A longitudinal study of the occupational aspirations and perceptions of fifteen to sixteen year-old South African adolescents
- Authors: Marshall, Joanne
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Personality and occupation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1183 , Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Personality and occupation -- South Africa
- Description: While career development is viewed as a lifelong process, there are numerous limitations regarding existing career theories and research pertaining to the adolescent population. Further, insufficient longitudinal research represents one of the major obstacles for a more holistic understanding of career development across the lifespan. Thus, the present longitudinal project of which the current study forms a part was initiated to address the lack of research and theory concerning adolescent career development. The larger longitudinal project intended to make information available regarding the occupational aspirations and perceptions of a sample of South African children and adolescents, from early childhood into their adolescent years. The current study investigates the occupational aspiration development of 15 to 16 year old South African adolescents. It is argued that the South African knowledge base on career development behaviour still requires extensive development, especially with regards to adolescent career development. The current longitudinal study aimed to explore and describe possible developments and changes over a two year period in the interest typology, occupational status level and occupational gender stereotypes of the 43 adolescents. Additionally, the study aimed to explore and describe the adolescents' reflections on their own occupational aspiration development. The findings of this study will provide necessary baseline information on the development of South African adolescents' occupational aspirations and will offer valuable recommendations for the future development of adolescent career education programmes. Adolescent and career development theories were used to provide a context for the current study. Semi-structured interviews and biographical questionnaires were utilized to record verbal data which was transposed into nominal data for analysis. Thus, the current study was quantitative in nature. The semi-structured interview comprised four general aspects that included: the adolescents' occupational aspirations, the number of occupations they knew about, how much they knew about the expressed occupations, and the extent to which they held gender stereotypes concerning fourteen different occupations. The data gained was coded according to Holland's (1985) classification system of interest typologies. Also, the adolescents' occupational aspirations were coded according to their status levels. The coded data was subsequently analysed using both descriptive statistics in the form of frequency counts and percentages as well as inferential statistics in the form of chi-square analysis. Content analysis was also conducted on the adolescents' reflections on their own career development as a means to extract themes. The results indicated that adolescence was an important phase of career development and the findings supported adolescent and career development theories. The results of the study also indicated that the majority of adolescents aspired to Investigative type occupations across both years of the study and most adolescents consistently aspired to high status occupations. In addition, adolescents do not appear to gender stereotype in terms of occupations. Lastly, it was found that most adolescents could reflect on their career development, predominantly attributing changes in their occupational aspirations to changes in their interests. The present study has made available important information regarding the occupational aspiration development of a group of South African adolescents, which can be utilized in further research and as a foundation on which to develop career education programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Marshall, Joanne
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Personality and occupation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1183 , Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Personality and occupation -- South Africa
- Description: While career development is viewed as a lifelong process, there are numerous limitations regarding existing career theories and research pertaining to the adolescent population. Further, insufficient longitudinal research represents one of the major obstacles for a more holistic understanding of career development across the lifespan. Thus, the present longitudinal project of which the current study forms a part was initiated to address the lack of research and theory concerning adolescent career development. The larger longitudinal project intended to make information available regarding the occupational aspirations and perceptions of a sample of South African children and adolescents, from early childhood into their adolescent years. The current study investigates the occupational aspiration development of 15 to 16 year old South African adolescents. It is argued that the South African knowledge base on career development behaviour still requires extensive development, especially with regards to adolescent career development. The current longitudinal study aimed to explore and describe possible developments and changes over a two year period in the interest typology, occupational status level and occupational gender stereotypes of the 43 adolescents. Additionally, the study aimed to explore and describe the adolescents' reflections on their own occupational aspiration development. The findings of this study will provide necessary baseline information on the development of South African adolescents' occupational aspirations and will offer valuable recommendations for the future development of adolescent career education programmes. Adolescent and career development theories were used to provide a context for the current study. Semi-structured interviews and biographical questionnaires were utilized to record verbal data which was transposed into nominal data for analysis. Thus, the current study was quantitative in nature. The semi-structured interview comprised four general aspects that included: the adolescents' occupational aspirations, the number of occupations they knew about, how much they knew about the expressed occupations, and the extent to which they held gender stereotypes concerning fourteen different occupations. The data gained was coded according to Holland's (1985) classification system of interest typologies. Also, the adolescents' occupational aspirations were coded according to their status levels. The coded data was subsequently analysed using both descriptive statistics in the form of frequency counts and percentages as well as inferential statistics in the form of chi-square analysis. Content analysis was also conducted on the adolescents' reflections on their own career development as a means to extract themes. The results indicated that adolescence was an important phase of career development and the findings supported adolescent and career development theories. The results of the study also indicated that the majority of adolescents aspired to Investigative type occupations across both years of the study and most adolescents consistently aspired to high status occupations. In addition, adolescents do not appear to gender stereotype in terms of occupations. Lastly, it was found that most adolescents could reflect on their career development, predominantly attributing changes in their occupational aspirations to changes in their interests. The present study has made available important information regarding the occupational aspiration development of a group of South African adolescents, which can be utilized in further research and as a foundation on which to develop career education programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Exploring self concept and social identities in the context of online intimate relationships
- Authors: Van Staden, Phillip
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Self , Group identity , Online dating
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1276 , Self , Group identity , Online dating
- Description: Many South Africans are developing online relationships. Due to the anonymous and artificial context of the online environment it is possible that a person’s identity differs within the on- and offline environment. Sternberg’s (1986) Triangular Model of Love as well as Rogers’ Self Theory (1951) were utilized as a theoretical base for investigating online identity and intimacy. Using a qualitative, exploratory design, the study explored this phenomenon by analysing open ended questionnaires administered online to people in intimate online relationships. Participants were selected by means of non-probability snowball sampling. The findings indicated that Internet socialisers vary in their experience of their online identities. Individuals may have a multitude of genuine online selves, each one represented differently depending on the anonymity and level of intimacy in the relationship. Selfdisclosure and deception play an important role in identity representation and exploration and both are experienced as being affected by the online context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van Staden, Phillip
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Self , Group identity , Online dating
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1276 , Self , Group identity , Online dating
- Description: Many South Africans are developing online relationships. Due to the anonymous and artificial context of the online environment it is possible that a person’s identity differs within the on- and offline environment. Sternberg’s (1986) Triangular Model of Love as well as Rogers’ Self Theory (1951) were utilized as a theoretical base for investigating online identity and intimacy. Using a qualitative, exploratory design, the study explored this phenomenon by analysing open ended questionnaires administered online to people in intimate online relationships. Participants were selected by means of non-probability snowball sampling. The findings indicated that Internet socialisers vary in their experience of their online identities. Individuals may have a multitude of genuine online selves, each one represented differently depending on the anonymity and level of intimacy in the relationship. Selfdisclosure and deception play an important role in identity representation and exploration and both are experienced as being affected by the online context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Self-efficacy and social support of academy cricketers
- Authors: Cowan, Jenna
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Self-efficacy , Control (Psychology) , Social networks , Cricket players
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1556 , Self-efficacy , Control (Psychology) , Social networks , Cricket players
- Description: Self-efficacy is considered to be a significant variable for enhancing all aspects of human performance (Druckman, 2004). Social support may influence self-efficacy through each of the four channels of self-efficacy information which consist of performance accomplishments, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion and physiological responses (Bandura, 1997). The primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the nature of change that occurred in selfefficacy and received social support of university-age academy cricketers over the duration of an academy programme. The secondary aim was to explore and describe the relationship between the two constructs, self-efficacy and social support. Sixty-five male, university-age (18-25 years) provincial academy cricketers completed a social support measure and a self-efficacy measure specifically designed for the purposes of this study. These measures were based on Rees and Freeman’s (2007) items and Cox, Martens and Russell’s (2003) revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2 - Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump & Smith, 1990) respectively. The perceived pre- and post-academy personal ratings of self-efficacy and social support, obtained prior to the start of the South African Interprovincial Academy Cricket week, referred to participants’ perceptions before and after attending their respective provincial academies. An inferential pre-experimental post-pretest design was used. The results included significant changes found in self-efficacy, esteem social support, informational social support and tangible social support over the academy season. There were no differences attributed to the length of time a cricketer had spent at the academy or to the cricketer’s highest level of achievement in cricket. The only significant correlation that existed between self-efficacy and social support was the correlation between self-efficacy and x informational social support. This study provided an initial insight into the role of self-efficacy and social support in talented cricketers, especially in a South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Cowan, Jenna
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Self-efficacy , Control (Psychology) , Social networks , Cricket players
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1556 , Self-efficacy , Control (Psychology) , Social networks , Cricket players
- Description: Self-efficacy is considered to be a significant variable for enhancing all aspects of human performance (Druckman, 2004). Social support may influence self-efficacy through each of the four channels of self-efficacy information which consist of performance accomplishments, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion and physiological responses (Bandura, 1997). The primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the nature of change that occurred in selfefficacy and received social support of university-age academy cricketers over the duration of an academy programme. The secondary aim was to explore and describe the relationship between the two constructs, self-efficacy and social support. Sixty-five male, university-age (18-25 years) provincial academy cricketers completed a social support measure and a self-efficacy measure specifically designed for the purposes of this study. These measures were based on Rees and Freeman’s (2007) items and Cox, Martens and Russell’s (2003) revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2 - Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump & Smith, 1990) respectively. The perceived pre- and post-academy personal ratings of self-efficacy and social support, obtained prior to the start of the South African Interprovincial Academy Cricket week, referred to participants’ perceptions before and after attending their respective provincial academies. An inferential pre-experimental post-pretest design was used. The results included significant changes found in self-efficacy, esteem social support, informational social support and tangible social support over the academy season. There were no differences attributed to the length of time a cricketer had spent at the academy or to the cricketer’s highest level of achievement in cricket. The only significant correlation that existed between self-efficacy and social support was the correlation between self-efficacy and x informational social support. This study provided an initial insight into the role of self-efficacy and social support in talented cricketers, especially in a South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Therapist metamorphosis : beginner and experienced psychotherapists' journeys of professional therapeutic development
- Authors: Laidlaw, Christine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Clinical psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Interns (Clinical psychology) -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007912 , Clinical psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Interns (Clinical psychology) -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Description: This research aimed to trace the development of psychologists as therapists within a South African context. Two distinct career levels were explored in relation to a competency model, a skills development model, and a developmental phase model of psychotherapists' professional development. Through purposive sampling five intern psychologists and six registered psychologists with at least seven years post-qualification client contact were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. Through semi-structured interviews, couched in the social constructionist position, the participants' experiences were thematically analysed. In addition, the researcher's own personal journey of developing as a psychotherapist was reflected upon. The current research study found that a number of aspects fostered the development of psychotherapists. Across the two career levels the life experiences of participants particularly featured events that were personally wounding or placed the participant in the helper role. The theoretical orientation(s) of participants were voiced as influential in their development, yet the ability to adjust their theoretical orientation to clients' needs was of overriding importance. Participants emphasised forming a strong therapeutic relationship with clients as the centrepiece of psychotherapy and depicted the therapeutic process using diverse metaphors. No key differences in use of metaphors emerged between intern and established psychologists. Catalysts for professional growth included personal therapy, "unforgettable cases", group supervision and, in the case of established psychologists, continuing professional development workshops. xiii Shifts in competency were recognised by intern psychologists as they gained more experience, namely, dissolution of naivety, a decrease in anxiety regarding their clinical work, a greater flexibility in the therapeutic process, a decreased sense of inappropriate responsibility for clients' progress, and an ongoing process of negotiating the interface of their personal and professional lives. Established psychologists spoke of having gained more confidence through their years of practice and yet experienced moments of anxiety which they found fostered humility. Limitations of the study and potential future research directions were outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Laidlaw, Christine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Clinical psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Interns (Clinical psychology) -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007912 , Clinical psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Interns (Clinical psychology) -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Description: This research aimed to trace the development of psychologists as therapists within a South African context. Two distinct career levels were explored in relation to a competency model, a skills development model, and a developmental phase model of psychotherapists' professional development. Through purposive sampling five intern psychologists and six registered psychologists with at least seven years post-qualification client contact were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. Through semi-structured interviews, couched in the social constructionist position, the participants' experiences were thematically analysed. In addition, the researcher's own personal journey of developing as a psychotherapist was reflected upon. The current research study found that a number of aspects fostered the development of psychotherapists. Across the two career levels the life experiences of participants particularly featured events that were personally wounding or placed the participant in the helper role. The theoretical orientation(s) of participants were voiced as influential in their development, yet the ability to adjust their theoretical orientation to clients' needs was of overriding importance. Participants emphasised forming a strong therapeutic relationship with clients as the centrepiece of psychotherapy and depicted the therapeutic process using diverse metaphors. No key differences in use of metaphors emerged between intern and established psychologists. Catalysts for professional growth included personal therapy, "unforgettable cases", group supervision and, in the case of established psychologists, continuing professional development workshops. xiii Shifts in competency were recognised by intern psychologists as they gained more experience, namely, dissolution of naivety, a decrease in anxiety regarding their clinical work, a greater flexibility in the therapeutic process, a decreased sense of inappropriate responsibility for clients' progress, and an ongoing process of negotiating the interface of their personal and professional lives. Established psychologists spoke of having gained more confidence through their years of practice and yet experienced moments of anxiety which they found fostered humility. Limitations of the study and potential future research directions were outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Implementation of the dual therapy prevention of mother-to-child transmission protocol
- Authors: Singh, Vikesh
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Transmission -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- Prevention -- South Africa , Antiretroviral agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10138 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1374 , HIV infections -- Transmission -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- Prevention -- South Africa , Antiretroviral agents
- Description: Antiretroviral drugs taken during pregnancy, reduce the rates of mother-to-child transmission from 35 percent to as low as 1 to 2 percent (UNAIDS, 2009). In 2002, the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme was implemented in South Africa. Studies on the implementation of the PMTCT programme have shown that understaffed and under-developed health care facilities were key barriers to the provision of PMTCT services (Health Systems Trust, 2002: 6; Skinner et al., 2003). The aim of this study was to assess the challenges experienced by health care workers working in public sector facilities in the Nelson Mandela Metropole after implementation of the dual therapy PMTCT programme. Four areas were investigated: Infrastructure; Drug Supply Management; Clinic Procedures and Staffing. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted in August 2009 at nine public health care facilities in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, South Africa. Questionnaires were issued to 81 nurses and 41 pharmacy personnel (pharmacists and pharmacist assistants). Checklist audit forms were issued to the Facility Manager of each facility and completed with the researcher. The key findings for Infrastructure were lack of space at patient waiting rooms (9; 100 percent n=9), counselling area (5; 55.5 percent; n=9), nurse consultation rooms (6; 66.6 percent; n=9), storage areas (5; 55.5 percent; n=9) and filing areas (7; 77.7 percent; n=9). The key findings for Drug Supply Management were none of the dispensaries (0 percent; n=10) were fully compliant with Good Pharmacy Practice, pharmacy personnel indicated that there were no stock cards for medication (13; 31.7 percent; n=41); there was less than two weeks supply of buffer stock kept for zidovudine and nevirapine (13; 35.1percent; n=37) and medication orders were placed without any reference to minimum and maximum levels of medication (15; 36.5 percent; n=41) . The key findings for Clinic Procedures were only two facilities followed up on patients that had missed appointments (22.2 percent; n=9) and four facilities (44.4 percent; n=9) had a tracking system for patients that had defaulted. Of the nine facilities only three (33.3 percent; n=9) updated patient demographic details regularly. The key findings for Staffing were a shortage of doctors, nurses, counsellors and pharmacists at the facilities. One of the major challenges identified was the lack of training offered on new PMTCT protocols with 56.2 percent (45; n=80) of the nurses stating that no training was provided on the dual PMTCT protocol. Only 54.3 percent (44; n=81) of nurses stated that they knew the criteria to start the mother on dual PMTCT therapy. In conclusion there is an urgent need for barriers such as lack of staff, lack of space, lack of training on PMTCT and standard procedures for follow up of patients to be addressed in order to ensure the successful scaling up of PMTCT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Singh, Vikesh
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Transmission -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- Prevention -- South Africa , Antiretroviral agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10138 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1374 , HIV infections -- Transmission -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- Prevention -- South Africa , Antiretroviral agents
- Description: Antiretroviral drugs taken during pregnancy, reduce the rates of mother-to-child transmission from 35 percent to as low as 1 to 2 percent (UNAIDS, 2009). In 2002, the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme was implemented in South Africa. Studies on the implementation of the PMTCT programme have shown that understaffed and under-developed health care facilities were key barriers to the provision of PMTCT services (Health Systems Trust, 2002: 6; Skinner et al., 2003). The aim of this study was to assess the challenges experienced by health care workers working in public sector facilities in the Nelson Mandela Metropole after implementation of the dual therapy PMTCT programme. Four areas were investigated: Infrastructure; Drug Supply Management; Clinic Procedures and Staffing. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted in August 2009 at nine public health care facilities in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, South Africa. Questionnaires were issued to 81 nurses and 41 pharmacy personnel (pharmacists and pharmacist assistants). Checklist audit forms were issued to the Facility Manager of each facility and completed with the researcher. The key findings for Infrastructure were lack of space at patient waiting rooms (9; 100 percent n=9), counselling area (5; 55.5 percent; n=9), nurse consultation rooms (6; 66.6 percent; n=9), storage areas (5; 55.5 percent; n=9) and filing areas (7; 77.7 percent; n=9). The key findings for Drug Supply Management were none of the dispensaries (0 percent; n=10) were fully compliant with Good Pharmacy Practice, pharmacy personnel indicated that there were no stock cards for medication (13; 31.7 percent; n=41); there was less than two weeks supply of buffer stock kept for zidovudine and nevirapine (13; 35.1percent; n=37) and medication orders were placed without any reference to minimum and maximum levels of medication (15; 36.5 percent; n=41) . The key findings for Clinic Procedures were only two facilities followed up on patients that had missed appointments (22.2 percent; n=9) and four facilities (44.4 percent; n=9) had a tracking system for patients that had defaulted. Of the nine facilities only three (33.3 percent; n=9) updated patient demographic details regularly. The key findings for Staffing were a shortage of doctors, nurses, counsellors and pharmacists at the facilities. One of the major challenges identified was the lack of training offered on new PMTCT protocols with 56.2 percent (45; n=80) of the nurses stating that no training was provided on the dual PMTCT protocol. Only 54.3 percent (44; n=81) of nurses stated that they knew the criteria to start the mother on dual PMTCT therapy. In conclusion there is an urgent need for barriers such as lack of staff, lack of space, lack of training on PMTCT and standard procedures for follow up of patients to be addressed in order to ensure the successful scaling up of PMTCT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Mediating factors in the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and HIV Sexual risk behaviour among men who have sex with men
- Authors: Heusser, Shelly Lucien
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Adult child sexual abuse victims -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sexually transmitted diseases -- Psychological aspects , Risk-taking (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9873 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1398 , Adult child sexual abuse victims -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sexually transmitted diseases -- Psychological aspects , Risk-taking (Psychology)
- Description: Previous studies have indicated an association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and an increased risk of engaging in unsafe behaviours during adulthood, including risky sexual practices. This study examined the relationship between CSA and adult HIV sexual risk behaviour among a sample of South African men who have sex with men (MSM). Potential pathological long-term mental health outcomes of CSA, including dissociation, sex-related substance abuse, depression, sexual compulsivity, impaired interpersonal communication, and over-reliance on submissive sexual scripts, were treated as variables mediating the relationship between CSA and sexual risk behaviour. Men frequenting a gay internet dating site were randomly selected to complete an electronic version of the anonymous survey. Results indicate that one-fourth of participants reported a history of CSA. Men with a history of unwanted sexual activity during childhood were more likely to report recreational substance abuse, sex-related substance abuse, sexual compulsivity, and adult revictimisation experiences. Men who were abused were also more likely to engage in unprotected anal intercourse compared to those who were not abused. Mediation analyses revealed that MSM who are survivors of CSA are particularly susceptible to drug abuse, sex-related drug abuse, and sexual compulsivity, and these sequelae in turn predict higher reported numbers of male sexual partners. The current data suggest that CSA is widespread among men at high risk for HIV infection, and that it may have a devastating influence on the quality of life and health risk behaviour of these men. These results also highlight the importance of mental health services and new approaches in HIV prevention for MSM who have been sexually abused as children. Further research is needed into the contextual factors of the childhood abuse experience which account for the variability in longterm negative mental health outcomes of CSA survivors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Heusser, Shelly Lucien
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Adult child sexual abuse victims -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sexually transmitted diseases -- Psychological aspects , Risk-taking (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9873 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1398 , Adult child sexual abuse victims -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sexually transmitted diseases -- Psychological aspects , Risk-taking (Psychology)
- Description: Previous studies have indicated an association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and an increased risk of engaging in unsafe behaviours during adulthood, including risky sexual practices. This study examined the relationship between CSA and adult HIV sexual risk behaviour among a sample of South African men who have sex with men (MSM). Potential pathological long-term mental health outcomes of CSA, including dissociation, sex-related substance abuse, depression, sexual compulsivity, impaired interpersonal communication, and over-reliance on submissive sexual scripts, were treated as variables mediating the relationship between CSA and sexual risk behaviour. Men frequenting a gay internet dating site were randomly selected to complete an electronic version of the anonymous survey. Results indicate that one-fourth of participants reported a history of CSA. Men with a history of unwanted sexual activity during childhood were more likely to report recreational substance abuse, sex-related substance abuse, sexual compulsivity, and adult revictimisation experiences. Men who were abused were also more likely to engage in unprotected anal intercourse compared to those who were not abused. Mediation analyses revealed that MSM who are survivors of CSA are particularly susceptible to drug abuse, sex-related drug abuse, and sexual compulsivity, and these sequelae in turn predict higher reported numbers of male sexual partners. The current data suggest that CSA is widespread among men at high risk for HIV infection, and that it may have a devastating influence on the quality of life and health risk behaviour of these men. These results also highlight the importance of mental health services and new approaches in HIV prevention for MSM who have been sexually abused as children. Further research is needed into the contextual factors of the childhood abuse experience which account for the variability in longterm negative mental health outcomes of CSA survivors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Developing a protocol for campus health service professional nurses to manage students with mental distress
- Authors: Dalton, Linda Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: College students -- Mental health , College students -- Mental health services , Nurses -- Mental health , Distress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10030 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1303 , College students -- Mental health , College students -- Mental health services , Nurses -- Mental health , Distress (Psychology)
- Description: Professional nurses working at a campus health service have to cope with challenges such as staff shortages and budgetary constraints associated with working in a complex environment providing primary health care. The aim of primary health care includes promoting health, preventing disease and the early detection and treatment of illness. Mental health services form an integral part of the integrated primary health care package as implemented in the campus health service. Students attend the Campus Health Service for help related to their health. Health care is provided by professional nurses and counsellors through a comprehensive primary health care service which serves students as well as staff. Some students may state that they experience feelings of being stressed or depressed. Other students may complain of physical symptoms such as headache or upper backache. Upon further investigation emotional problems may be identified as the cause of the psychosomatic symptoms. The professional nurses working in the campus health service verbalised that it is sometimes difficult to identify a mental illness or mental distress as there is no effective assessment tool that they can use. Management of conditions is also problematic as there are no protocols indicating the therapeutic interventions that can be taken. The research question in this study was therefore: What information should be included in a protocol to assess and manage a student experiencing mental distress that can be used by professional nurses working in a Campus Health Service? The aim of this study is to develop a mental health care protocol for campus health service professional nurses to assess and manage university students who are experiencing mental distress. The research design of this study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive, explanatory and contextual. In this study the Delphi research technique was used to create an instrument to standardise mental health care in a campus health service. The Delphi technique is a series of sequential questionnaires or “rounds” interspersed with controlled feedback that seeks to gain the most reliable consensus of opinion of a group of experts. A questionnaire was developed based on an extensive literature review. The research population of this study consisted of two groups: professional nurses with knowledge of student health care needs and expert psychiatric nurses. The study was conducted at the Campus Health Service at a university in the Eastern Cape. The data collection and analysis was done utilising the Delphi technique. Trustworthiness was ensured by using the Lincoln and Guba Model utilising the criteria of credibility, applicability, dependability and conformability. In this study the ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and self determination were applied to ensure that participants are treated with respect and consideration and ensured high ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this study. The findings of this research were utilised to assist the researcher in developing a protocol for mental health care of students in campus health service settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dalton, Linda Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: College students -- Mental health , College students -- Mental health services , Nurses -- Mental health , Distress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10030 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1303 , College students -- Mental health , College students -- Mental health services , Nurses -- Mental health , Distress (Psychology)
- Description: Professional nurses working at a campus health service have to cope with challenges such as staff shortages and budgetary constraints associated with working in a complex environment providing primary health care. The aim of primary health care includes promoting health, preventing disease and the early detection and treatment of illness. Mental health services form an integral part of the integrated primary health care package as implemented in the campus health service. Students attend the Campus Health Service for help related to their health. Health care is provided by professional nurses and counsellors through a comprehensive primary health care service which serves students as well as staff. Some students may state that they experience feelings of being stressed or depressed. Other students may complain of physical symptoms such as headache or upper backache. Upon further investigation emotional problems may be identified as the cause of the psychosomatic symptoms. The professional nurses working in the campus health service verbalised that it is sometimes difficult to identify a mental illness or mental distress as there is no effective assessment tool that they can use. Management of conditions is also problematic as there are no protocols indicating the therapeutic interventions that can be taken. The research question in this study was therefore: What information should be included in a protocol to assess and manage a student experiencing mental distress that can be used by professional nurses working in a Campus Health Service? The aim of this study is to develop a mental health care protocol for campus health service professional nurses to assess and manage university students who are experiencing mental distress. The research design of this study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive, explanatory and contextual. In this study the Delphi research technique was used to create an instrument to standardise mental health care in a campus health service. The Delphi technique is a series of sequential questionnaires or “rounds” interspersed with controlled feedback that seeks to gain the most reliable consensus of opinion of a group of experts. A questionnaire was developed based on an extensive literature review. The research population of this study consisted of two groups: professional nurses with knowledge of student health care needs and expert psychiatric nurses. The study was conducted at the Campus Health Service at a university in the Eastern Cape. The data collection and analysis was done utilising the Delphi technique. Trustworthiness was ensured by using the Lincoln and Guba Model utilising the criteria of credibility, applicability, dependability and conformability. In this study the ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and self determination were applied to ensure that participants are treated with respect and consideration and ensured high ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this study. The findings of this research were utilised to assist the researcher in developing a protocol for mental health care of students in campus health service settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The pharmacotherapeutic treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents
- Oettle, Judith Ann Elizabeth
- Authors: Oettle, Judith Ann Elizabeth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit-disordered children -- Treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit disorder in adolescence -- Treatment -- South Africa , Drug utilization -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10134 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1438 , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit-disordered children -- Treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit disorder in adolescence -- Treatment -- South Africa , Drug utilization -- South Africa
- Description: Background: The ideal treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a highly debated issue. Opposition to pharmacological treatments has resulted in the popular use of non-pharmacological measures which are not necessarily efficacious for the management of ADHD. Objectives: The primary aim was to evaluate the treatment of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD in South Africa. Methods: The study consisted of two parts, a drug utilisation review (DUR) and questionnaire-based surveys. The DUR was conducted using a database containing central nervous system (CNS) drug prescriptions which were dispensed during 2008. A total of 21 650 prescriptions dispensed to 7 202 patients constituted the Primary study population which was analysed. The questionnaires were distributed to the parents/caregivers of children diagnosed with ADHD. A response rate of 20.81 percent was obtained. Results: The average age of patients in the DUR was 11.60 ±3.01 years. Male patients represented 74.09 percent (5 336: n = 7 202) of patients. Methylphenidate was the most commonly prescribed of the two drugs indicated for the treatment of ADHD (85.89 percent, 18 956: n = 21 650). A prescribing bias by practitioners in different parts of South Africa was identified. Drug holidays were identified during March and December of 2008. The average age of patients in the questionnaire was 10.67 ±2.83 years, with a male patient majority (86.11 percent, 31: n = 36). Methylphenidate was the most commonly used prescription treatment (93.75 percent, 30: n = 32). Drug holiday use was reported in 56.25 percent (18: n = 32) of patients. Most participants reported supplement use (83.33 percent, 30: n = 36), but 86.67 percent (26: n = 30) of these participants did not find them useful. Conclusion: ADHD is a poorly understood disorder which affects people in all spheres of life. Treatment of the disorder should be individualised and based on scientifically proven effectiveness. Further studies, both in South Africa and worldwide, need to be conducted on the treatment of ADHD
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Oettle, Judith Ann Elizabeth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit-disordered children -- Treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit disorder in adolescence -- Treatment -- South Africa , Drug utilization -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10134 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1438 , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit-disordered children -- Treatment -- South Africa , Attention-deficit disorder in adolescence -- Treatment -- South Africa , Drug utilization -- South Africa
- Description: Background: The ideal treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a highly debated issue. Opposition to pharmacological treatments has resulted in the popular use of non-pharmacological measures which are not necessarily efficacious for the management of ADHD. Objectives: The primary aim was to evaluate the treatment of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD in South Africa. Methods: The study consisted of two parts, a drug utilisation review (DUR) and questionnaire-based surveys. The DUR was conducted using a database containing central nervous system (CNS) drug prescriptions which were dispensed during 2008. A total of 21 650 prescriptions dispensed to 7 202 patients constituted the Primary study population which was analysed. The questionnaires were distributed to the parents/caregivers of children diagnosed with ADHD. A response rate of 20.81 percent was obtained. Results: The average age of patients in the DUR was 11.60 ±3.01 years. Male patients represented 74.09 percent (5 336: n = 7 202) of patients. Methylphenidate was the most commonly prescribed of the two drugs indicated for the treatment of ADHD (85.89 percent, 18 956: n = 21 650). A prescribing bias by practitioners in different parts of South Africa was identified. Drug holidays were identified during March and December of 2008. The average age of patients in the questionnaire was 10.67 ±2.83 years, with a male patient majority (86.11 percent, 31: n = 36). Methylphenidate was the most commonly used prescription treatment (93.75 percent, 30: n = 32). Drug holiday use was reported in 56.25 percent (18: n = 32) of patients. Most participants reported supplement use (83.33 percent, 30: n = 36), but 86.67 percent (26: n = 30) of these participants did not find them useful. Conclusion: ADHD is a poorly understood disorder which affects people in all spheres of life. Treatment of the disorder should be individualised and based on scientifically proven effectiveness. Further studies, both in South Africa and worldwide, need to be conducted on the treatment of ADHD
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Antimicrobial activity of selected Eastern Cape medical plants
- Authors: Mohlakoana, Keneuoe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1199 , Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Description: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been a great problem for many years. The degree of resistance and the speed with which resistance develops varies with different organisms and different drugs. Enzymes called β-lactamases are produced by bacteria and are one mechanism in which bacteria develop antimicrobial resistance. Gram-negative bacteria producing enzymes called ESBLs because of their wide substrate range are of a particular concern in nosocomial infections. In many countries people still use traditional medicine derived from plants as an alternative to the Western medicine due to increased cost of Western medicine and microbial resistance of antibiotic treatments. Biologically active compounds isolated from plants species are used in herbal medicine. Because of the high prevalence of the ESBLs and their increasing resistance to the antibiotics, this research study was done to test the antimicrobial activities of selected medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape; G. incanum, D. angustifolia and E. autumnalis which were traditionally used to treat various infections. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of three different extracts (acetone, methanol & distilled water) and the traditional preparations of the three plants were tested against the selected strains of ESBL-producing bacteria, non β-lactamase producers and the different fungal species. The extracts were screened against 26 Gram-positive bacterial strains, 53 Gram-negative bacterial strains and 15 fungal strains. The Gram-positive bacteria included strains from S. aureus, B. cereus and E. faecalis. The Gram-negative bacteria included strains from E. ii coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. The fungal strains included 9 strains of Candida albicans and a single strain of each of the following opportunistic fungi, Mucor sp, Geotrichium sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp and Rhizopus sp. The agar dilution assay was used for the antimicrobial screening of the plants extracts and for the determination of the MICs. The Ames test was performed for the determination of probable carcinogenicity of the extracts of G. incanum and D. angustifolia. The distilled water extracts followed by acetone extracts of the plants revealed the highest antimicrobial activity against the different microbial strains. The extracts of G. incanum followed by the extracts of D. angustifolia inhibited the highest number of microbial strains. The extracts of E. autumnalis did not show any antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens in this study. More of the Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by the plant extracts. The lowest MIC was obtained with Gram-positive bacteria. The bacterial strains of E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa were not inhibited by any of the plants extracts in the agar dilution assay yet Acinetobacter species which are MDR were inhibited by the distilled water and methanol extracts of G. incanum. A single strain of Mucor sp was the only spore forming fungi that was inhibited by the distilled water extracts of G. incanum. None of the plants extracts showed any mutagenic effects on the TA100 S. typhimurium strains incorporated on the Ames test. Apart from revealing of new antimicrobial agents that may be used against resistant organisms, the proper use of antimicrobial agents should be recommended. The study has highlighted a need for further investigations on the properties of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mohlakoana, Keneuoe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1199 , Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Description: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been a great problem for many years. The degree of resistance and the speed with which resistance develops varies with different organisms and different drugs. Enzymes called β-lactamases are produced by bacteria and are one mechanism in which bacteria develop antimicrobial resistance. Gram-negative bacteria producing enzymes called ESBLs because of their wide substrate range are of a particular concern in nosocomial infections. In many countries people still use traditional medicine derived from plants as an alternative to the Western medicine due to increased cost of Western medicine and microbial resistance of antibiotic treatments. Biologically active compounds isolated from plants species are used in herbal medicine. Because of the high prevalence of the ESBLs and their increasing resistance to the antibiotics, this research study was done to test the antimicrobial activities of selected medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape; G. incanum, D. angustifolia and E. autumnalis which were traditionally used to treat various infections. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of three different extracts (acetone, methanol & distilled water) and the traditional preparations of the three plants were tested against the selected strains of ESBL-producing bacteria, non β-lactamase producers and the different fungal species. The extracts were screened against 26 Gram-positive bacterial strains, 53 Gram-negative bacterial strains and 15 fungal strains. The Gram-positive bacteria included strains from S. aureus, B. cereus and E. faecalis. The Gram-negative bacteria included strains from E. ii coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. The fungal strains included 9 strains of Candida albicans and a single strain of each of the following opportunistic fungi, Mucor sp, Geotrichium sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp and Rhizopus sp. The agar dilution assay was used for the antimicrobial screening of the plants extracts and for the determination of the MICs. The Ames test was performed for the determination of probable carcinogenicity of the extracts of G. incanum and D. angustifolia. The distilled water extracts followed by acetone extracts of the plants revealed the highest antimicrobial activity against the different microbial strains. The extracts of G. incanum followed by the extracts of D. angustifolia inhibited the highest number of microbial strains. The extracts of E. autumnalis did not show any antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens in this study. More of the Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by the plant extracts. The lowest MIC was obtained with Gram-positive bacteria. The bacterial strains of E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa were not inhibited by any of the plants extracts in the agar dilution assay yet Acinetobacter species which are MDR were inhibited by the distilled water and methanol extracts of G. incanum. A single strain of Mucor sp was the only spore forming fungi that was inhibited by the distilled water extracts of G. incanum. None of the plants extracts showed any mutagenic effects on the TA100 S. typhimurium strains incorporated on the Ames test. Apart from revealing of new antimicrobial agents that may be used against resistant organisms, the proper use of antimicrobial agents should be recommended. The study has highlighted a need for further investigations on the properties of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An exploration of the personality preferences of post graduate psychology students utilising the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Authors: Smit, René
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Personality assessment , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Personality and academic achievement -- South Africa , Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1096 , Personality assessment , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Personality and academic achievement -- South Africa , Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Description: In order to continue their contribution to the profession of psychology in South Africa the selection committees of psychology departments of higher education institutions are faced with the difficult task of selecting the most suitable candidates to fill their Clinical, Counselling, Educational and Industrial Psychology masters coursework programmes. Selection committees have traditionally made use of several admission criteria and procedures ranging from academic performance to personality assessment to a combination of methods. Admission criteria vary greatly across Higher Education Institutions. The selection committee at the selected participating institution of higher education takes into account the prospective students' academic performance, relevant work or practical experience, research experience, active participation in the classroom, active involvement outside of the classroom (participation in and engagement with community activities), and personality. Currently the institution of higher education that provided the sample for the current study employs the NEO PI-R as well as the MMPI-2 to assess masters applicants’ personality traits. A study by Britz (1994) recommended that the MBTI® be included in the assessment battery for psychology masters students. The primary aim of the proposed study is to identify, explore and describe the personality preferences of a group of prospective psychology masters applicants and a group of successfully selected psychology masters students at a South African Higher Education Institution utilising the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®). The study was exploratory descriptive in nature and was based on the quantitative research approach. Non-probability convenience sampling and the survey method was utilised to identify and approach prospective participants. Participants were requested to complete the MBTI® questionnaire. The MBTI® protocols were hand-scored and the findings analysed utilising frequency distributions and inferential statistics, that is, means and standard deviations. The MBTI® was found to be valid and reliable in a variety of populations and contexts. xi Results indicated that the ISTJ (15 percent), INTP (15 percent) and ESFJ (15 percent) personality types were the three most common personality types amongst participants from the group of prospective psychology masters applicants. The ENFP (13 percent), INTP (13 percent) and ISFJ (13 percent) personality types were the three most common personality types amongst participants from the group of successfully selected masters students. The majority (14 percent) of participants from the total sample displayed a preference for the INTP personality type. An examination of the dichotomous personality types of the participants revealed that the majority of participants preferred the Extraversion attitude, Sensing and Thinking functions, and Judgement attitude.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Smit, René
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Personality assessment , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Personality and academic achievement -- South Africa , Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1096 , Personality assessment , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Personality and academic achievement -- South Africa , Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Description: In order to continue their contribution to the profession of psychology in South Africa the selection committees of psychology departments of higher education institutions are faced with the difficult task of selecting the most suitable candidates to fill their Clinical, Counselling, Educational and Industrial Psychology masters coursework programmes. Selection committees have traditionally made use of several admission criteria and procedures ranging from academic performance to personality assessment to a combination of methods. Admission criteria vary greatly across Higher Education Institutions. The selection committee at the selected participating institution of higher education takes into account the prospective students' academic performance, relevant work or practical experience, research experience, active participation in the classroom, active involvement outside of the classroom (participation in and engagement with community activities), and personality. Currently the institution of higher education that provided the sample for the current study employs the NEO PI-R as well as the MMPI-2 to assess masters applicants’ personality traits. A study by Britz (1994) recommended that the MBTI® be included in the assessment battery for psychology masters students. The primary aim of the proposed study is to identify, explore and describe the personality preferences of a group of prospective psychology masters applicants and a group of successfully selected psychology masters students at a South African Higher Education Institution utilising the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®). The study was exploratory descriptive in nature and was based on the quantitative research approach. Non-probability convenience sampling and the survey method was utilised to identify and approach prospective participants. Participants were requested to complete the MBTI® questionnaire. The MBTI® protocols were hand-scored and the findings analysed utilising frequency distributions and inferential statistics, that is, means and standard deviations. The MBTI® was found to be valid and reliable in a variety of populations and contexts. xi Results indicated that the ISTJ (15 percent), INTP (15 percent) and ESFJ (15 percent) personality types were the three most common personality types amongst participants from the group of prospective psychology masters applicants. The ENFP (13 percent), INTP (13 percent) and ISFJ (13 percent) personality types were the three most common personality types amongst participants from the group of successfully selected masters students. The majority (14 percent) of participants from the total sample displayed a preference for the INTP personality type. An examination of the dichotomous personality types of the participants revealed that the majority of participants preferred the Extraversion attitude, Sensing and Thinking functions, and Judgement attitude.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Perceptions of psychologists regarding the use of religion and spirituality in therapy
- Authors: Naicker, Samantha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Psychology and religion , Psychiatry and religion , Counseling -- Religious aspects , Psychotherapy -- Religious aspects , Spirituality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9875 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1363 , Psychology and religion , Psychiatry and religion , Counseling -- Religious aspects , Psychotherapy -- Religious aspects , Spirituality
- Description: Religion and spirituality are acknowledged coping resources, yet for many years, the use of religion and spirituality was not practiced in therapy. Psychologists were once branded the least religious of all academicians; however there is evidence of an integration of psychology with religion and spirituality. Recently, studies have been conducted to prove the success of using religion and spirituality to cope with psychological disorders, prevent unhealthy behaviours and promote resilience. Despite this, very little research to date has explored South African psychologists’ perceptions on this matter. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of psychologists in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality area about the use of religion and spirituality in therapy. Purposive sampling was employed to obtain a sample and focus groups were used to the collect data. The data was analyzed using Tesch’s model of qualitative content analysis. Many themes emerged from the data analysis process. The participants indicated that they perceive the definitions of religion and spirituality as difficult to define and reach consensus on. Nevertheless, the participants recognized that religion and spirituality are important aspects of their clients’ lives and that they cannot be ignored in therapy. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that religion and spirituality are coping mechanisms for both clients and psychologists. Most of the participants indicated that they were willing to discuss religion and spirituality with their clients if they brought it up. The participants highlighted specific factors that made it possible for them to engage with their clients on religious and spiritual levels, and factors that made it difficult for them to do so. The value of the research was discussed. Limitations of the study were also highlighted and based on these, recommendations for future research were outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Naicker, Samantha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Psychology and religion , Psychiatry and religion , Counseling -- Religious aspects , Psychotherapy -- Religious aspects , Spirituality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9875 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1363 , Psychology and religion , Psychiatry and religion , Counseling -- Religious aspects , Psychotherapy -- Religious aspects , Spirituality
- Description: Religion and spirituality are acknowledged coping resources, yet for many years, the use of religion and spirituality was not practiced in therapy. Psychologists were once branded the least religious of all academicians; however there is evidence of an integration of psychology with religion and spirituality. Recently, studies have been conducted to prove the success of using religion and spirituality to cope with psychological disorders, prevent unhealthy behaviours and promote resilience. Despite this, very little research to date has explored South African psychologists’ perceptions on this matter. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of psychologists in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality area about the use of religion and spirituality in therapy. Purposive sampling was employed to obtain a sample and focus groups were used to the collect data. The data was analyzed using Tesch’s model of qualitative content analysis. Many themes emerged from the data analysis process. The participants indicated that they perceive the definitions of religion and spirituality as difficult to define and reach consensus on. Nevertheless, the participants recognized that religion and spirituality are important aspects of their clients’ lives and that they cannot be ignored in therapy. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that religion and spirituality are coping mechanisms for both clients and psychologists. Most of the participants indicated that they were willing to discuss religion and spirituality with their clients if they brought it up. The participants highlighted specific factors that made it possible for them to engage with their clients on religious and spiritual levels, and factors that made it difficult for them to do so. The value of the research was discussed. Limitations of the study were also highlighted and based on these, recommendations for future research were outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A psychobiographical study of Ralph John Rabie
- Uys, Hendrick Michael Grobler
- Authors: Uys, Hendrick Michael Grobler
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Kerkorrel, Johannes, 1960-2002 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Rock musicians -- South Africa Biography , Afrikaners -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1366 , Kerkorrel, Johannes, 1960-2002 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Rock musicians -- South Africa Biography , Afrikaners -- Psychology
- Description: Psychobiographies use psychological theory as a paradigm within which to re-awaken an individual’s life story. The psychobiographical approach historically tended to be neglected within the South African context. The aim of the current study was to explore and describe the life of Ralph John Rabie through the use of psychobiography. Ralph John Rabie (1960 – 2002) was a South African Afrikaans singer-songwriter, journalist and playwright, also known as Johannes Kerkorrel. He challenged the cultural system and the government and was arguably the most prominent member of the Alternative Afrikaans Movement until his suicide on 12 November 2002. To some he betrayed the identity of post-apartheid Afrikanerdom and to others he became an icon in the homosexual community. No existing literature to date has adopted a psychological stance on this controversial South African figure. His own writings and published material by others were utilized to illuminate his life and its many dimensions. Richard C. Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems Model (1995) was used to analyze the multiplicity and inner workings of Rabie’s personality. The influence of external systems is also discussed. The data collection and analysis were conducted according to Yin’s (1994) analytic generalization, which consists of using theoretical guidelines as a framework to select relevant data and develop a matrix as a descriptive framework for organizing and integrating the data. Alexander’s (1988) nine proposed guidelines assisted in the process of data analysis, together with the Internal Family Systems Model (1995). The findings of the study indicate that subpersonalities in different roles could be identified in Rabie’s life as described by Schwartz (1995). The different subpersonalities interacted with each other and assumed roles to protect Rabie. The findings of the study also indicated that these subpersonalities used stories to obtain power and influence within Rabie’s personality structure. The subpersonalities were successful in making Rabie influential and famous within the Afrikaans music industry and they helped Rabie change rigid Afrikaans cultural beliefs that were present within the Apartheid system. The findings further indicate how important it is for subpersonalities to work together and how a fragmented system is difficult to contain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Uys, Hendrick Michael Grobler
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Kerkorrel, Johannes, 1960-2002 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Rock musicians -- South Africa Biography , Afrikaners -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1366 , Kerkorrel, Johannes, 1960-2002 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Rock musicians -- South Africa Biography , Afrikaners -- Psychology
- Description: Psychobiographies use psychological theory as a paradigm within which to re-awaken an individual’s life story. The psychobiographical approach historically tended to be neglected within the South African context. The aim of the current study was to explore and describe the life of Ralph John Rabie through the use of psychobiography. Ralph John Rabie (1960 – 2002) was a South African Afrikaans singer-songwriter, journalist and playwright, also known as Johannes Kerkorrel. He challenged the cultural system and the government and was arguably the most prominent member of the Alternative Afrikaans Movement until his suicide on 12 November 2002. To some he betrayed the identity of post-apartheid Afrikanerdom and to others he became an icon in the homosexual community. No existing literature to date has adopted a psychological stance on this controversial South African figure. His own writings and published material by others were utilized to illuminate his life and its many dimensions. Richard C. Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems Model (1995) was used to analyze the multiplicity and inner workings of Rabie’s personality. The influence of external systems is also discussed. The data collection and analysis were conducted according to Yin’s (1994) analytic generalization, which consists of using theoretical guidelines as a framework to select relevant data and develop a matrix as a descriptive framework for organizing and integrating the data. Alexander’s (1988) nine proposed guidelines assisted in the process of data analysis, together with the Internal Family Systems Model (1995). The findings of the study indicate that subpersonalities in different roles could be identified in Rabie’s life as described by Schwartz (1995). The different subpersonalities interacted with each other and assumed roles to protect Rabie. The findings of the study also indicated that these subpersonalities used stories to obtain power and influence within Rabie’s personality structure. The subpersonalities were successful in making Rabie influential and famous within the Afrikaans music industry and they helped Rabie change rigid Afrikaans cultural beliefs that were present within the Apartheid system. The findings further indicate how important it is for subpersonalities to work together and how a fragmented system is difficult to contain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A psychobiography of Paul Jackson Pollock
- Authors: Müller, Toni
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Pollock, Paul Jackosn , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1554 , Pollock, Paul Jackosn , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects
- Description: While the value of psychobiographical research continues to be debated, interest in this area is growing on an international basis. From the ever increasing number of studies being conducted in connection with academic institutions in South Africa, the vitality and worthiness of studying lives lived in conjunction with the applicability of psychological theories is showing itself to be an exciting world in which to participate. This particular research study aimed to explore and describe the developmental life stages of Paul Jackson Pollock. Pollock was, and continues to be, a controversial figure in the art world as there is much debate over the artistic merit of his paintings. Unconventional in all that he did, Pollock challenged the art world by moving beyond paintbrush and easel to throwing paint across canvasses laid out on the floor. Around these emerging artworks he would move in a staccato dance, mesmerising those present by the way he made art immediate using his entire body to create the abstract image. Pollock is credited with being the pioneer of abstract expressionism in the United States, and to date his paintings are credited as being among the most expensive ever sold. He struggled with alcoholism and emotional instability throughout his teens and adult life. His alcoholism eventually caused his death at the age of 44 when, while heavily intoxicated, he drove his car into a tree a few metres from his home. No known literature has adopted an exclusively psychological stance when studying the life of this individual. The progression of Pollock’s lifespan development was filtered through Erikson’s (1950) theory of psychosocial stages. Erikson’s (1950) theory takes a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to human development, with an emphasis on ego development. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources to enhance internal validity, and the data was then analysed according to Miles and Huberman’s 1994 general approach, taking Alexander’s (1990) nine identifiers of salience into necessary consideration. Using this framework, it was found that Jackson Pollock’s development coincides with Erikson’s theoretical psychosocial stage constructs, lending weight to Erikson’s theory. While Pollock’s life paralleled Erikson’s (1950) theory in many ways, the theory failed to provide enough definition with regards to constructs and intrapsychic processes. However, this study has also shown that there is great value and relevance to be found in Erikson’s (1950) theory, even though it was developed over fifty years ago.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Müller, Toni
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Pollock, Paul Jackosn , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1554 , Pollock, Paul Jackosn , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects
- Description: While the value of psychobiographical research continues to be debated, interest in this area is growing on an international basis. From the ever increasing number of studies being conducted in connection with academic institutions in South Africa, the vitality and worthiness of studying lives lived in conjunction with the applicability of psychological theories is showing itself to be an exciting world in which to participate. This particular research study aimed to explore and describe the developmental life stages of Paul Jackson Pollock. Pollock was, and continues to be, a controversial figure in the art world as there is much debate over the artistic merit of his paintings. Unconventional in all that he did, Pollock challenged the art world by moving beyond paintbrush and easel to throwing paint across canvasses laid out on the floor. Around these emerging artworks he would move in a staccato dance, mesmerising those present by the way he made art immediate using his entire body to create the abstract image. Pollock is credited with being the pioneer of abstract expressionism in the United States, and to date his paintings are credited as being among the most expensive ever sold. He struggled with alcoholism and emotional instability throughout his teens and adult life. His alcoholism eventually caused his death at the age of 44 when, while heavily intoxicated, he drove his car into a tree a few metres from his home. No known literature has adopted an exclusively psychological stance when studying the life of this individual. The progression of Pollock’s lifespan development was filtered through Erikson’s (1950) theory of psychosocial stages. Erikson’s (1950) theory takes a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to human development, with an emphasis on ego development. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources to enhance internal validity, and the data was then analysed according to Miles and Huberman’s 1994 general approach, taking Alexander’s (1990) nine identifiers of salience into necessary consideration. Using this framework, it was found that Jackson Pollock’s development coincides with Erikson’s theoretical psychosocial stage constructs, lending weight to Erikson’s theory. While Pollock’s life paralleled Erikson’s (1950) theory in many ways, the theory failed to provide enough definition with regards to constructs and intrapsychic processes. However, this study has also shown that there is great value and relevance to be found in Erikson’s (1950) theory, even though it was developed over fifty years ago.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Implementation of intravenous to oral antibiotic switch therapy guidelines in the general medical wards of a tertiary level hospital
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Anida
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Antibiotics -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1325 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012901 , Antibiotics -- Administration
- Description: The overuse of antibiotics and consequent resistance is a common problem in medical practice worldwide. Switch therapy is a technique that can be applied to streamline antibiotic therapy reducing unnecessary prolonged Intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic switch therapy has several other benefits such as: decreasing length of hospital stay; decreasing the incidence of adverse events associated with the administration of IV antibiotics; decreasing direct and indirect hospitalisation costs while improving patients’ comfort and mobility; and decreasing the risk of acquiring nosocomial infections. Certain elements are required to make the implementation of any guideline, including a switch therapy guideline, a success and probably one of the most important is the support from a motivated multidisciplinary team. The role of such a team, in the South African context, would be filled by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC). In addition, to make a guideline successful it should be continuously implemented. This responsibility traditionally falls to a pharmacist. In the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) pharmacists are used to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals as this has shown to have several economic advantages. The objectives of the study were: to determine, by means of a survey, whether guidelines for IV to oral switch were employed in South African regional, tertiary and national government hospitals; to design and implement an IV to oral antibiotic switch therapy (IVOST) guideline for a local public sector tertiary level hospital; to evaluate the effectiveness of guideline implementation; and to capture, via a questionnaire, the perceptions of prescribers regarding antibiotic prescribing, including switch therapy. The Survey of Current IV Switch Therapy Practice Questionnaire was distributed to Responsible Pharmacists at regional, provincial tertiary and national central government hospitals to determine whether IVOST guidelines were employed in South African government hospitals. Following the survey, an IVOST Guideline was designed by the researcher in consultation with the Department of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacy. The IVOST Guideline was implemented following approval by the PTC at a local tertiary level government hospital. A presentation was held for prescribers, guideline documents were distributed, posters were placed in the medical wards and the ward pharmacist/researcher integrated the guideline into daily practice by placing “reminder stickers” in patient medical folders. A pre-implementation audit and two post-implementation audits, each consisting of 150 patient medical records, were conducted and compared to determine the effect of IVOST guideline implementation on prescribing patterns and to determine whether any changes could be sustained. The Prescriber Antibiotic Survey was then conducted to capture the perceptions of prescribers regarding antibiotic therapy, including switch therapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Anida
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Antibiotics -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1325 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012901 , Antibiotics -- Administration
- Description: The overuse of antibiotics and consequent resistance is a common problem in medical practice worldwide. Switch therapy is a technique that can be applied to streamline antibiotic therapy reducing unnecessary prolonged Intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic switch therapy has several other benefits such as: decreasing length of hospital stay; decreasing the incidence of adverse events associated with the administration of IV antibiotics; decreasing direct and indirect hospitalisation costs while improving patients’ comfort and mobility; and decreasing the risk of acquiring nosocomial infections. Certain elements are required to make the implementation of any guideline, including a switch therapy guideline, a success and probably one of the most important is the support from a motivated multidisciplinary team. The role of such a team, in the South African context, would be filled by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC). In addition, to make a guideline successful it should be continuously implemented. This responsibility traditionally falls to a pharmacist. In the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) pharmacists are used to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals as this has shown to have several economic advantages. The objectives of the study were: to determine, by means of a survey, whether guidelines for IV to oral switch were employed in South African regional, tertiary and national government hospitals; to design and implement an IV to oral antibiotic switch therapy (IVOST) guideline for a local public sector tertiary level hospital; to evaluate the effectiveness of guideline implementation; and to capture, via a questionnaire, the perceptions of prescribers regarding antibiotic prescribing, including switch therapy. The Survey of Current IV Switch Therapy Practice Questionnaire was distributed to Responsible Pharmacists at regional, provincial tertiary and national central government hospitals to determine whether IVOST guidelines were employed in South African government hospitals. Following the survey, an IVOST Guideline was designed by the researcher in consultation with the Department of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacy. The IVOST Guideline was implemented following approval by the PTC at a local tertiary level government hospital. A presentation was held for prescribers, guideline documents were distributed, posters were placed in the medical wards and the ward pharmacist/researcher integrated the guideline into daily practice by placing “reminder stickers” in patient medical folders. A pre-implementation audit and two post-implementation audits, each consisting of 150 patient medical records, were conducted and compared to determine the effect of IVOST guideline implementation on prescribing patterns and to determine whether any changes could be sustained. The Prescriber Antibiotic Survey was then conducted to capture the perceptions of prescribers regarding antibiotic therapy, including switch therapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Mental health care practitioners' perceptions of mental illness within the isiXhosa cultural context
- Authors: Lombo, Nocawa Philomina
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mental illness -- South Africa , Mental health personnel , Psychiatric nursing , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9997 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1179 , Mental illness -- South Africa , Mental health personnel , Psychiatric nursing , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Description: This study sought to explore the perceptions of mental health care practitioners’ perceptions on mental illness within the isiXhosa cultural context. A qualitative exploratory descriptive and contextual design was used for the study. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select eight participants from Komani Hospital in Queenstown. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The services of an Independent Interviewer were used to avoid any bias as interviews took place where the researcher is employed. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data collected was analyzed according to Tesch’s eight steps of data analysis as described in Cresswell (1994:155). The researcher utilized services of an Independent Coder who verified the identified major themes. Four major themes emerged from the analysis of the interview: Mental health care practitioner’s perceptions of mental illness, perception of the causes of mental illness within the isiXhosa cultural context, mental health care practitioners’ views in the management and treatment of mental illness and suggestions put forward to improve the services to mental health care users. The major findings of this study were the lack of knowledge of culture of mental health care users. It is recommended that it would be proper if there could be co-operation between mental health care practitioners and traditional healers by working together as a team.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Mental health care practitioners' perceptions of mental illness within the isiXhosa cultural context
- Authors: Lombo, Nocawa Philomina
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mental illness -- South Africa , Mental health personnel , Psychiatric nursing , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9997 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1179 , Mental illness -- South Africa , Mental health personnel , Psychiatric nursing , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Description: This study sought to explore the perceptions of mental health care practitioners’ perceptions on mental illness within the isiXhosa cultural context. A qualitative exploratory descriptive and contextual design was used for the study. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select eight participants from Komani Hospital in Queenstown. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The services of an Independent Interviewer were used to avoid any bias as interviews took place where the researcher is employed. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data collected was analyzed according to Tesch’s eight steps of data analysis as described in Cresswell (1994:155). The researcher utilized services of an Independent Coder who verified the identified major themes. Four major themes emerged from the analysis of the interview: Mental health care practitioner’s perceptions of mental illness, perception of the causes of mental illness within the isiXhosa cultural context, mental health care practitioners’ views in the management and treatment of mental illness and suggestions put forward to improve the services to mental health care users. The major findings of this study were the lack of knowledge of culture of mental health care users. It is recommended that it would be proper if there could be co-operation between mental health care practitioners and traditional healers by working together as a team.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Emotional intelligence and locus of control of adult breast cancer patients receiving treatment
- Authors: Swartz, Esti
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Breast -- Cancer -- Patients -- Psychological aspects , Breast -- Cancer -- Patients
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9949 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015686
- Description: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer of women in South Africa, with one in twenty-seven women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. By building on human strengths, ways can be found to cope effectively with adversity. This will contribute to psychological well-being and result in living constructive and meaningful lives. Emotional intelligence and locus of control are two constructs which, according to previous research, may be associated with psychological wellbeing. Limited research has been conducted on these constructs in populations facing adversity. Adaptation to breast cancer treatment is considered to be an extremely difficult process. The research aimed to explore and describe emotional intelligence and locus of control within an adult breast cancer population. A sample of 67 breast cancer patients receiving treatment was approached to complete a biographical questionnaire and two pencil-and-paper questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were be used to analyze the data. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and locus of control which shows that patients with higher levels of emotional intelligence possess more internal locus of control orientations, while patients with lower emotional intelligence possess more external locus of control orientations. The population presented with above average emotional intelligence and an internal locus of control orientation. The study can be regarded as the first step in opening a field of research which could contribute to more effective coping and the overall psychological well-being of individuals facing adversity in South Africa. Furthermore, the findings of the study contributed to understanding the role of emotional intelligence and locus of control in these populations and encouraged further research and the development and implementation of programmes that promote skills development in these areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Swartz, Esti
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Breast -- Cancer -- Patients -- Psychological aspects , Breast -- Cancer -- Patients
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9949 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015686
- Description: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer of women in South Africa, with one in twenty-seven women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. By building on human strengths, ways can be found to cope effectively with adversity. This will contribute to psychological well-being and result in living constructive and meaningful lives. Emotional intelligence and locus of control are two constructs which, according to previous research, may be associated with psychological wellbeing. Limited research has been conducted on these constructs in populations facing adversity. Adaptation to breast cancer treatment is considered to be an extremely difficult process. The research aimed to explore and describe emotional intelligence and locus of control within an adult breast cancer population. A sample of 67 breast cancer patients receiving treatment was approached to complete a biographical questionnaire and two pencil-and-paper questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were be used to analyze the data. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and locus of control which shows that patients with higher levels of emotional intelligence possess more internal locus of control orientations, while patients with lower emotional intelligence possess more external locus of control orientations. The population presented with above average emotional intelligence and an internal locus of control orientation. The study can be regarded as the first step in opening a field of research which could contribute to more effective coping and the overall psychological well-being of individuals facing adversity in South Africa. Furthermore, the findings of the study contributed to understanding the role of emotional intelligence and locus of control in these populations and encouraged further research and the development and implementation of programmes that promote skills development in these areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Identifying, recording and monitoring adverse effects associated with antriretroviral treatment
- Authors: Mulinge, Florence Muthoni
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Highly active antiretroviral therapy , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Uitenhage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10131 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1491 , Highly active antiretroviral therapy , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Uitenhage
- Description: South Africa, with an estimated 5.7 million people living with HIV, continues to have one of the largest epidemics in the world. The introduction of HAART resulted in prolonged and improved quality of life of many infected patients. However, adverse effects caused by these drugs have become a major concern as they affect the adherence of patients and in some cases even result in the death of patients. Although much research has been and is still being conducted in the area of understanding, preventing and management of ARV adverse effects, there is still a need for patients to be actively involved in self-monitoring for adverse effects. This will assist health care professionals in early identification of serious or potentially serious ARV effects. This study aimed at evaluating the usefulness of strategies developed and employed in the identification, recording and monitoring of adverse effects. The study was conducted with patients receiving HAART from a private HIV and AIDS clinic in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The research project was approved by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Research and Ethics Committee and the research site. This was an experimental, randomized controlled study carried out over a period of three months (August to October 2009), with a sample size of 160 patients divided into four study groups of 40 patients each. Two monitoring strategies, namely an ARV adverse effect monitoring tool and a patient self-monitoring diary were developed and used for the identification and recording of adverse effects. The four study groups included a Control group, a Tool group, a Diary group and a Tool-Diary group. Willing patients, after signing an informed consent form, were randomly assigned to one of the four groups by participating health care workers at the study site. Data was retrieved from the patient files by the researcher. Descriptive statistical analysis of the findings of the study was conducted using SPSS®. One hundred and forty nine patients were included in the final data analysis. Of the 80 diaries handed out to patients, only 33 were returned and due to errors only 31 were suitable for analysis. Monitoring tools were completed and analysed for 36 patients. The tool was found to be more effective in identifying adverse effects of a physical nature (such as peripheral neuropathy and lipodystrophy) than the usual methods of monitoring employed by the clinic, whilst the diary, used alone, was found to be less effective. Use of the tool and diary combined resulted in the most significant identification and recording of central nervous system related adverse effects and physical adverse effects. However due to the low return rate of the diaries and the majority of the monitoring tool not being completed in many instances the results of this study may not be generalisable. The study results did however suggest that combining the tool and the diary methods of adverse effect identification, yielded the most favourable results when compared to each method alone. This may be attributed to the fact that the tool is useful in identifying objective symptoms and the diaries subjective symptoms, particularly in instances where the patients forget to report their symptoms to healthcare professional whilst at the clinic. The diaries were also reported to improve adherence for more than 90 percentage (n=31) of the patients. More research would be needed in order to verify the exact significance of the tool and the diary in identifying and recording adverse effects and symptoms of adverse effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mulinge, Florence Muthoni
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Highly active antiretroviral therapy , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Uitenhage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10131 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1491 , Highly active antiretroviral therapy , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Uitenhage
- Description: South Africa, with an estimated 5.7 million people living with HIV, continues to have one of the largest epidemics in the world. The introduction of HAART resulted in prolonged and improved quality of life of many infected patients. However, adverse effects caused by these drugs have become a major concern as they affect the adherence of patients and in some cases even result in the death of patients. Although much research has been and is still being conducted in the area of understanding, preventing and management of ARV adverse effects, there is still a need for patients to be actively involved in self-monitoring for adverse effects. This will assist health care professionals in early identification of serious or potentially serious ARV effects. This study aimed at evaluating the usefulness of strategies developed and employed in the identification, recording and monitoring of adverse effects. The study was conducted with patients receiving HAART from a private HIV and AIDS clinic in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The research project was approved by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Research and Ethics Committee and the research site. This was an experimental, randomized controlled study carried out over a period of three months (August to October 2009), with a sample size of 160 patients divided into four study groups of 40 patients each. Two monitoring strategies, namely an ARV adverse effect monitoring tool and a patient self-monitoring diary were developed and used for the identification and recording of adverse effects. The four study groups included a Control group, a Tool group, a Diary group and a Tool-Diary group. Willing patients, after signing an informed consent form, were randomly assigned to one of the four groups by participating health care workers at the study site. Data was retrieved from the patient files by the researcher. Descriptive statistical analysis of the findings of the study was conducted using SPSS®. One hundred and forty nine patients were included in the final data analysis. Of the 80 diaries handed out to patients, only 33 were returned and due to errors only 31 were suitable for analysis. Monitoring tools were completed and analysed for 36 patients. The tool was found to be more effective in identifying adverse effects of a physical nature (such as peripheral neuropathy and lipodystrophy) than the usual methods of monitoring employed by the clinic, whilst the diary, used alone, was found to be less effective. Use of the tool and diary combined resulted in the most significant identification and recording of central nervous system related adverse effects and physical adverse effects. However due to the low return rate of the diaries and the majority of the monitoring tool not being completed in many instances the results of this study may not be generalisable. The study results did however suggest that combining the tool and the diary methods of adverse effect identification, yielded the most favourable results when compared to each method alone. This may be attributed to the fact that the tool is useful in identifying objective symptoms and the diaries subjective symptoms, particularly in instances where the patients forget to report their symptoms to healthcare professional whilst at the clinic. The diaries were also reported to improve adherence for more than 90 percentage (n=31) of the patients. More research would be needed in order to verify the exact significance of the tool and the diary in identifying and recording adverse effects and symptoms of adverse effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Exploratory study on empowering rural communities of O.R Tambo District with special reference to Mqanduli
- Authors: Mbelu, Ntandokazi Busisa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development Rural population Social services, Rural South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sw
- Identifier: vital:18479 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009453
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore development of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area. The exploratory study was further conducted to examine delivery of service to these rural communities. One of the objectives was to empower rural communities for purposes of improving their daily living standards and also to bring about social change.In determining the sample size, forty (40) respondents were selected from Mqanduli Administrative Area. Out of the forty (40) respondents, thirty (30) respondents were selected from the Mqanduli community members, five (5) were O.R.Tambo District Municipality stakeholders and the other five (5) were Social workers from Mqanduli Administrative Area. The instrument utilized to collect data was a questionnaire. Data was analysed using the quantitative and qualitative measure. The outcome of the study indicates that the majority of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area were in dire need of empowerment which will enable these disadvantaged communities towards development and social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mbelu, Ntandokazi Busisa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development Rural population Social services, Rural South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sw
- Identifier: vital:18479 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009453
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore development of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area. The exploratory study was further conducted to examine delivery of service to these rural communities. One of the objectives was to empower rural communities for purposes of improving their daily living standards and also to bring about social change.In determining the sample size, forty (40) respondents were selected from Mqanduli Administrative Area. Out of the forty (40) respondents, thirty (30) respondents were selected from the Mqanduli community members, five (5) were O.R.Tambo District Municipality stakeholders and the other five (5) were Social workers from Mqanduli Administrative Area. The instrument utilized to collect data was a questionnaire. Data was analysed using the quantitative and qualitative measure. The outcome of the study indicates that the majority of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area were in dire need of empowerment which will enable these disadvantaged communities towards development and social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The relationship between exposure to violence and moral development of adolescents
- Authors: Klopper, Ilana
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Children and violence -- South Africa , Violence in children -- Psychological aspects , Moral development -- Psychological aspects , Violence -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1526 , Children and violence -- South Africa , Violence in children -- Psychological aspects , Moral development -- Psychological aspects , Violence -- Psychological aspects
- Description: South Africa currently has one of the highest levels of crime in the world. The high prevalence of violence in South African culture has led to the increased exposure to violence of individuals of all ages. The South African Police Service annual report for 2008/2009 reported 48 732 crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder to sexual offences and common assault against children under the age of 18 years. In addition, young people between the ages from 12 to 22 are generally victimized at twice the adult rate and even higher for violent crimes. It is the belief of various theorists that exposure to violence can alter one’s cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes- the three core components that are essential to moral development. The role that exposure to violence has on the development of aggressive behavior has been thoroughly researched; however the implications that this exposure has on the moral development of adolescents remains vague. This study explored and described the relationship between exposure to violence and moral development amongst adolescent learners. A quantitative exploratory descriptive research design was employed and the participants were selected by means of non-probability, convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 53 participants at a coeducational high school in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The demographic data of the participants was gathered through the administration of a biographical questionnaire. The participants’ exposure to violence was explored by using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire- South African Adaptation (HTQ-SAA), while their moral development was assessed by means of the Moral Judgment Test (MJT). The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and both the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Chi square test was computed to draw inferences regarding the relationship between exposure to violence and moral development. The results of the study revealed that all of the participants were exposed to violence directly or indirectly on one or more occasion; however the frequency with which the participants were exposed to violence was lower than expected. The results of the MJT further indicated very low to low moral judgement competence scores for the majority of the sample. No significant correlation or association was found between the two constructs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Klopper, Ilana
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Children and violence -- South Africa , Violence in children -- Psychological aspects , Moral development -- Psychological aspects , Violence -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1526 , Children and violence -- South Africa , Violence in children -- Psychological aspects , Moral development -- Psychological aspects , Violence -- Psychological aspects
- Description: South Africa currently has one of the highest levels of crime in the world. The high prevalence of violence in South African culture has led to the increased exposure to violence of individuals of all ages. The South African Police Service annual report for 2008/2009 reported 48 732 crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder to sexual offences and common assault against children under the age of 18 years. In addition, young people between the ages from 12 to 22 are generally victimized at twice the adult rate and even higher for violent crimes. It is the belief of various theorists that exposure to violence can alter one’s cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes- the three core components that are essential to moral development. The role that exposure to violence has on the development of aggressive behavior has been thoroughly researched; however the implications that this exposure has on the moral development of adolescents remains vague. This study explored and described the relationship between exposure to violence and moral development amongst adolescent learners. A quantitative exploratory descriptive research design was employed and the participants were selected by means of non-probability, convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 53 participants at a coeducational high school in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The demographic data of the participants was gathered through the administration of a biographical questionnaire. The participants’ exposure to violence was explored by using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire- South African Adaptation (HTQ-SAA), while their moral development was assessed by means of the Moral Judgment Test (MJT). The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and both the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Chi square test was computed to draw inferences regarding the relationship between exposure to violence and moral development. The results of the study revealed that all of the participants were exposed to violence directly or indirectly on one or more occasion; however the frequency with which the participants were exposed to violence was lower than expected. The results of the MJT further indicated very low to low moral judgement competence scores for the majority of the sample. No significant correlation or association was found between the two constructs.
- 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
- 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