Knowledge, attitude and perception of uninitiated adolescents towards customary male initiation practices in selected schools in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Igaba, Nelson Kibiribiri
- Date: 2022-07
- Subjects: Circumcision , HIV infections -- Prevention , Initiation rites
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26896 , vital:66061
- Description: Background: Based on evidence that Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) significantly reduces the risk of human immunodeficiency virus- HIV transmission by 60percent, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends implementing VMMC programs in countries with a high HIV prevalence, considering the unique sociocultural and economic dynamics of each setting. However, in South Africa (SA), multiple tribes including the AmaXhosa in the Eastern Cape (EC) province practice Customary Male Initiation (CMI) also known as Ulwaluko as a rite of passage of males from boyhood to manhood, and this involves circumcision. In recent years, this practice has been riddled with deaths of initiates, admissions to hospital, amputation of penis, assaults, drug and alcohol, and crime. Hence, this study aimed at understanding the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of uninitiated adolescents towards the CMI practice in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM), EC to aid in developing strategies to solve current challenges. Methods: Between June and December 2021, this cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in selected schools within BCM, in the EC, using a quantitative research approach. The study population included adolescent males aged 15 to 19 years who had not attended CMI. Applying a multistage random sampling technique, three (3)BCM towns (Bhisho, King William Town-KWT and East London-EL) and the Mdantsane township (MT) were selected and further the schools from which consenting pupils were enrolled into the study. Data was collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire which was captured on excel and analysed using STATA version 16.1. Categorical variables were summarized using percentages. Bivariate and multivariate regression was used to determine factors associated with a level of knowledge, attitude, and perception towards CMI and VMMC. The odds ratio with a 95percent confidence interval was calculated. A p–value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 297 participants that responded 251 (84.51percent) were between the ages of 15-19 years and had not undergone circumcision or CMI. These were included in this analysis. Majority of participants 181 (72.11percent, 95percent CI 66.21-77.33) lacked knowledge on whether circumcision reduces risk of HIV acquisition. More than three quarters of participants 195 (77.69percent, 95percent CI 72.09-83.87) showed absence of knowledge on whether circumcision reduces risk of STIs. Close to all participants 244 (97.21percent, 95percent CI 94.25-98.67) indicated that they would choose CMI over VMMC due to cultural reason. More than three quarters of participants 193 (76.89percent, 95percent CI 71.24-81.72) agreed that CMI/Ulwaluko proves manhood. The presence of knowledge on the benefits of VMMC was positively dependent on the location where a participants lived (uOR 2.32, 95percent CI 1.09-4.97, p-value 0.029) and access to internet more than once a week (uOR 3.44, 95percent CI 1.14-10.43, p-value 0.029. The choice for CMI over VMMC was positively associated with participants living in Mdantsane Township than those living in urban areas (Coef. 1.55, 95percent CI 0.77-2.33, p-value 0.001). Conclusion: This study found lack of knowledge on benefits of VMMC, laws governing and on risks associated with CMI/Ulwaluko practices among uninitiated adolescents. The study further found that CMI/Ulwaluko was still highly regarded despite current challenges and most adolescents would choose CMI/Ulwaluko over VMMC. There is urgent need to integrate VMMC services into CMI/Ulwaluko to include health education on benefits of VMMC, infection prevention and control, male circumcision by trained medical personnel and education on laws governing CMI/Ulwaluko. These interventions should also target uninitiated adolescents. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-07
The impact of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress levels in doctors and nurses at a South African health facility
- Authors: Finger-Motsepe, Kelebogile
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: COVID-19 (Disease) , Mental health
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27920 , vital:70880
- Description: Introduction: The emergence of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (Covid-19) has wrought profound and enduring transformations in global health, economic dynamics, and social interactions. However, the comprehensive quantification of the psychological repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic remains elusive and is poised to compound the preexisting burden of mental health disorders within the general populace. Elevated transmission rates, rapid disease progression within vulnerable demographics, and the absence of definitive curative or preventive measures have collectively contributed to a heightened worldwide state of stress and anxiety. Extensive research has demonstrated that the apprehension and stress associated with Covid-19 are markedly pronounced among healthcare professionals, commonly referred to as front-line workers, in comparison to the general population. The Covid-19-related psychological distress is anticipated to act as a catalyst, exacerbating mental health conditions within high-risk groups. Aims and Objectives: This study endeavours to ascertain the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among medical doctors and nurses employed at a regional hospital in South Africa. Methodology: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted to evaluate the presence of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms among medical doctors and nurses working at a Regional Hospital situated in the Free State Province of South Africa. A purposive sample of 200 participants, comprising all willing doctors and nurses employed at the study site, was enrolled in the study. Findings: The participants exhibited an average age of 42 years and an average tenure of approximately 72 months at the hospital. The majority of participants were of African descent, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.3. Female healthcare workers reported significantly higher instances of PTSD than their male counterparts. In the aggregate, 71.4percent of doctors reported symptoms indicative of depression, 73.2percent reported anxiety-related symptoms, and 19.6percent reported PTSD-related symptoms. Among nurses, 72percent displayed clinically significant symptoms of depression, 81percent exhibited anxiety-related symptoms, and 27.7percent manifested symptoms suggestive of PTSD. A moderately robust positive correlation was discerned between PTSD and Anxiety (p = .000; r = .466) as well as PTSD and Depression (p = .000; r = .315). Additionally, a strong positive correlation was identified between Anxiety and Depression (p = .000; r = .631). A statistically significant disparity (p = .030) in anxiety levels was observed among workers in different risk-prone areas. Nurses reported substantially higher levels of anxiety (p = .039; M = 10.63, sd = 4.03) compared to doctors (M = 9.01, sd = 3.80) and administrators (M = 10.50, sd = 4.32). Moreover, both nurses (M = 27.06, sd = 13.61) and administrators (M = 33.33, sd = 14.44) exhibited significantly higher instances of PTSD (p = .003) than doctors (M = 19.96, sd = 15.03). Conclusions: The healthcare workers under scrutiny reported elevated levels of anxiety and depression attributable to the Covid-19 pandemic, although the prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms was comparatively lower within the hospital setting. Furthermore, this study illuminates that depressive, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms were more prevalent among nurses than doctors. Additionally, healthcare professionals operating in high-risk Covid-19 environments, such as the Covid-19 ward, demonstrated heightened levels of anxiety when juxtaposed with their counterparts stationed in low-risk Covid-19 areas within the healthcare facility. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2021-12
The impact of small-scale farming on food insecurity in rural South Africa over the period 2009 to 2018
- Authors: Otunola, Olabisi Benedicta https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5615-1487
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Sustainable Development Goals , Food supply
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21387 , vital:48517
- Description: The concept of food insecurity has evolved over the years. However, due to the increases in the rate of hunger and food insecurity in many countries of the world, this phenomenon has continued to give both government and private agencies a lot of concern. As it stands now, achieving food security in African countries remain a major task regardless of various efforts made by most of these countries to reduce food insecurity and the household’s welfare by extension. As a result of the importance of this discourse, the issue of food security is number 2 on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In South Africa, the rate of household food insecurity is still observed to be high, especially in the rural households. One of the most talked about way of combating food insecurity is through household farming. But food insecurity is believed to have affected the household’s level of productivity despite their commitment to improved welfare situation in the country. Consequently, this study sought to assess the impact rural household farming has on food insecurity in South Africa between the year 2009 and 2018. Using the South African General household survey, information on the household socioeconomics and demographic features were retrieved, as well as variables that are believed to impact the rural household agribusiness. In determining this, frequency counts, percentages, the logistic regression model was used. Also, the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale-score (HFIAS-score), multinomial logistic regression as well as the propensity score matching (PSM) was used in achieving the objectives of this research and the data was analysed with Microsoft Excel and STATA version 15. The result of the analysis showed that, the mean age of the household head is 53.96, 55.92, 56.65 for the year 2010, 2014 and 2018 respectively. Adding to that, the range of the households’ size ranged from 1 to 20 in the year 2010, 1 to 46 in the year 2014 and 1 to 20 in the year 2018. From the inferential statistic result, the gender of the household head is significant (p<0.000, 0.011, and 0.006) in determining household participation in agricultural activities for the years under review. The results of the PSM, using different matching methods reveals that the average treatment effect (ATT) of the impact of agricultural participation ranges from -0.121, -0.174, -0.132, and -0.106 in 2015; and -0.076, -0.173, -0.073, and -0.086 in the year 2018. This study therefore recommends that household farming should be encouraged by both private and public agencies as they contribute significantly to reduction in food insecurity. The transportation services in the rural areas should be examined in order to avoid situations that will lead to the increase in cost of transporting agricultural goods and services among the rural inhabitants. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-07
The impact of portfolio investment on economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Tenderere, Morris
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Portfolio management , Capital market
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25603 , vital:64338
- Description: The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of foreign portfolio investmenton economic growth in South Africa. South Africa, just like other several developing countries has recorded large capital inflows in recent years, reversing a trend of outflows. Much of this new capital inflow has been in the form of portfolio investment. This has been attributed to large domestic capital markets in South Africa. This surge in portfolio flows has raised the question whether these flows will be sustained or will instead be reversed in the near future. Some observers argue that the recent flows are inherently unsustainable because in many cases they have short maturities. In light of this, this study, then, sought to establish the impact of portfolio investment on economic growth in South Africa. The study used annual data from 1990 to 2012. The data was tested for stationarity using the Phillips Perron and Augmented Dickey–Fuller tests. This was followed by cointegration, after which thevector error correction modelling was carried out. Diagnostic checks, impulse response and variable decomposition were also conducted. Estimation results revealed that there is a positive relationship between foreign portfolio investments and economic growth in South Africa. The study recommended that the SARB and the government should remove all impediments that make it hard for foreign investors to invest in South Africa. The SARB should also keep interest rates at a rate that is high enough to attract foreign portfolios into South Africa. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015-01