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: African Americans -- Biography , Civil rights workers -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021037
- Description: The aim of the current study was to conduct a psychobiography of the life of Martin Luther King Junior, who was born in 1929 and died in 1968. He was an American clergyman, husband, father, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement. King fought for civil rights for all people. His “I Have a Dream” speech raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established him as one of the greatest orators in the United States of America. His main legacy was to secure access to civil rights for all Americans, thereby empowering people of all racial and religious backgrounds, and promoting equality in the American nation. This is a psychobiographical research study which aimed to explore and describe the life of Martin Luther King junior’s psychological development according to Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Developmental Theory. King was selected through purposive sampling on the basis of interest, value, and uniqueness to the researcher. Alexander’s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyse the data which were then compared to Erikson’s theory through a process of analytical generalisation. Limitations of the current study were identified and certain recommendations for future research in this field are offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Best practice guideline for the transition of final year nursing students to professional nurses in the military health service in South Africa
- Authors: Caka, Ernestina Masebina
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: School-to-work transition -- South Africa , Nurses -- Training of -- South Africa , Nursing students -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021097
- Description: The transition period from student nurses to professional nurses has been acknowledged as being very stressful, particularly in the military health service due to the dual transition. The phase is marked as final year nursing students try to consolidate the experience and knowledge gained during their four year training period with clinical decision making and problem solving skills being applied in the work environment. The students require support and guidance to effect a successful transition from being a student to being a professional nurse. The transition of students in the military health setting might be experienced differently due to the context that is vastly different from the other health care settings (Moore, 2006:541). The aim of the research was to explore the experiences of role transition of final year nursing students, particularly their preparedness to take up the role of a professional nurse in the military health setting in order to assist managers and educators to support and facilitate this professional adjustment appropriately. A qualitative, descriptive, contextual design was employed for the study and followed a three-phase approach. Phase one comprised a qualitative approach, where semi-structured and focus group interviews were conducted to gather the data. Nurse managers, nurse educators, final year nursing students and novice professional nurses formed part of the population for the study. Creswell’s method of data analysis was employed in analysing the data. The second phase dealt with the integrative review of literature on the transition of final year nursing students into professional nurses. Data extracted from the guidelines formed themes that were triangulated to form phase three of the study. Lastly, a best practice guideline was developed to facilitate the transition period of final year nursing students to professional nurses. Principles of trustworthiness were adhered to, participants were treated in a fair manner and confidential information was not divulged without the consent of the participants. Participants were asked to take part voluntarily and without coercion. Ethical approval was requested to give consent for the study to be undertaken and ethical principles were adhered to throughout the study. Findings were then disseminated after the conclusion of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Caka, Ernestina Masebina
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: School-to-work transition -- South Africa , Nurses -- Training of -- South Africa , Nursing students -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021097
- Description: The transition period from student nurses to professional nurses has been acknowledged as being very stressful, particularly in the military health service due to the dual transition. The phase is marked as final year nursing students try to consolidate the experience and knowledge gained during their four year training period with clinical decision making and problem solving skills being applied in the work environment. The students require support and guidance to effect a successful transition from being a student to being a professional nurse. The transition of students in the military health setting might be experienced differently due to the context that is vastly different from the other health care settings (Moore, 2006:541). The aim of the research was to explore the experiences of role transition of final year nursing students, particularly their preparedness to take up the role of a professional nurse in the military health setting in order to assist managers and educators to support and facilitate this professional adjustment appropriately. A qualitative, descriptive, contextual design was employed for the study and followed a three-phase approach. Phase one comprised a qualitative approach, where semi-structured and focus group interviews were conducted to gather the data. Nurse managers, nurse educators, final year nursing students and novice professional nurses formed part of the population for the study. Creswell’s method of data analysis was employed in analysing the data. The second phase dealt with the integrative review of literature on the transition of final year nursing students into professional nurses. Data extracted from the guidelines formed themes that were triangulated to form phase three of the study. Lastly, a best practice guideline was developed to facilitate the transition period of final year nursing students to professional nurses. Principles of trustworthiness were adhered to, participants were treated in a fair manner and confidential information was not divulged without the consent of the participants. Participants were asked to take part voluntarily and without coercion. Ethical approval was requested to give consent for the study to be undertaken and ethical principles were adhered to throughout the study. Findings were then disseminated after the conclusion of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Community service professional nurses' experiences of bullying in state hospitals
- Authors: Yon, Gadieja
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Public health nurses , Bullying in the workplace , State hospitals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10056 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018622
- Description: It is estimated that 80 percent of nurses experience some type of bullying in the workplace during their working lives, and bullying from colleagues has become a major concern. Bullying involves repeated forms of negative behaviours directed at a victim over time. More specifically, the victim is bullied repeatedly over time, with bullying ranging from mild to more severe forms that often go unreported. Bullying in the workplace may cause low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, physical illness and in some cases, the inability to work. The aim of this research study was to explore and describe community service professional nurses’ experiences of being bullied in state hospitals. The information gathered during the course of the study was used to develop strategies that can prevent the bullying of community service professional nurses in the workplace. The design of the study was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual in nature. The population sample included all community service professional nurses in state hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. The researcher employed purposive sampling to select participants from the population of community service professional nurses employed at state hospitals. She collected data by conducting semi-structured individual interviews to gain in-depth accounts from participants and by making observations, which were captured in field notes. Data collected during the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed according to Tesch’s eight steps of analysis. Themes were identified through this process and compared to relevant literature. The researcher used the services of an independent coder to aid in the coding process. Trustworthiness was ensured by following Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness, which comprises the following concepts: credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability. The researcher ensured that the study adhered to high ethical standards through the principles of justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect for people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Yon, Gadieja
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Public health nurses , Bullying in the workplace , State hospitals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10056 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018622
- Description: It is estimated that 80 percent of nurses experience some type of bullying in the workplace during their working lives, and bullying from colleagues has become a major concern. Bullying involves repeated forms of negative behaviours directed at a victim over time. More specifically, the victim is bullied repeatedly over time, with bullying ranging from mild to more severe forms that often go unreported. Bullying in the workplace may cause low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, physical illness and in some cases, the inability to work. The aim of this research study was to explore and describe community service professional nurses’ experiences of being bullied in state hospitals. The information gathered during the course of the study was used to develop strategies that can prevent the bullying of community service professional nurses in the workplace. The design of the study was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual in nature. The population sample included all community service professional nurses in state hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. The researcher employed purposive sampling to select participants from the population of community service professional nurses employed at state hospitals. She collected data by conducting semi-structured individual interviews to gain in-depth accounts from participants and by making observations, which were captured in field notes. Data collected during the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed according to Tesch’s eight steps of analysis. Themes were identified through this process and compared to relevant literature. The researcher used the services of an independent coder to aid in the coding process. Trustworthiness was ensured by following Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness, which comprises the following concepts: credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability. The researcher ensured that the study adhered to high ethical standards through the principles of justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect for people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Coping with romantic relationship dissolution: the role of social media
- Authors: Cothill, Elzaan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Online social networks , Man-woman relationships , Cyberspace -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021161
- Description: Individuals utilise social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to communicate and stay in touch with romantic partners and to maintain relationships. SNSs also play a role in connecting individuals to each other – it enables users to gain a better understanding of the self and to develop meaningful relationships with others. It is used to share personal experiences and is frequently used as a means of social support. Making use of social media can therefore also play a role in coping with relationship dissolution, both at the time of the dissolution and during the post-dissolution stages of the romantic relationship. Lazarus’ Stress and Coping Theory, as well as aspects of Social Interactionist Theory, were utilised as a theoretical framework to conceptualise coping strategies and online behaviour. The aim of the study was to create a detailed description of the role of social media in coping with relationship dissolution. The study was a qualitative, phenomenological study and participants were obtained using purposive and snowball sampling. Unstructured, in-depth interviews were used to collect the data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Based on the findings of the researcher, social media can be both advantageous and disadvantageous in coping with relationships dissolution. Moreover, using social media in order to cope during and after relationship dissolution indicated adaptive coping in the short-term, and maladaptive coping in the long-term. This study has therefore generated an understanding of the role of social media in coping with relationship dissolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Cothill, Elzaan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Online social networks , Man-woman relationships , Cyberspace -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021161
- Description: Individuals utilise social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to communicate and stay in touch with romantic partners and to maintain relationships. SNSs also play a role in connecting individuals to each other – it enables users to gain a better understanding of the self and to develop meaningful relationships with others. It is used to share personal experiences and is frequently used as a means of social support. Making use of social media can therefore also play a role in coping with relationship dissolution, both at the time of the dissolution and during the post-dissolution stages of the romantic relationship. Lazarus’ Stress and Coping Theory, as well as aspects of Social Interactionist Theory, were utilised as a theoretical framework to conceptualise coping strategies and online behaviour. The aim of the study was to create a detailed description of the role of social media in coping with relationship dissolution. The study was a qualitative, phenomenological study and participants were obtained using purposive and snowball sampling. Unstructured, in-depth interviews were used to collect the data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Based on the findings of the researcher, social media can be both advantageous and disadvantageous in coping with relationships dissolution. Moreover, using social media in order to cope during and after relationship dissolution indicated adaptive coping in the short-term, and maladaptive coping in the long-term. This study has therefore generated an understanding of the role of social media in coping with relationship dissolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Cost comparison between repackaging bulk oral solid medicines and purchasing manufacturer-prepared patient-ready packs in the public sector in South Africa
- Authors: Abahamye, Aloysius
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Packaging -- Cost control , Business logistics -- Costs , Drugs -- Packaging , Manufacturing processes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020596 , Drugs -- Packaging
- Description: In an attempt to have medicines available in patient-ready packs (PRPs) prior to the dispensing process, the provincial medicine depots in South Africa have, for many years, been repackaging bulk medicines into PRPs. Notwithstanding the fact that bulk medicine packages may have been the only packages available from the manufacturers to service the Primary Health Care (PHC) sector, the main aim of this process was to ensure that medicines were available in PRPs for dispensing to patients, thus, minimising the time spent on each prescription by the pharmacist, pharmacist’s assistant or Nurse. Currently, some medicines are being procured in PRPs from the manufacturers, whereas others are still procured in bulk packs which must be repackaged into PRPs. After a thorough literature search, it was established that, up until this point in time, no studies have been performed to compare costs of repackaged medicines from bulk packs with costs of medicines procured from manufacturers in PRPs. There was very scanty literature comparing the use of medicines procured either in PRPs or bulk packs. However, literature on cost comparison between repackaging and purchasing of commercially available manufacturer-prepared PRPs was not identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Abahamye, Aloysius
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Packaging -- Cost control , Business logistics -- Costs , Drugs -- Packaging , Manufacturing processes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020596 , Drugs -- Packaging
- Description: In an attempt to have medicines available in patient-ready packs (PRPs) prior to the dispensing process, the provincial medicine depots in South Africa have, for many years, been repackaging bulk medicines into PRPs. Notwithstanding the fact that bulk medicine packages may have been the only packages available from the manufacturers to service the Primary Health Care (PHC) sector, the main aim of this process was to ensure that medicines were available in PRPs for dispensing to patients, thus, minimising the time spent on each prescription by the pharmacist, pharmacist’s assistant or Nurse. Currently, some medicines are being procured in PRPs from the manufacturers, whereas others are still procured in bulk packs which must be repackaged into PRPs. After a thorough literature search, it was established that, up until this point in time, no studies have been performed to compare costs of repackaged medicines from bulk packs with costs of medicines procured from manufacturers in PRPs. There was very scanty literature comparing the use of medicines procured either in PRPs or bulk packs. However, literature on cost comparison between repackaging and purchasing of commercially available manufacturer-prepared PRPs was not identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Degradation of Paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan®: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Curran,Catherine
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3165 , vital:43181
- Description: Abstract text. 5.1 Background Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is useful for the treatment of mild to moderate pain as well as being opiate–sparing. In recent years the problem of poor solubility of paracetamol in water has been overcome and an intravenous formulation of paracetamol developed. In South Africa this is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as Perfalgan®. Each 500 mg or 1g ampoule of Perfalgan® is recommended for single use only and is to be discarded once opened (Medicines.org, n.d.). This is most likely due to concerns about degradation of paracetamol or other ingredients in the solution once exposed to air and sterility issues. However in South Africa where this drug is expensive, some centers use one ampoule for multiple cases over the course of 12-24 hours. No obvious clinical adverse effects have been reported. 5.2 Objective of study The aim of this study was to examine the practice of using a single vial of Perfalgan® in divided doses over the course of a day for different patients by way of assessing the stability of Perfalgan® on exposure to air. The study has three components, namely: 1. In vitro assessment of paracetamol levels on exposure to air and stressors over time. 2. In vitro assessment of levels of the excipients, namely mannitol and cysteine on exposure to air and stressors over time. 3. Assessment of the lipid permeability of paracetamol in Perfalgan® on exposure to air and stressors over time. C Curran 2014 Degradation of paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan® 8 5.3 Methodology High performance liquid chromatography (HPCL-UV) was used to determine the concentration of paracetamol and the presence of degradation products in samples taken at set time periods following exposure of Perfalgan® to air and stressors. Initial work was done using pure paracetamol to determine optimal measurement conditions prior to analysing Perfalgan®. The concentrations of the additives and their degradation products were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR). Appreciable changes in these could indicate a safety hazard or decreased bioavailability. Finally ultraviolet spectroscopy was performed to assess samples at a wider spectrum of wavelengths, instead of the single wavelength used in HPLC. This was used to assess for degradation products which absorb at different wavelengths and therefore may be missed if HPLC was used alone. Ultraviolet spectroscopy was also used to test bioavailability of the drug via the octanol:water partition coefficient under stressed and unstressed conditions. 5.4 Results The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air over 24 hours. Neither did it degrade on exposure to acid, alkali, oxidative or heat stress. The HPLC retention time was constantly between 3.17-3.29 minutes. 1 H NMR revealed no change in the formulation of Perfalgan® except for the conversion of the oxygen scavenger cysteine to cystine. The octanol:water partition coefficient likewise stayed constant and was in agreement with the value of 0.46-0.49 quoted in the literature (International Programme on Chemical Safety, 2008; McNeil Consumer Healthcare, 2010). 5.5 Conclusion The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air and other stressors over 24 hours. The formulation as Perfalgan® was likewise found to be stable. The drug retained its lipid permeability over this period. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Curran,Catherine
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3165 , vital:43181
- Description: Abstract text. 5.1 Background Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is useful for the treatment of mild to moderate pain as well as being opiate–sparing. In recent years the problem of poor solubility of paracetamol in water has been overcome and an intravenous formulation of paracetamol developed. In South Africa this is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as Perfalgan®. Each 500 mg or 1g ampoule of Perfalgan® is recommended for single use only and is to be discarded once opened (Medicines.org, n.d.). This is most likely due to concerns about degradation of paracetamol or other ingredients in the solution once exposed to air and sterility issues. However in South Africa where this drug is expensive, some centers use one ampoule for multiple cases over the course of 12-24 hours. No obvious clinical adverse effects have been reported. 5.2 Objective of study The aim of this study was to examine the practice of using a single vial of Perfalgan® in divided doses over the course of a day for different patients by way of assessing the stability of Perfalgan® on exposure to air. The study has three components, namely: 1. In vitro assessment of paracetamol levels on exposure to air and stressors over time. 2. In vitro assessment of levels of the excipients, namely mannitol and cysteine on exposure to air and stressors over time. 3. Assessment of the lipid permeability of paracetamol in Perfalgan® on exposure to air and stressors over time. C Curran 2014 Degradation of paracetamol and other constituents in Perfalgan® 8 5.3 Methodology High performance liquid chromatography (HPCL-UV) was used to determine the concentration of paracetamol and the presence of degradation products in samples taken at set time periods following exposure of Perfalgan® to air and stressors. Initial work was done using pure paracetamol to determine optimal measurement conditions prior to analysing Perfalgan®. The concentrations of the additives and their degradation products were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR). Appreciable changes in these could indicate a safety hazard or decreased bioavailability. Finally ultraviolet spectroscopy was performed to assess samples at a wider spectrum of wavelengths, instead of the single wavelength used in HPLC. This was used to assess for degradation products which absorb at different wavelengths and therefore may be missed if HPLC was used alone. Ultraviolet spectroscopy was also used to test bioavailability of the drug via the octanol:water partition coefficient under stressed and unstressed conditions. 5.4 Results The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air over 24 hours. Neither did it degrade on exposure to acid, alkali, oxidative or heat stress. The HPLC retention time was constantly between 3.17-3.29 minutes. 1 H NMR revealed no change in the formulation of Perfalgan® except for the conversion of the oxygen scavenger cysteine to cystine. The octanol:water partition coefficient likewise stayed constant and was in agreement with the value of 0.46-0.49 quoted in the literature (International Programme on Chemical Safety, 2008; McNeil Consumer Healthcare, 2010). 5.5 Conclusion The paracetamol in Perfalgan® did not degrade on exposure to air and other stressors over 24 hours. The formulation as Perfalgan® was likewise found to be stable. The drug retained its lipid permeability over this period. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Die ervaring van die geregistreerde verpleegkundedosent ten opsigte van die kliniese begeleiding van verpleegstudente
- Authors: De Wet, Annemie
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Nursing students , Mentoring in nursing -- South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1018275
- Description: Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel hoe die verpleegkundedosent die begeleiding van verpleegstudente in die praktyk ervaar. In die verlede was begeleiding van verpleegstudente met praktika in gesondheidsorginstansies deur ʼn professionele verpleegkundige gedoen wat deel was van die personeel se verantwoordelikhede. Die verpleegstudente doen hul teoretiese kennis op by ʼn tersiêre instansie en verkry hul praktiese kennis by ʼn geakkrediteerde gesondheidsorginstansie soos vereis deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging (SARV). Een van die take van ‘n verpleegkundedosent van die privaat opleidingskool is om die kliniese begeleiding van verpleegstudente in geakkrediteerde instellings te doen. Omdat verpleging ʼn beroep is waar vaardighede belangrik is, is praktiese inoefening van prosedures en evaluering van die verpleegstudente se vaardigheid daarin noodsaaklik. Die verpleegstudente is heeltyd besig met die pasiënte in die vorm van prosedures waarby die teorie wat in die opleidingskool verkry was, gekorreleer moet word met die prosedure om die hele prentjie te vorm. Dit is dus nodig dat begeleiding van die verpleegstudente gedoen moet word om vaardigheid en toepassing van kennis te verseker. Die navorser het ʼn kwalitatiewe, ondersoekende, beskrywende en kontekstuele studie gedoen waarvan die populasie die geregistreerde dosente van verskeie provinsiale en privaatverpleegskole in die Klein-Karoo en Suid-kaapdistrikte was. Die navorser het gebruik gemaak van ʼn nie-waarskynlike steekproef. Inligtingryke data was ingesamel deur semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude wat aangevul was met veldnotas soos verkry tydens onderhoude. Data-ontleding was reeds begin met data-insameling en Tesch se inhoudsontleding was gebruik om ʼn mening te vorm. ‘n Literatuurkontrole was gedoen om te bepaal wat vorige navorsing oor begeleiding bevind en aanbeveel het. Lincoln en Guba se model was gebruik vir betroubaarheidsversekering volgens die kriteria wat hulle aanbeveel het, naamlik geloofwaardigheid, oordraagbaarheid, betroubaarheid en bevestigbaarheid. Uit die data-ontleding het vier belangrike temas en subtemas te voorskyn gekom. Die temas was dat die verpleegkundedosente aspekte van die begeleiding van verpleegstudente in die gesondheidsorginstansie as positief en ook as negatief beleef. Die wyse waarop die gesondheidsorginstansies bestuur word, het die begeleiding beïnvloed en daar was riglyne voorgestel wat die kliniese personeel en dosente kan rig wanneer hulle betrokke raak by die begeleiding van verpleegstudente. Die begeleiding van verpleegstudente deur verpleegkundedosente, kliniese dosente en die gesondheidsorginstansie se opgeleide personeel, is ʼn belangrike deel van verpleegopleiding en bepaal uiteindelik die kwaliteit van die pasiëntsorg wat verskaf word deur die verpleegkundiges. Die navorser het riglyne daar gestel om die begeleiding van vepleegstudente te rig. Die riglyne moet nou geïmplementeer en getoets word binne die konteks van die bepaalde verpleegskole en dan weer geëvalueer word. Beperkings wat ondervind was in die studie was dat die steekproef ʼn klein groepie verpleegkundedosente op die platteland was, wat veralgemening bemoeilik, veral in die stedelike konteks. Die begeleiding van die verpleegstudente is gedoen met die ingeskrewe verpleegstudente (Die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging Regulasies, Regulasie 2176 en 2175 van 19 November 1993), naamlik die kategorie met die minste status en verantwoordelikheid onder verpleegstudente. Veralgemening na alle kategorieë, veral verpleegstudente besig met professionele verpleegprogramme, mag dus nie sinvol wees nie.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: De Wet, Annemie
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Nursing students , Mentoring in nursing -- South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10053 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1018275
- Description: Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel hoe die verpleegkundedosent die begeleiding van verpleegstudente in die praktyk ervaar. In die verlede was begeleiding van verpleegstudente met praktika in gesondheidsorginstansies deur ʼn professionele verpleegkundige gedoen wat deel was van die personeel se verantwoordelikhede. Die verpleegstudente doen hul teoretiese kennis op by ʼn tersiêre instansie en verkry hul praktiese kennis by ʼn geakkrediteerde gesondheidsorginstansie soos vereis deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging (SARV). Een van die take van ‘n verpleegkundedosent van die privaat opleidingskool is om die kliniese begeleiding van verpleegstudente in geakkrediteerde instellings te doen. Omdat verpleging ʼn beroep is waar vaardighede belangrik is, is praktiese inoefening van prosedures en evaluering van die verpleegstudente se vaardigheid daarin noodsaaklik. Die verpleegstudente is heeltyd besig met die pasiënte in die vorm van prosedures waarby die teorie wat in die opleidingskool verkry was, gekorreleer moet word met die prosedure om die hele prentjie te vorm. Dit is dus nodig dat begeleiding van die verpleegstudente gedoen moet word om vaardigheid en toepassing van kennis te verseker. Die navorser het ʼn kwalitatiewe, ondersoekende, beskrywende en kontekstuele studie gedoen waarvan die populasie die geregistreerde dosente van verskeie provinsiale en privaatverpleegskole in die Klein-Karoo en Suid-kaapdistrikte was. Die navorser het gebruik gemaak van ʼn nie-waarskynlike steekproef. Inligtingryke data was ingesamel deur semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude wat aangevul was met veldnotas soos verkry tydens onderhoude. Data-ontleding was reeds begin met data-insameling en Tesch se inhoudsontleding was gebruik om ʼn mening te vorm. ‘n Literatuurkontrole was gedoen om te bepaal wat vorige navorsing oor begeleiding bevind en aanbeveel het. Lincoln en Guba se model was gebruik vir betroubaarheidsversekering volgens die kriteria wat hulle aanbeveel het, naamlik geloofwaardigheid, oordraagbaarheid, betroubaarheid en bevestigbaarheid. Uit die data-ontleding het vier belangrike temas en subtemas te voorskyn gekom. Die temas was dat die verpleegkundedosente aspekte van die begeleiding van verpleegstudente in die gesondheidsorginstansie as positief en ook as negatief beleef. Die wyse waarop die gesondheidsorginstansies bestuur word, het die begeleiding beïnvloed en daar was riglyne voorgestel wat die kliniese personeel en dosente kan rig wanneer hulle betrokke raak by die begeleiding van verpleegstudente. Die begeleiding van verpleegstudente deur verpleegkundedosente, kliniese dosente en die gesondheidsorginstansie se opgeleide personeel, is ʼn belangrike deel van verpleegopleiding en bepaal uiteindelik die kwaliteit van die pasiëntsorg wat verskaf word deur die verpleegkundiges. Die navorser het riglyne daar gestel om die begeleiding van vepleegstudente te rig. Die riglyne moet nou geïmplementeer en getoets word binne die konteks van die bepaalde verpleegskole en dan weer geëvalueer word. Beperkings wat ondervind was in die studie was dat die steekproef ʼn klein groepie verpleegkundedosente op die platteland was, wat veralgemening bemoeilik, veral in die stedelike konteks. Die begeleiding van die verpleegstudente is gedoen met die ingeskrewe verpleegstudente (Die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging Regulasies, Regulasie 2176 en 2175 van 19 November 1993), naamlik die kategorie met die minste status en verantwoordelikheid onder verpleegstudente. Veralgemening na alle kategorieë, veral verpleegstudente besig met professionele verpleegprogramme, mag dus nie sinvol wees nie.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Employees' perceptions of the South African Police Service's employee substance abuse prevention programme in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Smith, Janine
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Employee assistance programs -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Substance abuse -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10009 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021183
- Description: Substance abuse is a major social issue within the South African Police Service (SAPS). To address this issue, the SAPS implement an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) as an intervention to address problems that may affect the work performance of employees. Despite the existence of this programme, substance abuse is still occurring and has a negative impact on work performance. This concern has fuelled the researcher to initiate this study. The goal of this study is to gain an understanding of Port Elizabeth SAPS employees’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the EAP substance abuse prevention programme. A qualitative research methodology, with a descriptive, exploratory and contextual research design was implemented. The researcher elected to use non-probability sampling, specifically, purposive sampling for this study. A sample of ten employees was chosen from an area demarcated for the purpose of the study, within the SAPS in Port Elizabeth. Data was collected through semi-structured, individual interviews. Interviews were continued until saturation point was reached. The interviews were analyzed according to the detailed guidelines set out by Tesch (in Creswell, 2003:192). The data was verified according to Guba’s principles (in De Vos, Strydom, Fouche & Delport, 2002:351). The researcher also employed the services of an independent coder in order to enhance the trustworthiness of the study. The perceptions of EAP as a substance abuse prevention programme, by employees of the SAPS in Port Elizabeth, have not been highlighted adequately within the South African context. The researcher’s study will hence contribute to the existing body of knowledge of the discipline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Smith, Janine
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Employee assistance programs -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Substance abuse -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10009 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021183
- Description: Substance abuse is a major social issue within the South African Police Service (SAPS). To address this issue, the SAPS implement an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) as an intervention to address problems that may affect the work performance of employees. Despite the existence of this programme, substance abuse is still occurring and has a negative impact on work performance. This concern has fuelled the researcher to initiate this study. The goal of this study is to gain an understanding of Port Elizabeth SAPS employees’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the EAP substance abuse prevention programme. A qualitative research methodology, with a descriptive, exploratory and contextual research design was implemented. The researcher elected to use non-probability sampling, specifically, purposive sampling for this study. A sample of ten employees was chosen from an area demarcated for the purpose of the study, within the SAPS in Port Elizabeth. Data was collected through semi-structured, individual interviews. Interviews were continued until saturation point was reached. The interviews were analyzed according to the detailed guidelines set out by Tesch (in Creswell, 2003:192). The data was verified according to Guba’s principles (in De Vos, Strydom, Fouche & Delport, 2002:351). The researcher also employed the services of an independent coder in order to enhance the trustworthiness of the study. The perceptions of EAP as a substance abuse prevention programme, by employees of the SAPS in Port Elizabeth, have not been highlighted adequately within the South African context. The researcher’s study will hence contribute to the existing body of knowledge of the discipline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Experiences of labouring women of the use of the birthing ball
- Authors: Vieira,Melissa Jolene
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Delivery (Obstetrics) , Midwifery -- South Africa Midwives -- South Africa Neonatal nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44088 , vital:37106
- Description: Labour pain seems to be a challenge to the most of the labour wards/units. The birthing pain is non-avoidable but could be managed. Labouring women are sometimes limiting themselves to their beds as they are not coping well with the amount of pain they experience and this behaviour affects the progress of their labour. Different methods of pain relief in labour are available but are sometimes perceived by labouring women and midwives as not effective. Mobility has been noted in several obstetrical and midwifery nursing literature as the best strategy to promote positive progress of labour thus limiting pain. The use of the birthing ball by labouring women appears to be serving the purpose of mobility in labour. The researcher of this study aimed to investigate the experiences related to the use of the birthing ball by the labouring women. The objectives of the study were: To explore and describe the experiences of women in labour related to the use of the birthing ball, and based on the findings of the study, to recommend guidelines for the midwives to manage the first stage of labour through the use of the birthing ball. The research design used was qualitative, descriptive, explorative and contextual in nature, utilizing the phenomenological approach. The research population consisted of women who had made use of the birthing ball during labour. Data collection consisted of one-on-one unstructured interviews and field notes. The question that the participants were asked was: “Tell me, how it was for you when you were using the birthing ball during labour?” Collected data was analysed according to Creswell’s data analysis spiral and the assistance of an independent coder. Following the data analysis, a literature control was undertaken to highlight the similarities to and differences in comparison between this and previous studies. Lincoln and Guba’s Model of trustworthiness was used in this study to enhance credibility of the findings. The four aspects that were considered were credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The researcher ensured that the study was ethically correct by observing the principles of informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity and no harm done to participants. Three major themes and sub-themes were identified through analysis of the database. Participants’ experienced the birthing ball as a useful labour tool as: it relieves pain and allows them to relax and be comfortable, it helped to promote mobility during labour. Participants’ experienced the birthing ball as shortening the labour process as: it decreased the number of active pushes during delivery, it increased their contractions and resulted in a quick delivery. Participants experienced the use of the birthing ball as empowering during labour as: it introduces an element of fun which decreases their fear and resulted in a more positive labouring experience it allowed them to feel in control of their labour. Based on the findings of the study, conclusions were drawn, guidelines recommended and recommendations made concerning nursing research, nursing education and clinical practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Vieira,Melissa Jolene
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Delivery (Obstetrics) , Midwifery -- South Africa Midwives -- South Africa Neonatal nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44088 , vital:37106
- Description: Labour pain seems to be a challenge to the most of the labour wards/units. The birthing pain is non-avoidable but could be managed. Labouring women are sometimes limiting themselves to their beds as they are not coping well with the amount of pain they experience and this behaviour affects the progress of their labour. Different methods of pain relief in labour are available but are sometimes perceived by labouring women and midwives as not effective. Mobility has been noted in several obstetrical and midwifery nursing literature as the best strategy to promote positive progress of labour thus limiting pain. The use of the birthing ball by labouring women appears to be serving the purpose of mobility in labour. The researcher of this study aimed to investigate the experiences related to the use of the birthing ball by the labouring women. The objectives of the study were: To explore and describe the experiences of women in labour related to the use of the birthing ball, and based on the findings of the study, to recommend guidelines for the midwives to manage the first stage of labour through the use of the birthing ball. The research design used was qualitative, descriptive, explorative and contextual in nature, utilizing the phenomenological approach. The research population consisted of women who had made use of the birthing ball during labour. Data collection consisted of one-on-one unstructured interviews and field notes. The question that the participants were asked was: “Tell me, how it was for you when you were using the birthing ball during labour?” Collected data was analysed according to Creswell’s data analysis spiral and the assistance of an independent coder. Following the data analysis, a literature control was undertaken to highlight the similarities to and differences in comparison between this and previous studies. Lincoln and Guba’s Model of trustworthiness was used in this study to enhance credibility of the findings. The four aspects that were considered were credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The researcher ensured that the study was ethically correct by observing the principles of informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity and no harm done to participants. Three major themes and sub-themes were identified through analysis of the database. Participants’ experienced the birthing ball as a useful labour tool as: it relieves pain and allows them to relax and be comfortable, it helped to promote mobility during labour. Participants’ experienced the birthing ball as shortening the labour process as: it decreased the number of active pushes during delivery, it increased their contractions and resulted in a quick delivery. Participants experienced the use of the birthing ball as empowering during labour as: it introduces an element of fun which decreases their fear and resulted in a more positive labouring experience it allowed them to feel in control of their labour. Based on the findings of the study, conclusions were drawn, guidelines recommended and recommendations made concerning nursing research, nursing education and clinical practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Experiences of professional nurses related to caring for chronic mentally ill patients at rural primary healthcare clinics
- Authors: Sam, Noluthando
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- Rehabilitation , Chronically ill -- Rehabilitation , Hospitals -- Case management services , Mentally ill -- Care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10068
- Description: Since the deinstitutionalisation of chronic mentally ill patients, there has been an increase in the number of relapsed chronic mentally ill patients who become acutely mentally ill and need to be re-admitted for acute care in psychiatric institutions. Professional nurses working at rural primary healthcare clinics find it difficult to care for these individuals because they lack the necessary knowledge and skills. Chronic mentally ill patients who have been admitted to acute care facilities are stabilised by rendering care, treatment and rehabilitation and then released into the care of the professional nurses working at rural primary healthcare clinics. These patients live in the community and have to make use of the primary healthcare clinics nearest to their homes to provide them with their prescribed medication and care. Furthermore the patients’ mental conditions do not always remain stable, possibly because of a knowledge deficit, at times about their mental status. Patients may become non-compliant, resulting in the recurrence of symptoms, and thus need to be re-admitted to the acute care facility. However, the problem leading to re-admission is not clear for all admissions. It may be that patients do not make use of the primary healthcare clinics. It also seems that the professional nurses in the primary healthcare clinics are unfamiliar in dealing with chronic mentally ill patients living in rural communities. The aim of this study was therefore, to explore and describe the experiences of these professional nurses in caring for chronic mentally ill patients living in a rural community. The researcher used qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design. The research population consisted of professional nurses working at primary healthcare clinics. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to identify participants for inclusion in the study. Data collection was conducted using one-on-one, semi structured interviews, observations and field notes and interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted using Tesh’s method of content analysis to identify themes and sub-themes. A literature control was done to compare the findings to the current published research. Trustworthiness was ensured by using Gubas’s model (1985) of trustworthiness. A pilot study, conducted by interviewing a small sample prior to the start of the main study, determined whether the sampling and interviewing techniques of the researcher as well as the research questions were adequate for data collection. The researcher ensured that the study was of a high ethical standard by taking into consideration values that guide the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. The findings of the study was categorised into three main themes and 13 sub-themes. The main themes were as follow: Professional nurses experience problems when they have to take care of psychiatric patients attending rural primary healthcare clinics. This theme had six sub-themes which were discussed in details in chapter three. The second theme was that professional nurses experience that psychiatric patients in rural communities experience problems which affected their well-being. This second theme has got five sub-themes which were discussed further in chapter three. The last theme was that professional nurses have positive experiences when caring for psychiatric patients in rural communities. This theme has got two sub-themes as well discussed further in chapter three.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sam, Noluthando
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- Rehabilitation , Chronically ill -- Rehabilitation , Hospitals -- Case management services , Mentally ill -- Care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10068
- Description: Since the deinstitutionalisation of chronic mentally ill patients, there has been an increase in the number of relapsed chronic mentally ill patients who become acutely mentally ill and need to be re-admitted for acute care in psychiatric institutions. Professional nurses working at rural primary healthcare clinics find it difficult to care for these individuals because they lack the necessary knowledge and skills. Chronic mentally ill patients who have been admitted to acute care facilities are stabilised by rendering care, treatment and rehabilitation and then released into the care of the professional nurses working at rural primary healthcare clinics. These patients live in the community and have to make use of the primary healthcare clinics nearest to their homes to provide them with their prescribed medication and care. Furthermore the patients’ mental conditions do not always remain stable, possibly because of a knowledge deficit, at times about their mental status. Patients may become non-compliant, resulting in the recurrence of symptoms, and thus need to be re-admitted to the acute care facility. However, the problem leading to re-admission is not clear for all admissions. It may be that patients do not make use of the primary healthcare clinics. It also seems that the professional nurses in the primary healthcare clinics are unfamiliar in dealing with chronic mentally ill patients living in rural communities. The aim of this study was therefore, to explore and describe the experiences of these professional nurses in caring for chronic mentally ill patients living in a rural community. The researcher used qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design. The research population consisted of professional nurses working at primary healthcare clinics. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to identify participants for inclusion in the study. Data collection was conducted using one-on-one, semi structured interviews, observations and field notes and interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted using Tesh’s method of content analysis to identify themes and sub-themes. A literature control was done to compare the findings to the current published research. Trustworthiness was ensured by using Gubas’s model (1985) of trustworthiness. A pilot study, conducted by interviewing a small sample prior to the start of the main study, determined whether the sampling and interviewing techniques of the researcher as well as the research questions were adequate for data collection. The researcher ensured that the study was of a high ethical standard by taking into consideration values that guide the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. The findings of the study was categorised into three main themes and 13 sub-themes. The main themes were as follow: Professional nurses experience problems when they have to take care of psychiatric patients attending rural primary healthcare clinics. This theme had six sub-themes which were discussed in details in chapter three. The second theme was that professional nurses experience that psychiatric patients in rural communities experience problems which affected their well-being. This second theme has got five sub-themes which were discussed further in chapter three. The last theme was that professional nurses have positive experiences when caring for psychiatric patients in rural communities. This theme has got two sub-themes as well discussed further in chapter three.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Fathers' coping with the day-to-day stressors of living with a child on the autistic spectrum
- Authors: Hitge, Marcel
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Autistic children , Parents of autistic children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8628 , vital:26414
- Description: In general there is very little research on the coping styles that the fathers of children suffering from Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) use in order to cope with the day-to-day demands and stressors that result from their child‘s unique condition. The research study focuses on the fathers of children on the autistic spectrum and how they cope with the stressors resulting from their children‘s condition on daily basis. The study made use of Bronfenbrenner‘s Ecosystemic Theory of Human Development as the guiding theoretical framework in exploring and describing this specific research domain. This was a qualitative study and it was phenomenological, descriptive and analytical in nature. The reason for this was to hear the voices of the fathers and explore in-depth how they deal with the daily stressors resulting from their children‘s condition. Semi-structured interviews were utilised where the fathers were asked to respond to an open-ended question. The data that was obtained from the fathers was analysed by means of content analysis. The sample size of the study was small (n=5) and other limitations included a small number of previous studies done on the fathers of children on the autistic spectrum. The literature that is available that focused on the fathers of ASD children are often old and might possibly be out dated. However, this study aimed to hear the voices of the fathers of children on the autistic spectrum and explore how they cope with the daily stressors. Therefore, this study will contribute to the literature on the fathers of ASD children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Hitge, Marcel
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Autistic children , Parents of autistic children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8628 , vital:26414
- Description: In general there is very little research on the coping styles that the fathers of children suffering from Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) use in order to cope with the day-to-day demands and stressors that result from their child‘s unique condition. The research study focuses on the fathers of children on the autistic spectrum and how they cope with the stressors resulting from their children‘s condition on daily basis. The study made use of Bronfenbrenner‘s Ecosystemic Theory of Human Development as the guiding theoretical framework in exploring and describing this specific research domain. This was a qualitative study and it was phenomenological, descriptive and analytical in nature. The reason for this was to hear the voices of the fathers and explore in-depth how they deal with the daily stressors resulting from their children‘s condition. Semi-structured interviews were utilised where the fathers were asked to respond to an open-ended question. The data that was obtained from the fathers was analysed by means of content analysis. The sample size of the study was small (n=5) and other limitations included a small number of previous studies done on the fathers of children on the autistic spectrum. The literature that is available that focused on the fathers of ASD children are often old and might possibly be out dated. However, this study aimed to hear the voices of the fathers of children on the autistic spectrum and explore how they cope with the daily stressors. Therefore, this study will contribute to the literature on the fathers of ASD children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Fundamental movement skill proficiency status of girls aged 9-to-12 years from previously disadvantaged communities in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Kahts, Samantha Andrea
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Movement therapy for children -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Exercise therapy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10107 , http://ndl.handle.net/10948/d1020060
- Description: A lack of fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency in children can contribute to decreased physical activity (PA) levels, increased adiposity and poor acquisition of specialised sport specific movement skills. To prevent the latter, the identification of FMS status in early and middle childhood years is needed for targeted and specific interventions. Against the backdrop of physical education being omitted from the South African school curriculum, the presence of a patriarchal society, gender sporting stereotyping, high levels of unemployment and low education levels; the assessment of FMS status is particularly warranted. Aim of Study: The primary aim of this study was to assess the FMS proficiency of girls aged 9-to-12 years from previously disadvantaged communities within Nelson Mandela Bay. Methodology:A descriptive-exploratory-contextual study design, employing quantitative assessment techniques, was utilized. The sample comprised of 227 girls. Convenience sampling was employed. Testing consisted of FMS proficiency tests in the 20m and 40m sprint, standing long jump, throwing for distance, catching, static balance and throwing for accuracy. FMS process scores were assessed with the body component (BC) and Test of Gross Motor Development II (TGMD II) approaches. Anthropometric measurements of the standing and seated height, mass, arm span and leg length were additionally measured. Microsoft Excel® and Statistica® were used for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. In the case of significant ANOVA results, the Scheffe post hoc test was used for pairwise comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p<.05 and practical significance (Cohen’s d) was set at d>.2. Pearson Correlation Coefficient identified statistical and practical correlations between two variables and chi square was applied to indicate differences in frequency distribution tables. Cramer’s V values were applied to determine practical significance in the case where statistical significant differences were identified between sets of frequency distributions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kahts, Samantha Andrea
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Movement therapy for children -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Exercise therapy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10107 , http://ndl.handle.net/10948/d1020060
- Description: A lack of fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency in children can contribute to decreased physical activity (PA) levels, increased adiposity and poor acquisition of specialised sport specific movement skills. To prevent the latter, the identification of FMS status in early and middle childhood years is needed for targeted and specific interventions. Against the backdrop of physical education being omitted from the South African school curriculum, the presence of a patriarchal society, gender sporting stereotyping, high levels of unemployment and low education levels; the assessment of FMS status is particularly warranted. Aim of Study: The primary aim of this study was to assess the FMS proficiency of girls aged 9-to-12 years from previously disadvantaged communities within Nelson Mandela Bay. Methodology:A descriptive-exploratory-contextual study design, employing quantitative assessment techniques, was utilized. The sample comprised of 227 girls. Convenience sampling was employed. Testing consisted of FMS proficiency tests in the 20m and 40m sprint, standing long jump, throwing for distance, catching, static balance and throwing for accuracy. FMS process scores were assessed with the body component (BC) and Test of Gross Motor Development II (TGMD II) approaches. Anthropometric measurements of the standing and seated height, mass, arm span and leg length were additionally measured. Microsoft Excel® and Statistica® were used for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. In the case of significant ANOVA results, the Scheffe post hoc test was used for pairwise comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p<.05 and practical significance (Cohen’s d) was set at d>.2. Pearson Correlation Coefficient identified statistical and practical correlations between two variables and chi square was applied to indicate differences in frequency distribution tables. Cramer’s V values were applied to determine practical significance in the case where statistical significant differences were identified between sets of frequency distributions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Fundamental movement skill proficiency status of girls aged 9-to-12 years from previously disadvantaged communities in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Kahts, Samantha Andrea
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Movement therapy for children -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Exercise therapy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Kinesiology -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10114 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021035
- Description: Problem Statement A lack of fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency in children can contribute to decreased physical activity (PA) levels, increased adiposity and poor acquisition of specialised sport specific movement skills. To prevent the latter, the identification of FMS status in early and middle childhood years is needed for targeted and specific interventions. Against the backdrop of physical education being omitted from the South African school curriculum, the presence of a patriarchal society, gender sporting stereotyping, high levels of unemployment and low education levels; the assessment of FMS status is particularly warranted. Aim of Study The primary aim of this study was to assess the FMS proficiency of girls aged 9-to-12 years from previously disadvantaged communities within Nelson Mandela Bay. Methodology A descriptive-exploratory-contextual study design, employing quantitative assessment techniques, was utilized. The sample comprised of 227 girls. Convenience sampling was employed. Testing consisted of FMS proficiency tests in the 20m and 40m sprint, standing long jump, throwing for distance, catching, static balance and throwing for accuracy. FMS process scores were assessed with the body component (BC) and Test of Gross Motor Development II (TGMD II) approaches. Anthropometric measurements of the standing and seated height, mass, arm span and leg length were additionally measured. Microsoft Excel® and Statistica® were used for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. In the case of significant ANOVA results, the Scheffe post hoc test was used for pairwise comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p<.05 and practical significance (Cohen’s d) was set at d>.2. Pearson Correlation Coefficient identified statistical and practical correlations between two variables and chi square was applied to indicate differences in frequency distribution tables. Cramer’s V values were applied to determine practical significance in the case where statistical significant differences were identified between sets of frequency distributions The BC approach indicated that most participants could not proficiently perform the run for speed (94.71 percent), standing long jump (96.9 percent) or throw for distance (83.56 percent). Only the catch was performed proficiently (91.19 percent). TGMD II results for the present study indicated that participants’ run for speed (100 percent) and catch (96.92 percent) were performed proficiently and their standing long jump (93.78 percent) and throw for distance (83.56 percent) process scores were performed least proficiently. Only the catch composite BC scores had a statistically (df=1.31; f=3.24; p=.024) and practically significant (d=0.82) improvement in the BC scores between the age groups 9 and 12 years. Only the standing long jump, throw for distance and throw for accuracy product scores improved statically and practically significantly with aging (p<.05; d>.2). Hence the further participants jumped, the faster they ran. Standing and seated height, weight and arm span improved statistically and practically significantly with age (p<.05; d>.2). All anthropometric variables, except for leg length, had a positive medium correlation (r=.335 to r=.439) with balance errors and this was only in 12 year olds. The throw for distance product scores had a medium correlation to seated height (r=.32) and arm span (r=.33). The run for speed had a medium correlation (r=.313) with mass. According to the IOTF classifications 24.67 percent of children were overweight and 7.49 percent of children were obese. Statistically significant differences were found for the run for speed (df=224; f=27.07; p=2.9E-11) and standing long jump (df=224; f=15.68; p=4.2E-07) when comparing product scores to normal weight, overweight and obese participants. These differences were furthermore found to be of medium to large practical significance between the normal and obese participants for the run for speed (d=0.61 to d=1.77) and Standing Long Jump (d=0.40 to d=1.33). On average 50 percent and 55 percent of participants partook 60 minutes or more of PA after school on week days and on weekend’s respectively. This PA consisted mostly of running and ball games. Only 10 percent of participants had commenced with menarche Conclusion Findings have highlighted the need for specifically targeted FMS interventions at an early age in female learners from previously disadvantaged communities. Both a product and process FMS assessment is warranted as this facilitates deductions about movement proficiency levels. A FMS proficiency assessment protocol is needed for South African children which is internationally comparable. Childhood overweight and obesity impacts FMS proficiency and should be addressed in future research. Cultural norms, gender stereotypes and sport management structures at primary school level seem to be affecting FMS proficiency and should be addressed in future research
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kahts, Samantha Andrea
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Movement therapy for children -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Exercise therapy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Kinesiology -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10114 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021035
- Description: Problem Statement A lack of fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency in children can contribute to decreased physical activity (PA) levels, increased adiposity and poor acquisition of specialised sport specific movement skills. To prevent the latter, the identification of FMS status in early and middle childhood years is needed for targeted and specific interventions. Against the backdrop of physical education being omitted from the South African school curriculum, the presence of a patriarchal society, gender sporting stereotyping, high levels of unemployment and low education levels; the assessment of FMS status is particularly warranted. Aim of Study The primary aim of this study was to assess the FMS proficiency of girls aged 9-to-12 years from previously disadvantaged communities within Nelson Mandela Bay. Methodology A descriptive-exploratory-contextual study design, employing quantitative assessment techniques, was utilized. The sample comprised of 227 girls. Convenience sampling was employed. Testing consisted of FMS proficiency tests in the 20m and 40m sprint, standing long jump, throwing for distance, catching, static balance and throwing for accuracy. FMS process scores were assessed with the body component (BC) and Test of Gross Motor Development II (TGMD II) approaches. Anthropometric measurements of the standing and seated height, mass, arm span and leg length were additionally measured. Microsoft Excel® and Statistica® were used for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. In the case of significant ANOVA results, the Scheffe post hoc test was used for pairwise comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p<.05 and practical significance (Cohen’s d) was set at d>.2. Pearson Correlation Coefficient identified statistical and practical correlations between two variables and chi square was applied to indicate differences in frequency distribution tables. Cramer’s V values were applied to determine practical significance in the case where statistical significant differences were identified between sets of frequency distributions The BC approach indicated that most participants could not proficiently perform the run for speed (94.71 percent), standing long jump (96.9 percent) or throw for distance (83.56 percent). Only the catch was performed proficiently (91.19 percent). TGMD II results for the present study indicated that participants’ run for speed (100 percent) and catch (96.92 percent) were performed proficiently and their standing long jump (93.78 percent) and throw for distance (83.56 percent) process scores were performed least proficiently. Only the catch composite BC scores had a statistically (df=1.31; f=3.24; p=.024) and practically significant (d=0.82) improvement in the BC scores between the age groups 9 and 12 years. Only the standing long jump, throw for distance and throw for accuracy product scores improved statically and practically significantly with aging (p<.05; d>.2). Hence the further participants jumped, the faster they ran. Standing and seated height, weight and arm span improved statistically and practically significantly with age (p<.05; d>.2). All anthropometric variables, except for leg length, had a positive medium correlation (r=.335 to r=.439) with balance errors and this was only in 12 year olds. The throw for distance product scores had a medium correlation to seated height (r=.32) and arm span (r=.33). The run for speed had a medium correlation (r=.313) with mass. According to the IOTF classifications 24.67 percent of children were overweight and 7.49 percent of children were obese. Statistically significant differences were found for the run for speed (df=224; f=27.07; p=2.9E-11) and standing long jump (df=224; f=15.68; p=4.2E-07) when comparing product scores to normal weight, overweight and obese participants. These differences were furthermore found to be of medium to large practical significance between the normal and obese participants for the run for speed (d=0.61 to d=1.77) and Standing Long Jump (d=0.40 to d=1.33). On average 50 percent and 55 percent of participants partook 60 minutes or more of PA after school on week days and on weekend’s respectively. This PA consisted mostly of running and ball games. Only 10 percent of participants had commenced with menarche Conclusion Findings have highlighted the need for specifically targeted FMS interventions at an early age in female learners from previously disadvantaged communities. Both a product and process FMS assessment is warranted as this facilitates deductions about movement proficiency levels. A FMS proficiency assessment protocol is needed for South African children which is internationally comparable. Childhood overweight and obesity impacts FMS proficiency and should be addressed in future research. Cultural norms, gender stereotypes and sport management structures at primary school level seem to be affecting FMS proficiency and should be addressed in future research
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Genetic diversity and population structure of plasmodium falciparum from four epidemiological locations in Malawi
- Authors: Selemani, George Paul
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Plasmodium falciparum , Parasites -- Molecular genetics , Infection -- Genetic aspects , Disease susceptibility -- Genetic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021026
- Description: In malaria-endemic regions, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) infection is characterized by extensive genetic/antigenic diversity. Describing this diversity provides important information about the local molecular epidemiology of infecting P. falciparum parasites. Intriguingly, one of the major obstacles to the development of an effective malaria vaccine has been the genetic polymorphisms exhibited by P. falciparum genes encoding targets of human immune system. This situation has necessitated the development of polyvalent vaccines with wide antigenic coverage that would increase the likelihood of vaccine efficacy that covers wide geographical areas of malaria endemic countries. Limited reports are available on the population genetic diversity and structure of P. falciparum in Malawi, and this is of particular concern as the country has put in place several interventions to combat the disease. The primary aim of the research project was to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of P. falciparum isolates and comparing complexity from four different epidemiological settings in Malawi using msp-2 gene polymorphisms. Samples were collected from four epidemiological locations in the north, centre and southern regions of Malawi. The diversity and genetic differentiation of P. falciparum populations were analyzed based on the highly polymorphic block 3 msp-2 gene. One hundred and twenty patient samples who presented with signs and symptoms of malaria and who had microscopically confirmed P. falciparum infection were enrolled in the study after they had satisfied the inclusion criteria. Parasite DNA was extracted from the blood spot on to filter paper and analyzed by genotyping the msp-2 gene using allele-specific nested PCR. A total of 28 msp-2 block 3 fragments, defined by the size and the allelic types were detected in the 102 patients. The length variants of the PCR product ranged from 240basepairs (bp) to 450bp for the K1/FC and 410bp to 780bp for the 3D7/IC allelic families. Isolates of the 3D7 alleles were predominant in the population (59 percent), compared to isolates of the K1/ FC27 alleles (41 percent) and for 3D7 and K1 most of the isolates were monoclonal infections. In comparisons between the sites, we observed the highest prevalence of mixed infection in Mwanza (46.7 percent) followed by Dwangwa (23.3 percent) compared to Bolero (16.7 percent) and Mitundu (16.7 percent). The difference in prevalence of mixed infections between Mwanza and the other sites was statistically significant (p=0.041). There was also a non-significant trend towards a higher mean genotype number per isolate in the children aged >5 years compared to those below 5 years of age. These data suggest differences in prevalence rates of mixed infections in different geographical/epidemiological settings in Malawi. Further studies are needed to confirm, with larger sample sizes, the observation of a non-significant trend towards higher multiclonality of infection in older children in malaria endemic areas of Malawi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Selemani, George Paul
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Plasmodium falciparum , Parasites -- Molecular genetics , Infection -- Genetic aspects , Disease susceptibility -- Genetic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021026
- Description: In malaria-endemic regions, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) infection is characterized by extensive genetic/antigenic diversity. Describing this diversity provides important information about the local molecular epidemiology of infecting P. falciparum parasites. Intriguingly, one of the major obstacles to the development of an effective malaria vaccine has been the genetic polymorphisms exhibited by P. falciparum genes encoding targets of human immune system. This situation has necessitated the development of polyvalent vaccines with wide antigenic coverage that would increase the likelihood of vaccine efficacy that covers wide geographical areas of malaria endemic countries. Limited reports are available on the population genetic diversity and structure of P. falciparum in Malawi, and this is of particular concern as the country has put in place several interventions to combat the disease. The primary aim of the research project was to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of P. falciparum isolates and comparing complexity from four different epidemiological settings in Malawi using msp-2 gene polymorphisms. Samples were collected from four epidemiological locations in the north, centre and southern regions of Malawi. The diversity and genetic differentiation of P. falciparum populations were analyzed based on the highly polymorphic block 3 msp-2 gene. One hundred and twenty patient samples who presented with signs and symptoms of malaria and who had microscopically confirmed P. falciparum infection were enrolled in the study after they had satisfied the inclusion criteria. Parasite DNA was extracted from the blood spot on to filter paper and analyzed by genotyping the msp-2 gene using allele-specific nested PCR. A total of 28 msp-2 block 3 fragments, defined by the size and the allelic types were detected in the 102 patients. The length variants of the PCR product ranged from 240basepairs (bp) to 450bp for the K1/FC and 410bp to 780bp for the 3D7/IC allelic families. Isolates of the 3D7 alleles were predominant in the population (59 percent), compared to isolates of the K1/ FC27 alleles (41 percent) and for 3D7 and K1 most of the isolates were monoclonal infections. In comparisons between the sites, we observed the highest prevalence of mixed infection in Mwanza (46.7 percent) followed by Dwangwa (23.3 percent) compared to Bolero (16.7 percent) and Mitundu (16.7 percent). The difference in prevalence of mixed infections between Mwanza and the other sites was statistically significant (p=0.041). There was also a non-significant trend towards a higher mean genotype number per isolate in the children aged >5 years compared to those below 5 years of age. These data suggest differences in prevalence rates of mixed infections in different geographical/epidemiological settings in Malawi. Further studies are needed to confirm, with larger sample sizes, the observation of a non-significant trend towards higher multiclonality of infection in older children in malaria endemic areas of Malawi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Impact analysis of a down-referral chronic medication distribution system for stable chronic patients to primary health care facilities in an Eastern Cape District
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Miriam
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Health services accessibility -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pharmacology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10084 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020644
- Description: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of patient satisfaction with service provided in the Buffalo City sub-district following the implementation of the down-referral chronic medication distribution system between the tertiary(ELHC) and primary (clinics) levels of health care. The intervention was aimed at improving accessibility and availability of medication to the chronic patients. Research Design: A non-experimental descriptive quantitative research methodology was used. The sampling method for the study was the non-probability purposive sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was given to respondents as they arrived at the facilities, and who, after completing the questionnaire, gave it back to the researcher. Findings: The results of the study revealed that the patients were generally satisfied about the down-referral chronic medication distribution system. However the patients were not satisfied about the services that they receive from the primary health care facilities when they go to collect their down-referred medication. Lack of communication to the patients regarding their medication by the hospital staff (pharmacists in particular) was a concern for patients. Conclusion: The down-referral chronic medication distribution system can benefit both the patients and the hospitals. Patient will receive their medication closer to their homes and save on the cost of transport. The hospital will have less patient congestion in the outpatient dispensaries and queues and waiting times will be reduced. Some strategies must be sought to improve the services at the primary health care facilities. The hospital should explore various communication methods to put into place, that will save pharmacists time and satisfy the needs of the patients. This would require the health services management from both the hospitals and the primary health care facilities to work together to ensure continued support for the patients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Miriam
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Health services accessibility -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pharmacology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10084 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020644
- Description: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of patient satisfaction with service provided in the Buffalo City sub-district following the implementation of the down-referral chronic medication distribution system between the tertiary(ELHC) and primary (clinics) levels of health care. The intervention was aimed at improving accessibility and availability of medication to the chronic patients. Research Design: A non-experimental descriptive quantitative research methodology was used. The sampling method for the study was the non-probability purposive sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was given to respondents as they arrived at the facilities, and who, after completing the questionnaire, gave it back to the researcher. Findings: The results of the study revealed that the patients were generally satisfied about the down-referral chronic medication distribution system. However the patients were not satisfied about the services that they receive from the primary health care facilities when they go to collect their down-referred medication. Lack of communication to the patients regarding their medication by the hospital staff (pharmacists in particular) was a concern for patients. Conclusion: The down-referral chronic medication distribution system can benefit both the patients and the hospitals. Patient will receive their medication closer to their homes and save on the cost of transport. The hospital will have less patient congestion in the outpatient dispensaries and queues and waiting times will be reduced. Some strategies must be sought to improve the services at the primary health care facilities. The hospital should explore various communication methods to put into place, that will save pharmacists time and satisfy the needs of the patients. This would require the health services management from both the hospitals and the primary health care facilities to work together to ensure continued support for the patients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Infection control practices for the prevention of surgical site infections in the operating room
- Authors: Opadotun, Olukemi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Surgical wound infections -- Prevention , Wounds and injuries -- Nursing , Operating room nursing , Surgical nursing , Evidence-based nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10050 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017195
- Description: Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality during the post-operative phase of patients’ recovery. Wound infections are the second most commonly encountered type of nosocomial infection. Because wound infections can be introduced by not applying infection control measures and sterile technique principles in the operating room, the implementation of infection control principles is an imperative. The aim of this study was to explore and describe infection control practices related to the prevention of Surgical site infections in the operating rooms in a public health care sector in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The findings were compared with practices, as indicated in an evidence-based guideline. The research design was quantitative, explorative, descriptive, comparative-descriptive and contextual in nature. The research sample consisted of all the professional nurses, in the operating room. The data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to present the data in the form of tables and graphs. Based on the analysis of the data, some recommendations were made for the implementation of infection control practices, in order to prevent Surgical site infections in the operating room.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Opadotun, Olukemi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Surgical wound infections -- Prevention , Wounds and injuries -- Nursing , Operating room nursing , Surgical nursing , Evidence-based nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10050 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017195
- Description: Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality during the post-operative phase of patients’ recovery. Wound infections are the second most commonly encountered type of nosocomial infection. Because wound infections can be introduced by not applying infection control measures and sterile technique principles in the operating room, the implementation of infection control principles is an imperative. The aim of this study was to explore and describe infection control practices related to the prevention of Surgical site infections in the operating rooms in a public health care sector in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The findings were compared with practices, as indicated in an evidence-based guideline. The research design was quantitative, explorative, descriptive, comparative-descriptive and contextual in nature. The research sample consisted of all the professional nurses, in the operating room. The data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to present the data in the form of tables and graphs. Based on the analysis of the data, some recommendations were made for the implementation of infection control practices, in order to prevent Surgical site infections in the operating room.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Intervention to improve the level of documentation of antipsychotic related adverse drug reactions
- Authors: Purcell, Gregory Mark
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Psychotropic drugs Psychopharmacology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10340 , vital:26654
- Description: Antipsychotic drugs are the mainstay of treatment for psychotic disorders according to the Standard Treatment Guidelines (2012). However, these drugs are associated with multiple severe adverse drug reactions. In order to limit the effect of adverse drug reactions on patient care, documentation is necessary. Documentation of adverse drug reactions entails recording the reaction experienced, as well as supplementary information. Proper documentation can prevent future occurrences of the same or similar adverse drug reactions. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an educational intervention targeting increasing documentation of the adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs. The objectives of the study were: to determine the pre-intervention extent and frequency of documentation of antipsychotic-related adverse drug reactions in the patient medical record; to implement an intervention aimed at educating the relevant healthcare professionals, focusing on the adverse drug reactions of antipsychotic drugs and how to record or document these reactions; to assess the post-intervention extent and frequency of documentation of antipsychotic-related adverse drug reactions in the patient medical record; and to assess the attitude of healthcare providers towards the documentation of antipsychotic related adverse drug reactions before and after the intervention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Purcell, Gregory Mark
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Psychotropic drugs Psychopharmacology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10340 , vital:26654
- Description: Antipsychotic drugs are the mainstay of treatment for psychotic disorders according to the Standard Treatment Guidelines (2012). However, these drugs are associated with multiple severe adverse drug reactions. In order to limit the effect of adverse drug reactions on patient care, documentation is necessary. Documentation of adverse drug reactions entails recording the reaction experienced, as well as supplementary information. Proper documentation can prevent future occurrences of the same or similar adverse drug reactions. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an educational intervention targeting increasing documentation of the adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs. The objectives of the study were: to determine the pre-intervention extent and frequency of documentation of antipsychotic-related adverse drug reactions in the patient medical record; to implement an intervention aimed at educating the relevant healthcare professionals, focusing on the adverse drug reactions of antipsychotic drugs and how to record or document these reactions; to assess the post-intervention extent and frequency of documentation of antipsychotic-related adverse drug reactions in the patient medical record; and to assess the attitude of healthcare providers towards the documentation of antipsychotic related adverse drug reactions before and after the intervention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014