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An investigation of prior knowledge about amphibians amongst Grade 7 learners : towards the development of a resource pack

  • Authors: Gordon, Louise
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Amphibians -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa Natural sciences -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003523
  • Description: The value of frogs is compared to the value of canaries used in coalmines: they are indicators of the environmental status of our environments, thus crucial to our survival. One third of all frogs worldwide are threatened with extinction. Frogs are found in our immediate environment. Are our Natural Science educators, teaching the Life and Living curriculum aware of this threat, the possible impact that the extinction of frogs will have on our welfare? Are our educators making use of the resources in their immediate environment? This study aimed to investigate the prior knowledge in both the horizontal and vertical discourse, in Grade7 learners and their educators, to inform the design of an amphibian resource pack. By investigating their prior knowledge an insight would be gained in their knowledge of Natural Science concepts as well as their everyday knowledge of their immediate natural environment. It would also highlight any misconceptions formed as well as alternative concepts within both educator and learner groups. These insights would be used to inform the contents of said resource pack.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the African subjectivity represented in Gavin Hood's Tsotsi (2006)

  • Authors: Siwak, Jakub
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Subjectivity in literature , Subjectivity Drama , Violence in motion pictures
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8391 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1093 , Subjectivity in literature , Subjectivity Drama , Violence in motion pictures
  • Description: This treatise will focus on a critical examination of Gavin Hood’s South African Oscar-winning film, Tsotsi (2006), in the interest of exploring how the mass media creates a problematic configuration of the subject, in virtue of its valorization of the continued discursive colonization of Africans (identified broadly in geographical rather than racial terms). That is, within the narrative of the film, the protagonist, after engaging in a crime spree, gives himself over to the state authorities and emotively confesses to his transgressions. Importantly, this dramatic confession is represented as a triumph of the human spirit – in the form of an autonomous rehabilitation on the part of the criminal. However, if one understands the protagonist as a subject constituted by what Foucault terms the discursive regimes of disciplinary/bio-power, what emerges into conspicuity is that the protagonist’s actions rather than being the result of his growing maturity and concomitant augmenting ‘humanity’ are the consequence of a set of discursive imperatives which render him docile and prostrate. Arguably, what this serves to represent, and, indeed, propagate, is more of a superimposition of Western cultural discourses on African subjects, and less of a negotiation with such discourses by such subjects. The treatise aims to provide a theoretical solution to the negation of alternative modes of being by disciplinary/bio-power imperatives inextricable from neo-liberal subjectivity. However, in its attempts to encourage cultural negotiation between North and South, the treatise will avoid simplistic, ‘orthodox’, Marxist solutions and will instead critically contend with the theory of Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe, and their perspectives on how radical democracy can be achieved.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the continued relevance of Faludi's Backlash (1992) for the negotiation of gender identity, in the wake of the "Lara Croft" phenomenon

  • Authors: Van Antwerpen, Lee-Anne
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Gender identity in mass media , Feminism , Feminism -- Public opinion , Women -- Social conditions , Women -- Psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8390 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1129 , Gender identity in mass media , Feminism , Feminism -- Public opinion , Women -- Social conditions , Women -- Psychology
  • Description: In the 1990s, Susan Faludi’s Backlash: The Undeclared War Against Women (1992) was arguably of signal importance in the thematization of the limits imposed by the media on the negotiation of gender identity. However, the utilization of Faludi’s various analyses, in the interest of rendering social critique, has become progressively more problematic during the first decade of the 21st century. This is because her analyses engage neither with the development of media technologies subsequent to the early 1990s, nor with the way in which such technological developments now engage audiences on a greater multiplicity of levels than before, in a manner that consequently stands to inform their subjectivity to a degree hitherto unimagined. (A good example of the latter would, of course, be the proliferation of interactive exchanges on the World Wide Web). As such, in the light of such technological developments, this treatise is orientated around an investigation of the continued relevance of Faludi’s Backlash (1992) for the negotiation of gender identity in the contemporary era. In particular, its focus falls on West’s film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), which is considered against the backdrop of the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider phenomenon, which encompasses sequels to the film, online interactive sites, graphic novels, figurines, and video games, among other products. This investigation draws on the reception theory of, on the one hand, Adorno and Horkheimer, and, on the other hand, Stuart Hall.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the impact of the funding strategy of government on the sustainability of NGO work in them health sector: a case of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa

  • Authors: Vhutuzah,Miriam.
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Non-governmental organization , Health services administration , Sustainable development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25926 , vital:64564
  • Description: Under the apartheid regime the blacks suffered from social exclusion whereby the state sought to provide social services to the white community. Blacks used NGOs to fight the apartheid regime after the banning of political parties by the government. The government tried to quell the social unrest by instituting restrictive legislation to the NGOs. However, the NGOs managed to survive by getting funds from external sources that were anti-apartheid and the funding was camouflaged. While the blacks used the NGOs as frontiers to fight apartheid, they also provided services like health, education and others. The white NGOs managed to thrive unabated. After the fall of apartheid, many leaders left the NGO sector to join the government. It has been of great concern to note that after the apartheid, NGOs failed to assume the position that they used to possess during apartheid. The major objective of the study was to assess the funding strategy of the government in relation to the sustainability of the work of NGOs. This was achieved through analysing the guiding principles and prerequisites of the government in terms of procedures of disbursing funds to NGOs and how this affects NGO operations. The research made use of one major approach in the social sciences which is qualitative. The use of a qualitative technique reflects an attempt to ensure an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon in question. This is what was needed by the question under study, to understand the institutional environment of NGOs by looking into their operational experiences and holding in-depth interviews with NGOs and government officials in order to understand their views about the existing funding strategy. The study found out that the pre-requisites of the funding organisations can be met by NGOs which previously thrived under the apartheid government. Due to their more sophisticated nature, it is these types of NGOs that interface most effectively with the donor community and are major beneficiaries of the bulk of donor funding. It also discovered that the rural-based NGOs are not networked and only rely on government funding which is short-lived. Some of the well established NGOs manipulate the existing opportunities to pursue private interests. Moreover, donors are mainly interested in funding popular activities like AIDS but they target well established organisations. In view of the above findings, the study recommends that the pre-requisites for NGOs must be streamlined to the rural-based NGOs and communication from the government should be improved especially for the rural-based NGOs where forms of communication are limited. There is need to establish an independent body, mandated by the government to carry out NGO issues .The government should also introduce incentives to the donors that fund rural-based NGOs and also encourage donors to fund TB activities by introducing incentives. Moreover, there is need for the government to adopt institutional development principles which emphasises on internal organizational development by training NGO members in order to improve their skills. Externally, the institutional impediments like inherited legal instruments that were pro-apartheid should be addressed. Lastly, there is need for the government to engage NGOs in the policy making process. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2010
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the informational efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with respect to monetary policy (2000-2009)

  • Authors: Samkange, Edgar
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Holding companies -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Monetary policy -- South Africa -- History
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
  • Identifier: vital:11456 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/324 , Holding companies -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa , Monetary policy -- South Africa -- History
  • Description: This study aims to investigate the informational efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with respect to monetary policy. Multivariate co-integration, Granger causality, vector error correction model, impulse response function analysis and variance decomposition analysis are employed to determine the semi-strong form efficiency in South African equity market. Monthly data of Johannesburg Stock Exchange index, money supply (M1 & M2), short term interest rate, inflation, rand/dollar exchange rate, London Stock Exchange index (FSTE100) and GDP from 2000-2009 are the variables of interest.Weak form efficiency is examined using unit root tests. The results of this study show evidence of weak form efficiency of the JSE using the Augmented-Dickey Fuller and Philip-Perron unit root tests. The results reject the hypothesis that the JSE is semi-strong and have important implications for government policy, regulatory authorities and participants in the South African stock market.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the middle managers' attitude towards organizational change: a case of the automotive industry

  • Authors: Harunavamwe, Martha
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Organizational change -- Management , Organizational change -- South Africa , Attitude (Psychology) , Motor industry -- South Africa -- Management , Executives -- Training of -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
  • Identifier: vital:11545 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001211 , Organizational change -- Management , Organizational change -- South Africa , Attitude (Psychology) , Motor industry -- South Africa -- Management , Executives -- Training of -- South Africa
  • Description: The present study investigated the attitudes of middle managers towards organisational change within the automotive industry in South Africa. As a result of global recession, the automotive industry has been going through a series of changes but at a very slower pace. An empirical investigation was undertaken using a sample of seventy two (72) middle managers drawn using the cluster sampling technique. An organisational change attitude questionnaire adjusted to suit the automotive industry environment was employed to collect data. The findings of the study indicated that middle managers have positive attitudes towards technological change (59%), Innovative Change (84%) and Total Quality Management (65%) However, middle managers indicated that they have negative attitudes towards re-organisation. There was moderate significant relationship between factors influencing attitudes (administration, participation, communication and the threats and benefits) and the attitudes portrayed. Factors such as administration of the change process, threats and benefits of the outcomes as well as opportunity for personal growth were found to be highly influential to middle managers attitudes towards change. In all cases, demographic variables such as gender, age and experience played a significant role in the views of middle managers towards organisational change. Key words: Attitudes, organisational change, middle managers, factors influencing attitudes and automotive industry.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the role of principals in promoting computer usage in selected Namibian schools

  • Authors: Katulo, Mighty Masiku
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Computers -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Educational technology -- Namibia Information technology -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003541
  • Description: Globalisation and technology change have created a new global economy fuelled by information and driven by knowledge. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have been touted as potential powerful tools for enabling educational change and reform. Namibia is among those countries that have adopted the use of ICTs as a vehicle for change. This thesis explores the role of school principals in promoting and managing computer usage in selected schools in Namibia. The study was conducted at four schools in the Caprivi Region. The study employed a qualitative case study to collect and analyse data. A total of four school principals and four computer coordinators were interviewed, and responded to questions pertaining to the role of principals in the following areas: acquiring ICT equipment; providing access to the computer labs; promoting the use of computers; maintaining computers; capacity-building of teachers, and addressing challenges that could prevent computer usage. Two focus group interviews were also conducted at two schools, to find out what they perceived to be the role of school principals in supporting and ensuring the effective use of computers in schools. The findings on acquisition of computers reveal that principals were often the initiators of the acquisition process. Ministerial deployment is the most common form of acquisition, followed by the use of the school’s development fund to purchase administrative computers. Only one of the participating schools did not acquire its computers through Ministerial deployment. Some schools were more resourced than others. Availability and maintenance of equipment depended on the kind of school (advantaged or disadvantaged) and the way the computers were acquired rather than on the role of the principal. Schools that acquired their computers through the ministerial deployment received satisfactory technical support from the ministry while schools that acquired their computers through other sources had to rely more heavily on the principal to pro-actively seek support. School principals that demonstrated the qualities of transformational leadership promoted the usage of computers by taking part in training offered to teachers and encouraged teachers on different platforms to make use of computers. The study also found that schools in which principals actively supported and promoted the use of computers were successful in the usage of the computer labs, while in schools where principals left the running of the computer lab to an individual teacher, the usage was minimal. It was found that a number of challenges are hampering the usage. These include lack of internet connectivity, qualified personnel to cascade training, and minimum infrastructure. The study recommends that school principals should adopt trategies that encourage teachers to use computers in their daily routines. It also makes suggestions for further research on the impact of school culture on ICT integration.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the role of records management with specific reference to Amathole District Municipality

  • Authors: Kanzi, Noluvuyo
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Records -- Management -- Amathole District Municipality , Information resources management -- Amathole District Municipality
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:8205 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1169 , Records -- Management -- Amathole District Municipality , Information resources management -- Amathole District Municipality
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role played by records management in an organisation. The primary question that was explored was whether the management of records receives the attention it deserves at the Amathole District Municipality. In order to achieve the research objectives, an in-depth literature study was undertaken. A survey was also conducted to examine the current records management practices at ADM and the data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. The literature study proved the hypothesis to be correct, which stated that effective records management plays a significant role in the effective administration of an organization. The empirical study revealed that the records management function is not receiving the attention it deserves at ADM. Even though participants acknowledged the importance of records management in the decision-making process, strategic planning process (Integrated Development Plan), the realisation of the Batho Pele Principles and the overall performance of ADM, it was evident that ignorance was displayed with regard to the management of records. It has been discovered that Amathole District Municipality has a good Records Management Policy, Procedure manual and File Plan, but adherence to these policies should be continuously monitored. Regular training has been identified as one of the areas on which ADM should apply its focus to ensure sound records management. Recommendations were made within the context of empirical survey findings and the regulatory framework for records management. To improve the current records management practices at ADM, it has been recommended that the records management function be incorporated into the organisation-wide strategic plans and that records management forms part of the key performance areas of senior managers.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the role of selected ward committees in enhancing basic service delivery: the case of Buffalo City Municipality

  • Authors: Jakatyana, Xolile Christopher
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Buffalo City (South Africa) , Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City -- Citizen participation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:8201 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1256 , Buffalo City (South Africa) , Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City -- Citizen participation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: This study investigated the role of selected ward committees 29 and 32 of Nompumelelo and Tsholomnqa respectively in the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) in enhancing basic service delivery. In terms of the White Paper on Local Government (1998:4), developmental local government promotes a system that centres on working with local communities to find sustainable ways to meet their needs and improve the quality of their lives. The study on that basis examines the nature and extent to which wards 29 and 32 committees enhanced basic service delivery within BCM. The study is premised on the assumptions that: The involvement of party-elected Councillors in ward committees inhibits members of ward committees from playing an active role in their communities; Ward committees are not clearly communicating municipality programmes to their communities; BCM is biased in favour of urban wards in service delivery; If the committees of wards 29 and 32 were given more powers to play a much wider role in providing leadership and make decisions in their communities (being elevated from an advisory role to ward management structures), they would make an impact in enhancing basic service delivery; and, With additional decision-making powers ward committees could play a more effective role in local government matters. The perceived slow pace of service delivery by municipalities has resulted in growing impatience and dissatisfaction, in particular among poor communities. This has been demonstrated by the spontaneous protests and unrests directed at municipalities that have been taking place nationally since 2003. The uprisings explain two aspects, namely local government is considered by communities to be the delivery arm of government in South Africa and poor communities feel betrayed because their active participation in government-provided spaces for participation such as municipal elections, ward committees and IDPs did not yield the result of promised development (Theron, 2008:36). iv The study employed the qualitative research design using an interview survey as a method of data collection and the reviewing of existing study material and documents to test the validity of the afore-mentioned assumptions. Lastly, with the aim of assisting BCM in nurturing the potential of ward committees operating in its area of jurisdiction, the following recommendations based on the findings of the study are made: BCM considers subjecting ward committees to structured formal and accredited training; BCM delivers services in a legally compliant manner; BCM delegates sufficient powers to ward committees; Ward committees be trained together with officials that drive the CBP process when BCM starts implementing the process; and, BCM provides support to ward committees.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the South African land reform process from a conflict resolution perspective

  • Authors: Wächter, Felix
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa , Land tenure -- South Africa , Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: vital:8166 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1272 , Land reform -- South Africa , Land tenure -- South Africa , Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa
  • Description: This research study aims to investigate the South African Land Reform process from a conflict resolution perspective. According to Burton’s basic human needs theory deep-rooted social conflict will occur wherever social institutions neglect universal basic human needs. Excess to land and land tenure are considered basic human needs because they provide landowners with food, shelter and security. In absence of an extensive welfare state, land ownership fulfils the role of a social safety network, particularly in African countries. Consequently, an equal distribution of land is needed in order to enable the majority of South Africans to fulfil their basic human needs. The instrument chosen for correcting the inequalities in land distribution are the three components of the South African land reform programme namely tenure reform, restitution and redistribution. The South African Land Reform Programme was largely influenced by the World Bank’s ‘Willing-Seller Willing- Buyer’ or ‘Negotiated Land Reform Approach’. Nevertheless, the South African model differs from the original concept by the World Bank in some aspects. The outcome of the Land Reform Process is analysed and evaluated by the on-going evaluation approach. All sources used in this research are open to the public and published either on official websites or in hard cover version in reports and articles. The results of this investigation indicate that the target of redistributing 30% of white-owned agricultural land by the year 2014 is not going to be accomplished. Nevertheless, the settlement of claims can be considered a success story although most of the claims were settled by means of cash compensation instead of actual land transfer. Furthermore, a change in the land acquisition policy from a demand-led approach based on the negotiated land reform principle towards a more static, state-led, top-down approach has been identified as well as shortcomings in the post-settlement support of new landowners. To put it briefly, the land reform process in toto is about to fail and a chance of reducing the enormous conflict potential given away. Furthermore, the conflict potential will increase due to the failures in providing the poor and rural masses with access to land.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of the use of social media news releases to create dialogue around brands

  • Authors: Barnard, Marieka Helen
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Social marketing -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa -- Marketing , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8389 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1264 , Social marketing -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa -- Marketing , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
  • Description: This study aimed to provide South African public relations professionals with insights into the use of the Social Media News Release (SMNR) as a PR 2.0 tool that has the potential to elicit consumer-driven dialogue in social media channels about information, a brand, product or service advocated by the particular social media news release. Drawing on literature from fields such as public relations, new media studies, marketing, and consumer studies, an analysis of two South African SMNR case studies was conducted including the Samsung Omnia i900 SMNR and the Standard Bank Pro20 2008 and 2009 SMNRs. An in-depth content analysis applying limited designations analysis and detailed assertions analysis techniques was performed on selected content from the dedicated social media platforms linked to in the SMNRs to determine the origins, tone and thematic nature of communications on the platforms. A total of 2071 messages was analysed by means of content analysis across six social media platforms in the two case studies. In order to triangulate and support data, an online survey was conducted with 43 social media users as respondents in order to determine social media users’ interactions with the social media platforms and SMNRs. The study found that the social media platforms linked to the SMNRs in the two case studies largely successfully elicited and hosted social media user-generated conversations about the themes advocated by the SMNR. The Blog, Facebook and YouTube platforms proved to be most successful in generating social media conversation, while the Flickr, Twitter and Delicious platforms were less effective among South African consumers. It was found that social media news releases are likely to elicit consumer-driven dialogue on the dedicated social media platforms linked to by the SMNRs if the platforms are managed correctly. Factors that were identified as important management considerations include ensuring the relevancy and timeliness of content on the social media platforms, the involvement by the platform creator in stimulating and encouraging participation from social media users where necessary, as well as the swift response to user comments, deleting of spam comments and pro-active management of negative perceptions that may arise from user comments on the platforms.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of turnover and retention factors of health professional staff within the Eastern Cape Department of Health

  • Authors: Mrara, Msibulele Theophilus
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Department of Health Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Hospitals -- Officials and employees -- Turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003875
  • Description: Health Professionals are critical in the provision of health services, more especially when it comes to nurses who are next to the patient most of the time. It is critically important for the Eastern Cape Department of Health to ensure that skilled health professionals such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses and the like are retained and the staff turnover regarding this category of staff is appropriately managed. The difficulty to attract and retain health professionals is negatively affecting service delivery in the Eastern Cape department of Health and leaves the department with an unacceptably high vacancy rate. This often put more of a burden on to the health professionals who remain within the organization. Some of them will end up leaving the organization. There is a great shortage of health professionals in South Africa and it becomes easier for the health professionals to get employment elsewhere, particularly in the private sector which appears to have a competitive advantage as compared to the public sector. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gather information through the utilization of a questionnaire and interviews were conducted mainly to confirm the results obtained. The results of the study have assisted to reflect factors that could be influencing the health professionals to leave health facilities of the Eastern Cape Department of Health. The respondents were drawn from the two areas within the Health Department, and these are, Mthatha and Port Elizabeth areas. One hundred (100) questionnaires were issued to the health professionals and sixty three responded. Documents that were received from the department were helpful in determining the turnover rate. The study has revealed that the Eastern Cape Department of Health may succeed in retaining the health professionals if they can be made to feel that their job is important. It appears that health professionals would like to be given enough opportunity to perform their functions and participate in the decision making processes of the department. Some factors may be contributing to the staff turnover and these are, lack of career opportunities to develop, challenges in the workplace, conflict with the management and colleagues. It is always important for the organizations to recognize its employees by giving them space to practice their profession and create a comfortable workplace that could have an impact in influencing the employee to remain within the organization. Employee turnover can be minimized, if employees can be exposed to a healthy workplace environment that will assist if fostering happiness, and in the process, enhance their motivation. It is imperative for the Eastern Cape Department of Health to focus on the training and development of its employees in order to increase the efficiency and competitiveness. As the employees gain the necessary skills to perform their job, productivity may improve. The performance of the employees should be properly managed, and the resultant incentives and rewards must be fairly distributed. This could promote harmony in the workplace and that could help in building relationships among employees. If employees are satisfied, there is an increased chance that they will stay within the organization and it becomes difficult for other competitors to attract them. Employees must be given adequate space to participate in the decision making processes of the organization, and by doing so, their loyalty to the organization could be increased.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An investigation of ward committees as a means for structured public participation: the case of the Knysna local municipality

  • Authors: Ngqele, Sandile Wiseman
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Knysna -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa. -- Knysna -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Western Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:8208 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1143 , Local government -- South Africa -- Knysna -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa. -- Knysna -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Western Cape
  • Description: This study investigated the effectiveness of Ward Committees in co-ordinating and facilitating authentic public participation processes at local government levels. This study focused specifically on the Knysna Local Municipality. Before 1994 the majority of South Africans had never had the vote, and therefore, had not had the opportunity of participating in South Africa’s governance and administration (Hilliard and Kemp, 1999:40). In this governance system, local government was the lowest tier of government in a strict hierarchical structure; and it had no constitutional standing of its own, but derived its powers from the two superior tiers of government, namely national and provincial. The local government elections of 5 December 2000 in South Africa provided municipalities with a historic opportunity to transform local government to meet the needs of the country for the next century. The local government transformation process (in tandem with the demarcation process that established the new municipal boundaries) introduced more developmental responsibilities to municipalities. In addition, this further implied that local government became an autonomous sphere of government with its own original powers and a broad developmental mandate. This had profound implications for local governance. An important element of the current local government system is the promotion of local democracy and participation in local governance. Public participation is an integral part of local democracy and is a legislative requirement for the local community to be drawn into the v municipal processes through inter alia: Integrated Development Planning (IDP), budgeting, performance management and Ward Committees. Although the ‘old’ South African local government system did not have an extensive history in ensuring a culture of actively engaging communities in developmental issues, the IDP under a Developmental Local Government (DLG) system now presents a framework through which such a culture can be established. The Ward Committees in particular, play a critical role in linking community needs with municipal planning processes. In South African local government the commitment to public participation is reflected in a host of laws and policy documents (namely the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 1998 (Act 117 of 1998), the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa , 1996). These laws and policies are intended to be realised through development initiatives that require formal participatory processes and institutions in local governance. Since 2001 Ward Committees have emerged as a key institutional mechanism intended to contribute towards bringing about people-centred, participatory and democratic local governance. The rationale for Ward Committees is to supplement the roles of the elected Ward Councillors by creating a link between communities and the political and administrative structures of municipalities. These Ward Committees have been established in the majority of wards in municipalities across the country in line with the vi requirements of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act,1998 (Act 117 of 1998) which stipulates that: Only metropolitan and local municipalities of certain types may have Ward Committees. The main objective of the study was to investigate the overall functioning of Ward Committees within the Knysna Local Municipality and to determine their impact on democratic local governance thus far. The study will carry out an investigation into the effectiveness of Ward Committees: whether they are useful conduits for public participation in local governance; whether they are inherently capable of playing the critical role expected of them; and whether they actually create opportunities for real power-sharing between the Knysna Local Municipality and its communities. The study’s main objective stated above was achieved by breaking it down into realisable objectives, namely: • A brief background of the Knysna Local Municipality, and in particular, an outline of its institutional arrangements and its Ward Committees in general. • An evaluation of the theoretical and legislative framework of public participation and the Ward Committee System in local government. • An analysis of the practical performance of Ward Committees in the Knysna Local Municipality and to provide a research report on the empirical findings. • Recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of Ward Committees at local government levels in general, and in particular, in the Knysna Local Municipality. The hypothetical position of this study was that the maximum utilisation of Ward Committees as a means for public participation processes at local government levels, specifically in the Knysna Local Municipality, could improve communication between local municipalities and the public. Furthermore, this would also contribute towards the speedy delivery of services to communities, as Ward Committees could serve as the Local Municipality’s strategic partners in Council’s projects. Ward Committees should therefore be utilised to enhance a constructive interaction between a municipality and its local community. This position was premised on the fact that authentic and empowering participation can be established at local government levels if Ward Committees act as a foundation for development and Ward Committee Members as development change agents in their respective wards
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An ion imprinted polymer for the selective extraction of mercury (II) ions in aqueous media

  • Authors: Batlokwa, Bareki Shima
  • Date: 2010 , 2013-07-18
  • Subjects: Mercury , Metal ions , Imprinted polymers , Polymerization
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004541 , Mercury , Metal ions , Imprinted polymers , Polymerization
  • Description: This thesis presents the application of an imprinted mercury(lI) polymer that we synthesized by copolymerizing the functional and cross-linking monomers, N'-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl] diethylenetriamine (TPET) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of mercury (II) ions as template. A bulk polymerization method following a double-imprinting procedure and employing hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), as a second template to improve the efficiency of the polymer was employed in the synthesis. The imprinted polymer particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their average size determined by screen analysis using standard test sieves. The relative selective coefficients (k') of the imprinted polymer evaluated from selective binding studies between Hg ²⁺and Cu²⁺ or Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺, were 10588 and 3147, respectively. These values indicated highly favored Hg²⁺ extractions over the two competing ions. Application of the polymer to various real water samples (tap, sea, river, pulverized coal solution, treated and untreated sewerage from the vicinity of Grahamstown in South Africa) showed high extraction efficiencies (EEs) of Hg²⁺ ions; (over 84% in all cases) as evaluated from the detected unextracted Hg²⁺ ions by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The limit of detection (LOD, 3ơ) of the method was evaluated to be 0.036 ng ml⁻¹ and generally the data (n=10) had percentage relative standard deviation (%RSD) of less than 4%. These findings indicate that the double-imprinted polymer has potential to be used as an efficient extraction material for the selective pre-concentration of mercury(lI) ions in aqueous environments. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An organization development intervention in a Namibian rural school in Ohanguena region

  • Authors: Kashikatu, Lukas
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Action research in education -- Namibia Organizational change -- Namibia School improvement programs -- Namibia Educational change -- Namibia -- Case studies Rural schools -- Namibia School management and organization -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1684 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003567
  • Description: Post independent Namibia adopted a decentralization policy which involved the transfer of decision-making powers and administrative authority from central government to government institutions, including schools, with a view to improving quality. However, despite new educational policies, Namibian educators continue to operate in a non-participatory manner and are unprepared for their role as change agents. This has created tension between the espoused benefits of decentralizing and the reality in schools. In such a turbulent situation schools need to be helped to understand the complexity of change in order to adapt, and OD plays a crucial role in this regard. OD is a consciously thought of and systematically implemented organization-wide improvement effort which aims at increasing organizational effectiveness and health through action research. Rather than a top-down change approach, the OD practice adopts a bottom-up approach to change. This study introduced and investigated an OD intervention in a Namibian rural school in Ohanguena Education Region, with the purpose of exploring participants’ perceptions and experience of the process and of the possible short-term outcome of the intervention. Its findings could be of significance to educators, organizations and future OD esearchers. The study is an action research case study located in the interpretive and critical paradigms. Multiple data collection tools were used during this study, namely observations, structured one-to-one interviews and focus group interviews. Interpretive analysis was used as the data analysis approach. The study found that despite OD being new to participants, it was embraced as a change strategy as it made significant impact on their understanding of organizations and conception of change which is radically different from the common top-down approach to change. The intervention further empowered participants with new skills of initiating change and problem-solving strategies. Apart from that, the intervention yielded a positive short-term outcome which motivated participants to adopt and apply OD in the future without underestimating challenges associated with the process.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Analysing the impact of a selected economic activity on Oudsthoorn's economy

  • Authors: Van Schalkwyk, Aren
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa , Economic growth -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8694 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1104 , Economic development projects -- South Africa , Economic growth -- South Africa
  • Description: Property development, by its very nature is an element of the economy and can be regarded as a multifaceted business, encompassing activities that include the development of undeveloped land by constructing residential, commercial and industrial buildings, either for leasing or selling. Based on the aforesaid, property development therefore has direct, indirect and induced impacts on the economy. Economic impact refers to the effects, positive or negative, on the level of economic activity in a given area. Measuring economic impact requires a baseline assessment conducted before the activity (property development) occurs and a second, comparable assessment conducted after the activity (property development) occurs. By using the Input- Output Model methodology, various anticipated direct and indirect economic impacts can be quantified. These economic impacts are derived using an understanding of economic cause-effect relationships. The principle of cause-effect is that for any economic action, there can be a multitude of different economic reactions (effects). For the purposes of this treatise, the main cause/action is the implementation of the proposed Alphen Aan Den Rijn Retirement and Lifestyle Village development in Oudtshoorn. The result is a number of direct potential/probable effects, which also have a range of indirect potential/probable effects. Based on the findings of the Input-Output Model, it is clear that the implementation of Alphen will have significant positive socio-economic benefits, e.g. additional business sales, additional GGP and additional employment for the local and regional environment. To ensure that these positive impacts are maximised for the benefit of the overall economy of Oudtshoorn as well as the population of Oudtshoorn, management strategies and mechanisms pertaining to the following are suggested for incorporation into the development proposal: • Workplace Skills Plan; • Labour Contracts; • Service Carrying Capacity Management Plan; • Economic Sustainability; and • Social Sustainability.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2010

Analysis of the anti-cancer activity of novel indigenous algal compounds in breast cancer: towards the development of a model for screening anti-cancer stem cell activity

  • Authors: Lawson, Jessica Clair
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Breast -- Cancer , Breast -- Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Breast -- Cancer -- Treatment , Red algae , Brown algae , Algae -- Biotechnology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:3925 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003984 , Breast -- Cancer , Breast -- Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Breast -- Cancer -- Treatment , Red algae , Brown algae , Algae -- Biotechnology
  • Description: Breast cancer, the most common malignancy diagnosed in women, is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. In South Africa only 32% of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer survive more than five years. The search for new chemotherapeutic agents capable of effectively treating breast cancer is therefore essential. Recent evidence supporting the cancer stem cell theory of cancer development for breast cancer challenges the current theories of cancer development and hence treatment. Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of tumour cells that possess properties of both cancer cells and stem cells and are believed to be the tumour-initiating population of many cancers. Cancer stem cells are inherently resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents and in this way have been associated with repopulation of tumours after chemotherapy. This phenomenon is proposed as a possible mechanism for cancer relapse after treatment. Cancer stem cells have also been implicated in metastasis, the major cause of mortality in cancer patients. Therefore, any treatment that is capable of targeting and removing breast cancer stem cells may have the theoretical potential to effectively treat breast cancer. However, there are currently no such treatments available for clinical use. We were provided access to a library of novel indigenous small molecules isolated from red and brown algae found off the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The aim of this project was to analyse the anti-cancer and anti-cancer stem cell properties of the compounds in this library and to identify „hit‟ compounds which could form the basis for future development into new anti-cancer drugs. Ten novel compounds of algal origin were tested for cytotoxicity, by determining their ability to inhibit the growth of MCF12A breast epithelial cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells using the colorimetric MTT [(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] cell proliferation assay. All but one of the compounds tested exhibited cytotoxicity towards the MCF7 cancer cell line, with IC50 values (the concentration of the compound that leads to a 50% inhibition in cell growth) of between 3 μM and 90 μM. The chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel was used as a positive control. Four of the compounds (RUMB-001, RUMB-002, RUMB-007 and RUMB-010/saragaquinoic acid) were significantly more toxic to the MCF7 cancer cell line, than the „normal‟ MCF12A breast cells and were selected as priority compounds for further analyses. In addition, two other compounds were selected as priority compounds, one highly cytotoxic towards both MCF12A and MCF7 cell lines (RUMB-015) and one which was non toxic to either cell line (RUMB-017/018). Preliminary studies into the mechanism of cytotoxicity using Western blot analysis for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and Hoechst 33342 immunostaining in MCF-7 cells were largely unsuccessful. The Hoechst 33342 immunostaining assay did provide tentative evidence that selected priority compounds were capable of inducing apoptosis, although these assays will need to be repeated using a less subjective assay to confirm the results. The priority compounds were subsequently investigated for their cytotoxic effect on the cancer stem cell-enriched side population in MCF7 cells. The ability of the priority compounds to selectively target the cancer stem cell containing side population was assessed using two complementary flow cytometry-based techniques – namely the Hoechst 33342-exclusion assay, and fluorescent immunostaining for the expression of the putative cancer stem cell marker, ABCG2+. The ABCG2+ staining assay was a novel technique developed during the course of this study. It remains to be fully validated, but it may provide a new and reliable way to identify and analyse cancer stem cell containing side population cells. The MCF7 cells were treated with the compounds and the proportion of putative cancer stem cells compared with the size of the population in untreated cells was assessed. Three compounds (RUMB-010, RUMB-015 and RUMB-017/018) capable of reducing the proportion of side population cells within the MCF7 cell line were identified. Taking these data together, we identified two potential „hit‟ compounds which should be prioritised for future research. These are compounds RUMB-010/sargaquinoic acid and RUMB-017/018. RUMB-010 is of interest as it was shown to target the putative cancer stem cell population, in addition to the bulk MCF7 tumour line, but was relatively less toxic to the „normal‟ MCF12A cell line. RUMB-017/018 is of interest due to the ability to selectively target the cancer stem cell enriched side population, while having little effect on the normal (MCF12A) or bulk tumour (MCF7) cell lines tested. These compounds will be important as „hit‟ compounds for drug development and as tool compounds to study cancer and cancer stem cell biology.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Analysis processes as antecedents for decision-making related to growth strategies of South African Game Ranchers

  • Authors: Van Eyk, Marlé
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Tourism -- Marketing , Game farms -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
  • Identifier: vital:9356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1546 , Tourism -- Marketing , Game farms -- South Africa
  • Description: Game ranching offers an economic alternative to conventional stock farming and is a means of supplementing income derived from agricultural activities. Competition is intensifying as ranchers continuously look for ways to improve and expand their businesses and gain a competitive advantage. Ranchers consequently have to find strategies that can ensure growth. Since a reciprocal relationship and dependency exists between a game ranch and the environment in which it operates, it is essential that ranchers take cognizance of aspects in the marketing environment that can either limit, and hence encumber the choice of growth strategy, or stimulate the growth potential of game ranches. As the objective of marketing is to offer customers superior value, it is pertinent for ranchers to know and understand the needs, requirements and motivations of visitors. Failure to do so will cause visitors to patronise other game ranches, or alternative tourism offerings that meet their expectations. A literature review was conducted to define strategy and assist in identifying growth strategies available to a game ranch. The literature review assisted in categorising elements in the external, internal and customer analysis phases of strategic marketing management. Surveys were conducted by means of self-completion questionnaires which were distributed throughout South Africa. Two sets of questionnaires were distributed - one to respondents with prior experience of a game ranch, and one to respondents with no-prior experience. A qualifying question directed the fieldworker to decide which questionnaire should be completed by the respondent. The surveys were constructed in such a way as to determine to what extent various factors would persuade respondents to visit a ranch or extend their stay. Based on a factor analysis, an eight factor structure emerged which represented the personal values of respondents and their levels of expectation for each of the factors. The eight factors were stimulation, universalism, tradition, security, hedonism, power, socialisation, and self-direction. The study revealed the following. - The majority of respondents with no-prior experience of a game ranch is either unaware of the offerings of game ranches, or perceives them as too expensive. - The sustainable use of natural resources is not only essential for the existence of a game ranch, but is also an important motivator for respondents to either visit a game ranch or extend their stay at a ranch. - Staff play a critical role in the overall experience of visitors and act as an important motivator to either visit/revisit a game ranch or extend their stay at the ranch. - Clean and comfortable overnight facilities are deemed important by all respondents. - Respondents have a strong desire to relax and spend time with family and friends. A decision-making framework from which game ranches can select applicable growth strategies resulted from the study. The decision-making framework comprises a three-phase process; phase 1 is the identification of a game ranch's target market; phase 2 is the use of a simplistic framework to determine a possible growth strategy for a game ranch; phase 3 is the identification of ways to implement the selected strategy. As the game ranch industry makes significant contributions to the economic, social and ecological welfare of South Africa, this study added to the body of knowledge of game ranching in South Africa, particularly with regard to the growth options available to game ranches. Recommendations for consideration of future research included the following. - As the current study investigated hunting and tourism, future research on growth strategies for game ranches could also include other aspects of game ranching such as the sale of live game and game products. - More focused empirical research into external and internal strategic analysis should be considered to supplement the empirical research into customer analysis resulting from the current study. - Finally, additional information obtained on the external and internal strategic analysis process could lead to expanding the decision-making framework developed in this study into a more holistic tool to be used in selecting a growth strategy, or combination of strategies for a game ranch3.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2010

Analytical methods for the quantitative determination of oxytocin

  • Authors: Chaibva, Faith A , Walker, Roderick B
  • Date: 2010
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006037
  • Description: Oxytocin is a clinically important nonapeptide that is used for the induction and/or augmentation of labor and is normally administered as a slow intravenous infusion diluted with normal saline or Ringer’s lactate solution. Oxytocin is also indicated for use in the prevention and treatment of post partum hemorrhage and may be administered via either the intramuscular or intravenous routes in order to increase uterine tone and/or reduce bleeding. The analysis of oxytocin in different media has evolved over the past 30 years with the result that more sophisticated, selective and sensitive techniques are used for the determination of the compound. A variety of techniques have been applied to the determination of oxytocin in different matrices ranging from simple paper chromatography to hyphenated liquid chromatographic such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass-spectrometry. Additionally enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA) and radio immuno-assays (RIA) are used for the determination of low concentrations of oxytocin in biological matrices. This manuscript provides a systematic survey of the analytical methods that have been reported for isolation and quantitation of oxytocin in different matrices.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2010

Antibiotic use in two hospitals in West Wollega, Ethiopia

  • Authors: Banja, Wakweya Dugassa
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:10141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1263 , Antibiotics , Bacterial diseases -- Chemotherapy
  • Description: In the last decades, there has been an escalating consumption of antibiotics with the number of antibiotic prescriptions increasing worldwide. Overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics has resulted in a major increase in the development of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world’s most serious public health problems with great implication in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs. To date, there has been no formal antibiotic use study conducted in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia to assess antibiotic utilization. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of antibiotic use in two hospitals in the West Wollega zone of Ethiopia, namely Gimbie Adventist Hospital and Nedjo Hospitals, using drug utilization metrics and the costs associated. In addition it was to assess the correlation between diagnosed infectious diseases and antibiotic prescriptions. This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive review of antibiotic usage in the two hospitals in the year 2007. Prescriptions dispensed in the first month of each quarter of 2007 were reviewed. The number of prescriptions screened, antibiotic courses started, antibiotic days by specific agent and overall, the cost of individual and all antibiotics, the number and type of infectious diseases diagnosed were collected from which core drug use indicators were calculated. The correlation between infectious disease diagnosed and the antibiotic days prescribed were analyzed. A total of 18568 antibiotic and non-antibiotic prescriptions were reviewed retrospectively in the four months of the study period, 47 percent of which contained at least one antibiotic. The average number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.33 and 1.09 whilst the percentage of injectable antibiotics prescribed was 83.2 percent and 3.76 percent to outpatients and inpatients respectively. Antibiotics prescribed from the Essential Drug List (EDL) and List of Drugs for District Hospital (LDDH) were 63.0 percent, 74.8 percent, and 90.8 percent and 76.1 percent for outpatients and inpatients respectively. 98.6 percent of outpatient and 97.0 percent inpatient prescribed antibiotics were actually dispensed. Penicillins and quinolones were the most prescribed antibiotics in both inpatient and outpatient departments constituting 43.46 percent and 24.08 percent respectively. The antibiotic utilization ratio, incidence of outpatient antibiotic use, incidence of inpatient antibiotic use, the number of Defined Daily Doses (DDD)/1000inhabitants/year and DDD/100 Occupied Bed Days (OBD) for the zone was 0.16, 17.25, 23.56, 158.61, and 70 respectively. Antibiotic cost constituted 33.7 percent of all expenditure on drug, cost of antibiotic per patient care day and cost per antibiotic day was 3.84 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) ($0.40) and 6.29 ETB ($0.66) respectively. The correlation between infectious diseases diagnosed and antibiotic prescription shows significant variation. At outpatient departments alone an average number of antibiotic courses started was 2.7 at Gimbie Adventist Hospital and 7.6 for Nedjo Hospital. When overall antibiotic days prescribed and required was compared in both hospitals, there were 2.4 and 5 times more antibiotic days prescribed than were required for Gimbie and Nedjo Hospitals respectively. This suggests that the overuse of antibiotic is worse in the government hospital (Nedjo Hospital) than in the mission hospital (Gimbie Adventist Hospital). This study suggested that there was overuse of antibiotics in the West Wollega hospitals although further investigation is needed to identify its underlying causes and nature. It is recommended that the health personnel, the hospital management, the zonal and regional Health Bureau, the regulatory bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) work hand-in-hand to promote the rational use of antibiotics in this region so that the consequences and financial cost of antimicrobial resistance can be prevented.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2010
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