A co-constructed practice model for supporting parents of children in conflict with the law
- Authors: Abdulla, Zurina
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Children's rights -- South Africa , Children -- Legal status, laws, etc --South Africa , Parent and child -- Research -- South Africa , Social work with youth -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30474 , vital:30949
- Description: The unique historical stressors linked to South Africa’s apartheid legacy, continues to manifest in the form of economic exclusion, social exclusion, inequality and poverty, with parents being subjugated to service users and extenders rather than included as service advocates, particularly in the child justice system. Furthermore, policies and practices do not include, engage and support parents on an intra and interpersonal level. Parents of children in conflict with the law, experience their children’s charge or arrest as well as their subsequent journey through the child justice system as a crisis resulting in their need for emotional, informational, practical and professional support during the child justice process. The similarities and differences between the contexts of child protection and child justice in supporting parents illuminates the existing gaps in child justice legislation, policy and practice resulting in a lack of support for parents during the child justice process. In the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, it is recognised that parents have a legal responsibility towards their children and that in fulfilling this responsibility parents can access support services to assist them when they face challenges in fulfilling this responsibility. In contrast, despite 80 percent of children in conflict with the law being released into parental care and parents expressing the need for support in fulfilling their parental responsibility, in this regard the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 fails to make provision for parents to access support services. The child justice system’s narrow focus on parents as service extenders contributes to parents’ being excluded from targeted support services resulting in parents’ support needs not being addressed. The lack of programmes and services aimed at supporting parents highlight the need for coordinated services that address the multiple stressors parents are exposed to. To this end, this study was aimed at coconstructing a practice model for supporting parents of children in conflict with the law. The theoretical lenses employed in the current study namely; the Ecological systems model and the Buffering effect model describes the various systems parents need support from and the type of support they need from their family, community and professionals. Guided by a qualitative approach, the present study integrated applied research, in particular intervention design and development with participatory action research as it allowed systematic collaboration during the research process to ensure rigour. This study involved participants from two research sites namely, the Nerina One- Stop Child Justice Centre in Port Elizabeth and the Reception, Assessment and Referral office at the Uitenhage magistrates’ court. Employing a non-probability purposive sampling method, this study facilitated the participation of parents of children in conflict with the law and child justice officials who met the inclusion criteria, in the co-design and development of a practice model for supporting parents of children in conflict with the law. Participants assumed an expert and collaborative role, which enabled the co-construction of knowledge, meaning and innovation of the practice model. Qualitative data collection methods namely, twelve focus groups and thirty two participant observations, were used to explore, co-construct, describe and design a practice model for supporting parents of children in conflict with the law during the child justice process. Thematic analyses was employed to condense the data, search for codes, categories, themes, relationships and patterns in the data. Due to the research approach and design, data analysis was ongoing and informed design and development of the practice model. Based on the thematic analysis and synthesis both descriptive and analytic themes emerged. To ensure trustworthiness, this study employed various strategies to strengthen commitment, rigour, transparency and coherence. In addition, the participative research process, the inclusion of multiple forms of qualitative inquiry and the significance of the study contributed to the validity and quality of the study. Ethical considerations applicable to the study included participants’ voluntary participation, their informed consent and ensuring participants’ privacy or maintaining confidentially. Various strategies were employed to prevent or minimise risk to participants. The findings showed that formal sources of support, in particular, offer opportunities for parents to access individual and family counselling, parenting advice, and peer support. The study also highlighted the importance of recognising parents as a subsystem in the child justice system offers potential opportunities for inclusion of parents as co-facilitators of parenting programmes or support groups, as peer supporters during the child justice process. Parents’ inclusion as a partner in the child justice system is highlighted as an opportunity for parents to be able to vi participate in child justice fora, oversight committees and accreditation committees to influence policy, services and budget allocations for services to support parents of children in conflict with the law. This study’s contribution to the existing body of knowledge is an integrated, multidisciplinary, multi-phase co-constructed practice model that would enable inclusion of, and support for, parents of children in conflict with the law prior to, during and after the child justice. The co-constructed practice model (a) involves a continuum of parent-centred support for and inclusion of parents prior to, during and after the child justice process; (b) advances an inclusive and collaborative child justice system that views parents as important stakeholders in determining the type of services they need and being involved in developing practice; and (c) promotes parents as equal partners in decision making and policy making to influence legislation, policy and practice in the child justice system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Abdulla, Zurina
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Children's rights -- South Africa , Children -- Legal status, laws, etc --South Africa , Parent and child -- Research -- South Africa , Social work with youth -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30474 , vital:30949
- Description: The unique historical stressors linked to South Africa’s apartheid legacy, continues to manifest in the form of economic exclusion, social exclusion, inequality and poverty, with parents being subjugated to service users and extenders rather than included as service advocates, particularly in the child justice system. Furthermore, policies and practices do not include, engage and support parents on an intra and interpersonal level. Parents of children in conflict with the law, experience their children’s charge or arrest as well as their subsequent journey through the child justice system as a crisis resulting in their need for emotional, informational, practical and professional support during the child justice process. The similarities and differences between the contexts of child protection and child justice in supporting parents illuminates the existing gaps in child justice legislation, policy and practice resulting in a lack of support for parents during the child justice process. In the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, it is recognised that parents have a legal responsibility towards their children and that in fulfilling this responsibility parents can access support services to assist them when they face challenges in fulfilling this responsibility. In contrast, despite 80 percent of children in conflict with the law being released into parental care and parents expressing the need for support in fulfilling their parental responsibility, in this regard the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 fails to make provision for parents to access support services. The child justice system’s narrow focus on parents as service extenders contributes to parents’ being excluded from targeted support services resulting in parents’ support needs not being addressed. The lack of programmes and services aimed at supporting parents highlight the need for coordinated services that address the multiple stressors parents are exposed to. To this end, this study was aimed at coconstructing a practice model for supporting parents of children in conflict with the law. The theoretical lenses employed in the current study namely; the Ecological systems model and the Buffering effect model describes the various systems parents need support from and the type of support they need from their family, community and professionals. Guided by a qualitative approach, the present study integrated applied research, in particular intervention design and development with participatory action research as it allowed systematic collaboration during the research process to ensure rigour. This study involved participants from two research sites namely, the Nerina One- Stop Child Justice Centre in Port Elizabeth and the Reception, Assessment and Referral office at the Uitenhage magistrates’ court. Employing a non-probability purposive sampling method, this study facilitated the participation of parents of children in conflict with the law and child justice officials who met the inclusion criteria, in the co-design and development of a practice model for supporting parents of children in conflict with the law. Participants assumed an expert and collaborative role, which enabled the co-construction of knowledge, meaning and innovation of the practice model. Qualitative data collection methods namely, twelve focus groups and thirty two participant observations, were used to explore, co-construct, describe and design a practice model for supporting parents of children in conflict with the law during the child justice process. Thematic analyses was employed to condense the data, search for codes, categories, themes, relationships and patterns in the data. Due to the research approach and design, data analysis was ongoing and informed design and development of the practice model. Based on the thematic analysis and synthesis both descriptive and analytic themes emerged. To ensure trustworthiness, this study employed various strategies to strengthen commitment, rigour, transparency and coherence. In addition, the participative research process, the inclusion of multiple forms of qualitative inquiry and the significance of the study contributed to the validity and quality of the study. Ethical considerations applicable to the study included participants’ voluntary participation, their informed consent and ensuring participants’ privacy or maintaining confidentially. Various strategies were employed to prevent or minimise risk to participants. The findings showed that formal sources of support, in particular, offer opportunities for parents to access individual and family counselling, parenting advice, and peer support. The study also highlighted the importance of recognising parents as a subsystem in the child justice system offers potential opportunities for inclusion of parents as co-facilitators of parenting programmes or support groups, as peer supporters during the child justice process. Parents’ inclusion as a partner in the child justice system is highlighted as an opportunity for parents to be able to vi participate in child justice fora, oversight committees and accreditation committees to influence policy, services and budget allocations for services to support parents of children in conflict with the law. This study’s contribution to the existing body of knowledge is an integrated, multidisciplinary, multi-phase co-constructed practice model that would enable inclusion of, and support for, parents of children in conflict with the law prior to, during and after the child justice. The co-constructed practice model (a) involves a continuum of parent-centred support for and inclusion of parents prior to, during and after the child justice process; (b) advances an inclusive and collaborative child justice system that views parents as important stakeholders in determining the type of services they need and being involved in developing practice; and (c) promotes parents as equal partners in decision making and policy making to influence legislation, policy and practice in the child justice system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effect of school-based interventions on attention and academic performance of primary schoolchildren from lower socioeconomic communities in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Adams, Larissa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Academic achievement -- South Africa , Exercise -- Physiological aspects Physical education for children Physical education and training
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42085 , vital:36624
- Description: Health benefits associated with regular physical activity (PA) have been widely established. Regular PA is not only associated with improved physical and psychological well-being, but also with improved brain function and cognition, thereby enhancing academic performance (AP). Despite these benefits, decreasing levels of PA and increasing levels of overweight and obesity exist world-wide, making childhood physical inactivity a global concern. Research suggests children who meet the recommended PA guidelines of 60-minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity attain substantially higher academic grades. Schools provide ideal settings for PA promotion due to the substantial amount of time children spend at school. However, in many countries, including South Africa (SA), Physical Education (PE) programmes have been reduced and replaced with other subjects to increase AP. Furthermore, a scarcity of water, limited accessibility to improved sanitation and lack of personal hygiene at home and in school substantially contributes to the burden of preventable childhood diseases. These hygiene-related illnesses augment the cycle of poverty and disease through its detrimental effect on children’s school attendance, academic performance and productivity. Studies also show that obesity, poor nutrition and food insufficiency affect children’s school achievement. Hence, the school environment plays an essential role in improving children’s health, since many teaching opportunities about important health and nutrition practices are provided. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of various combinations of school-based interventions on the attention and AP of primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged communities in Port Elizabeth. Overall, 857 schoolchildren (n = 434 boys and n = 423 girls, aged 8 – 13 years) participated in the study. A 10-week cluster randomised controlled trial using four experimental and four control schools was conducted. Setting-specific interventions incorporated PA, health and hygiene education and nutrition components. The d2 Test of Attention measured selective visual attention and concentration with outcome measures of the percentage of errors, total performance and concentration performance. End of year school results were used to assess AP. Post-intervention and pre- to post-intervention differences between the inter-school comparisons revealed mixed results for the attention and AP measurements, therefore, no conclusions could be drawn regarding the assessed variables. Intervention group comparisons at post-intervention indicated that the PA intervention group achieved a statistically significant improvement (p < .05 and d > 0.8) for AP, when compared with the non-PA intervention group. No significant differences were found for AP in relation to intervention group comparisons for the health and hygiene education and nutrition intervention groups. Similarly, the intervention group comparisons revealed no significant differences regarding attention for post-intervention and pre- to post-intervention differences. Findings suggest that a school-based PA intervention can positively affect children’s AP. The current study emphasises the necessity of PA and reinforces the importance of PE in the school curriculum. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that PE regains its rightful place and be actively taught within the school curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Adams, Larissa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Academic achievement -- South Africa , Exercise -- Physiological aspects Physical education for children Physical education and training
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42085 , vital:36624
- Description: Health benefits associated with regular physical activity (PA) have been widely established. Regular PA is not only associated with improved physical and psychological well-being, but also with improved brain function and cognition, thereby enhancing academic performance (AP). Despite these benefits, decreasing levels of PA and increasing levels of overweight and obesity exist world-wide, making childhood physical inactivity a global concern. Research suggests children who meet the recommended PA guidelines of 60-minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity attain substantially higher academic grades. Schools provide ideal settings for PA promotion due to the substantial amount of time children spend at school. However, in many countries, including South Africa (SA), Physical Education (PE) programmes have been reduced and replaced with other subjects to increase AP. Furthermore, a scarcity of water, limited accessibility to improved sanitation and lack of personal hygiene at home and in school substantially contributes to the burden of preventable childhood diseases. These hygiene-related illnesses augment the cycle of poverty and disease through its detrimental effect on children’s school attendance, academic performance and productivity. Studies also show that obesity, poor nutrition and food insufficiency affect children’s school achievement. Hence, the school environment plays an essential role in improving children’s health, since many teaching opportunities about important health and nutrition practices are provided. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of various combinations of school-based interventions on the attention and AP of primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged communities in Port Elizabeth. Overall, 857 schoolchildren (n = 434 boys and n = 423 girls, aged 8 – 13 years) participated in the study. A 10-week cluster randomised controlled trial using four experimental and four control schools was conducted. Setting-specific interventions incorporated PA, health and hygiene education and nutrition components. The d2 Test of Attention measured selective visual attention and concentration with outcome measures of the percentage of errors, total performance and concentration performance. End of year school results were used to assess AP. Post-intervention and pre- to post-intervention differences between the inter-school comparisons revealed mixed results for the attention and AP measurements, therefore, no conclusions could be drawn regarding the assessed variables. Intervention group comparisons at post-intervention indicated that the PA intervention group achieved a statistically significant improvement (p < .05 and d > 0.8) for AP, when compared with the non-PA intervention group. No significant differences were found for AP in relation to intervention group comparisons for the health and hygiene education and nutrition intervention groups. Similarly, the intervention group comparisons revealed no significant differences regarding attention for post-intervention and pre- to post-intervention differences. Findings suggest that a school-based PA intervention can positively affect children’s AP. The current study emphasises the necessity of PA and reinforces the importance of PE in the school curriculum. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that PE regains its rightful place and be actively taught within the school curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Socio-ecological, contextual effects in Raven’s Colour Progressive Matrices scores: developing an index for guiding test selection and interpretation
- Authors: August, Justin Oswin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Psychological testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50214 , vital:42071
- Description: With the changing landscape in South Africa to full democracy, increased research has been undertaken in the psychometric field on local and national normative studies regarding various assessment measures. Given that the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) is purported to be culture-free and not heavily dependent on verbal and language skills; it has been extensively normed throughout the world for various population groups. While norms for normal populations of children have been developed in South Africa, these studies were based on race and gender predominantly and without taking into consideration the effects of socio-ecological factors on test performance. The research study aimed to understand the influence of socio-ecological factors on the expression of cognitive scores amongst a geographically diverse sample of South African learners. Through this study, research on the interplay between context and cognition was to be located within the Ecological Systems model of Bronfenbrenner. A secondary aim of the study was to develop an index that will guide test selection and interpretation of assessment results, taking into account the influence of socio-ecological factors and providing a conceptual framework for future test development. The study employed a quantitative methodology on a South African sample consisting of primary school children aged between the ages of 6 years to 11 years. The sample was drawn from schools in the Port Elizabeth area in South Africa that were classified into low, medium, and high opportunity, based on context. The results indicated that the type of school had a significant impact on test performance, suggesting that contextual factors were influential in this process. The item analysis conducted further indicated that learners from a low opportunity school performed significantly lower than the other two schools in the sample. The index development provides a foundation for further research that would enhance the interpretation of test results. In the South African context, this is considered important, given our political history and our diversity where a “one size fits all” approach is not possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: August, Justin Oswin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Psychological testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50214 , vital:42071
- Description: With the changing landscape in South Africa to full democracy, increased research has been undertaken in the psychometric field on local and national normative studies regarding various assessment measures. Given that the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) is purported to be culture-free and not heavily dependent on verbal and language skills; it has been extensively normed throughout the world for various population groups. While norms for normal populations of children have been developed in South Africa, these studies were based on race and gender predominantly and without taking into consideration the effects of socio-ecological factors on test performance. The research study aimed to understand the influence of socio-ecological factors on the expression of cognitive scores amongst a geographically diverse sample of South African learners. Through this study, research on the interplay between context and cognition was to be located within the Ecological Systems model of Bronfenbrenner. A secondary aim of the study was to develop an index that will guide test selection and interpretation of assessment results, taking into account the influence of socio-ecological factors and providing a conceptual framework for future test development. The study employed a quantitative methodology on a South African sample consisting of primary school children aged between the ages of 6 years to 11 years. The sample was drawn from schools in the Port Elizabeth area in South Africa that were classified into low, medium, and high opportunity, based on context. The results indicated that the type of school had a significant impact on test performance, suggesting that contextual factors were influential in this process. The item analysis conducted further indicated that learners from a low opportunity school performed significantly lower than the other two schools in the sample. The index development provides a foundation for further research that would enhance the interpretation of test results. In the South African context, this is considered important, given our political history and our diversity where a “one size fits all” approach is not possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Student perceptions of online infidelity
- Authors: Bands, Luke
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Adultery , Online dating Sex -- Social aspects Sex -- Psychological aspects , College students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42096 , vital:36625
- Description: There has been a large amount of research on infidelity and its effects on relationships. However, a new phenomenon, that of online infidelity, has emerged and with it comes some confusion as to what exactly constitutes an act of infidelity while exploring the limits of cyberspace. While some research has been done internationally on the perceptions of online infidelity, studies conducted in South Africa are lacking. The aim of the present study was to explore and describe student perceptions of online infidelity. Social Constructionism was used as the theoretical framework for the study. A qualitative approach was used and the study was exploratory and descriptive in design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, with the sample size of the study being twelve. Thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke, was used in order to analyse the obtained data. Two main themes emerged, namely Defining Online Infidelity, and Reasons Surrounding Perceptions of Online Infidelity. The findings of the present study will provide a better understanding of perceptions of online infidelity within the South African context, and can be used for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Bands, Luke
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Adultery , Online dating Sex -- Social aspects Sex -- Psychological aspects , College students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42096 , vital:36625
- Description: There has been a large amount of research on infidelity and its effects on relationships. However, a new phenomenon, that of online infidelity, has emerged and with it comes some confusion as to what exactly constitutes an act of infidelity while exploring the limits of cyberspace. While some research has been done internationally on the perceptions of online infidelity, studies conducted in South Africa are lacking. The aim of the present study was to explore and describe student perceptions of online infidelity. Social Constructionism was used as the theoretical framework for the study. A qualitative approach was used and the study was exploratory and descriptive in design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, with the sample size of the study being twelve. Thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke, was used in order to analyse the obtained data. Two main themes emerged, namely Defining Online Infidelity, and Reasons Surrounding Perceptions of Online Infidelity. The findings of the present study will provide a better understanding of perceptions of online infidelity within the South African context, and can be used for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effects of an educational intervention related to clinical simulation terminology on the knowledge of nurse educators at a public college
- Authors: Booysen, Cindy Lynn
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nursing -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36423 , vital:33940
- Description: Nurse educators must be prepared and feel comfortable using clinical simulation as a strategy in order for it to be successful as a teaching and learning approach. In terms of an educational intervention, orientation and training pertaining to simulation terminology for nurse educators can improve their capacity and strengthen the clinical simulation experience. The researcher observed a lack of knowledge regarding the terminology of clinical simulation among nurse educators at a public nursing college and this study therefore aimed to determine the effects of an educational intervention related to clinical simulation terminology on the knowledge of nurse educators at a public nursing college. The researcher conducted a small-scale intervention study utilizing a positivist, quantitative paradigm with a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test design. The researcher purposively selected the five main campuses at a public nursing college in South Africa. The five main campuses were purposively selected into control (two main campuses; campus A, campus B) and experimental group (three main campuses; campus C, campus D and campus E). Convenience sampling was used by including all nurse educators of each campus. A self-administered pre-test questionnaire was developed and used in Phase one in order to explore and describe the knowledge of nurse educators with regard to the terminology applied in clinical simulation. A total of 125 nurse educators were included (experimental group n=65; control group n=60). Phase two involved the development, review and implementation of an educational intervention based on the standards of best practice: standard 1: terminology, developed by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL). Methods for the educational intervention included a PowerPoint presentation and pamphlets administered to the purposively selected experimental group (three campuses; campus C, campus D and campus E). The educational intervention was implemented per campus. The control group did not receive any educational intervention (two campuses; campus A and campus B). Phase three comprised a self-administered post-test that was developed to evaluate the effects of the educational intervention pertaining to the nurse educators’ knowledge of the terminology applied in clinical simulation and was completed by the nurse educators who participated in Phase one of the study. A total of 70 participants completed Phase three of the study, (n=31 from the control group and n=39 from the experimental group). The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA and Chisquare testing), with the assistance of a statistician. A pilot study was conducted to prove the reliability of the pre-and post-test questionnaires and the educational intervention and a review by the statistician as well as the supervisors and five experts in the field of clinical simulation for the pre-test post-test questionnaires and educational intervention was done prior to its implementation. The pre-test was completed by (n=81) participants and the post-test by (n=70). The majority age category for participants was 50 years and older (n=32, 40%). Almost one third of the participants had less than 5 years’ experience as nurse educators (n=25, 31%). A statistically significant difference was found for pre-knowledge by age relationship (pvalue= ,036). The pre- and post-difference by age (p-value=.035) as well as work experience (p-value= .017) was also found to be significant (p-value= ,035). The older age groups (40-49 years of age) benefited more from the study as their knowledge on clinical simulation terminology significantly increased (Cohen’s d= 0,77 and 0,76- medium score) as well as those that were more inexperienced (1-4 years of working experience) (Cohen’s d= 1,10- large). The majority of participants did not receive any training in simulation-based education (n=69, 85%). The participants who received simulation-based education training versus the participants who did not receive any training showed a statistically significant variance for the pre-knowledge scores (pvalue= ,001) (Cohen’s d= 1,06- large). The mean score for the knowledge section (section B) of the questionnaire was 59,72 and the mean score for the pre-test-posttest difference was 12,64. The findings of the t-test had a small significant value for the pre-test and a medium significant value for the post-test. A significant medium Cohen’s d value was evident after correlating the difference between the knowledge scores for the pre- and post-test questionnaires. The 15 minutes educational intervention thus had a medium effect (pre-post difference of the knowledge scores: p-value=<.0005, with a Cohen’s d score of 0.67-medium significance) on the knowledge findings of nurse educators. However, as gaps in knowledge were evident among nurse educators in this study, further recommendations for practice, education and research were provided. Ethical principles such as informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity as well as permission to conduct the study were taken into consideration through all phases of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Booysen, Cindy Lynn
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nursing -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36423 , vital:33940
- Description: Nurse educators must be prepared and feel comfortable using clinical simulation as a strategy in order for it to be successful as a teaching and learning approach. In terms of an educational intervention, orientation and training pertaining to simulation terminology for nurse educators can improve their capacity and strengthen the clinical simulation experience. The researcher observed a lack of knowledge regarding the terminology of clinical simulation among nurse educators at a public nursing college and this study therefore aimed to determine the effects of an educational intervention related to clinical simulation terminology on the knowledge of nurse educators at a public nursing college. The researcher conducted a small-scale intervention study utilizing a positivist, quantitative paradigm with a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test design. The researcher purposively selected the five main campuses at a public nursing college in South Africa. The five main campuses were purposively selected into control (two main campuses; campus A, campus B) and experimental group (three main campuses; campus C, campus D and campus E). Convenience sampling was used by including all nurse educators of each campus. A self-administered pre-test questionnaire was developed and used in Phase one in order to explore and describe the knowledge of nurse educators with regard to the terminology applied in clinical simulation. A total of 125 nurse educators were included (experimental group n=65; control group n=60). Phase two involved the development, review and implementation of an educational intervention based on the standards of best practice: standard 1: terminology, developed by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL). Methods for the educational intervention included a PowerPoint presentation and pamphlets administered to the purposively selected experimental group (three campuses; campus C, campus D and campus E). The educational intervention was implemented per campus. The control group did not receive any educational intervention (two campuses; campus A and campus B). Phase three comprised a self-administered post-test that was developed to evaluate the effects of the educational intervention pertaining to the nurse educators’ knowledge of the terminology applied in clinical simulation and was completed by the nurse educators who participated in Phase one of the study. A total of 70 participants completed Phase three of the study, (n=31 from the control group and n=39 from the experimental group). The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA and Chisquare testing), with the assistance of a statistician. A pilot study was conducted to prove the reliability of the pre-and post-test questionnaires and the educational intervention and a review by the statistician as well as the supervisors and five experts in the field of clinical simulation for the pre-test post-test questionnaires and educational intervention was done prior to its implementation. The pre-test was completed by (n=81) participants and the post-test by (n=70). The majority age category for participants was 50 years and older (n=32, 40%). Almost one third of the participants had less than 5 years’ experience as nurse educators (n=25, 31%). A statistically significant difference was found for pre-knowledge by age relationship (pvalue= ,036). The pre- and post-difference by age (p-value=.035) as well as work experience (p-value= .017) was also found to be significant (p-value= ,035). The older age groups (40-49 years of age) benefited more from the study as their knowledge on clinical simulation terminology significantly increased (Cohen’s d= 0,77 and 0,76- medium score) as well as those that were more inexperienced (1-4 years of working experience) (Cohen’s d= 1,10- large). The majority of participants did not receive any training in simulation-based education (n=69, 85%). The participants who received simulation-based education training versus the participants who did not receive any training showed a statistically significant variance for the pre-knowledge scores (pvalue= ,001) (Cohen’s d= 1,06- large). The mean score for the knowledge section (section B) of the questionnaire was 59,72 and the mean score for the pre-test-posttest difference was 12,64. The findings of the t-test had a small significant value for the pre-test and a medium significant value for the post-test. A significant medium Cohen’s d value was evident after correlating the difference between the knowledge scores for the pre- and post-test questionnaires. The 15 minutes educational intervention thus had a medium effect (pre-post difference of the knowledge scores: p-value=<.0005, with a Cohen’s d score of 0.67-medium significance) on the knowledge findings of nurse educators. However, as gaps in knowledge were evident among nurse educators in this study, further recommendations for practice, education and research were provided. Ethical principles such as informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity as well as permission to conduct the study were taken into consideration through all phases of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Perceptions of a multi-disciplinary team on the effectiveness of their treatment approach at an in-patient adolescent drug treatment facility
- Bronkhorst, Willem Lukas Rudolf, Goliath, Veonna
- Authors: Bronkhorst, Willem Lukas Rudolf , Goliath, Veonna
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Drug abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa , Substance abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa Teenagers -- Substance use -- South Africa Substance abuse -- Prevention -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37720 , vital:34231
- Description: The problem of adolescent substance use disorder as well as the high relapse rates associated with addiction treatment has been recognised both locally and internationally. The ability to effectively implement and monitor existing treatment programs therefore becomes critical to improving treatment outcomes at addiction treatment facilities that serve adolescent clients. The Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) have a key role to play with regard to the delivery and implementation of effective adolescent addiction treatment. The main aim of this qualitative research study was to explore the functioning of the MDT at an in-patient adolescent drug treatment facility and their perceptions regarding the extent to which the nine essential key elements of effective adolescent addiction treatment aligns with their approach to program implementation. This qualitative exploratory-descriptive study employed a non-probability purposive sampling technique to recruit research participants from an adolescent drug treatment centre in Nelson Mandela Bay. Two separate focus group interviews were conducted with participants who met the study’s inclusion criteria. The first group included eight participants, with the second consisting of ten participants. Tesch’s framework for qualitative data analysis was used to analyse raw interview data; validated by an analysis conducted by an independent coder. Guba’s model was used to ensure trustworthiness throughout the research process and of the findings. Emphasis was therefore placed on the concepts of truth value, applicability, consistency, and neutrality. The findings of the study were presented in ten main themes and associated sub-themes. Ethical conduct was ensured by meeting the requirements for 1) ethical review, 2) informed consent, 3) confidentiality and anonymity, 4) the right to confidentiality and privacy of data, 5) beneficence and non-maleficence, and finally 6) exiting ethics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Bronkhorst, Willem Lukas Rudolf , Goliath, Veonna
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Drug abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa , Substance abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa Teenagers -- Substance use -- South Africa Substance abuse -- Prevention -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37720 , vital:34231
- Description: The problem of adolescent substance use disorder as well as the high relapse rates associated with addiction treatment has been recognised both locally and internationally. The ability to effectively implement and monitor existing treatment programs therefore becomes critical to improving treatment outcomes at addiction treatment facilities that serve adolescent clients. The Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) have a key role to play with regard to the delivery and implementation of effective adolescent addiction treatment. The main aim of this qualitative research study was to explore the functioning of the MDT at an in-patient adolescent drug treatment facility and their perceptions regarding the extent to which the nine essential key elements of effective adolescent addiction treatment aligns with their approach to program implementation. This qualitative exploratory-descriptive study employed a non-probability purposive sampling technique to recruit research participants from an adolescent drug treatment centre in Nelson Mandela Bay. Two separate focus group interviews were conducted with participants who met the study’s inclusion criteria. The first group included eight participants, with the second consisting of ten participants. Tesch’s framework for qualitative data analysis was used to analyse raw interview data; validated by an analysis conducted by an independent coder. Guba’s model was used to ensure trustworthiness throughout the research process and of the findings. Emphasis was therefore placed on the concepts of truth value, applicability, consistency, and neutrality. The findings of the study were presented in ten main themes and associated sub-themes. Ethical conduct was ensured by meeting the requirements for 1) ethical review, 2) informed consent, 3) confidentiality and anonymity, 4) the right to confidentiality and privacy of data, 5) beneficence and non-maleficence, and finally 6) exiting ethics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
User experience requirements for the integration of blended learning technologies into anatomy and physiology
- Authors: Buckle, Maria Magdalena
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Web-based instruction , Educational technology Internet in education Computer-assisted instruction -- Curricula -- Planning Anatomy Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MHSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37874 , vital:34257
- Description: Blended learning is currently the recommended mode of teaching at Nelson Mandela University and typically refers to a mix of traditional methods of teaching and learning integrated with technology, in particular, online delivery methods. In this blended learning study, a web-based learning programme, WileyPLUSLS, in combination with the assessment functions of the learning management system, Moodle, introduced the technology component into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology. User experience (UX) studies investigate the experiences of a user when using a product or system. Because very little is currently known about the UX when WileyPLUSLS and Moodle are integrated into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology, this study aims to determine the participants’ UX to compile a set of UX requirements. The purpose of these UX requirements is to inform designers if the programmes WileyPLUS and Moodle function as they should and to modify them, if needed, to improve their usability. These UX requirements also aim to support and guide the integration of blended learning technologies into the curriculum of Anatomy and Physiology and other disciplines alike. The research design selected for this study was in the form of a case study conducted on the 2016 first-year BHSc: MLS (Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science) class at Nelson Mandela University. Pre-study investigations on infrastructure, connectivity and e-readiness were conducted to lay the groundwork for the case study and to inform its rationale. Data was collected from literature studies, online UX questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and researcher observations. A mixed methods approach to data analysis was adopted. Quantitative data from the UX questionnaire were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, open-ended questions from UX questionnaire and researcher observations were analysed via content analysis. Subsequently the analysis and triangulation of the data culminated into UX requirements, which were categorised into the following classifications, namely infrastructure, human resources, educational content and online learning systems. This case study illuminated many major issues regarding connectivity, e-readiness, unequal access to online learning, the importance of security features for online summative assessments, the usefulness of commercial web-based learning programmes and the confounding effect of the #FeesMustFall (FMF) protest movement. Finally, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on online learning and the workplace was addressed. This research was successful in compiling the UX requirements to inform designers regarding the usability of their systems and to guide the integration of online programmes into the curriculum, especially in the South African context of limited and slow connectivity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Buckle, Maria Magdalena
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Web-based instruction , Educational technology Internet in education Computer-assisted instruction -- Curricula -- Planning Anatomy Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MHSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37874 , vital:34257
- Description: Blended learning is currently the recommended mode of teaching at Nelson Mandela University and typically refers to a mix of traditional methods of teaching and learning integrated with technology, in particular, online delivery methods. In this blended learning study, a web-based learning programme, WileyPLUSLS, in combination with the assessment functions of the learning management system, Moodle, introduced the technology component into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology. User experience (UX) studies investigate the experiences of a user when using a product or system. Because very little is currently known about the UX when WileyPLUSLS and Moodle are integrated into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology, this study aims to determine the participants’ UX to compile a set of UX requirements. The purpose of these UX requirements is to inform designers if the programmes WileyPLUS and Moodle function as they should and to modify them, if needed, to improve their usability. These UX requirements also aim to support and guide the integration of blended learning technologies into the curriculum of Anatomy and Physiology and other disciplines alike. The research design selected for this study was in the form of a case study conducted on the 2016 first-year BHSc: MLS (Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science) class at Nelson Mandela University. Pre-study investigations on infrastructure, connectivity and e-readiness were conducted to lay the groundwork for the case study and to inform its rationale. Data was collected from literature studies, online UX questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and researcher observations. A mixed methods approach to data analysis was adopted. Quantitative data from the UX questionnaire were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, open-ended questions from UX questionnaire and researcher observations were analysed via content analysis. Subsequently the analysis and triangulation of the data culminated into UX requirements, which were categorised into the following classifications, namely infrastructure, human resources, educational content and online learning systems. This case study illuminated many major issues regarding connectivity, e-readiness, unequal access to online learning, the importance of security features for online summative assessments, the usefulness of commercial web-based learning programmes and the confounding effect of the #FeesMustFall (FMF) protest movement. Finally, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on online learning and the workplace was addressed. This research was successful in compiling the UX requirements to inform designers regarding the usability of their systems and to guide the integration of online programmes into the curriculum, especially in the South African context of limited and slow connectivity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis related adverse drug reactions: implementation of a documentation tool
- Authors: Cheng, Amber
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44662 , vital:38151
- Description: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an ever-growing problem in South Africa (SA). According to the literature, minimal documentation is done on adverse drug reactions (ADRs), specifically in the MDR-TB population. Co-administration of medications is typical for the treatment of drug resistant forms of TB, which leads to high incidences of ADRs during the treatment period, especially in patients with comorbid disease states. This before-and-after study investigated the impact of an intervention (education training presentation and implementation of a purpose-designed documentation tool) on the current documentation pattern in a public sector hospital in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. In order to measure the sustainability of the intervention, the study compared data from the pre-intervention phase to data collected from the post-intervention immediate phase and post-intervention delayed phase. Study results indicated that the intervention appeared to have had a positive effect on the frequency and variety of ADR documentation (2.1 and 1.3 fold increase, respectively) related to MDR-TB by the hospital staff of a public sector hospital, however, the positive change was not sustainable for longer than a three month period post intervention. It is recommended that factors such as: proper adoption; management; and additional resources are required to implement positive changes to documentation practices. Further studies need to be conducted in South Africa regarding the treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis, in order to establish safer treatment guidelines and more promising ADR reporting practices, which will ultimately improve patient care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cheng, Amber
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44662 , vital:38151
- Description: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an ever-growing problem in South Africa (SA). According to the literature, minimal documentation is done on adverse drug reactions (ADRs), specifically in the MDR-TB population. Co-administration of medications is typical for the treatment of drug resistant forms of TB, which leads to high incidences of ADRs during the treatment period, especially in patients with comorbid disease states. This before-and-after study investigated the impact of an intervention (education training presentation and implementation of a purpose-designed documentation tool) on the current documentation pattern in a public sector hospital in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. In order to measure the sustainability of the intervention, the study compared data from the pre-intervention phase to data collected from the post-intervention immediate phase and post-intervention delayed phase. Study results indicated that the intervention appeared to have had a positive effect on the frequency and variety of ADR documentation (2.1 and 1.3 fold increase, respectively) related to MDR-TB by the hospital staff of a public sector hospital, however, the positive change was not sustainable for longer than a three month period post intervention. It is recommended that factors such as: proper adoption; management; and additional resources are required to implement positive changes to documentation practices. Further studies need to be conducted in South Africa regarding the treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis, in order to establish safer treatment guidelines and more promising ADR reporting practices, which will ultimately improve patient care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Pharmacists’ perceptions of the effects of the Consumer Protection Act of 2008 on the pharmacy profession in South Africa: an exploratory study
- Authors: Cumberlege, Karin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa -- Consumer Protection Act, 2008 , Consumer protection -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Pharmacists -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38057 , vital:34312
- Description: The pharmacy profession is highly regulated through a number of statutes and codes all of which are devised in the public interest. The Consumer Protection Act, No 68 of 2008 (CPA) is a relatively recent addition to these regulatory measures and purports to protect consumers in their relations with suppliers, which includes the pharmacist-patient relationship. Heightened consumer awareness is increasing litigious consumer behaviour, making it important for pharmacists to be aware of their legal duties as providers of pharmaceutical care to consumers and therefore, to appreciate the potential implications of the CPA. This study aimed to determine South African pharmacists’ perceptions of the potential effect of the CPA on the pharmacy profession. Specific objectives included establishing the extent to which pharmacy law and ethics are incorporated into pharmacy curricula at various tertiary pharmacy institutions. The literature review identified the pharmacy categories providing pharmaceutical care services, whilst investigating medico-legal aspects of such services. Selected consumer rights in the CPA were considered in the context of pharmacists’ ethical obligations to consumers, thereby identifying potential areas of liability for pharmacists. Content and curriculum development pertaining to pharmacy education and training, focusing on pharmacy law and ethics, were assessed. A mixed methods research design was used to achieve the aim of the study. This included focus groups, telephone interviews, and a questionnaire survey amongst registered pharmacists. The themes identified in the focus groups were included in the telephone interviews. Likewise, themes identified from both the focus groups and telephone interviews, were incorporated in the questionnaire survey. The results identified a disparity in pharmacists’ education and training received from the respective tertiary pharmacy institutions. The results showed that pharmacists do not necessarily appreciate the potential implications of the CPA for pharmacists, portending an increased likelihood of liability. This finding also has implications for the training of pharmacists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cumberlege, Karin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa -- Consumer Protection Act, 2008 , Consumer protection -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Pharmacists -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38057 , vital:34312
- Description: The pharmacy profession is highly regulated through a number of statutes and codes all of which are devised in the public interest. The Consumer Protection Act, No 68 of 2008 (CPA) is a relatively recent addition to these regulatory measures and purports to protect consumers in their relations with suppliers, which includes the pharmacist-patient relationship. Heightened consumer awareness is increasing litigious consumer behaviour, making it important for pharmacists to be aware of their legal duties as providers of pharmaceutical care to consumers and therefore, to appreciate the potential implications of the CPA. This study aimed to determine South African pharmacists’ perceptions of the potential effect of the CPA on the pharmacy profession. Specific objectives included establishing the extent to which pharmacy law and ethics are incorporated into pharmacy curricula at various tertiary pharmacy institutions. The literature review identified the pharmacy categories providing pharmaceutical care services, whilst investigating medico-legal aspects of such services. Selected consumer rights in the CPA were considered in the context of pharmacists’ ethical obligations to consumers, thereby identifying potential areas of liability for pharmacists. Content and curriculum development pertaining to pharmacy education and training, focusing on pharmacy law and ethics, were assessed. A mixed methods research design was used to achieve the aim of the study. This included focus groups, telephone interviews, and a questionnaire survey amongst registered pharmacists. The themes identified in the focus groups were included in the telephone interviews. Likewise, themes identified from both the focus groups and telephone interviews, were incorporated in the questionnaire survey. The results identified a disparity in pharmacists’ education and training received from the respective tertiary pharmacy institutions. The results showed that pharmacists do not necessarily appreciate the potential implications of the CPA for pharmacists, portending an increased likelihood of liability. This finding also has implications for the training of pharmacists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Adult circumcision practices of traditional surgeons and nurses in relation to the initiates’ health outcomes/morbidity in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Dalasa, Siyamthemba
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Circumcision -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17029 , vital:40834
- Description: BACKGROUND Despite the adverse outcomes associated with traditional male circumcision, the practice remains prevalent, especially in the Eastern Cape, South, Africa. This study seeks to assess the practices of traditional surgeons and nurses in relation to the prevention and control of infections and their understanding of human physiological mechanisms during circumcision processes. METHOD This study has adopted a qualitative design, which involved conducting 115 semistructured interviews among traditional surgeons, traditional nurses and traditionally circumcised men, and one focus group discussion among traditional nurses. The data generated were transcribed and subjected to thematic content analysis. RESULTS The analysis revealed that both traditional surgeons and nurses demonstrated both poor aseptic techniques and a lack of knowledge of how the human body functions. Their lack of knowledge of basic human physiology meant that they trivialised sepsis in the penile wound. In addition, the seclusion lodges for circumcision and initiates living were unclean and uninhabitable. CONCLUSION The poor aseptic techniques of traditional surgeons and nurses, as well as the uncleanliness of their environment during traditional male circumcision procedures, could expose initiates to infections and morbidity. Environmental health officers should regularly supervise traditional surgeons and nurses in order to prevent the adverse health outcomes associated with the traditional male circumcision practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Dalasa, Siyamthemba
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Circumcision -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17029 , vital:40834
- Description: BACKGROUND Despite the adverse outcomes associated with traditional male circumcision, the practice remains prevalent, especially in the Eastern Cape, South, Africa. This study seeks to assess the practices of traditional surgeons and nurses in relation to the prevention and control of infections and their understanding of human physiological mechanisms during circumcision processes. METHOD This study has adopted a qualitative design, which involved conducting 115 semistructured interviews among traditional surgeons, traditional nurses and traditionally circumcised men, and one focus group discussion among traditional nurses. The data generated were transcribed and subjected to thematic content analysis. RESULTS The analysis revealed that both traditional surgeons and nurses demonstrated both poor aseptic techniques and a lack of knowledge of how the human body functions. Their lack of knowledge of basic human physiology meant that they trivialised sepsis in the penile wound. In addition, the seclusion lodges for circumcision and initiates living were unclean and uninhabitable. CONCLUSION The poor aseptic techniques of traditional surgeons and nurses, as well as the uncleanliness of their environment during traditional male circumcision procedures, could expose initiates to infections and morbidity. Environmental health officers should regularly supervise traditional surgeons and nurses in order to prevent the adverse health outcomes associated with the traditional male circumcision practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Registered nurses' experiences of working with patients diagnosed with substance-induced psychosis in a tertiary psychiatric hospital
- Authors: Damane, Brenda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Psychiatric nursing , Psychiatry Psychoses -- Treatment Substance abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39457 , vital:35250
- Description: Illicit drug use is common among patients with mental health difficulties. Illicit drug use is common among patients with mental health difficulties. Psychiatric inpatient services often must provide care for people with mental health difficulties who use prohibited drugs. Admissions to an acute care hospital in the Eastern Cape are done daily, with as many as eight admissions per day. Statistics show that a significant percentage of these admissions are of patients with substance-induced psychosis. These patients are acutely mentally ill and may present with symptoms such as hearing voices, delusions, verbal, or physical aggression where they attack staff and other patients and being restless. Patients with a diagnosis of substance-induced psychosis are difficult to take care of due to their behaviour associated with the above symptoms. These patients are also young and because they are psychotic, they make the acute wards unruly, making it difficult to nurse them. The following research question arises from the above-mentioned problem: What are the experiences of registered nurses working in a tertiary psychiatric hospital with patients admitted with a diagnosis of substance-induced psychosis? The goal of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of registered nurses working in a tertiary psychiatric hospital when caring for patients admitted with substance-induced psychosis. The researcher used a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design. The research population consisted of registered nurses working at a tertiary psychiatric hospital. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants. Data was collected by means of one-to-one interviews and field notes. Data was analysed using Tesch’s model of content analysis to reduce the information to themes or categories. The researcher used Guba’s model of trustworthiness to evaluate the study’s rigour. The researcher also used the three fundamental ethical principles which include: the principle of respect for persons, the principle of beneficence and non-maleficence, and the principle of justice to guide the researcher during the research process. Four main themes with subthemes emerged from the study. The study showed that registered nurses working in a psychiatric hospital found it difficult to nurse patients with substance-induced psychosis. These difficulties included the characteristics these patients presented with, the ward not being conducive to nursing substanceinduced psychotic patients, which resulted in registered nurses feeling emotionally drained when nursing these patients. Recommendations were made as an effort to help registered nurses cope better in caring for substance-induced psychotic patients and prevent staff from experiencing burnout.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Damane, Brenda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Psychiatric nursing , Psychiatry Psychoses -- Treatment Substance abuse -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39457 , vital:35250
- Description: Illicit drug use is common among patients with mental health difficulties. Illicit drug use is common among patients with mental health difficulties. Psychiatric inpatient services often must provide care for people with mental health difficulties who use prohibited drugs. Admissions to an acute care hospital in the Eastern Cape are done daily, with as many as eight admissions per day. Statistics show that a significant percentage of these admissions are of patients with substance-induced psychosis. These patients are acutely mentally ill and may present with symptoms such as hearing voices, delusions, verbal, or physical aggression where they attack staff and other patients and being restless. Patients with a diagnosis of substance-induced psychosis are difficult to take care of due to their behaviour associated with the above symptoms. These patients are also young and because they are psychotic, they make the acute wards unruly, making it difficult to nurse them. The following research question arises from the above-mentioned problem: What are the experiences of registered nurses working in a tertiary psychiatric hospital with patients admitted with a diagnosis of substance-induced psychosis? The goal of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of registered nurses working in a tertiary psychiatric hospital when caring for patients admitted with substance-induced psychosis. The researcher used a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design. The research population consisted of registered nurses working at a tertiary psychiatric hospital. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants. Data was collected by means of one-to-one interviews and field notes. Data was analysed using Tesch’s model of content analysis to reduce the information to themes or categories. The researcher used Guba’s model of trustworthiness to evaluate the study’s rigour. The researcher also used the three fundamental ethical principles which include: the principle of respect for persons, the principle of beneficence and non-maleficence, and the principle of justice to guide the researcher during the research process. Four main themes with subthemes emerged from the study. The study showed that registered nurses working in a psychiatric hospital found it difficult to nurse patients with substance-induced psychosis. These difficulties included the characteristics these patients presented with, the ward not being conducive to nursing substanceinduced psychotic patients, which resulted in registered nurses feeling emotionally drained when nursing these patients. Recommendations were made as an effort to help registered nurses cope better in caring for substance-induced psychotic patients and prevent staff from experiencing burnout.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An interpretive phenomenological analysis of change in attitudes and beliefs toward domestic violence and rape myths as experienced by Eastern Cape adolescents
- Authors: De Vries, Lauré
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Violence in children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Psychological aspects Women -- Violence against Children -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39436 , vital:35246
- Description: Although there is extensive research focused on decreasing the occurrence of gender-based violence (GBV) (domestic violence and rape) with a focus on underlying attitudes and beliefs, no attention is given to how these attitudes and beliefs and change therein, is experienced. This study aimed to address this gap by interviewing three adolescent learners (one female and two males aged 16 to 18) who formed part of a community-based rape prevention project at their school in Motherwell (Eastern Cape). By utilizing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the researcher explored and described lived experiences in terms of change in attitudes toward domestic violence (objective 1) and beliefs about rape myths (objective 2). Analytic attention was not restricted to the perceived influence of the attended rape prevention project but was given to broader lived experiences. The Transtheoretical Model of Change was employed as the theoretical framework. From the findings, the researcher argues that the three participants experienced a shift from the precontemplation stage toward the action stage. Participants described change from a disengaged but concerned onlooker, to a conscious onlooker, and finally to a willing agent of change. Through the interplay of change influencers deeply embedded in their social context, participants described not only individual change, but also the awakening of an internal willingness to effect broader social change. However, participants raised concerns about their ability to do so. The results of this small study with a cohort of adolescents may have important implications for future research, as adolescents are often an untapped resource in forming part of the larger movement toward social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: De Vries, Lauré
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Violence in children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Psychological aspects Women -- Violence against Children -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39436 , vital:35246
- Description: Although there is extensive research focused on decreasing the occurrence of gender-based violence (GBV) (domestic violence and rape) with a focus on underlying attitudes and beliefs, no attention is given to how these attitudes and beliefs and change therein, is experienced. This study aimed to address this gap by interviewing three adolescent learners (one female and two males aged 16 to 18) who formed part of a community-based rape prevention project at their school in Motherwell (Eastern Cape). By utilizing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the researcher explored and described lived experiences in terms of change in attitudes toward domestic violence (objective 1) and beliefs about rape myths (objective 2). Analytic attention was not restricted to the perceived influence of the attended rape prevention project but was given to broader lived experiences. The Transtheoretical Model of Change was employed as the theoretical framework. From the findings, the researcher argues that the three participants experienced a shift from the precontemplation stage toward the action stage. Participants described change from a disengaged but concerned onlooker, to a conscious onlooker, and finally to a willing agent of change. Through the interplay of change influencers deeply embedded in their social context, participants described not only individual change, but also the awakening of an internal willingness to effect broader social change. However, participants raised concerns about their ability to do so. The results of this small study with a cohort of adolescents may have important implications for future research, as adolescents are often an untapped resource in forming part of the larger movement toward social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Carbon monoxide exposure and respiratory diseases in Wells Estate and Walmer township in Port Elizabeth, South africa
- Authors: Ejesieme, Amarachi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Air -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Carbon monoxide , Respiratory organs -- Diseases , Respiratory infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39874 , vital:35496
- Description: To ascertain household exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and its associations with respiratory diseases in Port Elizabeth, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in Walmer Township and Wells Estate in Port Elizabeth. Ambient and indoor CO levels were measured in each township and compared with national and international air quality guideline. ChromAir® diffusion carbon monoxide badges were used for carbon monoxide measurement. Badges are relatively inexpensive and easy to use and results can be obtained after a 48-hour passive exposure. Exposure to CO was determined by measuring levels in the ambient environment and living rooms of study dwellings. The prevalence of respiratory diseases and symptoms were assessed using the iBhayi study questionnaire. The mean of ambient and indoor CO levels for the total sample was 8.02 (SD 2.43) and 0.68 (SD 1.23) ppm respectively. In this study, 40% of ambient CO measurements exceeded the World Health Organisation (WHO) 8-hour guideline of 8.7 ppm. The Student’s t-test showed that ambient (p = 0.59) and indoor (p = 0.16) CO levels in Walmer Township and Wells Estate were similar. This shows that CO exposure in both townships do not vary significantly. Fever and chills (32%), headache (19%) and runny/blocked nose (19%) were the most prevalent acute respiratory symptoms. The predominant respiratory diseases/conditions were tuberculosis (8.5%) and asthma (5.7%). CO at levels below the WHO 8-hour guidelines was significantly associated with the prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms (AOR = 2.286; 95% CI: 1.220 - 4.283). Ageing emerged as an independent risk factor for high tuberculosis prevalence in the study sites (AOR = 5.837; 95% CI: 1.654 – 20. 596). The study indicated low levels of carbon monoxide exposure in the study areas. From the findings, CO may be associated with an increase in respiratory symptoms in the study population. Increasing community awareness on sources and adverse health effects of CO exposure with improved service delivery will be helpful in reducing the burden of respiratory outcomes in the study sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ejesieme, Amarachi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Air -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Carbon monoxide , Respiratory organs -- Diseases , Respiratory infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39874 , vital:35496
- Description: To ascertain household exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and its associations with respiratory diseases in Port Elizabeth, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in Walmer Township and Wells Estate in Port Elizabeth. Ambient and indoor CO levels were measured in each township and compared with national and international air quality guideline. ChromAir® diffusion carbon monoxide badges were used for carbon monoxide measurement. Badges are relatively inexpensive and easy to use and results can be obtained after a 48-hour passive exposure. Exposure to CO was determined by measuring levels in the ambient environment and living rooms of study dwellings. The prevalence of respiratory diseases and symptoms were assessed using the iBhayi study questionnaire. The mean of ambient and indoor CO levels for the total sample was 8.02 (SD 2.43) and 0.68 (SD 1.23) ppm respectively. In this study, 40% of ambient CO measurements exceeded the World Health Organisation (WHO) 8-hour guideline of 8.7 ppm. The Student’s t-test showed that ambient (p = 0.59) and indoor (p = 0.16) CO levels in Walmer Township and Wells Estate were similar. This shows that CO exposure in both townships do not vary significantly. Fever and chills (32%), headache (19%) and runny/blocked nose (19%) were the most prevalent acute respiratory symptoms. The predominant respiratory diseases/conditions were tuberculosis (8.5%) and asthma (5.7%). CO at levels below the WHO 8-hour guidelines was significantly associated with the prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms (AOR = 2.286; 95% CI: 1.220 - 4.283). Ageing emerged as an independent risk factor for high tuberculosis prevalence in the study sites (AOR = 5.837; 95% CI: 1.654 – 20. 596). The study indicated low levels of carbon monoxide exposure in the study areas. From the findings, CO may be associated with an increase in respiratory symptoms in the study population. Increasing community awareness on sources and adverse health effects of CO exposure with improved service delivery will be helpful in reducing the burden of respiratory outcomes in the study sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Experiences of young adults living with type 1 diabetes mellitus regarding self-management and lifestyle adaptation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District
- Fayindlala, Meliswa Theodora
- Authors: Fayindlala, Meliswa Theodora
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Treatment , Diabetes Lifestyles -- Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39818 , vital:35476
- Description: Living with type1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which is a challenging disease, is especially difficult during the young adult stage of development. This developmental stage is characterised as complex; difficult even for healthy individuals. There is an estimated worldwide increase of 415 million young adults living with T1DM, and this number is projected to rise to 642 million by 2040. Recent statistics indicate that this increase holds true for South Africa. T1DM has an early onset and is treated with insulin injections up to four (4) times a day. The management of T1DM is best achieved through self-management of an individual living with the disease as well as support from the health care providers, community, and the family. Young adults living with T1DM experience difficulties maintaining optimal blood glucose levels, ranging between four (4) and seven (7) millimoles, during this stressful transition period from childhood to young adulthood. Transitional actions include moving away from home for the first time to study at a tertiary institution, joining the work-force, or entering new relationships, such as getting married and becoming a parent. This phenomenon motivated the researcher to explore and describe the experiences of young adults living with T1DM regarding self-management and lifestyle-adaptation. The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design. The research population included young adults living with T1DM between the ages of 18 and 25 years in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District, attending a diabetic clinic at a public tertiary hospital. Purposive sampling was utilised to select the 11 participants. A pilot study was conducted with one (1) participant before the main study commenced to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. The researcher obtained data through semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Tesch’s method was used to analyse the research data. Once data were analysed; the findings underwent literature control. Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness was utilised to ensure that the study was trustworthy and credible which consists of the following four criteria: credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability. Ethical principles such as autonomy, informed consent, beneficence, and justice were considered throughout the study to ensure that participants do not experience any violations during the research study. The results of the data analysis revealed the following main findings: Participants had negative experiences in relation to T1DM. Participants shared their experiences in relation to achieving self-management of T1DM. Recommendations were made to assist registered nurses to manage young adults living with T1DM adequately. The study achieved its intended objective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Fayindlala, Meliswa Theodora
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Treatment , Diabetes Lifestyles -- Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39818 , vital:35476
- Description: Living with type1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which is a challenging disease, is especially difficult during the young adult stage of development. This developmental stage is characterised as complex; difficult even for healthy individuals. There is an estimated worldwide increase of 415 million young adults living with T1DM, and this number is projected to rise to 642 million by 2040. Recent statistics indicate that this increase holds true for South Africa. T1DM has an early onset and is treated with insulin injections up to four (4) times a day. The management of T1DM is best achieved through self-management of an individual living with the disease as well as support from the health care providers, community, and the family. Young adults living with T1DM experience difficulties maintaining optimal blood glucose levels, ranging between four (4) and seven (7) millimoles, during this stressful transition period from childhood to young adulthood. Transitional actions include moving away from home for the first time to study at a tertiary institution, joining the work-force, or entering new relationships, such as getting married and becoming a parent. This phenomenon motivated the researcher to explore and describe the experiences of young adults living with T1DM regarding self-management and lifestyle-adaptation. The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design. The research population included young adults living with T1DM between the ages of 18 and 25 years in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District, attending a diabetic clinic at a public tertiary hospital. Purposive sampling was utilised to select the 11 participants. A pilot study was conducted with one (1) participant before the main study commenced to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. The researcher obtained data through semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Tesch’s method was used to analyse the research data. Once data were analysed; the findings underwent literature control. Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness was utilised to ensure that the study was trustworthy and credible which consists of the following four criteria: credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability. Ethical principles such as autonomy, informed consent, beneficence, and justice were considered throughout the study to ensure that participants do not experience any violations during the research study. The results of the data analysis revealed the following main findings: Participants had negative experiences in relation to T1DM. Participants shared their experiences in relation to achieving self-management of T1DM. Recommendations were made to assist registered nurses to manage young adults living with T1DM adequately. The study achieved its intended objective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Retail pharmacists’ perceptions of factors influencing the viability of practice and business in Johannesburg, Gauteng province
- Gazi, Nondumiso Sybil, Knoesen, BC
- Authors: Gazi, Nondumiso Sybil , Knoesen, BC
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pharmacists -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa -- Johannesburg -- Management Pharmacy management -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39774 , vital:35454
- Description: The practice of retail pharmacy has become burdened with service limitations directly or indirectly resulting from influences across the landscape. Influences ranging from legislative bodies to financing bodies have created pressure on retail pharmacies resulting in diminishing numbers of these health establishments. Legislative amendments relating to the ownership of pharmacies, pricing and pharmacy personnel training have had a profound effect on the pharmacy landscape as it presents to date. The dual role, (medicinal procurer and pharmaceutical caregiver), required of retail pharmacists, poses ethical and practical implications. These implications may directly affect the sustainability of retail pharmacy practice. The aim of this study was to establish the ways in which the pharmacy model is changing and how that change has been perceived by retail pharmacists in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The research design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature. The method utilised for gathering data was individual interviews with pharmacists practising as independent retail pharmacists. At least six (6) independent pharmacists who met the inclusion criteria were approached to participate in the research. Interviews continued until data saturation had been achieved. Data analysis of the transcribed interviews was performed to identify themes and sub-themes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gazi, Nondumiso Sybil , Knoesen, BC
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pharmacists -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa -- Johannesburg -- Management Pharmacy management -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39774 , vital:35454
- Description: The practice of retail pharmacy has become burdened with service limitations directly or indirectly resulting from influences across the landscape. Influences ranging from legislative bodies to financing bodies have created pressure on retail pharmacies resulting in diminishing numbers of these health establishments. Legislative amendments relating to the ownership of pharmacies, pricing and pharmacy personnel training have had a profound effect on the pharmacy landscape as it presents to date. The dual role, (medicinal procurer and pharmaceutical caregiver), required of retail pharmacists, poses ethical and practical implications. These implications may directly affect the sustainability of retail pharmacy practice. The aim of this study was to establish the ways in which the pharmacy model is changing and how that change has been perceived by retail pharmacists in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The research design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature. The method utilised for gathering data was individual interviews with pharmacists practising as independent retail pharmacists. At least six (6) independent pharmacists who met the inclusion criteria were approached to participate in the research. Interviews continued until data saturation had been achieved. Data analysis of the transcribed interviews was performed to identify themes and sub-themes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Pharmacy personnel practices with regard to the sale of non-prescription asthma medication in community pharmacies in the Eastern and Western Cape
- Gebers, Benjamin Herman Charles
- Authors: Gebers, Benjamin Herman Charles
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pharmacy -- Practice , Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa Western Cape Drug utilization Asthma
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39752 , vital:35354
- Description: Short Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) inhalers in South Africa are available to patients without a prescription from an authorised prescriber. This study utilised a mystery shopping technique to observe, record and compare the dispensing practices of pharmacy personnel, when dispensing a reliever inhaler, to the minimum requirements set out by the South African Pharmacy Council. The results of this study indicated that there was no adherence to the minimum requirements when dispensing a reliever inhaler.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gebers, Benjamin Herman Charles
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pharmacy -- Practice , Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa Western Cape Drug utilization Asthma
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39752 , vital:35354
- Description: Short Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) inhalers in South Africa are available to patients without a prescription from an authorised prescriber. This study utilised a mystery shopping technique to observe, record and compare the dispensing practices of pharmacy personnel, when dispensing a reliever inhaler, to the minimum requirements set out by the South African Pharmacy Council. The results of this study indicated that there was no adherence to the minimum requirements when dispensing a reliever inhaler.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Attachment styles, coping strategies, personal meaning, and mental health in nonclinical adults
- Authors: Gerber, Ora
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Attachment behavior -- South Africa , Mental illness -- South Africa Psychology, Applied
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30485 , vital:30950
- Description: Meaning in life can be attained through a variety of sources. A limited amount of research has investigated the association between attachment and personal meaning while no studies have investigated the association between attachment, personal meaning, and sources of meaning. The current study aimed to investigate the association between different attachment styles, personal meaning, and sources of meaning in order to develop a deeper understanding of their relationships. A quantitative exploratory-descriptive design was used to collect the data using standardized questionnaires from 226 participants. Statistical analysis of the data suggests that a secure attachment style is positively associated with personal meaning and presented with meaning sources consisting of breadth and depth. A fearful attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and sources of meaning while a preoccupied attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and presented with sources of meaning lacking in depth and breadth. No significant association was found between a dismissive attachment style and personal meaning, but associations were found with sources of meaning, including feeling financially secure, experiencing personal growth, meeting basic everyday needs, and leaving a legacy for the next generation. Recommendations for psychotherapy based on the findings of the study were offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gerber, Ora
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Attachment behavior -- South Africa , Mental illness -- South Africa Psychology, Applied
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30485 , vital:30950
- Description: Meaning in life can be attained through a variety of sources. A limited amount of research has investigated the association between attachment and personal meaning while no studies have investigated the association between attachment, personal meaning, and sources of meaning. The current study aimed to investigate the association between different attachment styles, personal meaning, and sources of meaning in order to develop a deeper understanding of their relationships. A quantitative exploratory-descriptive design was used to collect the data using standardized questionnaires from 226 participants. Statistical analysis of the data suggests that a secure attachment style is positively associated with personal meaning and presented with meaning sources consisting of breadth and depth. A fearful attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and sources of meaning while a preoccupied attachment style was associated with a lack of personal meaning and presented with sources of meaning lacking in depth and breadth. No significant association was found between a dismissive attachment style and personal meaning, but associations were found with sources of meaning, including feeling financially secure, experiencing personal growth, meeting basic everyday needs, and leaving a legacy for the next generation. Recommendations for psychotherapy based on the findings of the study were offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Development and characterisation of miconazole nitrate loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for incorporation into a vaginal mucoadhesive system
- Authors: Gwimo, Wimana Alexis
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Vaginitis , Vagina -- Diseases Sexually transmitted diseases -- Diagnosis Sexually transmitted diseases -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39632 , vital:35335
- Description: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common cause of vaginitis, affecting 75% of women of sexual maturity. The prescribed first line treatment involves the use of locally-acting imidazole creams. These conventional dosage forms possess limitations, such as leakage, messiness and low residence time at the site of application; all which promote poor patient adherence to pharmacotherapy. Poor adherence is then attributed to increased incidence of VVC reoccurrence and the emergence of Candida strains. It was, therefore, speculated that through the use of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS), the pharmacokinetic and antimicrobial characteristics of a model antifungal drug (miconazole nitrate [MNZ]) could be improved. Primary aim: To develop, optimise and characterise a mucoadhesive hydrogel incorporated with MNZ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (MNZ-SLNs) for the intended treatment of VVC. This study was conducted in three phases, viz. pre-formulation studies, development, optimisation and characterisation of MNZ-SLNs, and the development and characterisation of MNZ-SLN-loaded thermoresponsive hydrogel. An alternative method for the quantification of MNZ was developed through the use of an octyl stationary phase. The method was deemed suitable for its intended use with a linear equation of y = 811214x + 67958 and a respective limit of quantitation (LoQ) and detection of 0.015 mg/ml and 0.052 mg/ml. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies suggested that cholesterol showed great promise of facilitating high drug entrapment efficiency (EE). MNZ-SLNs were prepared by means of a novel melt- emulsification sonication and low temperature solidification method and optimised statistically by a 13-run-two-factor central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The predicted optimisation parameters were 4% m/v lipid concentration and 260.94 sonication time. Optimal MNZ-SLN formulations were prepared and characterised by means of photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and centrifugation. PCS revealed uniform particles with a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) and a mean hydrodynamic diameter (z-avg.) of 73.03 nm and zeta potential (ZP) of 38.43 mV. Percent EE was calculated via an indirect method as 75.24%. Furthermore, the MNZ -SLNs were incorporated into a mucoadhesive thermo-responsive hydrogel with a sol-gel transition temperature of 33.33 ± 2.82 °C. In vitro drug release testing (IVDRT) was undertaken with the aid of a Franz diffusion vertical cell (FDVC) apparatus. A % cumulative drug release of 27.94% and 15.87% was obtained for MNZ- SLNs and MNZ-SLN hydrogels, respectively, after eight hours. The resultant data was fitted into various kinetic models with the aid of DDSolverTM (Microsoft Excel® add-ins, 2016) to evaluate which model attained the highest correlation co-efficient (r2). Both formulations attained high r2 of 0.9941 and 0.9945, respectively, with the Korsmeyer- Peppas mathematical model. A high diffusional exponent (n) of >1 was observed, suggesting a super case II drug release mechanism. Finally, a modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay was used for ascertaining Candida albicans susceptibility to the developed formulations. Controls in the form of unloaded preparations and a commercially available cream were used. MNZ-SLNs and MNZ-hydrogel demonstrated superior antifungal activity to the commercially available cream. These results indicate that the developed MNZ-SLNloaded hydrogel formulation with localised thermo-responsive effect may be a promising carrier for intravaginal delivery of MNZ in the treatment of VVC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gwimo, Wimana Alexis
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Vaginitis , Vagina -- Diseases Sexually transmitted diseases -- Diagnosis Sexually transmitted diseases -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39632 , vital:35335
- Description: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common cause of vaginitis, affecting 75% of women of sexual maturity. The prescribed first line treatment involves the use of locally-acting imidazole creams. These conventional dosage forms possess limitations, such as leakage, messiness and low residence time at the site of application; all which promote poor patient adherence to pharmacotherapy. Poor adherence is then attributed to increased incidence of VVC reoccurrence and the emergence of Candida strains. It was, therefore, speculated that through the use of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS), the pharmacokinetic and antimicrobial characteristics of a model antifungal drug (miconazole nitrate [MNZ]) could be improved. Primary aim: To develop, optimise and characterise a mucoadhesive hydrogel incorporated with MNZ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (MNZ-SLNs) for the intended treatment of VVC. This study was conducted in three phases, viz. pre-formulation studies, development, optimisation and characterisation of MNZ-SLNs, and the development and characterisation of MNZ-SLN-loaded thermoresponsive hydrogel. An alternative method for the quantification of MNZ was developed through the use of an octyl stationary phase. The method was deemed suitable for its intended use with a linear equation of y = 811214x + 67958 and a respective limit of quantitation (LoQ) and detection of 0.015 mg/ml and 0.052 mg/ml. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies suggested that cholesterol showed great promise of facilitating high drug entrapment efficiency (EE). MNZ-SLNs were prepared by means of a novel melt- emulsification sonication and low temperature solidification method and optimised statistically by a 13-run-two-factor central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The predicted optimisation parameters were 4% m/v lipid concentration and 260.94 sonication time. Optimal MNZ-SLN formulations were prepared and characterised by means of photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and centrifugation. PCS revealed uniform particles with a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) and a mean hydrodynamic diameter (z-avg.) of 73.03 nm and zeta potential (ZP) of 38.43 mV. Percent EE was calculated via an indirect method as 75.24%. Furthermore, the MNZ -SLNs were incorporated into a mucoadhesive thermo-responsive hydrogel with a sol-gel transition temperature of 33.33 ± 2.82 °C. In vitro drug release testing (IVDRT) was undertaken with the aid of a Franz diffusion vertical cell (FDVC) apparatus. A % cumulative drug release of 27.94% and 15.87% was obtained for MNZ- SLNs and MNZ-SLN hydrogels, respectively, after eight hours. The resultant data was fitted into various kinetic models with the aid of DDSolverTM (Microsoft Excel® add-ins, 2016) to evaluate which model attained the highest correlation co-efficient (r2). Both formulations attained high r2 of 0.9941 and 0.9945, respectively, with the Korsmeyer- Peppas mathematical model. A high diffusional exponent (n) of >1 was observed, suggesting a super case II drug release mechanism. Finally, a modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay was used for ascertaining Candida albicans susceptibility to the developed formulations. Controls in the form of unloaded preparations and a commercially available cream were used. MNZ-SLNs and MNZ-hydrogel demonstrated superior antifungal activity to the commercially available cream. These results indicate that the developed MNZ-SLNloaded hydrogel formulation with localised thermo-responsive effect may be a promising carrier for intravaginal delivery of MNZ in the treatment of VVC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Growing up with a parent who has a mental illness: exploring the development of resilience
- Authors: Hannie, Robyn
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Psychology, Applied , Developmental psychology Mentally ill -- Family relationships Parenting -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42320 , vital:36645
- Description: Mental illnesses are one of the world’s greatest health challenges and fall amongst the top ten contributing factors to disability. However, mental health has been one of the least prioritised health issues. Mental illness has major implications on the economy of the country, health services as well as on the quality of patients’ lives, their relatives and society. According to research studies, parental pathology has been identified as an adversarial life experience. Despite the risks associated with growing up with a parent who has a mental illness, some individuals still function well. Current understanding of resilience is that it is a dynamic bidirectional process that is influenced, developed or constructed by individuals in relation to their environment. The understanding of resilience in this context is crucial to foster the development of resilience in young people in similar contexts. This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences and development of resilience in individuals raised by a parent who has a mental illness. It attempted to do so by conducting seven face-to-face individual interviews. Qualitative methods and specifically thematic analysis was utilised to explore participants’ development of resilience in the context of parental mental illness. The findings are represented by four broad themes: challenges of growing up with a parent who has a mental illness, social support, mental health literacy and coping strategies that helped to develop resilience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Hannie, Robyn
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Psychology, Applied , Developmental psychology Mentally ill -- Family relationships Parenting -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42320 , vital:36645
- Description: Mental illnesses are one of the world’s greatest health challenges and fall amongst the top ten contributing factors to disability. However, mental health has been one of the least prioritised health issues. Mental illness has major implications on the economy of the country, health services as well as on the quality of patients’ lives, their relatives and society. According to research studies, parental pathology has been identified as an adversarial life experience. Despite the risks associated with growing up with a parent who has a mental illness, some individuals still function well. Current understanding of resilience is that it is a dynamic bidirectional process that is influenced, developed or constructed by individuals in relation to their environment. The understanding of resilience in this context is crucial to foster the development of resilience in young people in similar contexts. This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences and development of resilience in individuals raised by a parent who has a mental illness. It attempted to do so by conducting seven face-to-face individual interviews. Qualitative methods and specifically thematic analysis was utilised to explore participants’ development of resilience in the context of parental mental illness. The findings are represented by four broad themes: challenges of growing up with a parent who has a mental illness, social support, mental health literacy and coping strategies that helped to develop resilience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An educational intervention on sepsis related to mechanical ventilation in adult public critical care units in the Eastern Cape
- Hlungwane, Emmanuel Zamokwakhe
- Authors: Hlungwane, Emmanuel Zamokwakhe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Intensive care nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Intensive care units Septicemia -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40139 , vital:35759
- Description: Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and local adult public critical care units continue to experience incidences of sepsis. Professional nurses (PNs) need to base their nursing care on sepsis guidelines in order to properly manage sepsis on a mechanically ventilated adult patient in the critical care units. Adequate knowledge on sepsis guidelines remains crucially indicative to PNs as they endeavour to maintain asepsis on a critically ill patient. The aim was to develop, review and implement an educational intervention and investigate the effect of this intervention on the professional nurses’ knowledge and practices of sepsis in mechanically ventilated patients in adult public critical care units in the Eastern Cape Province. The research study followed a positivistic, quantitative research paradigm, using a quasi-experimental pre-post-test design, with an intervention research approach conducted in three phases. A pre-test questionnaire was administered to explore and describe the knowledge and practices of professional nurses related to sepsis in the mechanically ventilated patients in the adult public critical care units (Phase One). An educational intervention was developed, reviewed, and used to implement the sepsis guideline (Phase Two). The effect of the guideline on the knowledge and practices of the professional nurses in public adult critical care units were assessed through a post-test questionnaire (Phase Three). The questionnaires (pre-and post-) were developed by the researcher to collect the relevant data and were pilot tested to ascertain validity and reliability. The educational intervention to be implemented was developed based on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines, reviewed by experts, implemented, and evaluated based on the sepsis guideline. A non-probability purposive sampling method was implemented. The intervention was implemented amongst three groups of PNs, namely experimental group one (EG1) (Powerpoint, Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines and two monitoring visits), experimental group two (EG2) (Powerpoint and Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines) and the control group (CG) (no exposure to intervention). Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire. The target population was professional nurses working in selected adult public CCUs in the Eastern Cape. Descriptive statistics, such as mean, mode and median and inferential data analysis such as ANOVA and Chi square, have been conducted with the assistance of a statistician. The pre- and post-test questionnaire results on the knowledge related to SSC guidelines revealed a means of 57.72 and 54.61, as well as standard deviations of 13.99 and 12.15 with a difference of 3.11 for EG1. For EG2, the results revealed means of 53.28 and 62.18, standard deviations of 14.39 and 13.60 with a difference of -8.89 indicating a medium difference around 0.63 standard deviation. EG2 indicated more difference of above 0.5 standard deviation as compared to EG1. The control group on the other hand had produce large effect of mean difference above 0.8 standard deviation. Although there was no statistical significance found between the knowledge score between the three groups (EG1, EG2, CG), implementing the SSC guidelines (full intervention) in EG1 had medium effect on the knowledge of PNs on MV adult patient in the CCU. For EG2, there were positive relationships between the knowledge related to SCC Guidelines and practices related to SSC Guidelines. Ethical principles such as respect for person/informed consent, beneficence, privacy, and confidentiality, as well as rigour were maintained throughout the research study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Hlungwane, Emmanuel Zamokwakhe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Intensive care nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Intensive care units Septicemia -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40139 , vital:35759
- Description: Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and local adult public critical care units continue to experience incidences of sepsis. Professional nurses (PNs) need to base their nursing care on sepsis guidelines in order to properly manage sepsis on a mechanically ventilated adult patient in the critical care units. Adequate knowledge on sepsis guidelines remains crucially indicative to PNs as they endeavour to maintain asepsis on a critically ill patient. The aim was to develop, review and implement an educational intervention and investigate the effect of this intervention on the professional nurses’ knowledge and practices of sepsis in mechanically ventilated patients in adult public critical care units in the Eastern Cape Province. The research study followed a positivistic, quantitative research paradigm, using a quasi-experimental pre-post-test design, with an intervention research approach conducted in three phases. A pre-test questionnaire was administered to explore and describe the knowledge and practices of professional nurses related to sepsis in the mechanically ventilated patients in the adult public critical care units (Phase One). An educational intervention was developed, reviewed, and used to implement the sepsis guideline (Phase Two). The effect of the guideline on the knowledge and practices of the professional nurses in public adult critical care units were assessed through a post-test questionnaire (Phase Three). The questionnaires (pre-and post-) were developed by the researcher to collect the relevant data and were pilot tested to ascertain validity and reliability. The educational intervention to be implemented was developed based on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines, reviewed by experts, implemented, and evaluated based on the sepsis guideline. A non-probability purposive sampling method was implemented. The intervention was implemented amongst three groups of PNs, namely experimental group one (EG1) (Powerpoint, Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines and two monitoring visits), experimental group two (EG2) (Powerpoint and Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines) and the control group (CG) (no exposure to intervention). Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire. The target population was professional nurses working in selected adult public CCUs in the Eastern Cape. Descriptive statistics, such as mean, mode and median and inferential data analysis such as ANOVA and Chi square, have been conducted with the assistance of a statistician. The pre- and post-test questionnaire results on the knowledge related to SSC guidelines revealed a means of 57.72 and 54.61, as well as standard deviations of 13.99 and 12.15 with a difference of 3.11 for EG1. For EG2, the results revealed means of 53.28 and 62.18, standard deviations of 14.39 and 13.60 with a difference of -8.89 indicating a medium difference around 0.63 standard deviation. EG2 indicated more difference of above 0.5 standard deviation as compared to EG1. The control group on the other hand had produce large effect of mean difference above 0.8 standard deviation. Although there was no statistical significance found between the knowledge score between the three groups (EG1, EG2, CG), implementing the SSC guidelines (full intervention) in EG1 had medium effect on the knowledge of PNs on MV adult patient in the CCU. For EG2, there were positive relationships between the knowledge related to SCC Guidelines and practices related to SSC Guidelines. Ethical principles such as respect for person/informed consent, beneficence, privacy, and confidentiality, as well as rigour were maintained throughout the research study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019