Role of women in achieving food security in South Africa: a case of rural Mbashe Local Municipality
- Authors: Mgwali, N N
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007486 , Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Description: This dissertation has attempted to investigate the involvement of women in rural areas ofthe Mbashe local municipality. This was investigated to find out if the government foodse curity programs in rural areas have been designed to address the issue of women empowerment in irrigated farming, how involved women are in terms of farm decision making and management. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic parameters, Irrigation and water use information, production information and market and marketing information. A total of 69 structured questionnaires were administered to identify gender roles in irrigated farming with special emphasis to the roles played by women in farm decision making and management in Ngxakaxha Administrative Area of Mbashe local municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Own food production has been found to be the main food acquisition strategy in rural areas; people involved in it farm for their own consumption and then sell the remaining produce. About 80 % of the farmers practise irrigated agriculture with or without the use of a formal irrigation system provided and managed by government departments. Descriptive statistics were generated using the Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS). Subsequently, the data were subjected to inferential analysis using the binomial logistic regression model. The perceptions influencing the predictor variable were defined and tested using the binomial logistic regression model. The statistically significant independent variables, at the level 5% significant level are as follows; area and the number of years in farming. At the 10% significant level; the total number of bags sold and the total amount received (revenue). Basically the area is negatively correlated with irrigation and own production in rural areas. The household head is the one that determines household own production. The number of years involvement in farming determine their experience in farming and the amount of yield he / she will get. Major constraints to sustainable irrigation, as revealed by the analysis, were lack of funding for the projects in terms of an rrigation system, lack of a source of water, lack of new information and workshops. Women were found to be fully involved in irrigated farming nowadays, but training is needed for both men and women in rural areas for their production and irrigation to be sustainable over time. It has been concluded that there are programmes which have been designed and are driven by the women and a number of these programmes are also addressing the issues of gender equality in rural areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mgwali, N N
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007486 , Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Description: This dissertation has attempted to investigate the involvement of women in rural areas ofthe Mbashe local municipality. This was investigated to find out if the government foodse curity programs in rural areas have been designed to address the issue of women empowerment in irrigated farming, how involved women are in terms of farm decision making and management. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic parameters, Irrigation and water use information, production information and market and marketing information. A total of 69 structured questionnaires were administered to identify gender roles in irrigated farming with special emphasis to the roles played by women in farm decision making and management in Ngxakaxha Administrative Area of Mbashe local municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Own food production has been found to be the main food acquisition strategy in rural areas; people involved in it farm for their own consumption and then sell the remaining produce. About 80 % of the farmers practise irrigated agriculture with or without the use of a formal irrigation system provided and managed by government departments. Descriptive statistics were generated using the Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS). Subsequently, the data were subjected to inferential analysis using the binomial logistic regression model. The perceptions influencing the predictor variable were defined and tested using the binomial logistic regression model. The statistically significant independent variables, at the level 5% significant level are as follows; area and the number of years in farming. At the 10% significant level; the total number of bags sold and the total amount received (revenue). Basically the area is negatively correlated with irrigation and own production in rural areas. The household head is the one that determines household own production. The number of years involvement in farming determine their experience in farming and the amount of yield he / she will get. Major constraints to sustainable irrigation, as revealed by the analysis, were lack of funding for the projects in terms of an rrigation system, lack of a source of water, lack of new information and workshops. Women were found to be fully involved in irrigated farming nowadays, but training is needed for both men and women in rural areas for their production and irrigation to be sustainable over time. It has been concluded that there are programmes which have been designed and are driven by the women and a number of these programmes are also addressing the issues of gender equality in rural areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Rural households livelihoods' strategies and opportunities with regard to farming: a case of Intsika Yethu Local Municipality
- Authors: Gidi, Lungile Sivuyile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Qamata , Livelihood strategies , Irrigation farmers and crop , Livestock production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11199 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007218 , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Qamata , Livelihood strategies , Irrigation farmers and crop , Livestock production
- Description: South Africa and other developing countries are grappling with high levels of poverty as a result of slow to negligible rural development. Irrigation development is one essential component that can be used to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in rural areas. In the President‟s “State of the Nation Address” in 2011, the President of South Africa outlined measures to reduce hunger and poverty in communal areas through enhanced government‟s expenditures in rural infrastructure developments, especially for such amenities as irrigation and roads, with a view to promoting food security. The broad objective of this study is to assess livelihood strategies and opportunities with regard to farming in Qamata area of Intsika Yethu Local Municipality. The stratified random sampling method was applied in order to choose a sample of 70 household that were interviewed by means of semi-structured questionnaires. Out of these, 53 belonged to the irrigation project and 17 farmers were non-irrigation farmers. The results show that women play an active role in agriculture. The Multiple Regression model was used to assess the relative importance of different livelihood strategies adopted by both irrigation and non-irrigation farmers in improving household food security and welfare in Qamata. More specifically, the study assessed the impact of different livelihood strategies on production of butternut, goats, maize and poultry (Chicken) in Qamata. The results show increased agricultural production, crop diversification and higher incomes from irrigation farming as compared to dry land farming. Irrigation farming has enabled many households to diversify their sources of income and therefore include activities and enterprises that contribute to enhanced household welfare. The study showed that household size is crucial in crop production, followed by gender of the household head. The government and research institutes need to come up with programmes to train people on ways to produce crop and livestock products more efficiently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gidi, Lungile Sivuyile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Qamata , Livelihood strategies , Irrigation farmers and crop , Livestock production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11199 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007218 , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Qamata , Livelihood strategies , Irrigation farmers and crop , Livestock production
- Description: South Africa and other developing countries are grappling with high levels of poverty as a result of slow to negligible rural development. Irrigation development is one essential component that can be used to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in rural areas. In the President‟s “State of the Nation Address” in 2011, the President of South Africa outlined measures to reduce hunger and poverty in communal areas through enhanced government‟s expenditures in rural infrastructure developments, especially for such amenities as irrigation and roads, with a view to promoting food security. The broad objective of this study is to assess livelihood strategies and opportunities with regard to farming in Qamata area of Intsika Yethu Local Municipality. The stratified random sampling method was applied in order to choose a sample of 70 household that were interviewed by means of semi-structured questionnaires. Out of these, 53 belonged to the irrigation project and 17 farmers were non-irrigation farmers. The results show that women play an active role in agriculture. The Multiple Regression model was used to assess the relative importance of different livelihood strategies adopted by both irrigation and non-irrigation farmers in improving household food security and welfare in Qamata. More specifically, the study assessed the impact of different livelihood strategies on production of butternut, goats, maize and poultry (Chicken) in Qamata. The results show increased agricultural production, crop diversification and higher incomes from irrigation farming as compared to dry land farming. Irrigation farming has enabled many households to diversify their sources of income and therefore include activities and enterprises that contribute to enhanced household welfare. The study showed that household size is crucial in crop production, followed by gender of the household head. The government and research institutes need to come up with programmes to train people on ways to produce crop and livestock products more efficiently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Soil aggregates characteristics and interrill erosion in some weakly weathered coarse textured ecotopes in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Nebo, Godwin Iloabuchi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Soil mineralogy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil texture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Soil Science)
- Identifier: vital:11963 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004351 , Soil mineralogy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil texture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Aggregate stability and aggregate size distribution on soil surface that is impacted by rain drops affect soil erosion yet little is known about less weathered coarse textured soils. The objectives of the current study were to determine (i) the aggregate stability and associated aggregate fraction size distribution and (ii) the impact of the initial aggregate size on the aggregate stability and the resulting sediment fraction size distribution following rain drop impact in some quartz dominated coarse textured soils in the Eastern Cape Province. Soil samples for this experiment were collected from 14 ecotopes on the surface with a natural slope between 7.5 to 11% and at the depth between 0 to 0.2 m in the Eastern Cape Province. In each ecotope, twenty-five different spots were sampled using a spade at depth 0 to 0.2 m in other to eradicate biasness and ensure homogeneity. Thereafter, the soil samples were mixed to make a composite sample. The composited soil samples were then placed in rigid containers and taken to the soil science laboratory of the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus where analyses were carried out. The soil properties were determined by passing the < 5 mm soil sample through a 2 mm sieve. The total Na, Ca and Mg contents in the soil samples were also determined using the wet digestion with sulphuric acid method. The total Soil organic matter content (SOM) was determined by the process known as weight loss on ignition. Thereafter, the fraction size distribution and aggregate stability was done by passing < 5 mm soil samples through a 3 mm sieve. The obtained calibrated aggregates between 3 and 5 mm were oven dried at 40o C. Thereafter, five gram (5g) of oven dried calibrated aggregates was immersed in a 50 mL deionized water in a 250 mL beaker for 10 minutes. The soil material left was transferred to a 0.053 mm sieve already immersed in ethanol and moved five times in the ethanol to separate < 0.053 mm from > 0.053 mm fragments. The remaining > 0.053 mm was re-immersed in ethanol and further oven dried at 40o C for 5 minutes. Thereafter, the > 0.053 mm fraction was transferred from 0.053 mm sieve, oven dried at 40o C, dry sieved using Digital Electromagnetic Shaker on a six column of sieves: 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.106 mm, and 0.053 mm. The aggregate stability was determined using the resulting size distribution in seven classes by calculating the mean weight diameter (MWD, mm). The soils were very stable, moderately stable or unstable. The presence of smectite and cultivation as opposed to pasture lowered aggregate stability. The studied soils showed three different aggregate size distributions. Unstable soils were dominated by 0.106 – 0.25 mm aggregate size and showed a positively skewed aggregate fraction size distribution. Aggregates finer than 0.106 mm were limited because of the coarse nature of the soil texture. Moderately stable soils broke down to both micro aggregates, 0.106 – 0.25 mm and macro aggregates, 2 – 5 mm giving a bimodal distribution. The aggregate size distribution in the very stable soils was dominated by the aggregate fraction size 2 – 5 mm and a negatively skewed aggregate fraction size distribution. The smaller the initial aggregate size the higher was the aggregate stability but the reverse was true for splash erosion. It was thought that the short 5 minutes duration of the rainfall might not have been enough to cause a total breakdown of the aggregates. Alternatively, ecotopes that were dominated by primary soil minerals such as quartz showed different breakdown behaviour compared to those containing secondary minerals such as kaolinite or smectite.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nebo, Godwin Iloabuchi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Soil mineralogy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil texture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Soil Science)
- Identifier: vital:11963 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004351 , Soil mineralogy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil texture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Aggregate stability and aggregate size distribution on soil surface that is impacted by rain drops affect soil erosion yet little is known about less weathered coarse textured soils. The objectives of the current study were to determine (i) the aggregate stability and associated aggregate fraction size distribution and (ii) the impact of the initial aggregate size on the aggregate stability and the resulting sediment fraction size distribution following rain drop impact in some quartz dominated coarse textured soils in the Eastern Cape Province. Soil samples for this experiment were collected from 14 ecotopes on the surface with a natural slope between 7.5 to 11% and at the depth between 0 to 0.2 m in the Eastern Cape Province. In each ecotope, twenty-five different spots were sampled using a spade at depth 0 to 0.2 m in other to eradicate biasness and ensure homogeneity. Thereafter, the soil samples were mixed to make a composite sample. The composited soil samples were then placed in rigid containers and taken to the soil science laboratory of the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus where analyses were carried out. The soil properties were determined by passing the < 5 mm soil sample through a 2 mm sieve. The total Na, Ca and Mg contents in the soil samples were also determined using the wet digestion with sulphuric acid method. The total Soil organic matter content (SOM) was determined by the process known as weight loss on ignition. Thereafter, the fraction size distribution and aggregate stability was done by passing < 5 mm soil samples through a 3 mm sieve. The obtained calibrated aggregates between 3 and 5 mm were oven dried at 40o C. Thereafter, five gram (5g) of oven dried calibrated aggregates was immersed in a 50 mL deionized water in a 250 mL beaker for 10 minutes. The soil material left was transferred to a 0.053 mm sieve already immersed in ethanol and moved five times in the ethanol to separate < 0.053 mm from > 0.053 mm fragments. The remaining > 0.053 mm was re-immersed in ethanol and further oven dried at 40o C for 5 minutes. Thereafter, the > 0.053 mm fraction was transferred from 0.053 mm sieve, oven dried at 40o C, dry sieved using Digital Electromagnetic Shaker on a six column of sieves: 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.106 mm, and 0.053 mm. The aggregate stability was determined using the resulting size distribution in seven classes by calculating the mean weight diameter (MWD, mm). The soils were very stable, moderately stable or unstable. The presence of smectite and cultivation as opposed to pasture lowered aggregate stability. The studied soils showed three different aggregate size distributions. Unstable soils were dominated by 0.106 – 0.25 mm aggregate size and showed a positively skewed aggregate fraction size distribution. Aggregates finer than 0.106 mm were limited because of the coarse nature of the soil texture. Moderately stable soils broke down to both micro aggregates, 0.106 – 0.25 mm and macro aggregates, 2 – 5 mm giving a bimodal distribution. The aggregate size distribution in the very stable soils was dominated by the aggregate fraction size 2 – 5 mm and a negatively skewed aggregate fraction size distribution. The smaller the initial aggregate size the higher was the aggregate stability but the reverse was true for splash erosion. It was thought that the short 5 minutes duration of the rainfall might not have been enough to cause a total breakdown of the aggregates. Alternatively, ecotopes that were dominated by primary soil minerals such as quartz showed different breakdown behaviour compared to those containing secondary minerals such as kaolinite or smectite.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Some performance characteristics of wooled sheep in the sweet and sourveld communal rangelands of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mvinjelwa, Sivuyile Alex
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Veld -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communal rangelands -- South Africa , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11825 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015592 , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Veld -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communal rangelands -- South Africa , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine sheep growth performance, fleece weights and wool quality characteristics in the sweet and sourveld communal rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were obtained in 80 ewes aged two to three years, selected in four ecologically different communities. Two communities (Roxeni and Tyabane) were in a sweetveld area and the other two communities (Luzi I and Luzi II) were in a sourveld area. The ewes from Tyabane were nondescript, whereas ewes from Roxeni, Luzi I and Luzi II were crossbred between Merinos and non-descript sheep. Selected ewes were monitored for live weight, body condition scoring and fleece weight during shearing. Wool samples were collected from each ewe and were analysed for fibre diameter, comfort factor, clean yield, wool crimps, staple length, staple strength and the Position of break. Sheep from Roxeni were heavier (P <0.05) (39.9 ± 1.1kg) than sheep from Tyabane (29.8 ± 1.1kg). Sheep from Tyabane had the lightest (P <0.05) fleece weight (1.0 ± 1.1kg) and sheep from Roxeni had the heaviest (3.1 ± 1.1kg). There were no significant differences (P ≥0.05) between body condition scores of sheep in Roxeni and the Luzi communities. The live weights of the two-year old ewes were similar (P ≥0.05) to the three-year old ewes’ live weight. However, the three year old ewes had higher (P <0.05) body condition scores than the two year old ewes. Two year old ewes also had lower (P <0.05) fleece weight than the three years old ewes. Wool from Roxeni, Luzi I and Luzi II had lower fibre diameter (P <0.05) than wool from Tyabane. Roxeni sheep had the highest clean yield (P <0.05) of wool, followed by Luzi I and Luzi II; Tyabane had lowest clean yield percentage of wool. Wool from sheep grazing on sweetveld had a higher (P <0.05) clean yield percentage (74.3 ± 0.7%) than those grazing on sourveld (71.7 ± 0.7%). There were higher staple mid-breaks (69.5 ± 5.2) and lower base-breaks (30.5 ± 5.2) in sweetveld (P <0.05) than in sourveld, 7.5 ± 5.2 and 92.5 ± 5.2 for mid-breaks and lower base-breaks, respectively. It was concluded that sheep raised in the sweetveld and bred with purebred Merino rams had higher performance than the ones reared in the sourveld. The young upgraded ewes had a higher wool quality than the older ewes raised on communal rangelands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mvinjelwa, Sivuyile Alex
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Veld -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communal rangelands -- South Africa , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11825 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015592 , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Veld -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communal rangelands -- South Africa , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine sheep growth performance, fleece weights and wool quality characteristics in the sweet and sourveld communal rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were obtained in 80 ewes aged two to three years, selected in four ecologically different communities. Two communities (Roxeni and Tyabane) were in a sweetveld area and the other two communities (Luzi I and Luzi II) were in a sourveld area. The ewes from Tyabane were nondescript, whereas ewes from Roxeni, Luzi I and Luzi II were crossbred between Merinos and non-descript sheep. Selected ewes were monitored for live weight, body condition scoring and fleece weight during shearing. Wool samples were collected from each ewe and were analysed for fibre diameter, comfort factor, clean yield, wool crimps, staple length, staple strength and the Position of break. Sheep from Roxeni were heavier (P <0.05) (39.9 ± 1.1kg) than sheep from Tyabane (29.8 ± 1.1kg). Sheep from Tyabane had the lightest (P <0.05) fleece weight (1.0 ± 1.1kg) and sheep from Roxeni had the heaviest (3.1 ± 1.1kg). There were no significant differences (P ≥0.05) between body condition scores of sheep in Roxeni and the Luzi communities. The live weights of the two-year old ewes were similar (P ≥0.05) to the three-year old ewes’ live weight. However, the three year old ewes had higher (P <0.05) body condition scores than the two year old ewes. Two year old ewes also had lower (P <0.05) fleece weight than the three years old ewes. Wool from Roxeni, Luzi I and Luzi II had lower fibre diameter (P <0.05) than wool from Tyabane. Roxeni sheep had the highest clean yield (P <0.05) of wool, followed by Luzi I and Luzi II; Tyabane had lowest clean yield percentage of wool. Wool from sheep grazing on sweetveld had a higher (P <0.05) clean yield percentage (74.3 ± 0.7%) than those grazing on sourveld (71.7 ± 0.7%). There were higher staple mid-breaks (69.5 ± 5.2) and lower base-breaks (30.5 ± 5.2) in sweetveld (P <0.05) than in sourveld, 7.5 ± 5.2 and 92.5 ± 5.2 for mid-breaks and lower base-breaks, respectively. It was concluded that sheep raised in the sweetveld and bred with purebred Merino rams had higher performance than the ones reared in the sourveld. The young upgraded ewes had a higher wool quality than the older ewes raised on communal rangelands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Species and spatio-temporal variation in the yield, nutritive value and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics of selected grass species from two communal grazing lands of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kwaza, Ayanda
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Pasture Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/987 , vital:26515
- Description: Communal rangelands sustain a large proportion of the livestock in South Africa. A few dominant grass species contribute to the bulk of the livestock forage in these rangelands. Little is known on the chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics of grass species grazed by ruminants in the communal grazing lands of Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The objectives of this study were therefore to investigate seasonal and altitudinal variations in biomass yield, chemical composition, and in vitro ruminal degradability and cumulative gas production of selected (dominant) grass species. The grass species were collected over four seasons (summer, autumn, winter and spring) from three altitudes/landscape gradients (upland, gentle sloppy and bottomlands) across two communal areas (Hala in highland (Highveld) and Gqumashe in lowland (Lowveld)) of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. In each altitude, three 50 m x 20 m plots, which served as replicates were marked to collect vegetation samples. A 5 x 4 x 3 factorial experiment in a randomised complete block design was used with season, altitude and grass species being the main factors, and with the plots within altitudes serving as blocks (replicates). Data analysis was done separately for the two communal study areas using the General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of SAS to test differences between species, seasons and altitudes. The common grass species in both grazing lands were Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis chloromelus, Eragrostis plana, Sporobolus africanus and Themeda triandra. When the DM yield of all the grasses was combined, the results showed a generally low forage dry matter yield during the dry season. There was no significant (P>0.05) interaction between any of the main factors. Macro and micro mineral content of plant samples collected from the two communal grazing lands showed great variations (P<0.05) between species, seasons and altitude. In the Highveld, CP ranged from 3.9 to 6.5% DM being significantly highest (P<0.05) in Cynodon dactylon and lowest in E. plana. When all species were combined, higher CP was recorded for samples harvested in summer (5.5%) followed by spring and autumn, and lowest in winter (3.8%). In the Lowveld, Eragrostis chloromelus had higher (P<0.05) CP level followed by C. dactylon and T. Triandra. When all species were pooled, forage samples harvested in summer had a significantly higher (P<0.05) CP followed by spring, autumn and winter. In summary, CP content of all grasses was below the critical maintenance level for livestock especially during late dry seasons. In both areas, the highest NDF level was measured for Eragrostis plana and lowest for Themeda triandra. As for altitudinal differences, samples collected from the upland areas had generally the lowest (P<0.05) CP and highest ADF contents. For grasses harvested from the Highveld, C. dactylon produced the most (P<0.05) gas after 48 h of fermentation (794.6 ml/g DM) and also had the highest 48h DMD (415.1 g kg-1). Themeda triandra produced least (P<0.05) gas (742 ml/g DM) 48h post-incubation. The least (P<0.05) degradable species after 48 h was E. chloromelus (372.9 g kg-1). For grasses harvested from Lowveld, the 48h cumulative gas production was highest (822.7 ml/g DM) in E. plana and lowest (742.8 ml/g DM) in E. chloromelus, while S. africanus had least 48h DMD (327.9 kg-1). In both the Highveld and Lowveld, gas production and DMD were highest in the autumn season. It was concluded most grasses were deficient in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Therefore, it is recommended that mineral supplements should be offered to animals to improve animal productivity throughout the year. Findings of this study suggested that addition of protein and energy sources may be desirable in both grazing areas to meet the maintenance/production requirements of the grazing ruminants throughout the year. Key words: Forage yield, chemical composition, landscape gradient; seasonal variations; in vitro ruminal gas production; dry matter degradability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kwaza, Ayanda
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Pasture Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/987 , vital:26515
- Description: Communal rangelands sustain a large proportion of the livestock in South Africa. A few dominant grass species contribute to the bulk of the livestock forage in these rangelands. Little is known on the chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics of grass species grazed by ruminants in the communal grazing lands of Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The objectives of this study were therefore to investigate seasonal and altitudinal variations in biomass yield, chemical composition, and in vitro ruminal degradability and cumulative gas production of selected (dominant) grass species. The grass species were collected over four seasons (summer, autumn, winter and spring) from three altitudes/landscape gradients (upland, gentle sloppy and bottomlands) across two communal areas (Hala in highland (Highveld) and Gqumashe in lowland (Lowveld)) of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. In each altitude, three 50 m x 20 m plots, which served as replicates were marked to collect vegetation samples. A 5 x 4 x 3 factorial experiment in a randomised complete block design was used with season, altitude and grass species being the main factors, and with the plots within altitudes serving as blocks (replicates). Data analysis was done separately for the two communal study areas using the General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of SAS to test differences between species, seasons and altitudes. The common grass species in both grazing lands were Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis chloromelus, Eragrostis plana, Sporobolus africanus and Themeda triandra. When the DM yield of all the grasses was combined, the results showed a generally low forage dry matter yield during the dry season. There was no significant (P>0.05) interaction between any of the main factors. Macro and micro mineral content of plant samples collected from the two communal grazing lands showed great variations (P<0.05) between species, seasons and altitude. In the Highveld, CP ranged from 3.9 to 6.5% DM being significantly highest (P<0.05) in Cynodon dactylon and lowest in E. plana. When all species were combined, higher CP was recorded for samples harvested in summer (5.5%) followed by spring and autumn, and lowest in winter (3.8%). In the Lowveld, Eragrostis chloromelus had higher (P<0.05) CP level followed by C. dactylon and T. Triandra. When all species were pooled, forage samples harvested in summer had a significantly higher (P<0.05) CP followed by spring, autumn and winter. In summary, CP content of all grasses was below the critical maintenance level for livestock especially during late dry seasons. In both areas, the highest NDF level was measured for Eragrostis plana and lowest for Themeda triandra. As for altitudinal differences, samples collected from the upland areas had generally the lowest (P<0.05) CP and highest ADF contents. For grasses harvested from the Highveld, C. dactylon produced the most (P<0.05) gas after 48 h of fermentation (794.6 ml/g DM) and also had the highest 48h DMD (415.1 g kg-1). Themeda triandra produced least (P<0.05) gas (742 ml/g DM) 48h post-incubation. The least (P<0.05) degradable species after 48 h was E. chloromelus (372.9 g kg-1). For grasses harvested from Lowveld, the 48h cumulative gas production was highest (822.7 ml/g DM) in E. plana and lowest (742.8 ml/g DM) in E. chloromelus, while S. africanus had least 48h DMD (327.9 kg-1). In both the Highveld and Lowveld, gas production and DMD were highest in the autumn season. It was concluded most grasses were deficient in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Therefore, it is recommended that mineral supplements should be offered to animals to improve animal productivity throughout the year. Findings of this study suggested that addition of protein and energy sources may be desirable in both grazing areas to meet the maintenance/production requirements of the grazing ruminants throughout the year. Key words: Forage yield, chemical composition, landscape gradient; seasonal variations; in vitro ruminal gas production; dry matter degradability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Spiritual rituals and competitive sport outcomes: a study of South African coaches’ and elite players’ perceptions of spirituality in soccer
- Authors: Dodo, Emmanuel Oluwafemi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sports -- Psychological aspects , Sports -- Religious aspects , Sports medicine -- South Africa , Sports rivalries -- South Africa , Coaches (Athletics) -- South Africa , Soccer players -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (HMS)
- Identifier: vital:11541 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006780 , Sports -- Psychological aspects , Sports -- Religious aspects , Sports medicine -- South Africa , Sports rivalries -- South Africa , Coaches (Athletics) -- South Africa , Soccer players -- South Africa
- Description: During sports competitions, especially soccer many players and coaches would pray before, during and after the game. Sometimes they would pray when they score a goal. The behaviour has attracted a research interest wanting to know why they do what they do often. The purpose of the study was to understand and evaluate the perceptions of coaches and elite players who continuously use spiritual rituals before, during and after soccer games to influence competitive outcomes. This study was carried out under the guidance of the following key questions; (a) Do spiritual perceptions of elite players influence outcomes of soccer competitions? (b) Does a divergence in spiritual perception between coaches and players influence competitive outcomes? and (c) Are spiritual (ritual) perceptions of soccer coaches and elite players related to religiosity/psychological interventions? In this study, a mixed method of data collection was used to eliminate the biases inherent in single method research. Specifically, qualitative and quantitative methods involving questionnaire, interview and observation supported by secondary and primary literature were used to gather information that would provide answers to the raised key questions. The results show that spiritual ritual practices would not influence the outcome of soccer competitions. Secondly, the spiritual ritual divergence among players and coaches would not influence outcomes of soccer competitions. Thirdly, the results showed that the use of spiritual rituals among players was purely for personal reasons, while the coaches used spiritual rituals as psychological intervention strategy to prepare the team before a given competitive. The overall results show that coaches and players agreed that spiritual rituals interventions are used for psychological interventions more than spiritual interventions. The implications of these findings to the players and coaches are discussed linked with future research focus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Dodo, Emmanuel Oluwafemi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sports -- Psychological aspects , Sports -- Religious aspects , Sports medicine -- South Africa , Sports rivalries -- South Africa , Coaches (Athletics) -- South Africa , Soccer players -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (HMS)
- Identifier: vital:11541 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006780 , Sports -- Psychological aspects , Sports -- Religious aspects , Sports medicine -- South Africa , Sports rivalries -- South Africa , Coaches (Athletics) -- South Africa , Soccer players -- South Africa
- Description: During sports competitions, especially soccer many players and coaches would pray before, during and after the game. Sometimes they would pray when they score a goal. The behaviour has attracted a research interest wanting to know why they do what they do often. The purpose of the study was to understand and evaluate the perceptions of coaches and elite players who continuously use spiritual rituals before, during and after soccer games to influence competitive outcomes. This study was carried out under the guidance of the following key questions; (a) Do spiritual perceptions of elite players influence outcomes of soccer competitions? (b) Does a divergence in spiritual perception between coaches and players influence competitive outcomes? and (c) Are spiritual (ritual) perceptions of soccer coaches and elite players related to religiosity/psychological interventions? In this study, a mixed method of data collection was used to eliminate the biases inherent in single method research. Specifically, qualitative and quantitative methods involving questionnaire, interview and observation supported by secondary and primary literature were used to gather information that would provide answers to the raised key questions. The results show that spiritual ritual practices would not influence the outcome of soccer competitions. Secondly, the spiritual ritual divergence among players and coaches would not influence outcomes of soccer competitions. Thirdly, the results showed that the use of spiritual rituals among players was purely for personal reasons, while the coaches used spiritual rituals as psychological intervention strategy to prepare the team before a given competitive. The overall results show that coaches and players agreed that spiritual rituals interventions are used for psychological interventions more than spiritual interventions. The implications of these findings to the players and coaches are discussed linked with future research focus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Strategies used to implement the national guidelines on preventing and early management of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) at the buffalo city municipality clinics in East London Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Giyose, Patela
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1297 , vital:26544
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the strategies used by nurses to implement the national treatment guidelines to prevent, detect and manage multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients. Tuberculosis remains one of the leading infectious diseases and the major cause of death worldwide with estimates of 9.2 million new TB cases in 2008 and 1.7 deaths including 200 000 in clients co-infected with HIV. South Africa is currently ranked 3rd among the 22 high TB burden countries in the world. The HIV/AIDS epidemic contributes significantly to the upward trend in TB morbidity and it is estimated that more than 50% of TB patients are also HIV positive (South African Department of Health 2009:10). The current rate of tuberculosis infections as a result of new infections as well as re-infections of patients is of concern to the disease control and policy making bodies of South Africa. Questions regarding the effectiveness of tuberculosis policies and programmes emerge at all times (Luhulima, Netshandama and Davhana-Maselesele, 2008: 36). Patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) are at high risk of treatment failure. It is anticipated that early identification of MDR-TB and appropriate treatment will improve patient outcome and disease control. This study intends to explore the effectiveness of health systems in the prompt identification and management of MDR patients. This study was conducted using a qualitative, explorative and descriptive design. A purposive sample of clinics and professional nurses was selected, and voluntary participation was ensured. The data was collected through individual interviews which were audio taped and then transcribed verbatim. Findings revealed that MDR-TB guidelines were available at the clinics. The professional nurses implemented the guidelines to prevent, detect and manage multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, by screening and testing symptomatic high risk groups, contact tracing and monitoring, providing initial counselling and education to patients and family, preparing patients for admission when indicated and coordinating referrals to the centralised MDR-TB unit. However, there were notable constraints with regards to the management of MDR-TB patients and the overall TB programme. These included MDR-TB specific training, staff shortages, dysfunctional community DOT programme, shortage of beds at the MDR-TB treatment centres, and patient factors like defaulting, migration for various reasons, alcoholism. All these constraints call for intensified strategic management at both policy and facility level. It is also necessary that all policies related to patient management need extensive scientific study to monitor and evaluate their effectiveness. More research studies are required on policy analysis and utilization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Giyose, Patela
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1297 , vital:26544
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the strategies used by nurses to implement the national treatment guidelines to prevent, detect and manage multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients. Tuberculosis remains one of the leading infectious diseases and the major cause of death worldwide with estimates of 9.2 million new TB cases in 2008 and 1.7 deaths including 200 000 in clients co-infected with HIV. South Africa is currently ranked 3rd among the 22 high TB burden countries in the world. The HIV/AIDS epidemic contributes significantly to the upward trend in TB morbidity and it is estimated that more than 50% of TB patients are also HIV positive (South African Department of Health 2009:10). The current rate of tuberculosis infections as a result of new infections as well as re-infections of patients is of concern to the disease control and policy making bodies of South Africa. Questions regarding the effectiveness of tuberculosis policies and programmes emerge at all times (Luhulima, Netshandama and Davhana-Maselesele, 2008: 36). Patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) are at high risk of treatment failure. It is anticipated that early identification of MDR-TB and appropriate treatment will improve patient outcome and disease control. This study intends to explore the effectiveness of health systems in the prompt identification and management of MDR patients. This study was conducted using a qualitative, explorative and descriptive design. A purposive sample of clinics and professional nurses was selected, and voluntary participation was ensured. The data was collected through individual interviews which were audio taped and then transcribed verbatim. Findings revealed that MDR-TB guidelines were available at the clinics. The professional nurses implemented the guidelines to prevent, detect and manage multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, by screening and testing symptomatic high risk groups, contact tracing and monitoring, providing initial counselling and education to patients and family, preparing patients for admission when indicated and coordinating referrals to the centralised MDR-TB unit. However, there were notable constraints with regards to the management of MDR-TB patients and the overall TB programme. These included MDR-TB specific training, staff shortages, dysfunctional community DOT programme, shortage of beds at the MDR-TB treatment centres, and patient factors like defaulting, migration for various reasons, alcoholism. All these constraints call for intensified strategic management at both policy and facility level. It is also necessary that all policies related to patient management need extensive scientific study to monitor and evaluate their effectiveness. More research studies are required on policy analysis and utilization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Synthesis and characterization of metal sulfide nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposites
- Authors: Mbese, Johannes Zanoxolo
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11344 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016190
- Description: The focus of this project was to synthesize and characterize metal sulfide nanoparticles /polymer nanocomposites. The work involved the synthesis of dithiocarbamato ligands and complexes derived from aniline. Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) dithiocarbamato complexes were used as single-molecule precursors for the synthesis of the ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles and their optical and structural properties studied. The other focus of this work was to synthesize a combined functionality metal sulfide nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposites by dispersing as-synthesized ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. The characterization of the ligands, complexes, nanoparticles and nanocomposites were investigated using relevant instrumental tools like UV-Vis, photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion X-ray (EDX), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mbese, Johannes Zanoxolo
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11344 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016190
- Description: The focus of this project was to synthesize and characterize metal sulfide nanoparticles /polymer nanocomposites. The work involved the synthesis of dithiocarbamato ligands and complexes derived from aniline. Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) dithiocarbamato complexes were used as single-molecule precursors for the synthesis of the ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles and their optical and structural properties studied. The other focus of this work was to synthesize a combined functionality metal sulfide nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposites by dispersing as-synthesized ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. The characterization of the ligands, complexes, nanoparticles and nanocomposites were investigated using relevant instrumental tools like UV-Vis, photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion X-ray (EDX), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The characterization and electrochemistry of dye-sensitized solar cells
- Authors: Caga, Noloyiso
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cells , Acetonitrile , Electrochemistry , Spectrum analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11341 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016069 , Dye-sensitized solar cells , Acetonitrile , Electrochemistry , Spectrum analysis
- Description: In this study a presentation of the technology behind dye-sensitized solar cells, their design as well as the role of the different parts of the cell. The characterization of the cell is divided into four sections namely: the characterization of the paste required to make the TiO2 film and its optical properties using SEM-EDX and XRD analytical techniques; Analysis of the various absorptions of three Ru-based dyes using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Photoluminescence and Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy; the characterization and the analyses of the entire cell using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The nine cells were prepared by examining RuL2(CN)2 , RuL2(NCS)2 or N3 dye and RuL2(NCS)2 TBA+ or N719 dye. [L = 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid ;TBA = tetra-butyl ammonium] were combined with three electrolytes namely: Z–150 , AN–50 and PN–50. The Iodolyte PN–50 is an iodide based low viscosity electrolyte with 50 mM of tri-iodide dissolved in a solvent called propionitrile (PN). The Iodolyte AN–50 is an iodide based low viscosity electrolyte with 50 mM of tri-iodide dissolved in a solvent called acetonitrile (AN). The Iodolyte Z–150 is an iodide based low viscosity electrolyte with 150 mM of tri-iodide dissolved in a solvent called 3-methoxypropionitrile (MPN) and with additives such an ionic liquid, malkylbenziimidazole and guanidine thiocyanate. A solar simulator was utilized with which the standard solar irradiation can be created in laboratory conditions. The fill factors as well as overall performance efficiencies of the these cells are quite low < 1.0%,.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Caga, Noloyiso
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cells , Acetonitrile , Electrochemistry , Spectrum analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11341 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016069 , Dye-sensitized solar cells , Acetonitrile , Electrochemistry , Spectrum analysis
- Description: In this study a presentation of the technology behind dye-sensitized solar cells, their design as well as the role of the different parts of the cell. The characterization of the cell is divided into four sections namely: the characterization of the paste required to make the TiO2 film and its optical properties using SEM-EDX and XRD analytical techniques; Analysis of the various absorptions of three Ru-based dyes using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Photoluminescence and Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy; the characterization and the analyses of the entire cell using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The nine cells were prepared by examining RuL2(CN)2 , RuL2(NCS)2 or N3 dye and RuL2(NCS)2 TBA+ or N719 dye. [L = 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid ;TBA = tetra-butyl ammonium] were combined with three electrolytes namely: Z–150 , AN–50 and PN–50. The Iodolyte PN–50 is an iodide based low viscosity electrolyte with 50 mM of tri-iodide dissolved in a solvent called propionitrile (PN). The Iodolyte AN–50 is an iodide based low viscosity electrolyte with 50 mM of tri-iodide dissolved in a solvent called acetonitrile (AN). The Iodolyte Z–150 is an iodide based low viscosity electrolyte with 150 mM of tri-iodide dissolved in a solvent called 3-methoxypropionitrile (MPN) and with additives such an ionic liquid, malkylbenziimidazole and guanidine thiocyanate. A solar simulator was utilized with which the standard solar irradiation can be created in laboratory conditions. The fill factors as well as overall performance efficiencies of the these cells are quite low < 1.0%,.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The perceptions of 2nd year bridging course students regarding mentoring at private nursing colleges in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Pillay, Thriscilla
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016157
- Description: Nursing faces many challenges today, such as an international shortageof nurses and high medico-legal risks. One way of becoming a professional nurse is to complete a diploma course called the Bridging Course at a private nursing college. This is a two-year diploma course that is controlled by the South African Nursing Council (SANC), Regulation 683. This course allows enrolled nurses to further their studies to become a professional nurse, thus becoming an independent practitioner. These Bridging Course students need to do mentoring as part of their training so as to socialise them into the requirements for the role they will fulfil as a professional nurse and assist them to attain the competencies needed to function independently after the training phase. The various prescribed competencies that the Bridging Course student nurse needs to complete are clinical, co-ordination and management competencies. Clinical competencies equip them to perform and teach all nursing duties and co-ordination competencies ensure smooth, effective running of a ward. Then there are management competencies to be able to meet the vision, mission and philosophy of the unit and to have control from an or Nursing faces many challenges today, such as an international shortage of nurses and high medico-legal risks. One way of becoming a professional nurse is to complete a diploma course called the Bridging Course at a private nursing college. This is a two-year diploma course that is controlled by the South African Nursing Council (SANC), Regulation 683. This course allows enrolled nurses to further their studies to become a professional nurse, thus becoming an independent practitioner. These Bridging Course students need to do mentoring as part of their training so as to socialise them into the requirements for the role they will fulfil as a professional nurse and assist them to attain the competencies needed to function independently after the training phase. The various prescribed competencies that the Bridging Course student nurse needs to complete are clinical, co-ordination and management competencies. Clinical competencies equip them to perform and teach all nursing duties and co-ordination competencies ensure smooth, effective running of a ward. Then there are management competencies to be able to meet the vision, mission and philosophy of the unit and to have control from an organisational, human resource and business perspective. Research studies have discovered higher retention and graduation rates to be one of the positive outcomes of the mentoring process; also that mentoring solidifies people as leaders (Seekoe, 2011:15). Due to the international shortage of professional nurses, effective mentoring is much needed. This will allow the professional nurses to be able to perform competently in all expected areas. Having competent, qualified professional nurses may help to reduce medico-legal risks and restore the public’s trust in the nursing profession. Despite extensive research on mentoring, there is little research on the Bridging Course student nurse’s perceptions regarding mentoring, ganisational, human resource and business perspective. Research studies have discovered higher retention and graduation rates to be one of the positive outcomes of the mentoring process; also that mentoring solidifies people as leaders (Seekoe, 2011:15). Due to the international shortage of professional nurses, effective mentoring is much needed. This will allow the professional nurses to be able to perform competently in all expected areas. Having competent, qualified professional nurses may help to reduce medico-legal risks and restore the public’s trust in the nursing profession. Despite extensive research on mentoring, there is little research on the Bridging Course student nurse’s perceptions regarding mentoring.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Pillay, Thriscilla
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016157
- Description: Nursing faces many challenges today, such as an international shortageof nurses and high medico-legal risks. One way of becoming a professional nurse is to complete a diploma course called the Bridging Course at a private nursing college. This is a two-year diploma course that is controlled by the South African Nursing Council (SANC), Regulation 683. This course allows enrolled nurses to further their studies to become a professional nurse, thus becoming an independent practitioner. These Bridging Course students need to do mentoring as part of their training so as to socialise them into the requirements for the role they will fulfil as a professional nurse and assist them to attain the competencies needed to function independently after the training phase. The various prescribed competencies that the Bridging Course student nurse needs to complete are clinical, co-ordination and management competencies. Clinical competencies equip them to perform and teach all nursing duties and co-ordination competencies ensure smooth, effective running of a ward. Then there are management competencies to be able to meet the vision, mission and philosophy of the unit and to have control from an or Nursing faces many challenges today, such as an international shortage of nurses and high medico-legal risks. One way of becoming a professional nurse is to complete a diploma course called the Bridging Course at a private nursing college. This is a two-year diploma course that is controlled by the South African Nursing Council (SANC), Regulation 683. This course allows enrolled nurses to further their studies to become a professional nurse, thus becoming an independent practitioner. These Bridging Course students need to do mentoring as part of their training so as to socialise them into the requirements for the role they will fulfil as a professional nurse and assist them to attain the competencies needed to function independently after the training phase. The various prescribed competencies that the Bridging Course student nurse needs to complete are clinical, co-ordination and management competencies. Clinical competencies equip them to perform and teach all nursing duties and co-ordination competencies ensure smooth, effective running of a ward. Then there are management competencies to be able to meet the vision, mission and philosophy of the unit and to have control from an organisational, human resource and business perspective. Research studies have discovered higher retention and graduation rates to be one of the positive outcomes of the mentoring process; also that mentoring solidifies people as leaders (Seekoe, 2011:15). Due to the international shortage of professional nurses, effective mentoring is much needed. This will allow the professional nurses to be able to perform competently in all expected areas. Having competent, qualified professional nurses may help to reduce medico-legal risks and restore the public’s trust in the nursing profession. Despite extensive research on mentoring, there is little research on the Bridging Course student nurse’s perceptions regarding mentoring, ganisational, human resource and business perspective. Research studies have discovered higher retention and graduation rates to be one of the positive outcomes of the mentoring process; also that mentoring solidifies people as leaders (Seekoe, 2011:15). Due to the international shortage of professional nurses, effective mentoring is much needed. This will allow the professional nurses to be able to perform competently in all expected areas. Having competent, qualified professional nurses may help to reduce medico-legal risks and restore the public’s trust in the nursing profession. Despite extensive research on mentoring, there is little research on the Bridging Course student nurse’s perceptions regarding mentoring.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Time budgets, blood urea content, total protein and body condition scores as adaptive responses to seasonal dynamics by breeding Nguni cows and heifers reared on a sweetveld
- Authors: Mapfumo, Lizwell
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11826 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015738 , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this study was to determine time budgets, blood urea content, total protein and body condition score as adaptive responses to seasonal dynamics by breeding Nguni cows and heifers reared on a sweetveld. Twenty four clinically healthy Nguni cows and heifers were selected for the study. The animals were grouped according to their parities namely: Parity 1 (n=5), Parity 2 (n=5), Parity 3-6 (old cows) (n=9) and in-calf heifers (n=5). Two separate experiments were conducted and running concurrently. In the first experiment time budgets (time spent walking, grazing, lying down, drinking water and browsing) of the cows and heifers were monitored for two consecutive days once a month, while in the second experiment blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein once a month during weighing. Body condition scores were also determined during weighing times. Heifers maintained significantly (p0.05) of both blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (7.5±0.39 mmol/l) and TP (80.7±1.19 g/l) in November. All the animals had the least BUN levels in January (1.93±0.18 mmol/l) while the highest total protein (TP) (82.1±1.08 g/l) was recorded in February. All the animals showed distinct (p0.05) in most behavioural attributes in the cool-wet season. Heifers spent significantly (p0.05) body condition scores, amount of time spent browsing and drinking water. On the other hand, heifers (14.7±1.50%) and first parity cows (13.9±1.50%) traded-off most (p<0,05) of their time walking during the cool-dry season. Similarly heifers spent more time browsing (6.4±0.62%) forage plants (p<0.05) than all the cows during the cool-wet season. Grazing (r = 0.17) and standing (r = -0.18) were correlated (p<0.05) with all the behavioural attributes measured in this environment. It was concluded that seasonal dynamics in trade-off behaviour through time budgeting, maintenance of BUN and TP were necessary for the Nguni cows and heifers to maintain their body condition scores within a narrow range throughout the four seasons.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mapfumo, Lizwell
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11826 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015738 , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this study was to determine time budgets, blood urea content, total protein and body condition score as adaptive responses to seasonal dynamics by breeding Nguni cows and heifers reared on a sweetveld. Twenty four clinically healthy Nguni cows and heifers were selected for the study. The animals were grouped according to their parities namely: Parity 1 (n=5), Parity 2 (n=5), Parity 3-6 (old cows) (n=9) and in-calf heifers (n=5). Two separate experiments were conducted and running concurrently. In the first experiment time budgets (time spent walking, grazing, lying down, drinking water and browsing) of the cows and heifers were monitored for two consecutive days once a month, while in the second experiment blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein once a month during weighing. Body condition scores were also determined during weighing times. Heifers maintained significantly (p0.05) of both blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (7.5±0.39 mmol/l) and TP (80.7±1.19 g/l) in November. All the animals had the least BUN levels in January (1.93±0.18 mmol/l) while the highest total protein (TP) (82.1±1.08 g/l) was recorded in February. All the animals showed distinct (p0.05) in most behavioural attributes in the cool-wet season. Heifers spent significantly (p0.05) body condition scores, amount of time spent browsing and drinking water. On the other hand, heifers (14.7±1.50%) and first parity cows (13.9±1.50%) traded-off most (p<0,05) of their time walking during the cool-dry season. Similarly heifers spent more time browsing (6.4±0.62%) forage plants (p<0.05) than all the cows during the cool-wet season. Grazing (r = 0.17) and standing (r = -0.18) were correlated (p<0.05) with all the behavioural attributes measured in this environment. It was concluded that seasonal dynamics in trade-off behaviour through time budgeting, maintenance of BUN and TP were necessary for the Nguni cows and heifers to maintain their body condition scores within a narrow range throughout the four seasons.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Vegetation and soil characteristics around water points under three land management systems in semi-arid rangelands of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Simanga, Siyabulela
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Livestock -- Effect of water quality on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Range ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Pasture Science)
- Identifier: vital:11584 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015795 , Livestock -- Effect of water quality on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Range ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the vegetation and soil characteristics in relation to distance from water points under different land management systems in semi-arid rangelands of South Africa. Six study sites, two each from communal grazing, commercial farming and game reserves were selected. Two watering points were selected in each study site. Two 500 m transects were laid from the selected watering points. Each transect was divided into sub-transects at 25 m, 50m, 100m, 200m, 300m and 500m from water points. A 100 m2 plot was marked in each sub-transect to record grass biomas, species composition, structure and distribution of woody vegetation and physical and chemical soil properties. Data were collected for two seasons 2012/13 (winter and summer). Thirty and 41 grass and woody species respectively were identified in all study areas. The most common and dominating grass species include Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis obtusa, Setaria sphacelata and Sporobolus fimbriatus. Cynodon dactylon and S. sphacelata occurred more abundantly (p < 0.05) in the game reserves than in the other land management catergories. All the grass species had similar (p > 0.05) abundance along distance gradient from water points. Grass dry matter (GDM) showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between and within land management systems. However, GDM was not significantly affected by season, location of water point within each farm or reserve and distance along water points. Acacia karoo, Coddia rudis and Ehretia rigida were the most dominant woody species. Tree equivalent (TE) density of all encroaching woody plants combined was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on the communal area (1732 TE ha-1) than the commercial ranches (1136 TE ha-1) and game reserves (857 TE ha-1), but with no marked variations along distance from water points under all the land management systems. The electric conductivity (EC) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in game reserves than in communal grazing areas and ranches. Soil organic matter percentage showed greatest and lowest values in the game reserves and commercial respectively. Soil pH and bulk density did not vary but soil organic matter (SOM), EC, bulk density and soil compaction were significant different with no increasing or decreasing trends. Soil properties were affected by herbivore pressure and trampling around water points with inconsistence magnitude and direction. In conclusion, grass species composition and GDM did not respond to distance from water points because either grazing gradient was absent or the length of transects was not enough to explain the absence or presence of gradients. High proportion of A. karoo and high densities of seedlings and saplings would seem as very good indicators of the woody vegetation changes in the different land management systems and distance from water points. The soil quality indicators around the water-points showed that livestock and game affected soil parameters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Simanga, Siyabulela
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Livestock -- Effect of water quality on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Range ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Pasture Science)
- Identifier: vital:11584 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015795 , Livestock -- Effect of water quality on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Range ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the vegetation and soil characteristics in relation to distance from water points under different land management systems in semi-arid rangelands of South Africa. Six study sites, two each from communal grazing, commercial farming and game reserves were selected. Two watering points were selected in each study site. Two 500 m transects were laid from the selected watering points. Each transect was divided into sub-transects at 25 m, 50m, 100m, 200m, 300m and 500m from water points. A 100 m2 plot was marked in each sub-transect to record grass biomas, species composition, structure and distribution of woody vegetation and physical and chemical soil properties. Data were collected for two seasons 2012/13 (winter and summer). Thirty and 41 grass and woody species respectively were identified in all study areas. The most common and dominating grass species include Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis obtusa, Setaria sphacelata and Sporobolus fimbriatus. Cynodon dactylon and S. sphacelata occurred more abundantly (p < 0.05) in the game reserves than in the other land management catergories. All the grass species had similar (p > 0.05) abundance along distance gradient from water points. Grass dry matter (GDM) showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between and within land management systems. However, GDM was not significantly affected by season, location of water point within each farm or reserve and distance along water points. Acacia karoo, Coddia rudis and Ehretia rigida were the most dominant woody species. Tree equivalent (TE) density of all encroaching woody plants combined was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on the communal area (1732 TE ha-1) than the commercial ranches (1136 TE ha-1) and game reserves (857 TE ha-1), but with no marked variations along distance from water points under all the land management systems. The electric conductivity (EC) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in game reserves than in communal grazing areas and ranches. Soil organic matter percentage showed greatest and lowest values in the game reserves and commercial respectively. Soil pH and bulk density did not vary but soil organic matter (SOM), EC, bulk density and soil compaction were significant different with no increasing or decreasing trends. Soil properties were affected by herbivore pressure and trampling around water points with inconsistence magnitude and direction. In conclusion, grass species composition and GDM did not respond to distance from water points because either grazing gradient was absent or the length of transects was not enough to explain the absence or presence of gradients. High proportion of A. karoo and high densities of seedlings and saplings would seem as very good indicators of the woody vegetation changes in the different land management systems and distance from water points. The soil quality indicators around the water-points showed that livestock and game affected soil parameters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Wattle and pineapple residues as oyster mushroom substrates and the utilization of spent substrate in potted tomato production
- Hlerema, Igenicious Nicholas
- Authors: Hlerema, Igenicious Nicholas
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Horticultural Science)
- Identifier: vital:11887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016199
- Description: Cultivating oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) could have multiple advantages. For example, it can contribute to food security and malnutrition eradication, as a source of healthy and nutritionally rich food. Feeding on lignocellulosic crop/plant residues, these mushroom species also convert waste materials into a wide diversity of products which have multi-beneficial effects to human beings: serving as animal feed and fertiliser, and for protecting and regenerating the environment. Therefore, objectives of the current research were (1) to investigate the use of the rapidly increasing alien plants (Acacia spp.) in South Africa in cultivating of oyster mushroom for dual benefits, income generating and controlling the population of the alien (invasive) plants; (2) to evaluate the use of pineapple residue in the Eastern Cape as sole substrate or as a supplement in the cultivation of oyster mushroom; (3) to determine the effect of mushroom spent substrate, as organic growing media, on growth of tomatoes and controlling nematode population. In an experiment to investigate yield performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus HK 35) grown on three acacia species [black wattle (BW: Acacia mearnsii) , silver wattle (SW: A. dealbata) and green wattle (GW: A. decurrens)] used as substrates either mixed with 50% maize bran (MB) or 50% wheat straw (WS).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Hlerema, Igenicious Nicholas
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Horticultural Science)
- Identifier: vital:11887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016199
- Description: Cultivating oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) could have multiple advantages. For example, it can contribute to food security and malnutrition eradication, as a source of healthy and nutritionally rich food. Feeding on lignocellulosic crop/plant residues, these mushroom species also convert waste materials into a wide diversity of products which have multi-beneficial effects to human beings: serving as animal feed and fertiliser, and for protecting and regenerating the environment. Therefore, objectives of the current research were (1) to investigate the use of the rapidly increasing alien plants (Acacia spp.) in South Africa in cultivating of oyster mushroom for dual benefits, income generating and controlling the population of the alien (invasive) plants; (2) to evaluate the use of pineapple residue in the Eastern Cape as sole substrate or as a supplement in the cultivation of oyster mushroom; (3) to determine the effect of mushroom spent substrate, as organic growing media, on growth of tomatoes and controlling nematode population. In an experiment to investigate yield performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus HK 35) grown on three acacia species [black wattle (BW: Acacia mearnsii) , silver wattle (SW: A. dealbata) and green wattle (GW: A. decurrens)] used as substrates either mixed with 50% maize bran (MB) or 50% wheat straw (WS).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A cross-sectional study to ascertain the prognostic factors and symptoms associated with cryptococcal meningitis cases treated at the East London Hospital complex
- Authors: Okorie, Ikechukwu Obinna
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Meningitis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11782 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016194 , Meningitis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The focus of this study is to identify the potential prognostic factors and symptoms that are associated with Cryptococcal Meningitis and to establish a statistical model for the prediction of outcomes (survival and mortality) among in-hospital patients. Materials and Method: The hospital admission books in the medical wards and pharmacy of the East London Hospital Complex were searched to identify the folder numbers of all the patients that were admitted, diagnosed and or treated for Cryptococcal Meningitis at the hospital between the 1st of January 2009 and the 31st of August 2012. 237 folders out of 519 folders reviewed had confirmed cases of Cryptococcal Meningitis. Data on patients’ demographics, In-hospital care, and Concurrent infection/health condition were collected and analysed in a cross-sectional study, using the univariable and multiple logistic regression. Analysis of data was done with SAS version 9.1.3 and NCSS version 2007 software. Results: In a multivariable logistic analysis of variables found to be significantly associated with Cryptococcal Meningitis in a univariable logistic regression, Being Conscious (i.e. a Glasgow Coma score of 15) (OR= 5.34,CI=2.85-9.99 p =<0.000); Having no history of TB infection (OR=28.91, CI= 3.68-226.89, p = <0.001); No Fits (OR = 2.59, CI= 1.18-5.68 p = 0.017); Being a non-smoker (OR =2.22,CI=1.13-4.34 p = 0.020); and Adhering to treatment instruction and guidelines (OR = 2.38, 1.15-4.89, p = 0.019) were the variables found to be significantly associated with the survival of a Cryptococcal Meningitis patient. The uninterrupted use of Amphotericin B (OR=3.04, CI=1.06-8.72, P=0.038) as a first line regimen was also found to be significantly associated with survival.On the other hand, being unconscious (i.e. Glasgow Coma score <15) (OR =5.34, CI=2.85-9.99, p = < 0.000), Currently having a TB infection (OR = 9.20, CI=2.77-30.57, p = < 0.000), Not adhering to treatment guidelines (OR=2.38, CI=1.15-4.89, p=0.019 ); Being a smoker (OR = 2.22, CI=1.13-4.34, p = 0.020) and having Fits (OR=2.59 CI=1.18-5.68 p=0.017 ) were found to be significantly associated with mortality. Headache (p= 0.505) was found not to be a significant predictor of survival contrary to the findings in many publications on Cryptococcal Meningitis. Owing to time constraint, testing data was not collected to validate the prognostic models. However, model diagnostics was done and the relevant statistics confirmed the goodness of fit and the predictive ability of the model Conclusion: It has been established in this study that certain baseline variables can be helpful in the prognosis of Cryptococcal Meningitis infection. It is therefore believed that these variables will help in improving the prognosis of the infection especially at the East London Hospital Complex. Though the statistical models will work well in predicting the outcome of Cryptococcal Meningitis infection for patients admitted at the East London Hospital Complex, adequate precaution must be exercised while attempting to apply it in other geographical areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Okorie, Ikechukwu Obinna
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Meningitis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11782 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016194 , Meningitis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The focus of this study is to identify the potential prognostic factors and symptoms that are associated with Cryptococcal Meningitis and to establish a statistical model for the prediction of outcomes (survival and mortality) among in-hospital patients. Materials and Method: The hospital admission books in the medical wards and pharmacy of the East London Hospital Complex were searched to identify the folder numbers of all the patients that were admitted, diagnosed and or treated for Cryptococcal Meningitis at the hospital between the 1st of January 2009 and the 31st of August 2012. 237 folders out of 519 folders reviewed had confirmed cases of Cryptococcal Meningitis. Data on patients’ demographics, In-hospital care, and Concurrent infection/health condition were collected and analysed in a cross-sectional study, using the univariable and multiple logistic regression. Analysis of data was done with SAS version 9.1.3 and NCSS version 2007 software. Results: In a multivariable logistic analysis of variables found to be significantly associated with Cryptococcal Meningitis in a univariable logistic regression, Being Conscious (i.e. a Glasgow Coma score of 15) (OR= 5.34,CI=2.85-9.99 p =<0.000); Having no history of TB infection (OR=28.91, CI= 3.68-226.89, p = <0.001); No Fits (OR = 2.59, CI= 1.18-5.68 p = 0.017); Being a non-smoker (OR =2.22,CI=1.13-4.34 p = 0.020); and Adhering to treatment instruction and guidelines (OR = 2.38, 1.15-4.89, p = 0.019) were the variables found to be significantly associated with the survival of a Cryptococcal Meningitis patient. The uninterrupted use of Amphotericin B (OR=3.04, CI=1.06-8.72, P=0.038) as a first line regimen was also found to be significantly associated with survival.On the other hand, being unconscious (i.e. Glasgow Coma score <15) (OR =5.34, CI=2.85-9.99, p = < 0.000), Currently having a TB infection (OR = 9.20, CI=2.77-30.57, p = < 0.000), Not adhering to treatment guidelines (OR=2.38, CI=1.15-4.89, p=0.019 ); Being a smoker (OR = 2.22, CI=1.13-4.34, p = 0.020) and having Fits (OR=2.59 CI=1.18-5.68 p=0.017 ) were found to be significantly associated with mortality. Headache (p= 0.505) was found not to be a significant predictor of survival contrary to the findings in many publications on Cryptococcal Meningitis. Owing to time constraint, testing data was not collected to validate the prognostic models. However, model diagnostics was done and the relevant statistics confirmed the goodness of fit and the predictive ability of the model Conclusion: It has been established in this study that certain baseline variables can be helpful in the prognosis of Cryptococcal Meningitis infection. It is therefore believed that these variables will help in improving the prognosis of the infection especially at the East London Hospital Complex. Though the statistical models will work well in predicting the outcome of Cryptococcal Meningitis infection for patients admitted at the East London Hospital Complex, adequate precaution must be exercised while attempting to apply it in other geographical areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study of the prevalence of refractive errors and of patients requring refractive services at 15 eye clinics in the Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and O. R. Tambo districts of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Webber, Fiona
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001100 , Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This is a study on the prevalence of refractive errors and patients requiring refractive services at 15 eye clinics in the Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo District Municipalities of the Eastern Cape. This is an area characterised by extreme poverty where the cost of an eye examination and prescription spectacles remains financially unobtainable for most. Optometry services are provided mainly by private optometrists who service the small proportion of the population that can afford them. Adults and children remain house bound or are labelled as dull and unproductive simply because they don’t have access to an eye examination and a pair of spectacles. Purpose The purpose of the study is to identify patients with refractive errors and those requiring refractive services at the 15 eye clinics in the Eastern Cape. Another purpose is to describe the refractive services that are available to patients attending health facilities, where the eye clinics are conducted. Lastly, the purpose is to explore the possibility of nurses providing refractive services independently or under the supervision of optometrists to supplement the lack to refracting and dispensing services. Study Method A quantitative and qualitative non-experimental descriptive design was used. Research involved the analysis of Vision Care’s eye clinic records collected from 15 eye clinics from January 2010-June 2010. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 nurses working at the 15 health facilities where the eye clinics were conducted using purposive sampling. The quantitative data was analysed using excel spreadsheets and graphs and qualitative data was analysed using coding and categorizing methods. Conclusion According to Vision Care’s data of the patients assessed, 19.2 percent had a refractive error and 54 percent of the patients required refractive services. It is estimated that 71.41 percent of the patients had a refractive error according to the optometrist. Although there were some organisations active in the eradication of cataracts, there was little healthcare available in the form of refraction services. xiv Patients needed to travel an average of 63.8kms to access refraction services against the backdrop of poor roads, poverty and unemployment. 28 out of 30 nurses either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that nurses could be trained to perform refractions and dispense spectacles. 29 out of 30 nurses thought that this would have a positive impact on eye care. Further research is necessary to assess the feasibility of implementing a nurse operated refractive program and whether it should be within their scope of practice to refract and dispense spectacles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Webber, Fiona
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001100 , Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This is a study on the prevalence of refractive errors and patients requiring refractive services at 15 eye clinics in the Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo District Municipalities of the Eastern Cape. This is an area characterised by extreme poverty where the cost of an eye examination and prescription spectacles remains financially unobtainable for most. Optometry services are provided mainly by private optometrists who service the small proportion of the population that can afford them. Adults and children remain house bound or are labelled as dull and unproductive simply because they don’t have access to an eye examination and a pair of spectacles. Purpose The purpose of the study is to identify patients with refractive errors and those requiring refractive services at the 15 eye clinics in the Eastern Cape. Another purpose is to describe the refractive services that are available to patients attending health facilities, where the eye clinics are conducted. Lastly, the purpose is to explore the possibility of nurses providing refractive services independently or under the supervision of optometrists to supplement the lack to refracting and dispensing services. Study Method A quantitative and qualitative non-experimental descriptive design was used. Research involved the analysis of Vision Care’s eye clinic records collected from 15 eye clinics from January 2010-June 2010. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 nurses working at the 15 health facilities where the eye clinics were conducted using purposive sampling. The quantitative data was analysed using excel spreadsheets and graphs and qualitative data was analysed using coding and categorizing methods. Conclusion According to Vision Care’s data of the patients assessed, 19.2 percent had a refractive error and 54 percent of the patients required refractive services. It is estimated that 71.41 percent of the patients had a refractive error according to the optometrist. Although there were some organisations active in the eradication of cataracts, there was little healthcare available in the form of refraction services. xiv Patients needed to travel an average of 63.8kms to access refraction services against the backdrop of poor roads, poverty and unemployment. 28 out of 30 nurses either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that nurses could be trained to perform refractions and dispense spectacles. 29 out of 30 nurses thought that this would have a positive impact on eye care. Further research is necessary to assess the feasibility of implementing a nurse operated refractive program and whether it should be within their scope of practice to refract and dispense spectacles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Agricultural expenditure for economic growth and poverty reduction in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mapfumo, Alexander
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Research -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural extension work -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural development projects -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural services -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural credit -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11155 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/422 , Agriculture -- Research -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural extension work -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural development projects -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural services -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural credit -- Zimbabwe
- Description: A vibrant and an efficient agricultural sector would enable a country to feed its growing population, generate employment, earn foreign exchange and provide raw materials for industries. The agricultural sector has a multiplier effect on any nation's socio-economic and industrial fabric because of the multifunctional nature of agriculture. The main objective of this study was to investigate how government expenditure on agriculture has affected economic growth in Zimbabwe from 1980-2009. The Log linear growth regression model was employed where gross domestic gross was the dependant variable and the explanatory variables are the factors which affect it which include government agricultural expenditure. The expenditures of government on agriculture were divided into three functions namely extension, credit assistance and R & D. The regression analyses were performed using Econometric-views 7 (E-views 7) statistical package. Regression was carried out on time series data for the period 1980 to 2009. The data was tested for stationarity and for autocorrelation. Problems of non stationarity of data were corrected by integrating the trending series. Results from the empirical analysis provide strong evidence indicating that agriculture is an engine of economic growth. The results from this study suggest that spending more on agricultural research and development can improve economic growth and ultimately reduce poverty. However, it can also be concluded that insufficient government agricultural expenditure on extension and credit assistance adversely affected economic growth in Zimbabwe, based on the results of the study. Global experience with pro-poor growth and empirical work spanning India, Benin and Malawi demonstrates the importance of agricultural expenditure for poverty reduction in poor rural areas, while also pointing to the need for complementary non farm sector growth. This study also proposes a simple methodology to estimate the agricultural spending that will be required to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015 (MDG1) in Zimbabwe. This method uses growth poverty and growth expenditure elasticities to estimate the financial resources required to meet the MDG1. The study attempts to address a key knowledge gap by improving estimation of first MDG agricultural expenditure at country level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mapfumo, Alexander
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Research -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural extension work -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural development projects -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural services -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural credit -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11155 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/422 , Agriculture -- Research -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural extension work -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural development projects -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural services -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural credit -- Zimbabwe
- Description: A vibrant and an efficient agricultural sector would enable a country to feed its growing population, generate employment, earn foreign exchange and provide raw materials for industries. The agricultural sector has a multiplier effect on any nation's socio-economic and industrial fabric because of the multifunctional nature of agriculture. The main objective of this study was to investigate how government expenditure on agriculture has affected economic growth in Zimbabwe from 1980-2009. The Log linear growth regression model was employed where gross domestic gross was the dependant variable and the explanatory variables are the factors which affect it which include government agricultural expenditure. The expenditures of government on agriculture were divided into three functions namely extension, credit assistance and R & D. The regression analyses were performed using Econometric-views 7 (E-views 7) statistical package. Regression was carried out on time series data for the period 1980 to 2009. The data was tested for stationarity and for autocorrelation. Problems of non stationarity of data were corrected by integrating the trending series. Results from the empirical analysis provide strong evidence indicating that agriculture is an engine of economic growth. The results from this study suggest that spending more on agricultural research and development can improve economic growth and ultimately reduce poverty. However, it can also be concluded that insufficient government agricultural expenditure on extension and credit assistance adversely affected economic growth in Zimbabwe, based on the results of the study. Global experience with pro-poor growth and empirical work spanning India, Benin and Malawi demonstrates the importance of agricultural expenditure for poverty reduction in poor rural areas, while also pointing to the need for complementary non farm sector growth. This study also proposes a simple methodology to estimate the agricultural spending that will be required to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015 (MDG1) in Zimbabwe. This method uses growth poverty and growth expenditure elasticities to estimate the financial resources required to meet the MDG1. The study attempts to address a key knowledge gap by improving estimation of first MDG agricultural expenditure at country level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An estimation of the effects of food aid on domestic food production and commercial food imports in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chiweta, Chenai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Food relief -- Zimbabwe , Food crops -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian assistance -- Zimbabwe , Foreign exchange -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11175 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/478 , Food relief -- Zimbabwe , Food crops -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian assistance -- Zimbabwe , Foreign exchange -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Food aid and domestic food production capacities in Zimbabwe have been compromised by the poor performance in the country’s agricultural sector, which has necessitated an increase in and a continual need for humanitarian assistance over the past decade. The country’s commercial cereal food import capacity has not been an exception as it has also been greatly affected by the poor performance of the agricultural sector and the shortage of foreign currency that hit the country in the past few years. Secondary data on food aid, commercial cereal imports and cereal food production was obtained from World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) of Zimbabwe and from Zimbabwe Statistics (ZimSTATS) databases. This time series data was then analysed in the Vector Autoregression (VAR) analysis. Trends observed in the time series data reveal that commercial cereal food imports and cereal food aid inflows to Zimbabwe had been increasing between 1988 and 2008. Domestic cereal food production levels however were observed to have been declining within the same period. The restricted VAR model which was specified to investigate the short and long term effects of food aid on food production and on commercial food imports in the country revealed a low statistically significant positive relationship between domestic food production and food aid volumes. Results from the model also indicated a negative relationship between commercial food imports and food aid volumes. This means that as food aid volumes to Zimbabwe increase, the volume of commercial cereal food imported into Zimbabwe falls. This result therefore suggests that food aid in the country had a displacement effect on commercial cereal food imports in the short term. The results of the Granger causality test and the estimation of the Impulse Response Functions also helped to confirm and reinforce these findings from the vector error correction model. The conclusions drawn from the study were that the responsiveness of domestic food supply, that is, cereal production, to food aid inflows in the short term has been elastic. That is to say, an increase in food aid inflows would influence an increase in the level of domestic food production in the short term. However, in the long term, findings confirm that food aid does indeed discourage domestic food production in the country. Also, for the relationship between food aid and commercial food imports, it can be concluded from the study findings that food aid in the short term has caused a reduction in commercial food imports whereas in the long term, food aid inflows have actually stimulated the commercial food import capacity. In recommendation, the Government of Zimbabwe, the private and public institutions as well as the Non-Governmental Organisations should partner and work together in defining the criteria for vulnerability assessment, food aid targeting and distribution, and in the implementation of strategies for ensuring national food availability. Such partnerships would help in ensuring the sustainability of food aid and food security in Zimbabwe, which is the main goal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chiweta, Chenai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Food relief -- Zimbabwe , Food crops -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian assistance -- Zimbabwe , Foreign exchange -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11175 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/478 , Food relief -- Zimbabwe , Food crops -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian assistance -- Zimbabwe , Foreign exchange -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Food aid and domestic food production capacities in Zimbabwe have been compromised by the poor performance in the country’s agricultural sector, which has necessitated an increase in and a continual need for humanitarian assistance over the past decade. The country’s commercial cereal food import capacity has not been an exception as it has also been greatly affected by the poor performance of the agricultural sector and the shortage of foreign currency that hit the country in the past few years. Secondary data on food aid, commercial cereal imports and cereal food production was obtained from World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) of Zimbabwe and from Zimbabwe Statistics (ZimSTATS) databases. This time series data was then analysed in the Vector Autoregression (VAR) analysis. Trends observed in the time series data reveal that commercial cereal food imports and cereal food aid inflows to Zimbabwe had been increasing between 1988 and 2008. Domestic cereal food production levels however were observed to have been declining within the same period. The restricted VAR model which was specified to investigate the short and long term effects of food aid on food production and on commercial food imports in the country revealed a low statistically significant positive relationship between domestic food production and food aid volumes. Results from the model also indicated a negative relationship between commercial food imports and food aid volumes. This means that as food aid volumes to Zimbabwe increase, the volume of commercial cereal food imported into Zimbabwe falls. This result therefore suggests that food aid in the country had a displacement effect on commercial cereal food imports in the short term. The results of the Granger causality test and the estimation of the Impulse Response Functions also helped to confirm and reinforce these findings from the vector error correction model. The conclusions drawn from the study were that the responsiveness of domestic food supply, that is, cereal production, to food aid inflows in the short term has been elastic. That is to say, an increase in food aid inflows would influence an increase in the level of domestic food production in the short term. However, in the long term, findings confirm that food aid does indeed discourage domestic food production in the country. Also, for the relationship between food aid and commercial food imports, it can be concluded from the study findings that food aid in the short term has caused a reduction in commercial food imports whereas in the long term, food aid inflows have actually stimulated the commercial food import capacity. In recommendation, the Government of Zimbabwe, the private and public institutions as well as the Non-Governmental Organisations should partner and work together in defining the criteria for vulnerability assessment, food aid targeting and distribution, and in the implementation of strategies for ensuring national food availability. Such partnerships would help in ensuring the sustainability of food aid and food security in Zimbabwe, which is the main goal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An integrated study of coal geology and potential environmental impact assessment at Mchenga Coal Mine in Livingstonia Coalfield in Malawi
- Authors: Maneya, George Jameson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Coal -- Geology -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Malawi , Environmental degradation -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/480 , Coal -- Geology -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Malawi , Environmental degradation -- Malawi
- Description: This study was carried out on the main coal-producing and the extensively block-faulted area of Mchenga Coal Mine, southeast of the 90 km2 intracratonic Livingstonia Coalfield in the north of Malawi. It was initiated against the background of indistinct information on coal geology, shortage of energy and potential environmental threats due to mine activities. The study aimed at integrating investigations of characterization of the lithostratigraphy, coal seam correlation, coal quality determination, examination of the mineralogy and geochemistry of coal and hosts rocks, assessment of water quality and providing information for mining and potential environmental and water quality impact assessment in the study area. The methodologies used in this study include literature review, field visits, mapping, sites selection and characterization, borehole logging, geochemical analyses, data processing and interpretation. The geochemical analyses include proximity analysis of coal quality, microscopy and X-ray Diffraction for mineralogy and petrology, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for rock geochemistry and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for determination water geochemistry. The results have shown that a) The Coal Measures comprises of four to six coal seams in different localities, and the occurrence is flat and gently dipping southeast and are correlated. Thicknesses of the coal seams vary from 0.10m to 3.0m with some notable lateral and horizontal variations. Thick and workable seams occupy the lower portion of the Coal Measures and are exposed along the North Rumphi River bank; b) Coal quality belongs to sub-bituminous ‘A’ to ‘C’ on ASTM classification (1991), being characterised by low moisture content (0.8 to 1.3 wt percent) and sulphur content (0.49 to 0.85 wt percent), high ash content (9.0 to 17 wt percent) and volatile matter (24 to 32.9 wt percent), fixed carbon (53.6 to 62.6 wt percent), calorific value (7,015 to 7,670 kcal/kg); c) Mineral matters constitute approximately 9.55 to 38.34 wt percent of the coal samples, predominantly clays (interstratified illite/smectite and kaolinite) with varying proportions of quartz, mica and feldspars, as well as minor calcite and pyrite and their geochemistry, being characterised by enrichment of SiO2 from 5.37 to 20.56 wt percent, Al2O3 (2.63 to 11.21 wt percent) and K2O (0.32 to 3.65 wt percent) with trace concentrations of CaO (0.04 to 0.41 wt. percent), MgO (0.08 to 0.65 wt percent) and P2O5 (0.018 to 0.037 wt percent) and Na2O concentration notably below 0.01 wt percent; d) Calcite and pyrite constitute minor concentration in both sandstones and shales; e) Water quality in the area is characterised as two groups of acidic (pH 3.3-6.4) and near-neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.9-7.3) and low pH, high TDS, SO42- and EC are noted at the coal crusher plant which points out to high leaching of trace elements such as Pb and Fe. Na++K+ are dominant in upper sections of North Rumphi and Mhlepa Rivers. Ca2+ cations are dominant at crusher plant, underground mine and lower section of Mhlepa; f) Based on the geochemistry analysis, Na and trace elements such as Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr and Zr from coal and host rocks have the ability to contribute significantly to deterioration in the ground and surface water quality in the study area. It can be concluded that the coals of the Livingstonia Coalfield belong to Gondwana group deposited in sub-basin with multiple seams embedded in sandstone and shale host rocks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Maneya, George Jameson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Coal -- Geology -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Malawi , Environmental degradation -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/480 , Coal -- Geology -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Malawi , Environmental degradation -- Malawi
- Description: This study was carried out on the main coal-producing and the extensively block-faulted area of Mchenga Coal Mine, southeast of the 90 km2 intracratonic Livingstonia Coalfield in the north of Malawi. It was initiated against the background of indistinct information on coal geology, shortage of energy and potential environmental threats due to mine activities. The study aimed at integrating investigations of characterization of the lithostratigraphy, coal seam correlation, coal quality determination, examination of the mineralogy and geochemistry of coal and hosts rocks, assessment of water quality and providing information for mining and potential environmental and water quality impact assessment in the study area. The methodologies used in this study include literature review, field visits, mapping, sites selection and characterization, borehole logging, geochemical analyses, data processing and interpretation. The geochemical analyses include proximity analysis of coal quality, microscopy and X-ray Diffraction for mineralogy and petrology, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for rock geochemistry and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for determination water geochemistry. The results have shown that a) The Coal Measures comprises of four to six coal seams in different localities, and the occurrence is flat and gently dipping southeast and are correlated. Thicknesses of the coal seams vary from 0.10m to 3.0m with some notable lateral and horizontal variations. Thick and workable seams occupy the lower portion of the Coal Measures and are exposed along the North Rumphi River bank; b) Coal quality belongs to sub-bituminous ‘A’ to ‘C’ on ASTM classification (1991), being characterised by low moisture content (0.8 to 1.3 wt percent) and sulphur content (0.49 to 0.85 wt percent), high ash content (9.0 to 17 wt percent) and volatile matter (24 to 32.9 wt percent), fixed carbon (53.6 to 62.6 wt percent), calorific value (7,015 to 7,670 kcal/kg); c) Mineral matters constitute approximately 9.55 to 38.34 wt percent of the coal samples, predominantly clays (interstratified illite/smectite and kaolinite) with varying proportions of quartz, mica and feldspars, as well as minor calcite and pyrite and their geochemistry, being characterised by enrichment of SiO2 from 5.37 to 20.56 wt percent, Al2O3 (2.63 to 11.21 wt percent) and K2O (0.32 to 3.65 wt percent) with trace concentrations of CaO (0.04 to 0.41 wt. percent), MgO (0.08 to 0.65 wt percent) and P2O5 (0.018 to 0.037 wt percent) and Na2O concentration notably below 0.01 wt percent; d) Calcite and pyrite constitute minor concentration in both sandstones and shales; e) Water quality in the area is characterised as two groups of acidic (pH 3.3-6.4) and near-neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.9-7.3) and low pH, high TDS, SO42- and EC are noted at the coal crusher plant which points out to high leaching of trace elements such as Pb and Fe. Na++K+ are dominant in upper sections of North Rumphi and Mhlepa Rivers. Ca2+ cations are dominant at crusher plant, underground mine and lower section of Mhlepa; f) Based on the geochemistry analysis, Na and trace elements such as Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr and Zr from coal and host rocks have the ability to contribute significantly to deterioration in the ground and surface water quality in the study area. It can be concluded that the coals of the Livingstonia Coalfield belong to Gondwana group deposited in sub-basin with multiple seams embedded in sandstone and shale host rocks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Attitudes of midwives towards the implementation of choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act in the health facilities of the O.R. Tambo District
- Authors: Nohaji, Essinah Nosisi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Family planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- Attitudes , Abortion -- South Africa , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11893 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/517 , Family planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- Attitudes , Abortion -- South Africa , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The focus of the study was to evaluate the attitudes of midwives towards the implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act in the O.R. Tambo District hospitals in the Eastern Cape. There was no provision for termination of pregnancy (TOP) for unplanned pregnancy until 1994 when the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act was introduced. This act allowed any pregnant woman to request TOP when she wished for TOP. The midwives could voluntarily undergo training in TOP services and the designated institutions started offering TOP services, but stopped at a later stage. This resulted in overcrowding in health institutions which continued rendering TOP services. The researcher posed one question to be answered as: What are the attitudes of the midwives who are employed by health institutions in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape Province towards the implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act? The aim of the study was to evaluate the attitude of midwives towards the implementation of the CTOP Act in the O.R. Tambo District hospitals. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of these midwives towards the implementation of these services in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape Province. A quantitative descriptive design was used in this study. The population consisted of 150 midwives from two hospitals in the O.R. Tambo District. The sample consisted of 75 midwives; 30 midwives from Hospital 1 and 45 midwives from Hospital 2. Random systemic sampling was used in selecting the participants. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher and approved by the supervisor and the University of Fort Hare Ethics Committee. In the study, using a sample of (n = 75), the attitude on the implementation of CTOP scale had high reliability of 0.81. Data were analysed with the help of a statistician using Statistix 8.1 software for Windows. Approval to conduct the study was obtained from the University of Fort Hare Ethics Committee, Eastern Cape Department of Health and Hospital 1 and Hospital 2 before the study was conducted. The dignity of the participants was maintained by explaining v the topic of the research study, the aim and objectives of the study, the method to be used for data collection and the significance of the study. The participants were allowed to ask questions and the name and telephone of the supervisor were provided in case they needed some clarity. Voluntary, written informed consent was obtained before the interviews were conducted. Privacy, anonymity and confidentiality were ensured and maintained through all the stages of the research process. The finding of this study was that the midwives employed by the health institutions in O. R. Tambo District Municipality displayed positive responses in the majority (n=11/61.1%) of 18 items in the questionnaire. Since the midwives in this study demonstrated a positive attitude towards TOP, it was recommended that the reason for stopping the TOP services in the concerned institutions should be investigated. The following are also recommended: Compulsory training of midwives should include aspects of reproductive epidemiology, in particular, the epidemiology of unsafe abortions. Training in TOP services should continue, so that there will be adequate number of midwives to provide the TOP services, and consideration of special remuneration for TOP providers. Employment of managers trained in TOP and voluntary training of managers working in TOP sections should be considered so that they may provide effective support to TOP providers. Formation of support centres for TOP providers at Provincial and National levels. Education of the community in prevention of unwanted pregnancies by means of contraceptives and indications for a need to provide TOP services, to prevent victimisation of the TOP providers. Availability of a toll free number for reporting victimisation of the TOP providers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nohaji, Essinah Nosisi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Family planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- Attitudes , Abortion -- South Africa , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11893 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/517 , Family planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- Attitudes , Abortion -- South Africa , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The focus of the study was to evaluate the attitudes of midwives towards the implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act in the O.R. Tambo District hospitals in the Eastern Cape. There was no provision for termination of pregnancy (TOP) for unplanned pregnancy until 1994 when the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act was introduced. This act allowed any pregnant woman to request TOP when she wished for TOP. The midwives could voluntarily undergo training in TOP services and the designated institutions started offering TOP services, but stopped at a later stage. This resulted in overcrowding in health institutions which continued rendering TOP services. The researcher posed one question to be answered as: What are the attitudes of the midwives who are employed by health institutions in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape Province towards the implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act? The aim of the study was to evaluate the attitude of midwives towards the implementation of the CTOP Act in the O.R. Tambo District hospitals. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of these midwives towards the implementation of these services in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape Province. A quantitative descriptive design was used in this study. The population consisted of 150 midwives from two hospitals in the O.R. Tambo District. The sample consisted of 75 midwives; 30 midwives from Hospital 1 and 45 midwives from Hospital 2. Random systemic sampling was used in selecting the participants. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher and approved by the supervisor and the University of Fort Hare Ethics Committee. In the study, using a sample of (n = 75), the attitude on the implementation of CTOP scale had high reliability of 0.81. Data were analysed with the help of a statistician using Statistix 8.1 software for Windows. Approval to conduct the study was obtained from the University of Fort Hare Ethics Committee, Eastern Cape Department of Health and Hospital 1 and Hospital 2 before the study was conducted. The dignity of the participants was maintained by explaining v the topic of the research study, the aim and objectives of the study, the method to be used for data collection and the significance of the study. The participants were allowed to ask questions and the name and telephone of the supervisor were provided in case they needed some clarity. Voluntary, written informed consent was obtained before the interviews were conducted. Privacy, anonymity and confidentiality were ensured and maintained through all the stages of the research process. The finding of this study was that the midwives employed by the health institutions in O. R. Tambo District Municipality displayed positive responses in the majority (n=11/61.1%) of 18 items in the questionnaire. Since the midwives in this study demonstrated a positive attitude towards TOP, it was recommended that the reason for stopping the TOP services in the concerned institutions should be investigated. The following are also recommended: Compulsory training of midwives should include aspects of reproductive epidemiology, in particular, the epidemiology of unsafe abortions. Training in TOP services should continue, so that there will be adequate number of midwives to provide the TOP services, and consideration of special remuneration for TOP providers. Employment of managers trained in TOP and voluntary training of managers working in TOP sections should be considered so that they may provide effective support to TOP providers. Formation of support centres for TOP providers at Provincial and National levels. Education of the community in prevention of unwanted pregnancies by means of contraceptives and indications for a need to provide TOP services, to prevent victimisation of the TOP providers. Availability of a toll free number for reporting victimisation of the TOP providers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times and the quality of meat from sheep slaughtered at a commercial and a municipal abattoir
- Authors: Njisane, Yonela Zifikile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mutton -- Quality , Sheep -- Quality , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Animal behavior , Dorper sheep , Meat -- Quality , Sheep -- Carcasses -- Handling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004195 , Mutton -- Quality , Sheep -- Quality , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Animal behavior , Dorper sheep , Meat -- Quality , Sheep -- Carcasses -- Handling
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times and the quality of meat from sheep of different gender, breed (Dorper, Merino, and their crosses) and age groups, slaughtered at a commercial and municipal abattoir. Castrates and ewes of different age groups (1= <10months, 2= 11-12months, and 3= >12months) and breeds were used. From the commercial abattoir, 90 castrates and 110 ewes were used, while 66 castrates and 19 ewes were obtained from the municipal abattoir. Meat samples were obtained to determine meat colour, ultimate pH, temperature, cooking loss and tenderness. Correlations between bleeding times and meat quality variables were also determined. The two abattoirs differed in terms of technology and the procedures used, and this brought about different response behaviours in sheep at slaughter, bleeding times at exsanguination and the quality of meat produced. Animal-related factors (breed, gender and age classes) had no effect on the avoidance-related behaviour of sheep slaughtered at the commercial abattoir, while these factors affected those sheep slaughtered at the municipal abattoir. These factors also had an effect on the quality of meat produced at both abattoirs. Gender and weight of the animals had effects on the bleeding times at exsanguination at both abattoirs. Bleeding times did no correlate with any of the meat quality variables, but correlations among meat quality variables were observed. Avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times, and the quality of mutton from sheep slaughtered at a commercial and a municipal abattoir was affected by breed, age, and gender.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Njisane, Yonela Zifikile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mutton -- Quality , Sheep -- Quality , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Animal behavior , Dorper sheep , Meat -- Quality , Sheep -- Carcasses -- Handling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004195 , Mutton -- Quality , Sheep -- Quality , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Animal behavior , Dorper sheep , Meat -- Quality , Sheep -- Carcasses -- Handling
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times and the quality of meat from sheep of different gender, breed (Dorper, Merino, and their crosses) and age groups, slaughtered at a commercial and municipal abattoir. Castrates and ewes of different age groups (1= <10months, 2= 11-12months, and 3= >12months) and breeds were used. From the commercial abattoir, 90 castrates and 110 ewes were used, while 66 castrates and 19 ewes were obtained from the municipal abattoir. Meat samples were obtained to determine meat colour, ultimate pH, temperature, cooking loss and tenderness. Correlations between bleeding times and meat quality variables were also determined. The two abattoirs differed in terms of technology and the procedures used, and this brought about different response behaviours in sheep at slaughter, bleeding times at exsanguination and the quality of meat produced. Animal-related factors (breed, gender and age classes) had no effect on the avoidance-related behaviour of sheep slaughtered at the commercial abattoir, while these factors affected those sheep slaughtered at the municipal abattoir. These factors also had an effect on the quality of meat produced at both abattoirs. Gender and weight of the animals had effects on the bleeding times at exsanguination at both abattoirs. Bleeding times did no correlate with any of the meat quality variables, but correlations among meat quality variables were observed. Avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times, and the quality of mutton from sheep slaughtered at a commercial and a municipal abattoir was affected by breed, age, and gender.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012