The endocannabinoid system in inflammatory bowel system
- Authors: Ababio, Frank James Kweku
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Inflammatory bowel diseases , Gastrointestinal system , Gastrointestinal system -- Diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10346 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020338
- Description: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) constitute the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which are disorders of chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract that are associated with significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden. IBD patients with long-standing intestinal inflammation are more prone to developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Until now, none of the existing IBD treatments is able to heal the mucosal ulcerations satisfactorily. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises of endogenous cannabinoid ligands, their receptors, and metabolic enzymes, has been implicated in gut homeostasis, visceral sensation, inflammation and gastrointestinal motility. Available studies in rodent models of IBD suggest that enhancing the ECS tone may reduce inflammation and improve mucosal integrity. This evidence indicates that the components of the ECS seem well positioned to exert a protective role in IBD and also to offer a great opportunity for therapeutic exploitation. Despite the role of the ECS in the gut, the presence and function of the components of the ECS is not well characterised in human IBD. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the state of the major components of the ECS in human IBD and to establish whether IBD is associated with any changes of the components of the ECS. Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, enzymes for endocannabinoid biosynthesis PLC, “LRAT”, NAPE-PLD and DAGL, and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes FAAH and MAGL were analysed from colonic tissue samples of CD, UC and control patients by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to determine the relative mRNA expression of the above genes. The RT-qPCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression of PLC, LRAT, and NAPE-PLD were unchanged in both CD and UC, whiles DAGL mRNA was decreased in UC but was unchanged in CD. The endocannabinoid degradation enzymes, FAAH mRNA expression was also unchanged in CD but decreased in UC, whereas the mRNA expression of MAGL was significantly decreased in both CD and UC. NAPE-PLD/FAAH and DAGL/MAGL ratios, an estimation of the balance of AEA and 2-AG levels, showed that AEA and 2-AG levels could be increased and unchanged, respectively, in IBD. The mRNA expression of CB1 was significantly decreased in CD and UC whilst CB2 mRNA expression was unchanged in both forms of IBD. The study demonstrated that the components of the ECS which were investigated were present in colonic tissues of both IBD patients and healthy individuals, but they appear to be off balance in CD and UC patients. The decreased CB1 receptors in IBD patients could be an important modifier in the disease and could also provide a possible pathoaetiological mechanism linking IBD and CRC. Although these findings look promising, more studies with larger sample size are required to characterise the components of the ECS in human IBD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ababio, Frank James Kweku
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Inflammatory bowel diseases , Gastrointestinal system , Gastrointestinal system -- Diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10346 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020338
- Description: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) constitute the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which are disorders of chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract that are associated with significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden. IBD patients with long-standing intestinal inflammation are more prone to developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Until now, none of the existing IBD treatments is able to heal the mucosal ulcerations satisfactorily. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises of endogenous cannabinoid ligands, their receptors, and metabolic enzymes, has been implicated in gut homeostasis, visceral sensation, inflammation and gastrointestinal motility. Available studies in rodent models of IBD suggest that enhancing the ECS tone may reduce inflammation and improve mucosal integrity. This evidence indicates that the components of the ECS seem well positioned to exert a protective role in IBD and also to offer a great opportunity for therapeutic exploitation. Despite the role of the ECS in the gut, the presence and function of the components of the ECS is not well characterised in human IBD. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the state of the major components of the ECS in human IBD and to establish whether IBD is associated with any changes of the components of the ECS. Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, enzymes for endocannabinoid biosynthesis PLC, “LRAT”, NAPE-PLD and DAGL, and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes FAAH and MAGL were analysed from colonic tissue samples of CD, UC and control patients by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to determine the relative mRNA expression of the above genes. The RT-qPCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression of PLC, LRAT, and NAPE-PLD were unchanged in both CD and UC, whiles DAGL mRNA was decreased in UC but was unchanged in CD. The endocannabinoid degradation enzymes, FAAH mRNA expression was also unchanged in CD but decreased in UC, whereas the mRNA expression of MAGL was significantly decreased in both CD and UC. NAPE-PLD/FAAH and DAGL/MAGL ratios, an estimation of the balance of AEA and 2-AG levels, showed that AEA and 2-AG levels could be increased and unchanged, respectively, in IBD. The mRNA expression of CB1 was significantly decreased in CD and UC whilst CB2 mRNA expression was unchanged in both forms of IBD. The study demonstrated that the components of the ECS which were investigated were present in colonic tissues of both IBD patients and healthy individuals, but they appear to be off balance in CD and UC patients. The decreased CB1 receptors in IBD patients could be an important modifier in the disease and could also provide a possible pathoaetiological mechanism linking IBD and CRC. Although these findings look promising, more studies with larger sample size are required to characterise the components of the ECS in human IBD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Cost comparison between repackaging bulk oral solid medicines and purchasing manufacturer-prepared patient-ready packs in the public sector in South Africa
- Authors: Abahamye, Aloysius
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Packaging -- Cost control , Business logistics -- Costs , Drugs -- Packaging , Manufacturing processes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020596 , Drugs -- Packaging
- Description: In an attempt to have medicines available in patient-ready packs (PRPs) prior to the dispensing process, the provincial medicine depots in South Africa have, for many years, been repackaging bulk medicines into PRPs. Notwithstanding the fact that bulk medicine packages may have been the only packages available from the manufacturers to service the Primary Health Care (PHC) sector, the main aim of this process was to ensure that medicines were available in PRPs for dispensing to patients, thus, minimising the time spent on each prescription by the pharmacist, pharmacist’s assistant or Nurse. Currently, some medicines are being procured in PRPs from the manufacturers, whereas others are still procured in bulk packs which must be repackaged into PRPs. After a thorough literature search, it was established that, up until this point in time, no studies have been performed to compare costs of repackaged medicines from bulk packs with costs of medicines procured from manufacturers in PRPs. There was very scanty literature comparing the use of medicines procured either in PRPs or bulk packs. However, literature on cost comparison between repackaging and purchasing of commercially available manufacturer-prepared PRPs was not identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Abahamye, Aloysius
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Packaging -- Cost control , Business logistics -- Costs , Drugs -- Packaging , Manufacturing processes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020596 , Drugs -- Packaging
- Description: In an attempt to have medicines available in patient-ready packs (PRPs) prior to the dispensing process, the provincial medicine depots in South Africa have, for many years, been repackaging bulk medicines into PRPs. Notwithstanding the fact that bulk medicine packages may have been the only packages available from the manufacturers to service the Primary Health Care (PHC) sector, the main aim of this process was to ensure that medicines were available in PRPs for dispensing to patients, thus, minimising the time spent on each prescription by the pharmacist, pharmacist’s assistant or Nurse. Currently, some medicines are being procured in PRPs from the manufacturers, whereas others are still procured in bulk packs which must be repackaged into PRPs. After a thorough literature search, it was established that, up until this point in time, no studies have been performed to compare costs of repackaged medicines from bulk packs with costs of medicines procured from manufacturers in PRPs. There was very scanty literature comparing the use of medicines procured either in PRPs or bulk packs. However, literature on cost comparison between repackaging and purchasing of commercially available manufacturer-prepared PRPs was not identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Parents' experiences of monitoring their adolescents' compliance with diversion orders
- Authors: Abdulla, Zurina
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquents , Juvenile delinquents -- Family relationships -- South Africa , Juvenile justice, Administration of -- South Africa , Parent and child
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10006 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020090
- Description: The increased incidence of children committing crime and the realisation that the existing legislature dealing with offenders failed to cater for the rights and needs of child offenders gave rise to the introduction of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008. This Act enables the South African criminal justice system to deal with children in a manner appropriate to their developmental stage. One of the initiatives introduced by the Act is termed ‘diversion’, where children are diverted from the criminal justice system into restorative developmental programmes, offered by organisations such as NICRO (National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders). Their parents or guardians are tasked with the responsibility of monitoring their compliance with the diversion order in terms of Section 24(5) of the aforementioned Act. The monitoring responsibility assigned to the parents of diverted adolescents prompted the research question and aim of this study, namely to explore parents’ experiences in monitoring their adolescents’ compliance with diversion orders and to identify service needs in supporting parents in fulfilling their role as stipulated in the Act. This was a qualitative study that was exploratory-descriptive and contextual in nature. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was employed to identify the parents or guardians of adolescents aged 14 to 17 years that had been diverted to NICRO between June 2011 and June 2012. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the selected parents, and the data collected was analysed using thematic data analysis. The trustworthiness of the research process and the findings was enhanced by employing a variety of data verification strategies. This research contributes to a greater understanding of parents’ monitoring experiences of their adolescents’ compliance with diversion orders. The study revealed that most parents experienced their role as an additional responsibility; they needed access to counseling and information on the child justice process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Abdulla, Zurina
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquents , Juvenile delinquents -- Family relationships -- South Africa , Juvenile justice, Administration of -- South Africa , Parent and child
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10006 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020090
- Description: The increased incidence of children committing crime and the realisation that the existing legislature dealing with offenders failed to cater for the rights and needs of child offenders gave rise to the introduction of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008. This Act enables the South African criminal justice system to deal with children in a manner appropriate to their developmental stage. One of the initiatives introduced by the Act is termed ‘diversion’, where children are diverted from the criminal justice system into restorative developmental programmes, offered by organisations such as NICRO (National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders). Their parents or guardians are tasked with the responsibility of monitoring their compliance with the diversion order in terms of Section 24(5) of the aforementioned Act. The monitoring responsibility assigned to the parents of diverted adolescents prompted the research question and aim of this study, namely to explore parents’ experiences in monitoring their adolescents’ compliance with diversion orders and to identify service needs in supporting parents in fulfilling their role as stipulated in the Act. This was a qualitative study that was exploratory-descriptive and contextual in nature. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was employed to identify the parents or guardians of adolescents aged 14 to 17 years that had been diverted to NICRO between June 2011 and June 2012. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the selected parents, and the data collected was analysed using thematic data analysis. The trustworthiness of the research process and the findings was enhanced by employing a variety of data verification strategies. This research contributes to a greater understanding of parents’ monitoring experiences of their adolescents’ compliance with diversion orders. The study revealed that most parents experienced their role as an additional responsibility; they needed access to counseling and information on the child justice process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Strengths that contribute towards resilience in the early years of marriage
- Authors: Aboagye, Lauren Lee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Marriage -- Interpersonal relations , Marriage -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Resilience (Personality trait) , Communication in marriage , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1667 , Marriage -- Interpersonal relations , Marriage -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Resilience (Personality trait) , Communication in marriage , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Description: Divorce is a common phenomenon in South Africa, affecting many families across the country. On the other hand, there are many couples who choose to remain married, despite having endured significant stress. In a review of literature there have been studies conducted exploring enduring marriages (marriages that have lasted twenty years or more), but little on resilience in the early years of marriage. With many couples choosing to divorce within the first ten years of marriage, there is value in exploring the strengths of young marriages that contribute towards resilience. The following question then arises: what are the stressors that couples experience during the early years of marriage (under ten years) and how does the way they cope with these challenges enhance resilience in their marriages? This question has resulted in this qualitative study, employing an exploratory descriptive and contextual research design with the aim of exploring the strengths that contribute towards resilience in the early years of marriage. The study is based within the framework of positive psychology, as this facilitates the exploration of the factors that have contributed towards the resilience of the couples that were interviewed. A non-probability, purposive sampling technique was employed to obtain research participants. Data was collected through the use of individual semistructured interviews conducted with five couples (ten individuals) who have been married for ten years or less, have endured significant stress, have chosen to remain married, and experience their relationship as satisfying. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. The results of the study may be used to develop a strengths based-intervention programme for couples in the early years of marriage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Aboagye, Lauren Lee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Marriage -- Interpersonal relations , Marriage -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Resilience (Personality trait) , Communication in marriage , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1667 , Marriage -- Interpersonal relations , Marriage -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Resilience (Personality trait) , Communication in marriage , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Description: Divorce is a common phenomenon in South Africa, affecting many families across the country. On the other hand, there are many couples who choose to remain married, despite having endured significant stress. In a review of literature there have been studies conducted exploring enduring marriages (marriages that have lasted twenty years or more), but little on resilience in the early years of marriage. With many couples choosing to divorce within the first ten years of marriage, there is value in exploring the strengths of young marriages that contribute towards resilience. The following question then arises: what are the stressors that couples experience during the early years of marriage (under ten years) and how does the way they cope with these challenges enhance resilience in their marriages? This question has resulted in this qualitative study, employing an exploratory descriptive and contextual research design with the aim of exploring the strengths that contribute towards resilience in the early years of marriage. The study is based within the framework of positive psychology, as this facilitates the exploration of the factors that have contributed towards the resilience of the couples that were interviewed. A non-probability, purposive sampling technique was employed to obtain research participants. Data was collected through the use of individual semistructured interviews conducted with five couples (ten individuals) who have been married for ten years or less, have endured significant stress, have chosen to remain married, and experience their relationship as satisfying. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. The results of the study may be used to develop a strengths based-intervention programme for couples in the early years of marriage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Family interaction patterns in maternal alcohol abuse: an application of Murray Bowen's family system theory
- Authors: Abraham, Hanlie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Family psychotherapy , Social psychology Bowen, Murray, -- 1913-1990 Women -- Alcohol use Alcoholism -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13669 , vital:27293
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the intergenerational interactional patterns in a Coloured family where the mother has abused alcohol. Researchers have found that drinking behaviours of parents can have major effects on the children’s lives throughout generations. Substance abuse of a parent has major influences on the family, their interactions, and relationships, mostly between the parent and the child. There is a major gap in the study of the Coloured families and how substance abuse affects their families and children. The study employed Bowen’s constructs of differentiation of self, multigenerational transmission process, triangulation, emotional cut-off, nuclear family emotional system, sibling position, family projection process, and societal regression and utilized analytical generalization of the concepts to achieve its aim. The mother, an older sibling and maternal mother were the main sources of data although the perspective of the mother herself was privileged in the study. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to gather the data. This allowed participants to freely narrate their personal perceptions and experiences of interaction in both the family of origin and the current nuclear family. The research used a single case study of a purposively sampled family. The researcher is a Coloured female who had specific interest in this specific cultural group and their interactional patterns, which optimised cultural familiarity during the research process and reduced the likelihood of potential discriminatory racial bias of the participants. The findings demonstrate that perceptions of interactional patterns in the nuclear family and family of origin coincided with certain of Bowen’s Family Systems concepts, particularly, triangulation and differentiation. However, the need for further exploration of concepts such as the nuclear family emotional system and the family projection process in Coloured families are still needed in future studies. The findings provided insight into the functioning of the relationships and FAMILY INTERACTION IN MATERNAL ALCOHOL ABUSE interactions in both the nuclear family and the family of origin. Limitations of the current study are identified and recommendations for future studies in this field are also offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Abraham, Hanlie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Family psychotherapy , Social psychology Bowen, Murray, -- 1913-1990 Women -- Alcohol use Alcoholism -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13669 , vital:27293
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the intergenerational interactional patterns in a Coloured family where the mother has abused alcohol. Researchers have found that drinking behaviours of parents can have major effects on the children’s lives throughout generations. Substance abuse of a parent has major influences on the family, their interactions, and relationships, mostly between the parent and the child. There is a major gap in the study of the Coloured families and how substance abuse affects their families and children. The study employed Bowen’s constructs of differentiation of self, multigenerational transmission process, triangulation, emotional cut-off, nuclear family emotional system, sibling position, family projection process, and societal regression and utilized analytical generalization of the concepts to achieve its aim. The mother, an older sibling and maternal mother were the main sources of data although the perspective of the mother herself was privileged in the study. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to gather the data. This allowed participants to freely narrate their personal perceptions and experiences of interaction in both the family of origin and the current nuclear family. The research used a single case study of a purposively sampled family. The researcher is a Coloured female who had specific interest in this specific cultural group and their interactional patterns, which optimised cultural familiarity during the research process and reduced the likelihood of potential discriminatory racial bias of the participants. The findings demonstrate that perceptions of interactional patterns in the nuclear family and family of origin coincided with certain of Bowen’s Family Systems concepts, particularly, triangulation and differentiation. However, the need for further exploration of concepts such as the nuclear family emotional system and the family projection process in Coloured families are still needed in future studies. The findings provided insight into the functioning of the relationships and FAMILY INTERACTION IN MATERNAL ALCOHOL ABUSE interactions in both the nuclear family and the family of origin. Limitations of the current study are identified and recommendations for future studies in this field are also offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An exploration of collaborative group work with science students
- Authors: Adams, Aadiel
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Group work in education , Educational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/392 , Science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Group work in education , Educational change -- South Africa
- Description: Part of the transformation of education in South Africa emphasises the need to address historical barriers that have been impeding access into institutions of learning, and the need for empowering stakeholders democratically. Improving institutional responsiveness and focusing on Science, Technology, and Engineering and increasing the number of university graduates are amongst the more prominent strategies for changing the educational, socioeconomic, and political landscape within a global context. This research, as the first cycle of an action research project, explores collaborative group work with a group of science students at a Vista University campus (that is now part of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) as a contribution to institutional, professional, and personal responsiveness. The treatise traces my development as a novice researcher within an evolving action research context that became a terrain for facilitating a collaborative approach to learning. I describe my personal experience and the experiences of my co-researchers as collaborative partners, the systemic influences considered during the study, and the process of action research that encouraged movement from feelings of apprehension and inadequacy to feelings of anticipation and excitement regarding collaborative interactive learning and development opportunities. For the co-researchers and me an action research process in an interpretivist paradigm was not just suited to an exploration of collaboration, but also evolved into a vehicle for interactive teaching and learning, in a collaborative and student-centred way. Giving voice and being listened to, having perspectives validated, engaging in learning that could accompany academic and personal growth, and an acute sense of being empowered are ingredients that participants, and institutions of learning, can continue building on and building with along evolving spirals of life-long learning and meaning making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Adams, Aadiel
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Group work in education , Educational change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/392 , Science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Group work in education , Educational change -- South Africa
- Description: Part of the transformation of education in South Africa emphasises the need to address historical barriers that have been impeding access into institutions of learning, and the need for empowering stakeholders democratically. Improving institutional responsiveness and focusing on Science, Technology, and Engineering and increasing the number of university graduates are amongst the more prominent strategies for changing the educational, socioeconomic, and political landscape within a global context. This research, as the first cycle of an action research project, explores collaborative group work with a group of science students at a Vista University campus (that is now part of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) as a contribution to institutional, professional, and personal responsiveness. The treatise traces my development as a novice researcher within an evolving action research context that became a terrain for facilitating a collaborative approach to learning. I describe my personal experience and the experiences of my co-researchers as collaborative partners, the systemic influences considered during the study, and the process of action research that encouraged movement from feelings of apprehension and inadequacy to feelings of anticipation and excitement regarding collaborative interactive learning and development opportunities. For the co-researchers and me an action research process in an interpretivist paradigm was not just suited to an exploration of collaboration, but also evolved into a vehicle for interactive teaching and learning, in a collaborative and student-centred way. Giving voice and being listened to, having perspectives validated, engaging in learning that could accompany academic and personal growth, and an acute sense of being empowered are ingredients that participants, and institutions of learning, can continue building on and building with along evolving spirals of life-long learning and meaning making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The experiences of registered nurses' of their work environment in a critical care unit
- Authors: Adams, Bernardene Lucreshia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Intensive care nursing -- South Africa , Intensive care units , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1057 , Intensive care nursing -- South Africa , Intensive care units , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Description: Critical care nursing is a vital and significant part of health care provision to critically ill patients. It is a specialty area of nursing that requires registered nurses who are highly motivated, knowledgeable and skilled to provide optimal care to critically ill patients. These patients are nursed in a complex environment consisting of specialised equipment (such as ventilators, defibrillators, intravenous pumps, and cardiac monitors) that is not found in any other field of nursing. Collegial support and an adequate registered nurse: patient ratio is vital in critical care units in order to provide optimal quality care to critically ill patients. However, an understaffed work environment, the demands of critical care nursing and other work-related problems, such as conflict with physicians, inadequate remuneration packages and an increased workload can cause serious distress and dissatisfaction amongst registered nurses in this specific environment (Carayon & Gürses, 2005:287). The objectives of this study therefore are to explore and describe the experiences of registered nurses of their work environment in a critical care unit and to make recommendations that will assist registered nurses working in a critical care unit. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design will be utilised. Data will be collected by means of semi-structured interviews and analysed according to the framework provided by Tesch (in Cresswell, 2003:192). Purposive sampling will be used to select a sample of registered nurses working in a critical care environment. Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991) will be utilised to verify data and to ensure trustworthiness of the study. Ethical considerations will be adhered to throughout the study. Once data has been analysed, recommendations will be made that will assist registered nurses working in a critical care unit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Adams, Bernardene Lucreshia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Intensive care nursing -- South Africa , Intensive care units , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1057 , Intensive care nursing -- South Africa , Intensive care units , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Description: Critical care nursing is a vital and significant part of health care provision to critically ill patients. It is a specialty area of nursing that requires registered nurses who are highly motivated, knowledgeable and skilled to provide optimal care to critically ill patients. These patients are nursed in a complex environment consisting of specialised equipment (such as ventilators, defibrillators, intravenous pumps, and cardiac monitors) that is not found in any other field of nursing. Collegial support and an adequate registered nurse: patient ratio is vital in critical care units in order to provide optimal quality care to critically ill patients. However, an understaffed work environment, the demands of critical care nursing and other work-related problems, such as conflict with physicians, inadequate remuneration packages and an increased workload can cause serious distress and dissatisfaction amongst registered nurses in this specific environment (Carayon & Gürses, 2005:287). The objectives of this study therefore are to explore and describe the experiences of registered nurses of their work environment in a critical care unit and to make recommendations that will assist registered nurses working in a critical care unit. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design will be utilised. Data will be collected by means of semi-structured interviews and analysed according to the framework provided by Tesch (in Cresswell, 2003:192). Purposive sampling will be used to select a sample of registered nurses working in a critical care environment. Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991) will be utilised to verify data and to ensure trustworthiness of the study. Ethical considerations will be adhered to throughout the study. Once data has been analysed, recommendations will be made that will assist registered nurses working in a critical care unit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
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
Screening for cardiometabolic risk factors among commercial drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Adedokun, Aanuoluwa Odunayo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Diabetes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Commercial vehicles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Nursing Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10431 , vital:35463
- Description: Cardio-metabolic risk factors are the aggregates of conditions that increase the susceptibility of developing cardio-metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. This includes insulin resistance, obesity, hyperglyceamia, dyslipoproteinemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertension. This condition are worsen by smoking and physical inactivity as they mostlyare not easily detected. This was a cross-sectional survey of 403 commercial taxi drivers at ten different taxi ranks in BCMM. The study utilized a convenient sampling technique for the participants of the study. The WHO STEPwise approach was used for data collection. The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used for a face-to-face interview. Socio-demographic (sex, age, marital status, driving experience, income) and behavioural characteristics (smoking, alcohol consumption, consumption of sweet drinks, physical activity, and dietary intake) of participants were obtained. Also, objective reports concerning anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumference), blood pressure and biochemical measurement that is the blood glucose measurement. All anthropometric measurements were taken following a standard procedure using a Lufkin nonextensible flexible anthropometric tape (W606PM), Rosscraft, Canada and a SECA weighing scale and stadiometer (Hamburg, Germany). Blood pressure was checked also in accordance with standard protocols using a Medic+ Digital Blood Pressure Monitor Model 1219 (Hamburg, Germany). A validated ACCU-CHEK glucose monitoring apparatus (Mannheim, Germany) wasused for blood glucose measurement. Overweight and obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2 –29.9 kg/m2 and≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively. Pre-hypertension was defined according JNC-8 criteria a systolic blood pressure of 120- 139 mmHg and diastolic of BP 80-89 mmHg while hypertension was defined as an average of two systolic BP ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP of ≥90mmHg or a history of hypertension or anti hypertensive medication use. Diabetes status was determined using the fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and defined as a FBG ≥ 7.0mmol/L or self-reports of history or current diabetes medication use (treatment), while pre-diabetes was defined as a FBG of 5.6-6.9mmol/L. Awareness of diabetes was defined as self-reported history of diabetes among the people with diabetes. Metabolic syndrome status was determined according to the National agreement among makers of abdominal obesity. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The mean age of the participants was 43.3 (SD12.5) years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34.0 percent and 38.0 percent, respectively. Age, marital status, period of driving, not-smoking, hypertension and diabetes were significantly associated with obesity. In logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, only age (OR 1.6, CI 1.0-2.7), hypertension (OR 3.6, CI 2.3-5.7) and non-smoking (OR 2.0, CI 1.3-3.1) were the independent and significant determinants of obesity. The prevalence rates of abdominal obesity by waist circumference (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and neck circumference (NC) were 61.5 percent, 67.5 percent, 80.1 percent and 65.3 percent, respectively. A strong correlations exists between WHR and WC (>0.64); and WHtR and WC (>0.62). There exists a good agreement between WC and WHR. Also, a moderate agreement exists between WC and WHtR, WC and NC, WHR and WHtR, and WHtR and NC. The prevalence of above normal body composition for participants with hypertension was 71.0 percent, 65.9 percent, 63.2 percent and 66.5 percent by WC, WHR, WHtR and NC, respectively. For diabetes, the prevalence was 20.6 percent, 19.4 percent, 17.0 percent and 18.6 percent by WC, WHR, WHtR and NC, respectively. Waist circumference was a stronger predictor of hypertension and diabetics, with odds ratio of 3.7 (95 percent CI: 2.3-6.1 and 3.1 (95 percent CI: 1.6-6.0), compared to NC, with odds ratio of 1.7 (95 percent CI: 1.1-2.8). The prevalence of pre-hypertension was 33.7 percent and hypertension was 57.0 percent. Age, marital status, level of education, period of driving, obesity, alcohol, sweet drinks consumption and diabetes were significantly associated with hypertension. After adjusting for confounders, age >35 years (P=0.004), obesity and alcohol use (P<0.001), period of driving >5years (p=0.028) and diabetes (P=0.003) were significant predictors of hypertension. Prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes was 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Of those who were diabetic (n=63), the majority were aware of their diabetes status (n=43) and were on treatment (n=30). Age, marital status, level of education, period of driving, obesity, sweet drinks consumption, physical activities and hypertension were significantly associated with diabetes. Only age >35 (AOR= 3.6, CI 1.2-11.1), ever married (AOR= 3.3, CI 1.5-7.0) and hypertension (AOR= 3.4, CI 1.7-6.8) were the independent predictors of diabetes after adjusting for confounders. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 22 percent. Age, marital status, level of education, physical inactivity and period of driving were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for confounders, only age above 35 years (Adjusted Odd Ratio [AOR] =3.8, CI=1.4- 9.5), ever married (AOR=3.0, CI=1.6-5.3) and period of driving above five years (AOR= 2.4, CI=1.2-4.7) were the significant and independent predictors of metabolic syndrome. About 30 percent of the participants were daily smokers, 37 percent consume alcohol regularly and only 18 percent were physically active, while 82 percent were physically inactive. In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes among the commercial drivers in this setting, which is associated with unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity). Interventions aimed at promoting cardiovascular health of commercial drivers such as health education and workplace screening, should prioritize weight reduction, healthy eating and physical activity in this population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adedokun, Aanuoluwa Odunayo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Diabetes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Commercial vehicles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Nursing Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10431 , vital:35463
- Description: Cardio-metabolic risk factors are the aggregates of conditions that increase the susceptibility of developing cardio-metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. This includes insulin resistance, obesity, hyperglyceamia, dyslipoproteinemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertension. This condition are worsen by smoking and physical inactivity as they mostlyare not easily detected. This was a cross-sectional survey of 403 commercial taxi drivers at ten different taxi ranks in BCMM. The study utilized a convenient sampling technique for the participants of the study. The WHO STEPwise approach was used for data collection. The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used for a face-to-face interview. Socio-demographic (sex, age, marital status, driving experience, income) and behavioural characteristics (smoking, alcohol consumption, consumption of sweet drinks, physical activity, and dietary intake) of participants were obtained. Also, objective reports concerning anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumference), blood pressure and biochemical measurement that is the blood glucose measurement. All anthropometric measurements were taken following a standard procedure using a Lufkin nonextensible flexible anthropometric tape (W606PM), Rosscraft, Canada and a SECA weighing scale and stadiometer (Hamburg, Germany). Blood pressure was checked also in accordance with standard protocols using a Medic+ Digital Blood Pressure Monitor Model 1219 (Hamburg, Germany). A validated ACCU-CHEK glucose monitoring apparatus (Mannheim, Germany) wasused for blood glucose measurement. Overweight and obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2 –29.9 kg/m2 and≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively. Pre-hypertension was defined according JNC-8 criteria a systolic blood pressure of 120- 139 mmHg and diastolic of BP 80-89 mmHg while hypertension was defined as an average of two systolic BP ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP of ≥90mmHg or a history of hypertension or anti hypertensive medication use. Diabetes status was determined using the fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and defined as a FBG ≥ 7.0mmol/L or self-reports of history or current diabetes medication use (treatment), while pre-diabetes was defined as a FBG of 5.6-6.9mmol/L. Awareness of diabetes was defined as self-reported history of diabetes among the people with diabetes. Metabolic syndrome status was determined according to the National agreement among makers of abdominal obesity. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The mean age of the participants was 43.3 (SD12.5) years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34.0 percent and 38.0 percent, respectively. Age, marital status, period of driving, not-smoking, hypertension and diabetes were significantly associated with obesity. In logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, only age (OR 1.6, CI 1.0-2.7), hypertension (OR 3.6, CI 2.3-5.7) and non-smoking (OR 2.0, CI 1.3-3.1) were the independent and significant determinants of obesity. The prevalence rates of abdominal obesity by waist circumference (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and neck circumference (NC) were 61.5 percent, 67.5 percent, 80.1 percent and 65.3 percent, respectively. A strong correlations exists between WHR and WC (>0.64); and WHtR and WC (>0.62). There exists a good agreement between WC and WHR. Also, a moderate agreement exists between WC and WHtR, WC and NC, WHR and WHtR, and WHtR and NC. The prevalence of above normal body composition for participants with hypertension was 71.0 percent, 65.9 percent, 63.2 percent and 66.5 percent by WC, WHR, WHtR and NC, respectively. For diabetes, the prevalence was 20.6 percent, 19.4 percent, 17.0 percent and 18.6 percent by WC, WHR, WHtR and NC, respectively. Waist circumference was a stronger predictor of hypertension and diabetics, with odds ratio of 3.7 (95 percent CI: 2.3-6.1 and 3.1 (95 percent CI: 1.6-6.0), compared to NC, with odds ratio of 1.7 (95 percent CI: 1.1-2.8). The prevalence of pre-hypertension was 33.7 percent and hypertension was 57.0 percent. Age, marital status, level of education, period of driving, obesity, alcohol, sweet drinks consumption and diabetes were significantly associated with hypertension. After adjusting for confounders, age >35 years (P=0.004), obesity and alcohol use (P<0.001), period of driving >5years (p=0.028) and diabetes (P=0.003) were significant predictors of hypertension. Prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes was 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Of those who were diabetic (n=63), the majority were aware of their diabetes status (n=43) and were on treatment (n=30). Age, marital status, level of education, period of driving, obesity, sweet drinks consumption, physical activities and hypertension were significantly associated with diabetes. Only age >35 (AOR= 3.6, CI 1.2-11.1), ever married (AOR= 3.3, CI 1.5-7.0) and hypertension (AOR= 3.4, CI 1.7-6.8) were the independent predictors of diabetes after adjusting for confounders. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 22 percent. Age, marital status, level of education, physical inactivity and period of driving were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for confounders, only age above 35 years (Adjusted Odd Ratio [AOR] =3.8, CI=1.4- 9.5), ever married (AOR=3.0, CI=1.6-5.3) and period of driving above five years (AOR= 2.4, CI=1.2-4.7) were the significant and independent predictors of metabolic syndrome. About 30 percent of the participants were daily smokers, 37 percent consume alcohol regularly and only 18 percent were physically active, while 82 percent were physically inactive. In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes among the commercial drivers in this setting, which is associated with unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity). Interventions aimed at promoting cardiovascular health of commercial drivers such as health education and workplace screening, should prioritize weight reduction, healthy eating and physical activity in this population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Perspectives of managers regarding the effectiveness of programmes at Nerina one stop youth justice centre for addressing yout re-offending
- Authors: Agaba, Gary
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Recidivists -- South Africa , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa , Programmed instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1460 , Recidivists -- South Africa , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa , Programmed instruction -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore and describe causes of re-offending and the management’s perspective of the effectiveness of programmes being implemented at Nerina One Stop Youth Justice Centre in dealing with re-offenders. Youth re-offending involves breaking of the law and crime. Offending if repeated then develops to be re-offending which is the breaking of the law more than once and this is a dilemma in South Africa as the increase of crime is a challenging issue. A qualitative approach was utilized following an exploratory, descriptive research design as the researcher sought to understand the perspective of the managers at Nerina regarding causes of re-offending and the effectiveness of the intervention programmes aimed at addressing this phenomenon. The researcher conducted face to face interviews with the mangers at Nerina One Stop Youth Justice Centre. For the purpose of this study the population was the total complement of the management staff at the One Stop Youth Justice Centre, this included the personnel of the departments of Justice, Social Development, and South African Police Service who are all involved in rendering services at Nerina. The method of data collection was one on one semi structured interviews and data analysis undertaken according to the steps for qualitative data analysis as proposed by Tesch in Creswell (1994). Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991) was employed for assessing the trustworthiness of the qualitative data. Some of the important findings included the causes of re-offending which included loss of parents, alcohol and drug abuse, inadequate parent role, role of peers and inadequate facilities. Further more from the study suggestions for improving programmes at the One Stop Youth Justice Center were discussed and these include involvement of community, involve more role players, training staff and increasing staff.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Agaba, Gary
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Recidivists -- South Africa , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa , Programmed instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1460 , Recidivists -- South Africa , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa , Programmed instruction -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore and describe causes of re-offending and the management’s perspective of the effectiveness of programmes being implemented at Nerina One Stop Youth Justice Centre in dealing with re-offenders. Youth re-offending involves breaking of the law and crime. Offending if repeated then develops to be re-offending which is the breaking of the law more than once and this is a dilemma in South Africa as the increase of crime is a challenging issue. A qualitative approach was utilized following an exploratory, descriptive research design as the researcher sought to understand the perspective of the managers at Nerina regarding causes of re-offending and the effectiveness of the intervention programmes aimed at addressing this phenomenon. The researcher conducted face to face interviews with the mangers at Nerina One Stop Youth Justice Centre. For the purpose of this study the population was the total complement of the management staff at the One Stop Youth Justice Centre, this included the personnel of the departments of Justice, Social Development, and South African Police Service who are all involved in rendering services at Nerina. The method of data collection was one on one semi structured interviews and data analysis undertaken according to the steps for qualitative data analysis as proposed by Tesch in Creswell (1994). Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991) was employed for assessing the trustworthiness of the qualitative data. Some of the important findings included the causes of re-offending which included loss of parents, alcohol and drug abuse, inadequate parent role, role of peers and inadequate facilities. Further more from the study suggestions for improving programmes at the One Stop Youth Justice Center were discussed and these include involvement of community, involve more role players, training staff and increasing staff.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Exploring and describing depressogenic cognitive schema, levels of depression and hopelessness among depressed and non depressed adults
- Authors: Ahlfeldt, Alan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Depression, Mental -- South Africa , Depressed persons -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/393 , Depression, Mental -- South Africa , Depressed persons -- South Africa
- Description: The subject of mood disorders and in particular depression is pertinent with rapidly increasing incidences of depression and suicide a widespread phenomenon in the world today. In South Africa, the rates of depression are increasing steadily each year. Much research has been undertaken in the area of depression, with negative cognitive schema identified as a common factor, which increases an individual’s vulnerability or diathesis to depression and hopelessness. The primary aims of this research are to explore and describe the depressogenic cognitive schema of both a depressed as well as normal (nondepressed) individuals and identify the relationship these schema have to levels of depression and hopelessness. In order to achieve these objectives, three measures were administered, the Beck’s Depression Inventory, the Beck’s Hopelessness Scale and the Inferential Style Questionnaire. The research design is quantitative in nature and took the form of an exploratory-descriptive study. The researcher made use of frequency tests to identify frequencies of scores and descriptive statistics to identify the mean, range and standard deviations. T tests, a Pearson product- moment correlation coefficient and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) were also employed for statistical analysis within this research study. The findings of this research study identify that the depressed sample scored higher levels of depression, hopelessness and negative inferential style than that of the normal sample.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Ahlfeldt, Alan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Depression, Mental -- South Africa , Depressed persons -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/393 , Depression, Mental -- South Africa , Depressed persons -- South Africa
- Description: The subject of mood disorders and in particular depression is pertinent with rapidly increasing incidences of depression and suicide a widespread phenomenon in the world today. In South Africa, the rates of depression are increasing steadily each year. Much research has been undertaken in the area of depression, with negative cognitive schema identified as a common factor, which increases an individual’s vulnerability or diathesis to depression and hopelessness. The primary aims of this research are to explore and describe the depressogenic cognitive schema of both a depressed as well as normal (nondepressed) individuals and identify the relationship these schema have to levels of depression and hopelessness. In order to achieve these objectives, three measures were administered, the Beck’s Depression Inventory, the Beck’s Hopelessness Scale and the Inferential Style Questionnaire. The research design is quantitative in nature and took the form of an exploratory-descriptive study. The researcher made use of frequency tests to identify frequencies of scores and descriptive statistics to identify the mean, range and standard deviations. T tests, a Pearson product- moment correlation coefficient and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) were also employed for statistical analysis within this research study. The findings of this research study identify that the depressed sample scored higher levels of depression, hopelessness and negative inferential style than that of the normal sample.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
An educational intervention for professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in the operating theatres
- Authors: Alayemi, Joshua
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Surgical wound infections -- Prevention , Surgical nursing Operating room nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47937 , vital:40454
- Description: Infection control and prevention is an issue that is of utmost importance to every health practitioner, including professional nurses, as patients who undergo surgeries could develop sepsis, leading to failure of multiple organs and possibly death. Surgical site infections acquired from operating theatres are often introduced when there is lack of application of and adherence to the necessary control measures, sterile principles and techniques, including the appropriate use of surgical attire. This study aimed to contextualize, implement and evaluate an existing educational intervention regarding the use of surgical attire in operating theatres, in order to establish whether the educational intervention enhanced the practices of professional nurses in operating theatres regarding the use of surgical attire. A quantitative research design, using a quasi-experimental two-group pre-test, post-test intervention approach was employed for the study. The study consisted of three phases. Phase 1 consisted of the administration of the pre-test questionnaire relating to Objective One: “To explore and describe the practices of professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres”. Phase 2 consisted of the contextualization and implementation of the educational intervention, which related to Objective Two: “To contextualize and implement an educational intervention for professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres”. Phase 3 consisted of the administration of the posttest questionnaire, which related to Objective Three: “To evaluate whether an educational intervention regarding the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres enhanced professional nurses’ practices”. The study is underpinned by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation (PARiHS) framework. The research sample consisted of all professional nurses working in the public and private operating theatres in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Purposive sampling was used to select the hospitals in control (Hospitals 2 and 3) and intervention groups (Hospitals 4 and 5), ensuring an equal number of public and private hospitals in each group. Data was collected through self-administered pre- and post-questionnaires. An existing educational intervention based on the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN’s) guidelines was contextualized through review by three professional nurses with a specialty in operating theatre. The educational intervention was implemented for the intervention group, while the control group only received the summary of the AORN guidelines. Reliability and validity were ensured through the conduct of a pilot study, and expert review by three professional nurses with a specialty in operating theatre in order to check the validity and reliability of the data collection instrument and educational intervention. The data collection instrument was also reviewed by a statistician. Ethical clearance and permission was obtained from the relevant institutions. The following ethical principles were adhered to during the study: justice, respect and beneficence. The overall score of pre-test and post-test questionnaires for the control group revealed means of 3.96 and 4.01, with a standard deviation of 0.40 and 0.38, with a difference of -0.06 and a degree of freedom of 59. The overall score of the pre-test and post-test of the intervention group revealed means of 3.68 and 4.22, a standard deviation of 0.47 and 0.36, with a difference of -0.53, degree of freedom of 61 and a large significance difference of Cohen’s d= 1.26. This means that the educational intervention had a positive effect in terms of improving the professional nurses’ practices on the use of surgical attire to prevent surgical site infections in operating theatres. Recommendations for education, practice as well as future research were provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Alayemi, Joshua
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Surgical wound infections -- Prevention , Surgical nursing Operating room nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47937 , vital:40454
- Description: Infection control and prevention is an issue that is of utmost importance to every health practitioner, including professional nurses, as patients who undergo surgeries could develop sepsis, leading to failure of multiple organs and possibly death. Surgical site infections acquired from operating theatres are often introduced when there is lack of application of and adherence to the necessary control measures, sterile principles and techniques, including the appropriate use of surgical attire. This study aimed to contextualize, implement and evaluate an existing educational intervention regarding the use of surgical attire in operating theatres, in order to establish whether the educational intervention enhanced the practices of professional nurses in operating theatres regarding the use of surgical attire. A quantitative research design, using a quasi-experimental two-group pre-test, post-test intervention approach was employed for the study. The study consisted of three phases. Phase 1 consisted of the administration of the pre-test questionnaire relating to Objective One: “To explore and describe the practices of professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres”. Phase 2 consisted of the contextualization and implementation of the educational intervention, which related to Objective Two: “To contextualize and implement an educational intervention for professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres”. Phase 3 consisted of the administration of the posttest questionnaire, which related to Objective Three: “To evaluate whether an educational intervention regarding the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres enhanced professional nurses’ practices”. The study is underpinned by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation (PARiHS) framework. The research sample consisted of all professional nurses working in the public and private operating theatres in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Purposive sampling was used to select the hospitals in control (Hospitals 2 and 3) and intervention groups (Hospitals 4 and 5), ensuring an equal number of public and private hospitals in each group. Data was collected through self-administered pre- and post-questionnaires. An existing educational intervention based on the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN’s) guidelines was contextualized through review by three professional nurses with a specialty in operating theatre. The educational intervention was implemented for the intervention group, while the control group only received the summary of the AORN guidelines. Reliability and validity were ensured through the conduct of a pilot study, and expert review by three professional nurses with a specialty in operating theatre in order to check the validity and reliability of the data collection instrument and educational intervention. The data collection instrument was also reviewed by a statistician. Ethical clearance and permission was obtained from the relevant institutions. The following ethical principles were adhered to during the study: justice, respect and beneficence. The overall score of pre-test and post-test questionnaires for the control group revealed means of 3.96 and 4.01, with a standard deviation of 0.40 and 0.38, with a difference of -0.06 and a degree of freedom of 59. The overall score of the pre-test and post-test of the intervention group revealed means of 3.68 and 4.22, a standard deviation of 0.47 and 0.36, with a difference of -0.53, degree of freedom of 61 and a large significance difference of Cohen’s d= 1.26. This means that the educational intervention had a positive effect in terms of improving the professional nurses’ practices on the use of surgical attire to prevent surgical site infections in operating theatres. Recommendations for education, practice as well as future research were provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The appropriateness of Holland's interest code typology for South African field guides
- Authors: Allen, Lynda Jean
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Personality and occupation -- South Africa , Vocational interests -- South Africa , Personality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/432 , Personality and occupation -- South Africa , Vocational interests -- South Africa , Personality
- Description: The foundational principles of Holland’s (1985b, 1992, 1997) vocational theory state that career choice is an expression of personality, in that individuals with specific personality types seek out work or learning environments that match their personality types. Furthermore, interest inventories such as the Self-Directed Search (Holland, Powell, & Fritzsche, 1994) can be regarded as personality inventories and used to ensure that individuals find themselves in a working environment that is best suited to their interests and personality type. In addition to instruments that measure interests, Holland also developed dictionaries of occupations coded according to the characteristics and interests of different occupations and working environments, such as the Dictionary of Holland occupational codes (Gottfredson & Holland, 1996). The level of congruence between personality types and occupational types is linked to career satisfaction, stability and achievement. This premise only holds true, however, if the codes for the occupational environment suggested by Holland (1985c) are, in fact, valid. In other words, do the codes suggested by Holland match the personality types of individuals entering or who are already employed in a particular work or learning environment? There have been many studies conducted with regard to the validity of Holland’s prescribed interest typology codes. Spokane, Meier and Catalano (2000) located a large number of empirical studies published since 1985 that relate directly to the validity of Holland’s codes, many of which have suggested that the existing codes may not be valid. There is a scarcity of such research in South Africa, especially with regard to vital and growing occupational fields, such as the ecotourism industry, that are so important to the economic well-being of the country. Consequently, the overall aim of the present study was to explore and describe the interest codes of male and female South African student and working field guides in order to discuss the appropriateness of the occupational codes prescribed by Holland for the field guiding profession. The quantitative design of the study was exploratory-descriptive in nature and made use of the Self-Directed Search Questionnaire (Holland, Fritzsche, & Powell, 1994). The total sample consisted of 100 participants (68 male and 32 female), constituting 40 working field guides and 60 field guide students. Descriptive analyses were conducted with the use of frequency tables, charts, means and standard ix deviations. In addition, Independent sample t-tests were computed in order to describe and compare the mean scores of the interests for males and females, and to compare the mean scores of the interests for student and working field guides. The results of this study suggest that the prescribed occupational code (SRI; Social, Realistic, Investigative) for South African field guides may not be appropriate and that an interest profile such as SREI AC may be more appropriate. These results, in combination with the findings of the research review, suggest the need for a more extensive, cross-cultural study to determine the appropriateness of Holland’s occupational codes for South African occupations, which may lead to a revision of the South African Dictionary of Occupations (Taljaard & von Mollendorf, 1987).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Allen, Lynda Jean
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Personality and occupation -- South Africa , Vocational interests -- South Africa , Personality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/432 , Personality and occupation -- South Africa , Vocational interests -- South Africa , Personality
- Description: The foundational principles of Holland’s (1985b, 1992, 1997) vocational theory state that career choice is an expression of personality, in that individuals with specific personality types seek out work or learning environments that match their personality types. Furthermore, interest inventories such as the Self-Directed Search (Holland, Powell, & Fritzsche, 1994) can be regarded as personality inventories and used to ensure that individuals find themselves in a working environment that is best suited to their interests and personality type. In addition to instruments that measure interests, Holland also developed dictionaries of occupations coded according to the characteristics and interests of different occupations and working environments, such as the Dictionary of Holland occupational codes (Gottfredson & Holland, 1996). The level of congruence between personality types and occupational types is linked to career satisfaction, stability and achievement. This premise only holds true, however, if the codes for the occupational environment suggested by Holland (1985c) are, in fact, valid. In other words, do the codes suggested by Holland match the personality types of individuals entering or who are already employed in a particular work or learning environment? There have been many studies conducted with regard to the validity of Holland’s prescribed interest typology codes. Spokane, Meier and Catalano (2000) located a large number of empirical studies published since 1985 that relate directly to the validity of Holland’s codes, many of which have suggested that the existing codes may not be valid. There is a scarcity of such research in South Africa, especially with regard to vital and growing occupational fields, such as the ecotourism industry, that are so important to the economic well-being of the country. Consequently, the overall aim of the present study was to explore and describe the interest codes of male and female South African student and working field guides in order to discuss the appropriateness of the occupational codes prescribed by Holland for the field guiding profession. The quantitative design of the study was exploratory-descriptive in nature and made use of the Self-Directed Search Questionnaire (Holland, Fritzsche, & Powell, 1994). The total sample consisted of 100 participants (68 male and 32 female), constituting 40 working field guides and 60 field guide students. Descriptive analyses were conducted with the use of frequency tables, charts, means and standard ix deviations. In addition, Independent sample t-tests were computed in order to describe and compare the mean scores of the interests for males and females, and to compare the mean scores of the interests for student and working field guides. The results of this study suggest that the prescribed occupational code (SRI; Social, Realistic, Investigative) for South African field guides may not be appropriate and that an interest profile such as SREI AC may be more appropriate. These results, in combination with the findings of the research review, suggest the need for a more extensive, cross-cultural study to determine the appropriateness of Holland’s occupational codes for South African occupations, which may lead to a revision of the South African Dictionary of Occupations (Taljaard & von Mollendorf, 1987).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The effect of a HIV/AIDS life skills programme on the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of grade nine learners
- Authors: Alma, Erica
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Life skills -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/739 , Life skills -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Description: The first cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were reported in 1981 and in 1983 the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was identified. Today, over 40 million individuals globally are living with HIV/AIDS. As there is currently no cure for the disease, it is projected to reach pandemic proportions in the 21st century. In South Africa at the end of 2006, over 5.3 million individuals were living with HIV/AIDS, with affluent and educated South Africans showing the highest HIVprevalence growth rate. The HIV prevalence amongst 15 to 24 year old South Africans is 10.4 percent. It has become vital that youth receive education about HIV/AIDS as early as possible, to ensure that they do not contract the virus. Psycho-education seeks to teach psychological knowledge and skills to individuals. This is also known as life skills teaching. The National Departments of Health and Education have developed a life skills programme for schools. This programme aims to, amongst others; educate young people about HIV/AIDS. The effectiveness of this programme will be assessed in two schools in the Port Elizabeth area. In this exploratory descriptive, triangulation research study, a quasiexperimental, one group pre- and post-test design was used to assess the effectiveness of the life skills programme amongst 211 Grade nine middle to upper socio-economic group learners. Four focus groups were conducted after the programme to explore the learners attitudes and perceptions of HIV/AIDS and their experiences of the programme. Teschs model of content analysis and Gubas model of trustworthiness were used to analyse the data obtained from the focus groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Alma, Erica
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Life skills -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/739 , Life skills -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Description: The first cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were reported in 1981 and in 1983 the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was identified. Today, over 40 million individuals globally are living with HIV/AIDS. As there is currently no cure for the disease, it is projected to reach pandemic proportions in the 21st century. In South Africa at the end of 2006, over 5.3 million individuals were living with HIV/AIDS, with affluent and educated South Africans showing the highest HIVprevalence growth rate. The HIV prevalence amongst 15 to 24 year old South Africans is 10.4 percent. It has become vital that youth receive education about HIV/AIDS as early as possible, to ensure that they do not contract the virus. Psycho-education seeks to teach psychological knowledge and skills to individuals. This is also known as life skills teaching. The National Departments of Health and Education have developed a life skills programme for schools. This programme aims to, amongst others; educate young people about HIV/AIDS. The effectiveness of this programme will be assessed in two schools in the Port Elizabeth area. In this exploratory descriptive, triangulation research study, a quasiexperimental, one group pre- and post-test design was used to assess the effectiveness of the life skills programme amongst 211 Grade nine middle to upper socio-economic group learners. Four focus groups were conducted after the programme to explore the learners attitudes and perceptions of HIV/AIDS and their experiences of the programme. Teschs model of content analysis and Gubas model of trustworthiness were used to analyse the data obtained from the focus groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Future role of community pharmacy in the national health insurance
- Authors: Aluko, Olubusola Aderonke
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Health care reform -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21472 , vital:29525
- Description: Governments all over the world have shown interest in the healthcare system and various policies and measures have been adopted to ensure optimum health of the people. Inequity in health provision in South Africa is a great challenge. In South Africa, the healthcare system is currently characterised by distinctly different public and private sectors. The public sector serves approximately 84% of the population while the private sector services the smaller portion, 16% of the population. However, the expenditure in both the private and public sectors is almost the same, with approximately five times more being spent per capita in the private sector than in the public sector. The South African health care system is therefore unbalanced with respect to expenditure per capita resulting in inequitable access to, and quality of, health services. In particular, relative to the population it serves and the disease burden that it carries, the public sector is under-resourced. In order to address the inequities characteristic of the current two-tiered system, the South African Government is in the process of implementing a National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHI will provide a means of pooling all healthcare funding, thereby providing a means of cross subsidization within the public sector. Funding contributions will be linked to the ability of an individual to pay and benefits will be determined by an individual’s need for care. A core principle of NHI is to provide access to quality care. It has been suggested that within a NHI system private pharmacies may be contracted through service agreements to provide both chronic and acute medicines. However, there are currently no policies specifying the roles and functions of pharmacists in the NHI or in a re-engineered Primary Health Care system, although it has been suggested that for South Africa to have a successful healthcare system it requires the support and assistance of pharmacists. Research suggests that the majority of pharmacists do not believe that the NHI is a suitable means to address South Africa’s healthcare problems and many do not agree with the principles behind it. This study describes the perceptions and attitudes of community pharmacists and the lay public in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole toward NHI and the potential role of community pharmacists within the NHI. A qualitative approach was used to provide an in-depth exploration of the attitudes and perceptions of community pharmacists and the lay public in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole (NMBM). It is envisaged that this understanding will provide a basis for addressing pharmacists’ concerns and may contribute towards the further development of the role and the scope of practice of community pharmacists in the NHI. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with both community pharmacists and with members of the public. The interviews were digitally recorded and then transcribed. The transcriptions were coded and analysed thematically. The analysis of the themes identified revealed that while community pharmacists and the public are aware of NHI they are uncertain as to how it is being implemented. However, both community pharmacists and patients see NHI as an advantage and display a positive attitude towards NHI.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Aluko, Olubusola Aderonke
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Health care reform -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21472 , vital:29525
- Description: Governments all over the world have shown interest in the healthcare system and various policies and measures have been adopted to ensure optimum health of the people. Inequity in health provision in South Africa is a great challenge. In South Africa, the healthcare system is currently characterised by distinctly different public and private sectors. The public sector serves approximately 84% of the population while the private sector services the smaller portion, 16% of the population. However, the expenditure in both the private and public sectors is almost the same, with approximately five times more being spent per capita in the private sector than in the public sector. The South African health care system is therefore unbalanced with respect to expenditure per capita resulting in inequitable access to, and quality of, health services. In particular, relative to the population it serves and the disease burden that it carries, the public sector is under-resourced. In order to address the inequities characteristic of the current two-tiered system, the South African Government is in the process of implementing a National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHI will provide a means of pooling all healthcare funding, thereby providing a means of cross subsidization within the public sector. Funding contributions will be linked to the ability of an individual to pay and benefits will be determined by an individual’s need for care. A core principle of NHI is to provide access to quality care. It has been suggested that within a NHI system private pharmacies may be contracted through service agreements to provide both chronic and acute medicines. However, there are currently no policies specifying the roles and functions of pharmacists in the NHI or in a re-engineered Primary Health Care system, although it has been suggested that for South Africa to have a successful healthcare system it requires the support and assistance of pharmacists. Research suggests that the majority of pharmacists do not believe that the NHI is a suitable means to address South Africa’s healthcare problems and many do not agree with the principles behind it. This study describes the perceptions and attitudes of community pharmacists and the lay public in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole toward NHI and the potential role of community pharmacists within the NHI. A qualitative approach was used to provide an in-depth exploration of the attitudes and perceptions of community pharmacists and the lay public in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole (NMBM). It is envisaged that this understanding will provide a basis for addressing pharmacists’ concerns and may contribute towards the further development of the role and the scope of practice of community pharmacists in the NHI. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with both community pharmacists and with members of the public. The interviews were digitally recorded and then transcribed. The transcriptions were coded and analysed thematically. The analysis of the themes identified revealed that while community pharmacists and the public are aware of NHI they are uncertain as to how it is being implemented. However, both community pharmacists and patients see NHI as an advantage and display a positive attitude towards NHI.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The general development and cognitive ability of a sample of children in specialized education
- Authors: Andrews, Samantha Lee
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Child development -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Griffiths Development Scales
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015714
- Description: The main aim of this study was to explore and describe the development and cognitive ability of a sample of children aged six to eight enrolled in specialised education, in the category of specific learning disability (SLD). This was achieved through the utilization of the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition and input from the trans-disciplinary team. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was employed and the sample consisted of eight participants. The multiple case study method was used in order to achieve the aim of the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were incorporated to provide a holistic description of the participants. Quantitative data was obtained from the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition while qualitative data was obtained from the Biographical Questionnaire, input from members of the trans-disciplinary team, data from the participants‟ archives as well as clinical observations made during the assessment process. The data was analysed according to the domains of childhood development.The results obtained revealed that the general development of the sample as measured by the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised was average. The Eye and Hand Co-ordination Subscale was the most problematic for the participants. The majority of the sample obtained below average scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition‟s full scale IQ (FSIQ). The Verbal Reasoning Index and the Working Memory Index yielded the lowest scores amongst the sample. The results indicated that the majority of the participants are stronger with non-verbal as opposed to verbal reasoning. The study revealed that the two measures, the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition complement one another. The developmental and intellectual nature of the measures allow for gaps left by the one measure to be filled by the other. The study highlighted the importance of gaining information from the trans-disciplinary team and not relying purely on psychometric measures. It was made clear through the study that deficits often exist that are not picked up by assessment measures alone. In order to gain a comprehensive, holistic picture of a child, one needs to consult a variety of sources. Questions regarding the classification system of high needs learners as well as the current system of specialised education were raised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Andrews, Samantha Lee
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Child development -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Griffiths Development Scales
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015714
- Description: The main aim of this study was to explore and describe the development and cognitive ability of a sample of children aged six to eight enrolled in specialised education, in the category of specific learning disability (SLD). This was achieved through the utilization of the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition and input from the trans-disciplinary team. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was employed and the sample consisted of eight participants. The multiple case study method was used in order to achieve the aim of the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were incorporated to provide a holistic description of the participants. Quantitative data was obtained from the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition while qualitative data was obtained from the Biographical Questionnaire, input from members of the trans-disciplinary team, data from the participants‟ archives as well as clinical observations made during the assessment process. The data was analysed according to the domains of childhood development.The results obtained revealed that the general development of the sample as measured by the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised was average. The Eye and Hand Co-ordination Subscale was the most problematic for the participants. The majority of the sample obtained below average scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition‟s full scale IQ (FSIQ). The Verbal Reasoning Index and the Working Memory Index yielded the lowest scores amongst the sample. The results indicated that the majority of the participants are stronger with non-verbal as opposed to verbal reasoning. The study revealed that the two measures, the Griffiths-Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fourth Edition complement one another. The developmental and intellectual nature of the measures allow for gaps left by the one measure to be filled by the other. The study highlighted the importance of gaining information from the trans-disciplinary team and not relying purely on psychometric measures. It was made clear through the study that deficits often exist that are not picked up by assessment measures alone. In order to gain a comprehensive, holistic picture of a child, one needs to consult a variety of sources. Questions regarding the classification system of high needs learners as well as the current system of specialised education were raised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The Anti-hypertensive Properties of T. officinale on L-Name-induced Hypertensive Rats
- Aremu, Olukayode Olasunkanmi
- Authors: Aremu, Olukayode Olasunkanmi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Hypertension Anti-hypertensive
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1045 , vital:30434
- Description: Medicinal plants have long been used in folkloric medicine in various parts of the world. Presence of phenolic compounds has been attributed to their medicinal properties. Despite various medicinal uses, scientific claims of anti-hypertensive activities are still deficient. Therefore, hydroethanolic (70% ethanol) extracts of the leaf and root parts of T. officinale (TOL and TOR respectively) were investigated for anti-hypertensive antioxidant, diuretic activities, and effects on lipid profile in L-Name-induced hypertensive Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening of TOL and TOR was assessed by known standardized method. Acute toxicity profile of the plant was also evaluated by Lorke’s method. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed using Folin Ciocalteau and Aluminium chloride colorimetric methods; while, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2’–azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS)and ferric antioxidant reducing power (FRAP) protocols were used for their radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacities respectively. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were used for acute antihypertensive study while for the 21 days antihypertensive study, hypertension was induced by administering L-Name (40 mg/kg) for 4 weeks and, CODA 8 Non-invasive tail cuff machine was used to measure blood pressure. With the aid of a semi-auto chemistry analyzer, lipid profile of Taraxacum officinale (TO) was determined using Biosinol reagents. TOL and TOR also significantly reduced systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures up until 4 hours with the leaf part most active in single dose study using SHR model. TOL and TOR also significantly lowered systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures with the leaf part most active in 21 days study using and L-Name-induced HTN models. However, these plant extracts did not have a diuretic effect, but seems to exert its antihypertensive effects by modulating NO production and possibly bioavailability, by acting via an endothelium-dependent pathway. This study validates the traditional use of the leaf part of the plant as an antihypertensive agent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Aremu, Olukayode Olasunkanmi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Hypertension Anti-hypertensive
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1045 , vital:30434
- Description: Medicinal plants have long been used in folkloric medicine in various parts of the world. Presence of phenolic compounds has been attributed to their medicinal properties. Despite various medicinal uses, scientific claims of anti-hypertensive activities are still deficient. Therefore, hydroethanolic (70% ethanol) extracts of the leaf and root parts of T. officinale (TOL and TOR respectively) were investigated for anti-hypertensive antioxidant, diuretic activities, and effects on lipid profile in L-Name-induced hypertensive Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening of TOL and TOR was assessed by known standardized method. Acute toxicity profile of the plant was also evaluated by Lorke’s method. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed using Folin Ciocalteau and Aluminium chloride colorimetric methods; while, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2’–azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS)and ferric antioxidant reducing power (FRAP) protocols were used for their radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacities respectively. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were used for acute antihypertensive study while for the 21 days antihypertensive study, hypertension was induced by administering L-Name (40 mg/kg) for 4 weeks and, CODA 8 Non-invasive tail cuff machine was used to measure blood pressure. With the aid of a semi-auto chemistry analyzer, lipid profile of Taraxacum officinale (TO) was determined using Biosinol reagents. TOL and TOR also significantly reduced systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures up until 4 hours with the leaf part most active in single dose study using SHR model. TOL and TOR also significantly lowered systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures with the leaf part most active in 21 days study using and L-Name-induced HTN models. However, these plant extracts did not have a diuretic effect, but seems to exert its antihypertensive effects by modulating NO production and possibly bioavailability, by acting via an endothelium-dependent pathway. This study validates the traditional use of the leaf part of the plant as an antihypertensive agent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A psychobiographical study of Ellen Kuzwayo
- Authors: Arosi, Ziyanda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Kuzwayo, Ellen , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Life cycle, Human , Women, Black -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008658 , Kuzwayo, Ellen , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Life cycle, Human , Women, Black -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Description: The current study is a psychobiography. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling based on the researcher’s personal interest and the remarkable impact this woman had within her society. Ellen Kuzwayo also meets the requirements of a psychobiography in that she is historically well known, inspirational, and her life has been completed. The study applies a qualitative research method in the form of a psychobiography, which aimed to describe Ellen Kuzwayo`s life accordingto Daniel Levinson`s Life Structure Theory of Adult Development. Levinson`s theory divides the lifespan into four developmental eras, each with its own biopsychosocial character. Each era in turn is divided into shorter periods of development. Levinson`s theory was chosenbecause it is specifically relevant to the development of women. The findings of the study indicate that Kuzwayo’s life was consistent with the pattern of development which Levinson (1996) identified. Kuzwayo was relatively successful in resolving the life tasks and transitional periods proposed by Levinson. This research study has given a positive demonstration of the value of development theory to investigate a particular human life. Furthermore, it emphasized the uniqueness of individuals in coping with the challenges of life. As a result it has opened up the possibility of perceiving people and their actions in a different way. Consequently, recommendations are offered in order to extend psychobiographical research on the life of Ellen Kuzwayo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Arosi, Ziyanda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Kuzwayo, Ellen , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Life cycle, Human , Women, Black -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008658 , Kuzwayo, Ellen , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Life cycle, Human , Women, Black -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Description: The current study is a psychobiography. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling based on the researcher’s personal interest and the remarkable impact this woman had within her society. Ellen Kuzwayo also meets the requirements of a psychobiography in that she is historically well known, inspirational, and her life has been completed. The study applies a qualitative research method in the form of a psychobiography, which aimed to describe Ellen Kuzwayo`s life accordingto Daniel Levinson`s Life Structure Theory of Adult Development. Levinson`s theory divides the lifespan into four developmental eras, each with its own biopsychosocial character. Each era in turn is divided into shorter periods of development. Levinson`s theory was chosenbecause it is specifically relevant to the development of women. The findings of the study indicate that Kuzwayo’s life was consistent with the pattern of development which Levinson (1996) identified. Kuzwayo was relatively successful in resolving the life tasks and transitional periods proposed by Levinson. This research study has given a positive demonstration of the value of development theory to investigate a particular human life. Furthermore, it emphasized the uniqueness of individuals in coping with the challenges of life. As a result it has opened up the possibility of perceiving people and their actions in a different way. Consequently, recommendations are offered in order to extend psychobiographical research on the life of Ellen Kuzwayo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A qualitative bias review of the adaptation of the WAIS-III for English-speaking South Africans
- Authors: Aston, Susan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9939 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/453 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011931 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Description: In response to the growing demand for a test of cognitive ability for South African adults, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) adapted the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, third edition (WAIS-III) for English-speaking South Africans. However, since the publication of the South African adaptation in 2001, there has been some concern whether some bias may not still be present in the measure. Consequently, this study aimed to qualitatively explore the item content of the South African adaptation of the WAIS-III in order to identify items that might still be potentially biased with specific reference to cultural and linguistic issues. The researcher employed purposive sampling, a non-probability technique, to select psychology professionals to act as expert reviewers. The sample consisted of 20 registered psychologists, psychology lecturers and psychology interns from the predominant culture and language groups of the Eastern and Western Cape. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected by means of a Bias Review Questionnaire which consisted of fixed-choice questions, as well as sections in which specific comments could be indicated. The questionnaire was distributed to 20 selected participants who were qualified to administer psychometric measures and were registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Qualitative data was analysed using Tesch’s model of thematic content analysis, and five main themes relating to potential bias were identified, namely: Culture, Language, Education, Socio-economic status, and Format. The qualitative data was re-submitted to the expert review group for approval and further comment. Quantitative data obtained from the Bias Review Questionnaire was analysed by obtaining frequency counts, which were converted to percentages, per subtest and aspect reviewed. The major findings of the study were as follows: 1. Cultural bias is evident in the South African adaptation of the WAIS-III. The differential meanings ascribed to concepts, terms, phrases and words by diverse cultures impact on test performance, as does familiarity with stimulus materials used in the measure. 2. Language bias was detected against groups with English as their second or third language owing to the unfamiliar, and sometimes archaic, terms and vocabulary used in the measure. The intended meanings of the translated items are unclear and confusing for test-takers. 3. South African test-takers have experienced vastly divergent educational opportunities which impact on intelligence test performance. The measure contains potential bias against individuals from disadvantaged educational backgrounds. 4. The content of the items is not relevant to test-takers from deprived socioeconomic backgrounds that have been unable to access good-quality education. 5. Format bias was found to exist with respect to the timed tests. Cultural groups who do not value speededness are disadvantaged by the structure and format of the measure. Based on the findings of this study, certain recommendations were made. These include: 1. Additional qualitative investigation of the WAIS-III , with a view to further adaptation in an effort to eradicate bias on cultural or linguistic grounds, and 2. Conducting further Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analyses and establishing construct equivalence across cultural and linguistic groups to promote this objective. Among the contributions believed to have been made by this study are the identification of potentially biased subtests and items on the grounds of culture and language, which will facilitate possible further revision and adaptation of the measure. Additionally, the variables that were considered important influencing factors of cognitive test performance have been documented and are accessible for future research that will supplement the present study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Aston, Susan
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9939 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/453 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011931 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Description: In response to the growing demand for a test of cognitive ability for South African adults, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) adapted the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, third edition (WAIS-III) for English-speaking South Africans. However, since the publication of the South African adaptation in 2001, there has been some concern whether some bias may not still be present in the measure. Consequently, this study aimed to qualitatively explore the item content of the South African adaptation of the WAIS-III in order to identify items that might still be potentially biased with specific reference to cultural and linguistic issues. The researcher employed purposive sampling, a non-probability technique, to select psychology professionals to act as expert reviewers. The sample consisted of 20 registered psychologists, psychology lecturers and psychology interns from the predominant culture and language groups of the Eastern and Western Cape. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected by means of a Bias Review Questionnaire which consisted of fixed-choice questions, as well as sections in which specific comments could be indicated. The questionnaire was distributed to 20 selected participants who were qualified to administer psychometric measures and were registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Qualitative data was analysed using Tesch’s model of thematic content analysis, and five main themes relating to potential bias were identified, namely: Culture, Language, Education, Socio-economic status, and Format. The qualitative data was re-submitted to the expert review group for approval and further comment. Quantitative data obtained from the Bias Review Questionnaire was analysed by obtaining frequency counts, which were converted to percentages, per subtest and aspect reviewed. The major findings of the study were as follows: 1. Cultural bias is evident in the South African adaptation of the WAIS-III. The differential meanings ascribed to concepts, terms, phrases and words by diverse cultures impact on test performance, as does familiarity with stimulus materials used in the measure. 2. Language bias was detected against groups with English as their second or third language owing to the unfamiliar, and sometimes archaic, terms and vocabulary used in the measure. The intended meanings of the translated items are unclear and confusing for test-takers. 3. South African test-takers have experienced vastly divergent educational opportunities which impact on intelligence test performance. The measure contains potential bias against individuals from disadvantaged educational backgrounds. 4. The content of the items is not relevant to test-takers from deprived socioeconomic backgrounds that have been unable to access good-quality education. 5. Format bias was found to exist with respect to the timed tests. Cultural groups who do not value speededness are disadvantaged by the structure and format of the measure. Based on the findings of this study, certain recommendations were made. These include: 1. Additional qualitative investigation of the WAIS-III , with a view to further adaptation in an effort to eradicate bias on cultural or linguistic grounds, and 2. Conducting further Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analyses and establishing construct equivalence across cultural and linguistic groups to promote this objective. Among the contributions believed to have been made by this study are the identification of potentially biased subtests and items on the grounds of culture and language, which will facilitate possible further revision and adaptation of the measure. Additionally, the variables that were considered important influencing factors of cognitive test performance have been documented and are accessible for future research that will supplement the present study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
A normative study of the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices for South African children with cognitive barriers to learning
- Authors: August, Justin Oswin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Children -- Intelligence testing -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19419 , vital:28869
- Description: With the changing landscape in South Africa to a full democracy, increased research has been undertaken in the psychometric field on local and national normative studies regarding various assessment measures. The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) is one of the measures that have already been extensively normed throughout the world for various population groups. In South Africa, local norms for normal populations of children have been developed by groups of researchers in the Grahamstown (Eastern Cape) as well as the Bloemfontein (Free State) areas. With a South African school educational system that focuses on Inclusive Education, there is a growing need for mainstream schools to identify learners who are at risk for learning disabilities in order to develop appropriate supportive intervention plans. The research aimed to establish psychometric normative screening data based on the Raven’s CPM, and to compare these with the established and published international and local Raven’s CPM norms. In addition, the researcher developed pilot classification scores for the early screening and detection of at risk learners in order to encourage the potential role and use of the Raven’s CPM in the identification of cognitive learning barriers. The sample consisted of 388 primary school learners identified as having cognitive barriers to learning. Archival data was used that was gathered from a Psychological clinic that provided screening services to schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. The results of the study indicated that there was a proportional relationship between age and test performance. Gender differences were found where the males in this study outperformed the females. There was a significant difference in the Raven’s CPM test performance with respect to the grade levels of the learners. The study developed a special set of norms with cognitive classification scores that will aid in the early identification of learning disabilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: August, Justin Oswin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Children -- Intelligence testing -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19419 , vital:28869
- Description: With the changing landscape in South Africa to a full democracy, increased research has been undertaken in the psychometric field on local and national normative studies regarding various assessment measures. The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) is one of the measures that have already been extensively normed throughout the world for various population groups. In South Africa, local norms for normal populations of children have been developed by groups of researchers in the Grahamstown (Eastern Cape) as well as the Bloemfontein (Free State) areas. With a South African school educational system that focuses on Inclusive Education, there is a growing need for mainstream schools to identify learners who are at risk for learning disabilities in order to develop appropriate supportive intervention plans. The research aimed to establish psychometric normative screening data based on the Raven’s CPM, and to compare these with the established and published international and local Raven’s CPM norms. In addition, the researcher developed pilot classification scores for the early screening and detection of at risk learners in order to encourage the potential role and use of the Raven’s CPM in the identification of cognitive learning barriers. The sample consisted of 388 primary school learners identified as having cognitive barriers to learning. Archival data was used that was gathered from a Psychological clinic that provided screening services to schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. The results of the study indicated that there was a proportional relationship between age and test performance. Gender differences were found where the males in this study outperformed the females. There was a significant difference in the Raven’s CPM test performance with respect to the grade levels of the learners. The study developed a special set of norms with cognitive classification scores that will aid in the early identification of learning disabilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017