A far from passive record Anton van Wouw: The smaller works, AE Duffey: book review
- Authors: de Jager, Maureen
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147402 , vital:38633 , https://0-hdl.handle.net.wam.seals.ac.za/10520/EJC38334
- Description: Anton van Wouw : the smaller works is, as its title implies, concerned with the generally lesser-known smaller works of Dutch-born sculptor, Anton van Wouw. Using the measure of "half life-size and smaller" as a guideline, author Alexander Duffey provides a comprehensive and well-illustrated overview of the many full-length small sculptures, busts, relief panels and maquettes produced by Van Wouw between 1881 (nine years prior to his arrival in South Africa at the age of 28) and 1940. Naturalistically sculpted and generally cast in bronze, these smaller works are wide-ranging in their subject matter, depicting innocuous, commonplace scenes alongside aspects of Afrikaner history, representations of Boer and British leaders, and so-called "native studies" (p 11).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: de Jager, Maureen
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147402 , vital:38633 , https://0-hdl.handle.net.wam.seals.ac.za/10520/EJC38334
- Description: Anton van Wouw : the smaller works is, as its title implies, concerned with the generally lesser-known smaller works of Dutch-born sculptor, Anton van Wouw. Using the measure of "half life-size and smaller" as a guideline, author Alexander Duffey provides a comprehensive and well-illustrated overview of the many full-length small sculptures, busts, relief panels and maquettes produced by Van Wouw between 1881 (nine years prior to his arrival in South Africa at the age of 28) and 1940. Naturalistically sculpted and generally cast in bronze, these smaller works are wide-ranging in their subject matter, depicting innocuous, commonplace scenes alongside aspects of Afrikaner history, representations of Boer and British leaders, and so-called "native studies" (p 11).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The development of a parental alienation syndrome interview protocol
- Authors: De Jager, Melissa
- Date: 2013-07-12
- Subjects: Parental alienation syndrome Custody of children -- Psychological aspects Child abuse
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008212
- Description: Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a childhood disorder that arises almost exclusively in child custody disputes. Its primary manifestation is the unjustified rejection of a once-loved parent by a child due to a combination of the 'programming' parent's alienating techniques and the child's own contributions to the vilification of the targeted parent. Parental Alienation (PA) is differentiated from PAS as in the case of the former the child's rejection is justified and may be explained either by normal developmental behaviours or by child abuse that involves no form of programming. The purpose of this study is to develop a preliminary interview protocol to aid in the detection of PAS, with a special emphasis on differentiating false allegations of abuse, which usually accompany severe PAS, from true abuse. The aim of the study is to develop a protocol to enhance diagnostic clarity and facilitate appropriate custody-related recommendations. The interview protocol is based on an extensive thematic literature analysis in conjunction with existing guidelines for conducting a child custody and visitation interview. The interview protocol comprises a child and parent section, which both have their own reference tables with supporting corresponding information. The protocol 's administration instructions are outlined in a covering information page. Rigour was added to the protocol by having it assessed for clarity and accessibility by four medico-legal professionals with custody-related experience, and their opinions regarding the protocol's structure, sections, questions and reference tables were taken into consideration in the revision of the protocol. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Jager, Melissa
- Date: 2013-07-12
- Subjects: Parental alienation syndrome Custody of children -- Psychological aspects Child abuse
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008212
- Description: Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a childhood disorder that arises almost exclusively in child custody disputes. Its primary manifestation is the unjustified rejection of a once-loved parent by a child due to a combination of the 'programming' parent's alienating techniques and the child's own contributions to the vilification of the targeted parent. Parental Alienation (PA) is differentiated from PAS as in the case of the former the child's rejection is justified and may be explained either by normal developmental behaviours or by child abuse that involves no form of programming. The purpose of this study is to develop a preliminary interview protocol to aid in the detection of PAS, with a special emphasis on differentiating false allegations of abuse, which usually accompany severe PAS, from true abuse. The aim of the study is to develop a protocol to enhance diagnostic clarity and facilitate appropriate custody-related recommendations. The interview protocol is based on an extensive thematic literature analysis in conjunction with existing guidelines for conducting a child custody and visitation interview. The interview protocol comprises a child and parent section, which both have their own reference tables with supporting corresponding information. The protocol 's administration instructions are outlined in a covering information page. Rigour was added to the protocol by having it assessed for clarity and accessibility by four medico-legal professionals with custody-related experience, and their opinions regarding the protocol's structure, sections, questions and reference tables were taken into consideration in the revision of the protocol. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
Detecting changes in elephant body condition in relation to resource quality
- Authors: De Klerk, Christelle
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Elephants -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Elephants -- Habitat -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/939 , Elephants -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Elephants -- Habitat -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Elephants, as megaherbivores, are known to have extensive impacts on vegetation, especially in enclosed areas. This raises the issue that elephants in enclosed areas may become limited by resource availability. Resource limitation is generally expressed via density dependence, but elephants, due to their slow demography, may not be affected by initial changes in resource availability. This highlights the need for a more sensitive measure of resource limitation to allow for the detection of energy stress within a population before changes in vital rates occur. This study investigated visual changes in elephant body condition in relation to resource availability in a number of Eastern Cape reserves to assess whether body condition could be used to detect life stages, as well as seasons and sites which may be resource limited. Elephant life stages were divided into energy stressed (newly weaned calves, lactating females, and old females) and non-energy stressed classes (sub-adults and non-lactating females) to determine whether energy stressed life stages were more vulnerable to resource limitation. In the AENP it was found that lactating and old females exhibited significantly poorer body condition than non-energy stressed individuals, but that weaned calves had body conditions similar to non-energy stressed individuals. Comparisons between seasons revealed that all life stages exhibited better condition in winter than summer or spring, with lactating females showing little recovery of condition over time. Seasonal body conditions were correlated with rainfall recorded in the Addo Elephant National Park. Comparisons of elephant body condition between sites (n = 6) revealed that body condition varied across sites, with poorer body condition associated with areas of higher elephant density and low rainfall during the study period. Comparisons with faecal dietary quality data both between sites and seasons indicated that body condition also responded to changes in the availability of protein and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of plant resources, with higher protein and lower values associated with better condition. Based on condition estimates of elephants occurring in the Addo Main Camp, it was established that this population is experiencing nutritional stress, with energy stressed individuals exhibiting the lowest body conditions. This was supported by dietary quality measures. Our findings suggest that elephant body condition is a good measure for detecting resource limitation, both within populations and between seasons, and that elephant body condition respond to relatively small changes in resource conditions, thus making it an effective measure for the detection of nutritional stress. Additionally, our findings show that energy stressed individuals, particularly lactating and old females are more vulnerable to resource limitation. This demonstrates the importance of monitoring these life stages for the detection of density dependence within populations. Finally, our data suggest that threshold values of faecal dietary quality may exist at which body condition within a population begins to deteriorate, making it possible to determine the condition of a population through values obtained in faecal samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: De Klerk, Christelle
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Elephants -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Elephants -- Habitat -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/939 , Elephants -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Elephants -- Habitat -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Elephants, as megaherbivores, are known to have extensive impacts on vegetation, especially in enclosed areas. This raises the issue that elephants in enclosed areas may become limited by resource availability. Resource limitation is generally expressed via density dependence, but elephants, due to their slow demography, may not be affected by initial changes in resource availability. This highlights the need for a more sensitive measure of resource limitation to allow for the detection of energy stress within a population before changes in vital rates occur. This study investigated visual changes in elephant body condition in relation to resource availability in a number of Eastern Cape reserves to assess whether body condition could be used to detect life stages, as well as seasons and sites which may be resource limited. Elephant life stages were divided into energy stressed (newly weaned calves, lactating females, and old females) and non-energy stressed classes (sub-adults and non-lactating females) to determine whether energy stressed life stages were more vulnerable to resource limitation. In the AENP it was found that lactating and old females exhibited significantly poorer body condition than non-energy stressed individuals, but that weaned calves had body conditions similar to non-energy stressed individuals. Comparisons between seasons revealed that all life stages exhibited better condition in winter than summer or spring, with lactating females showing little recovery of condition over time. Seasonal body conditions were correlated with rainfall recorded in the Addo Elephant National Park. Comparisons of elephant body condition between sites (n = 6) revealed that body condition varied across sites, with poorer body condition associated with areas of higher elephant density and low rainfall during the study period. Comparisons with faecal dietary quality data both between sites and seasons indicated that body condition also responded to changes in the availability of protein and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of plant resources, with higher protein and lower values associated with better condition. Based on condition estimates of elephants occurring in the Addo Main Camp, it was established that this population is experiencing nutritional stress, with energy stressed individuals exhibiting the lowest body conditions. This was supported by dietary quality measures. Our findings suggest that elephant body condition is a good measure for detecting resource limitation, both within populations and between seasons, and that elephant body condition respond to relatively small changes in resource conditions, thus making it an effective measure for the detection of nutritional stress. Additionally, our findings show that energy stressed individuals, particularly lactating and old females are more vulnerable to resource limitation. This demonstrates the importance of monitoring these life stages for the detection of density dependence within populations. Finally, our data suggest that threshold values of faecal dietary quality may exist at which body condition within a population begins to deteriorate, making it possible to determine the condition of a population through values obtained in faecal samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Language shift in Grahamstown: A case study of selected Xhosa-speakers
- Authors: De Klerk, Vivian A
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158106 , vital:40149 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1515/ijsl.2000.146.87
- Description: A number of scholars (Fasold 1984; Aitchison 1991; Denison 1977; Dorian 1980; Gal 1979) have examined the issue of language maintenance and shift, trying to discover why certain languages (or language variants) sometimes replace each other among some Speakers, particularly in certain domains of linguistic behaviour under some conditions or intergroup contact. This article provides an overview of the main factors that have been identified as playing an important role in influencing language shift and then reports on the relative importance of these factors in a survey that examined the experiences and attitudes of Xhosa-speaking parents who have recently chosen to send their children to English-medium schools in Grahamstown (Eastern Cape, South Africa). The research was carried out during 1998, and the project was a multifaceted quantitative and qualitative longitudinal study involving responses to a postal questionnaire sent to all non-English parents at English-medium schools in the town, and follow-up Interviews with 26 parents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: De Klerk, Vivian A
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158106 , vital:40149 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1515/ijsl.2000.146.87
- Description: A number of scholars (Fasold 1984; Aitchison 1991; Denison 1977; Dorian 1980; Gal 1979) have examined the issue of language maintenance and shift, trying to discover why certain languages (or language variants) sometimes replace each other among some Speakers, particularly in certain domains of linguistic behaviour under some conditions or intergroup contact. This article provides an overview of the main factors that have been identified as playing an important role in influencing language shift and then reports on the relative importance of these factors in a survey that examined the experiences and attitudes of Xhosa-speaking parents who have recently chosen to send their children to English-medium schools in Grahamstown (Eastern Cape, South Africa). The research was carried out during 1998, and the project was a multifaceted quantitative and qualitative longitudinal study involving responses to a postal questionnaire sent to all non-English parents at English-medium schools in the town, and follow-up Interviews with 26 parents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Understanding the complexity of metabolic regulatory systems an investigation into the regulation of hydantoin-hydrolysis in Pseudomonas putida RU-KM3s
- Authors: De la Mare, Jo-Anne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Pseudomonas , Hydantoin , Hydrolysis , Enzymes -- Regulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004053 , Pseudomonas , Hydantoin , Hydrolysis , Enzymes -- Regulation
- Description: It has been well-established that Pseudomonas species possess extremely versatile metabolic systems allowing them to utilise a wide range of nutrient sources and, furthermore, that the regulation of these enzyme systems involves highly evolved and sophisticated regulatory machinery. This study examined the complexity of metabolic regulation in Pseudomonas using the hydantoin-hydrolysing system of the environmental isolate, Pseudomonas putida RU-KM3s. In this system, the genes encoding dihydropyrimidinase and β-ureidopropionase (dhp and bup) are arranged divergently on the chromosome, separated by a 616 bp intergenic region involved in the transcriptional regulation of these genes. The focus was on the transcriptional regulation of dhp expression. DHP activity was found to be sensitive to several environmental signals including growth phase, carbon catabolite repression (CCR), substrate induction and quorum sensing (QS). Bioinformatic analysis of the intergenic region upstream of dhp revealed a number of putative binding sites for transcriptional regulators, including recognition sequences for the alternate sigma factors σ54 and σ38, as well as for the global regulators Anr (for anaerobic regulator) and Vfr (for virulence factor regulator). The targeted disruption of the genes encoding the transcriptional regulators, Vfr and the major CCR protein, Crc, resulted in a partial relief from repression for the vfr- mutant under quorum sensing conditions and a general decrease in activity in the crc- mutant. This data suggested that both Vfr and Crc were involved in regulating DHP activity. Mutational analysis of the dhp promoter revealed that at least two sites were involved in regulating transcriptional activity, one which mediated activation and the other repression. These sites were designated as a putative Anr box, situated 232 bp from the start codon of dhp, and a CRP-like binding site, at a position 213 bp upstream of dhp. Taken together, this data shows the involvement of several global regulatory factors in controlling the expression of dhp. A complex synergistic model was proposed for the transcriptional regulation of dhp, involving alternate sigma factors in addition to both global and specific regulators and responding to a number of environmental signals associated with growth phase, including nutrient availability, cell density and oxygen status.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: De la Mare, Jo-Anne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Pseudomonas , Hydantoin , Hydrolysis , Enzymes -- Regulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004053 , Pseudomonas , Hydantoin , Hydrolysis , Enzymes -- Regulation
- Description: It has been well-established that Pseudomonas species possess extremely versatile metabolic systems allowing them to utilise a wide range of nutrient sources and, furthermore, that the regulation of these enzyme systems involves highly evolved and sophisticated regulatory machinery. This study examined the complexity of metabolic regulation in Pseudomonas using the hydantoin-hydrolysing system of the environmental isolate, Pseudomonas putida RU-KM3s. In this system, the genes encoding dihydropyrimidinase and β-ureidopropionase (dhp and bup) are arranged divergently on the chromosome, separated by a 616 bp intergenic region involved in the transcriptional regulation of these genes. The focus was on the transcriptional regulation of dhp expression. DHP activity was found to be sensitive to several environmental signals including growth phase, carbon catabolite repression (CCR), substrate induction and quorum sensing (QS). Bioinformatic analysis of the intergenic region upstream of dhp revealed a number of putative binding sites for transcriptional regulators, including recognition sequences for the alternate sigma factors σ54 and σ38, as well as for the global regulators Anr (for anaerobic regulator) and Vfr (for virulence factor regulator). The targeted disruption of the genes encoding the transcriptional regulators, Vfr and the major CCR protein, Crc, resulted in a partial relief from repression for the vfr- mutant under quorum sensing conditions and a general decrease in activity in the crc- mutant. This data suggested that both Vfr and Crc were involved in regulating DHP activity. Mutational analysis of the dhp promoter revealed that at least two sites were involved in regulating transcriptional activity, one which mediated activation and the other repression. These sites were designated as a putative Anr box, situated 232 bp from the start codon of dhp, and a CRP-like binding site, at a position 213 bp upstream of dhp. Taken together, this data shows the involvement of several global regulatory factors in controlling the expression of dhp. A complex synergistic model was proposed for the transcriptional regulation of dhp, involving alternate sigma factors in addition to both global and specific regulators and responding to a number of environmental signals associated with growth phase, including nutrient availability, cell density and oxygen status.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Guidelines for the management of patients with diabetes mellitus at health care clinics in the Cacadu region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- De Mendonça, Hester Magdalena
- Authors: De Mendonça, Hester Magdalena
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Diabetics -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCur
- Identifier: vital:10011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1017 , Diabetics -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the new epidemic in the world with 246 million people suffering from the disease at the moment and a projected increase to 380 million in 2025 (IDF, 2007b:36). The developing countries are the most vulnerable. Statistics state that SA and Egypt have the most diabetics on the continent. Globally, each year 3,8 million deaths are attributable to DM (IDF, 2007a). The Department of Health (DOH) and the Cacadu District Municipality (Eastern Cape) are serving a population of 102 721 in the Kouga and Koukamma areas, which covers an area of 5 992 km², with health care. There are 22 clinics with 28 registered nurses for all the clinics and between 3 and 9 lay health workers (LHWs) per clinic. For the purpose of this research study, the persons suffering from DM (±3550) in this area were taken into consideration (Strydom, 2005). DM is a chronic disorder and therefore patients should be able to manage their disease pattern for the rest of their lives (Healthline, 2008, Mbanya, 2006:12). In order to achieve this, continuous and effective patient education by health care providers are necessary. This disease affects more and more people each passing day, because of the rapid westernisation of the South African population, leading to more people attending clinics in the public health sector (Bonnici, 2002:32). There are specific guidelines laid down by the Department of Health (DOH) pertaining to the control and management of DM. Guidelines include the early diagnosis, treatment and patient education regarding DM (Department of Health, 1997, [revised 2004]). Evidence from previous research studies showed that not all registered nurses are aware of these guidelines and most have not been educated regarding the utilisation of these guidelines (O’Brien, van Rooyen & Carlson, 2006:36-40). In the clinics, the health care givers are confronted with a number of difficulties, such as a lack of funds to enable them to order adequate equipment and medicine. Another problem is the migration of registered nurses out of the country thus; there is also a shortage of staff to operate these clinics (Mkhize, 2004). The organisational structure in the clinics does not function optimally and there is a lack of communication between provincial, district and clinic level. Due to the above-mentioned challenges there is also a lack of efficient auditing systems to ensure quality assurance. Furthermore, a knowledge deficit pertaining to DM and the management thereof in all the groups participating in this study, namely the registered nurses, the lay health workers (LHWs) and the diabetic patients was found. The empowerment process of the LHW is not explored fully and therefore not executed to its full potential. To be able to improve the management of DM in this region, it is important to know what the difficulties are that the health care givers as well as the patients experience in relation to this issue. This study therefore explored and described these difficulties. The research was based on a qualitative, quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design. Health care givers as well as diabetic patients attending clinics in the Cacadu region of the Eastern Cape have been requested to complete questionnaires pertaining to their knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus. The current organisational structure of the provincial department of health was explored and findings analysed using the activities of the management process (Muller, 2006:106). The SA Government is committed to combining the national human resource development strategy with the rapid upgrading of service delivery to all of the nation’s communities. Stemming from this undertaking, suitable members of the community are to be trained as LHWs. LHWs are to play an integral role in strengthening the abilities of the community to empower themselves to participate and take responsibility for their own health and wellness (Department of Health, 2001a:4). From the research, it was found that the above-mentioned national plan had been implemented, but is not functioning at optimum level due to several shortcomings/deficits. Proposed guidelines were therefore designed to address the shortcomings and fragmentation of the plan. As specific knowledge deficits in DM were identified during this research study, general educational guidelines were included for the registered nurses and the diabetic patients. The LHW was identified as an indispensable link in the chain of efficient health care and therefore, specific educational guidelines on DM were generated to prepare her for the role. With her knowledge, insight into DM and the management thereof and newly required skills in educating and supporting of the patient, she could be an asset in the road to optimum self-care for the diabetic patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: De Mendonça, Hester Magdalena
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Diabetics -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCur
- Identifier: vital:10011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1017 , Diabetics -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the new epidemic in the world with 246 million people suffering from the disease at the moment and a projected increase to 380 million in 2025 (IDF, 2007b:36). The developing countries are the most vulnerable. Statistics state that SA and Egypt have the most diabetics on the continent. Globally, each year 3,8 million deaths are attributable to DM (IDF, 2007a). The Department of Health (DOH) and the Cacadu District Municipality (Eastern Cape) are serving a population of 102 721 in the Kouga and Koukamma areas, which covers an area of 5 992 km², with health care. There are 22 clinics with 28 registered nurses for all the clinics and between 3 and 9 lay health workers (LHWs) per clinic. For the purpose of this research study, the persons suffering from DM (±3550) in this area were taken into consideration (Strydom, 2005). DM is a chronic disorder and therefore patients should be able to manage their disease pattern for the rest of their lives (Healthline, 2008, Mbanya, 2006:12). In order to achieve this, continuous and effective patient education by health care providers are necessary. This disease affects more and more people each passing day, because of the rapid westernisation of the South African population, leading to more people attending clinics in the public health sector (Bonnici, 2002:32). There are specific guidelines laid down by the Department of Health (DOH) pertaining to the control and management of DM. Guidelines include the early diagnosis, treatment and patient education regarding DM (Department of Health, 1997, [revised 2004]). Evidence from previous research studies showed that not all registered nurses are aware of these guidelines and most have not been educated regarding the utilisation of these guidelines (O’Brien, van Rooyen & Carlson, 2006:36-40). In the clinics, the health care givers are confronted with a number of difficulties, such as a lack of funds to enable them to order adequate equipment and medicine. Another problem is the migration of registered nurses out of the country thus; there is also a shortage of staff to operate these clinics (Mkhize, 2004). The organisational structure in the clinics does not function optimally and there is a lack of communication between provincial, district and clinic level. Due to the above-mentioned challenges there is also a lack of efficient auditing systems to ensure quality assurance. Furthermore, a knowledge deficit pertaining to DM and the management thereof in all the groups participating in this study, namely the registered nurses, the lay health workers (LHWs) and the diabetic patients was found. The empowerment process of the LHW is not explored fully and therefore not executed to its full potential. To be able to improve the management of DM in this region, it is important to know what the difficulties are that the health care givers as well as the patients experience in relation to this issue. This study therefore explored and described these difficulties. The research was based on a qualitative, quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design. Health care givers as well as diabetic patients attending clinics in the Cacadu region of the Eastern Cape have been requested to complete questionnaires pertaining to their knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus. The current organisational structure of the provincial department of health was explored and findings analysed using the activities of the management process (Muller, 2006:106). The SA Government is committed to combining the national human resource development strategy with the rapid upgrading of service delivery to all of the nation’s communities. Stemming from this undertaking, suitable members of the community are to be trained as LHWs. LHWs are to play an integral role in strengthening the abilities of the community to empower themselves to participate and take responsibility for their own health and wellness (Department of Health, 2001a:4). From the research, it was found that the above-mentioned national plan had been implemented, but is not functioning at optimum level due to several shortcomings/deficits. Proposed guidelines were therefore designed to address the shortcomings and fragmentation of the plan. As specific knowledge deficits in DM were identified during this research study, general educational guidelines were included for the registered nurses and the diabetic patients. The LHW was identified as an indispensable link in the chain of efficient health care and therefore, specific educational guidelines on DM were generated to prepare her for the role. With her knowledge, insight into DM and the management thereof and newly required skills in educating and supporting of the patient, she could be an asset in the road to optimum self-care for the diabetic patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The effect of load and technique on biomechanical and perceptual responses during dynamic pushing and pulling
- Authors: Desai, Sheena Dhiksha
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Work -- Physiological aspects , Biomechanics , Human engineering , Lifting and carrying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5109 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005187 , Work -- Physiological aspects , Biomechanics , Human engineering , Lifting and carrying
- Description: Changes in the industrial job profile, from lifting and lowering to repetitive dynamic pushing and pulling have been facilitated through the use of manual vehicles, aimed at minimising the workload. Yet, the demands of pushing and pulling have not been well documented. Using measures of the horizontal component of the hand forces, spinal kinematics, muscle activity at various sites on the upper body and body discomfort ratings, this study aimed at quantifying the biomechanical and perceptual demands of various dynamic push/pull techniques. 36 healthy male participants performed two-handed forward pushing, two-handed backward pulling and one-handed forward pulling, employing an industrial pallet jack supporting two loads of 250kg or 500kg. While no single technique was definitively identified as preferable regarding hand forces, pushing at 500kg elicited higher initial and sustained forces (p<0.05) than one- and two-handed pulling respectively. Increments in load mass from 250kg to 500kg resulted in significant differences in the initial, sustained and ending forces. With regard to spinal kinematics in the sagittal plane, two-handed pulling elicited the highest trunk flexion, and may therefore expose individuals to prolonged forward bending. Generally this technique was found to evoke the highest sagittal responses. Spinal kinematic measures in the lateral and transverse planes suggested that one-handed pulling was accompanied by the highest measures, and hence the greatest risk of developing lower back disorders related to this plane. Although various combinations of muscles were active during each technique, one-handed pulling and pushing, most often induced the highest muscle activation levels and two-handed pulling, the lowest. While erector spinae evidenced no significant differences between techniques at each load or between loads for the same technique, activation levels were high under all conditions. Perceptual ratings of body discomfort revealed that not only is the upper body susceptible to injuries during pushing and pulling, but also that the lower extremities may have a considerable role to play in these tasks, with the calves being a particular area of concern. Findings concluded that symmetrical pushing and pulling tasks are preferable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Desai, Sheena Dhiksha
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Work -- Physiological aspects , Biomechanics , Human engineering , Lifting and carrying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5109 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005187 , Work -- Physiological aspects , Biomechanics , Human engineering , Lifting and carrying
- Description: Changes in the industrial job profile, from lifting and lowering to repetitive dynamic pushing and pulling have been facilitated through the use of manual vehicles, aimed at minimising the workload. Yet, the demands of pushing and pulling have not been well documented. Using measures of the horizontal component of the hand forces, spinal kinematics, muscle activity at various sites on the upper body and body discomfort ratings, this study aimed at quantifying the biomechanical and perceptual demands of various dynamic push/pull techniques. 36 healthy male participants performed two-handed forward pushing, two-handed backward pulling and one-handed forward pulling, employing an industrial pallet jack supporting two loads of 250kg or 500kg. While no single technique was definitively identified as preferable regarding hand forces, pushing at 500kg elicited higher initial and sustained forces (p<0.05) than one- and two-handed pulling respectively. Increments in load mass from 250kg to 500kg resulted in significant differences in the initial, sustained and ending forces. With regard to spinal kinematics in the sagittal plane, two-handed pulling elicited the highest trunk flexion, and may therefore expose individuals to prolonged forward bending. Generally this technique was found to evoke the highest sagittal responses. Spinal kinematic measures in the lateral and transverse planes suggested that one-handed pulling was accompanied by the highest measures, and hence the greatest risk of developing lower back disorders related to this plane. Although various combinations of muscles were active during each technique, one-handed pulling and pushing, most often induced the highest muscle activation levels and two-handed pulling, the lowest. While erector spinae evidenced no significant differences between techniques at each load or between loads for the same technique, activation levels were high under all conditions. Perceptual ratings of body discomfort revealed that not only is the upper body susceptible to injuries during pushing and pulling, but also that the lower extremities may have a considerable role to play in these tasks, with the calves being a particular area of concern. Findings concluded that symmetrical pushing and pulling tasks are preferable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Interrogating gender constructions in the Daily Sun: an analysis of the coverage of the 'Charter for a Man' campaign against gender violence between November and December 2007
- Authors: Dewa, Nonhlanhla
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Foucault, Michel, 1926-1984 -- Criticism and interpretation Daily Sun Women -- Violence against Mass media and women Abused women Tabloid newspapers Discourse analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002879
- Description: The study seeks to interrogate the gender constructions in the Daily Sun’s “Charter for a Man” campaign which ran from 7 November to 7 December 2007. It coincided with the 16 Days of Activism against gender violence and was designed to lobby support for this campaign and discourage men from physically abusing women. The “Charter for a Man” listed nine principles that signatories were to abide by. It included a section to be signed by men to be submitted to and collected by the Daily Sun. The campaign was constructed as an intervention into the issue of gender violence. Consequently, the 30 news stories, four editorial pieces and 11 letters to the editor that were published during the campaign period make up the textual data analysed in the study. The news stories consisted of testimonies from abused women and some women abusers. In addition, celebrity signatories were selected to endorse the campaign and encourage other men to follow suit. In the editorials, the campaign was consistently flagged as a nation building initiative which all men were supposed to support. The letters to the editor consisted of readers who either supported or rejected the campaign. The study takes place against the context of a patriarchal society characterised by high levels of violence. Given this scenario, the study is informed by a concern with gender justice and therefore considers whether such a campaign, ostensibly aimed at eradicating gender violence, has the potential of being transformative of gender inequalities. The study set out to establish the kinds of masculinities and femininities that were variously constituted in the campaign as well as the gender discourses that were privileged. It is informed by the theories of feminist poststructuralism and Foucault’s conceptualisation of discourse. As the campaign is the initiative of a tabloid newspaper, it is also considered within the framework of newspaper campaigns and arguments about tabloids and the public sphere. As text based research, the study employs critical discourse analysis as a qualitative procedure of textual analysis. It makes use of an eclectic approach to textual analysis that draws on linguistics, narrative and argumentation. The texts are analysed according to the categories of news texts contained which includes the Charter itself, signatory articles, testimonies, vox pops and letters to the editor. The overarching theme of nationhood projected in the editorials and other categories is also discussed as part of the analysis. The study concludes that the Daily Sun campaign might be a seemingly progressive action at first glance. However, it does not challenge the existing gender order but rather maintains and sustains patriarchal attitudes through the repeated representation of women as weak and in need of patronage and men as their protectors and providers. In some instances, women are constructed primarily as sexual beings as their physical attributes are emphasised, while men are constructed as working class citizens and rational beings. The study therefore proposes that the Daily Sun fails as an alternative public sphere that might make visible the concerns of women as a marginalised group in society. The campaign, it is argued, is self-serving in its promotion of the Daily Sun’s image as the “People’s Paper” rather than serious concerns about gender violence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Dewa, Nonhlanhla
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Foucault, Michel, 1926-1984 -- Criticism and interpretation Daily Sun Women -- Violence against Mass media and women Abused women Tabloid newspapers Discourse analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002879
- Description: The study seeks to interrogate the gender constructions in the Daily Sun’s “Charter for a Man” campaign which ran from 7 November to 7 December 2007. It coincided with the 16 Days of Activism against gender violence and was designed to lobby support for this campaign and discourage men from physically abusing women. The “Charter for a Man” listed nine principles that signatories were to abide by. It included a section to be signed by men to be submitted to and collected by the Daily Sun. The campaign was constructed as an intervention into the issue of gender violence. Consequently, the 30 news stories, four editorial pieces and 11 letters to the editor that were published during the campaign period make up the textual data analysed in the study. The news stories consisted of testimonies from abused women and some women abusers. In addition, celebrity signatories were selected to endorse the campaign and encourage other men to follow suit. In the editorials, the campaign was consistently flagged as a nation building initiative which all men were supposed to support. The letters to the editor consisted of readers who either supported or rejected the campaign. The study takes place against the context of a patriarchal society characterised by high levels of violence. Given this scenario, the study is informed by a concern with gender justice and therefore considers whether such a campaign, ostensibly aimed at eradicating gender violence, has the potential of being transformative of gender inequalities. The study set out to establish the kinds of masculinities and femininities that were variously constituted in the campaign as well as the gender discourses that were privileged. It is informed by the theories of feminist poststructuralism and Foucault’s conceptualisation of discourse. As the campaign is the initiative of a tabloid newspaper, it is also considered within the framework of newspaper campaigns and arguments about tabloids and the public sphere. As text based research, the study employs critical discourse analysis as a qualitative procedure of textual analysis. It makes use of an eclectic approach to textual analysis that draws on linguistics, narrative and argumentation. The texts are analysed according to the categories of news texts contained which includes the Charter itself, signatory articles, testimonies, vox pops and letters to the editor. The overarching theme of nationhood projected in the editorials and other categories is also discussed as part of the analysis. The study concludes that the Daily Sun campaign might be a seemingly progressive action at first glance. However, it does not challenge the existing gender order but rather maintains and sustains patriarchal attitudes through the repeated representation of women as weak and in need of patronage and men as their protectors and providers. In some instances, women are constructed primarily as sexual beings as their physical attributes are emphasised, while men are constructed as working class citizens and rational beings. The study therefore proposes that the Daily Sun fails as an alternative public sphere that might make visible the concerns of women as a marginalised group in society. The campaign, it is argued, is self-serving in its promotion of the Daily Sun’s image as the “People’s Paper” rather than serious concerns about gender violence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A model for information security control audit for small to mid-sized organisations
- Authors: Deysel, Natasha
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Data protection , Computer networks -- Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9760 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/940 , Data protection , Computer networks -- Information technology
- Description: Organisations are increasingly dependent on their information. Compromise to this information in terms of loss, inaccuracy or competitors gaining unauthorised access could have devastating consequences for the organisation. Therefore, information security governance has become a major concern for all organisations, large and small. Information security governance is based on a set of policies and internal controls by which organisations direct and manage their information security. An effective information security governance programme should be based on a recognised framework, such as the Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT). COBIT focuses on what control objectives must be achieved in order to effectively manage the information technology environment. It has become very clear that if a company is serious about information security governance, it needs to apply the COBIT framework that deals with information security. The problem in some medium-sized organisations is that they do not realise the importance of information security governance and are either unaware of the risks or choose to ignore these risks as they do not have the expertise or resources available to provide them with assurance that they have the right information security controls in place to protect their organisation against threats.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Deysel, Natasha
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Data protection , Computer networks -- Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9760 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/940 , Data protection , Computer networks -- Information technology
- Description: Organisations are increasingly dependent on their information. Compromise to this information in terms of loss, inaccuracy or competitors gaining unauthorised access could have devastating consequences for the organisation. Therefore, information security governance has become a major concern for all organisations, large and small. Information security governance is based on a set of policies and internal controls by which organisations direct and manage their information security. An effective information security governance programme should be based on a recognised framework, such as the Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT). COBIT focuses on what control objectives must be achieved in order to effectively manage the information technology environment. It has become very clear that if a company is serious about information security governance, it needs to apply the COBIT framework that deals with information security. The problem in some medium-sized organisations is that they do not realise the importance of information security governance and are either unaware of the risks or choose to ignore these risks as they do not have the expertise or resources available to provide them with assurance that they have the right information security controls in place to protect their organisation against threats.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Hierarchical spatial structure and levels of resolution of intertidal grazing and their consequences on predictability and stability at small scales
- Authors: Diaz Diaz, Eliecer Rodrigo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Marine algae -- Effect of grazing on Shorelines -- South Africa Zostera marina Intertidal ecology Spatial analysis (Statistics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005393
- Description: The aim of this research was to assess three hierarchical aspects of alga-grazer interactions in intertidal communities on a small scale: spatial heterogeneity, grazing effects and spatial stability in grazing effects. First, using semivariograms and cross-semivariograms I observed hierarchical spatial patterns in most algal groups and in grazers. However, these patterns varied with the level on the shore and between shores, suggesting that either human exploitation or wave exposure can be a source of variability. Second, grazing effects were studied using manipulative experiments at different levels on the shore. These revealed significant effects of grazing on the low shore and in tidal pools. Additionally, using a transect of grazer exclusions across the shore, I observed unexpected hierarchical patchiness in the strength of grazing, rather than zonation in its effects. This patchiness varied in time due to different biotic and abiotic factors. In a separate experiment, the effect of mesograzers effects were studied in the upper eulittoral zone under four conditions: burnt open rock (BOR), burnt pools (Bpool), non-burnt open rock (NBOR) and non-burnt pools (NBpool). Additionally, I tested spatial stability in the effects of grazing in consecutive years, using the same plots. I observed great spatial variability in the effects of grazing, but this variability was spatially stable in Bpools and NBOR, meaning deterministic and significant grazing effects in consecutive years on the same plots. Both the significance in grazing effects and spatial stability depended on the level of resolution (species, functional, biomass) at which the algal assemblage was evaluated, suggesting hierarchical variability. In order to be able to predict spatial variability in the effects of grazers in the upper eulittoral zone using biotic and abiotic micro- and macrofactors, a conceptual model was proposed, based on data from several multiple-regressions. This linked the interactions among three elements: idiosyncratic heterogeneity, micro and macrofactors. This suggests that spatial variability can be a product of these factors, while spatial stability can be caused by the same or different combinations of factors. In conclusion, grazing and other ecological phenomena must be studied hierarchically, not only through spatiotemporal scales, but also at different levels of resolution, as these also influence our perception of patterns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Diaz Diaz, Eliecer Rodrigo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Marine algae -- Effect of grazing on Shorelines -- South Africa Zostera marina Intertidal ecology Spatial analysis (Statistics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005393
- Description: The aim of this research was to assess three hierarchical aspects of alga-grazer interactions in intertidal communities on a small scale: spatial heterogeneity, grazing effects and spatial stability in grazing effects. First, using semivariograms and cross-semivariograms I observed hierarchical spatial patterns in most algal groups and in grazers. However, these patterns varied with the level on the shore and between shores, suggesting that either human exploitation or wave exposure can be a source of variability. Second, grazing effects were studied using manipulative experiments at different levels on the shore. These revealed significant effects of grazing on the low shore and in tidal pools. Additionally, using a transect of grazer exclusions across the shore, I observed unexpected hierarchical patchiness in the strength of grazing, rather than zonation in its effects. This patchiness varied in time due to different biotic and abiotic factors. In a separate experiment, the effect of mesograzers effects were studied in the upper eulittoral zone under four conditions: burnt open rock (BOR), burnt pools (Bpool), non-burnt open rock (NBOR) and non-burnt pools (NBpool). Additionally, I tested spatial stability in the effects of grazing in consecutive years, using the same plots. I observed great spatial variability in the effects of grazing, but this variability was spatially stable in Bpools and NBOR, meaning deterministic and significant grazing effects in consecutive years on the same plots. Both the significance in grazing effects and spatial stability depended on the level of resolution (species, functional, biomass) at which the algal assemblage was evaluated, suggesting hierarchical variability. In order to be able to predict spatial variability in the effects of grazers in the upper eulittoral zone using biotic and abiotic micro- and macrofactors, a conceptual model was proposed, based on data from several multiple-regressions. This linked the interactions among three elements: idiosyncratic heterogeneity, micro and macrofactors. This suggests that spatial variability can be a product of these factors, while spatial stability can be caused by the same or different combinations of factors. In conclusion, grazing and other ecological phenomena must be studied hierarchically, not only through spatiotemporal scales, but also at different levels of resolution, as these also influence our perception of patterns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Factors affecting recapture rates of raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus tagged off the east coast of South Africa
- Dicken, Matthew L, Booth, Anthony J, Smale, Malcolm J
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Bank credit extension to the private sector and inflation in South Africa
- Authors: Dlamini, Samuel Nkosinathi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Bank loans -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Money supply -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:959 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002693 , Bank loans -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Money supply -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigates the contribution of bank credit extension to the private sector to inflation in South Africa, covering the period 1970:1-2006:4. The long-run impact of bank credit on inflation is investigated by means of the Johansen co integration model. The short-run ynamics of the inflation is subsequently modelled by means of the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Using the Johansen methodology, the study identifies two co integrating equations linking inflation and its eterminants. The results suggest that the long-run relationship between inflation and bank credit to the private sector is negative and statistically significant at 10% level. The determinants that are significant at 5% level are: money supply, real gross domestic product, the money market rate, rand/dollar exchange rate and imports. The results are consistent with previous findings. The speed of adjustment in response to deviation from the equilibrium path was found to be negative at 10.56% per quarter, which is consistent with findings by Ohnsorge and Oomes (2003) for Russia. Both the signs and the magnitude of the coefficients suggest that the co integrating vector describes a long-run inflation equation. The impulse response functions confirm the theoretical expectations except for the import prices. The most persistent and significant shocks observed are on impulse response functions of money supply and bank credit to the private sector. The variance decomposition results also suggest that inflation responds quicker to innovations from money supply and the money market rate. The overall results provide evidence that the surge in inflation is associated with an increase in money supply as well as the instability in exchange rate. The effects of exchange rate fluctuation on inflation are reflected through changes in import prices. Based on the results we conclude that an increase in bank credit during the period 1970:1-2006:4 had a negative mpact on inflation in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Dlamini, Samuel Nkosinathi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Bank loans -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Money supply -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:959 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002693 , Bank loans -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Money supply -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigates the contribution of bank credit extension to the private sector to inflation in South Africa, covering the period 1970:1-2006:4. The long-run impact of bank credit on inflation is investigated by means of the Johansen co integration model. The short-run ynamics of the inflation is subsequently modelled by means of the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Using the Johansen methodology, the study identifies two co integrating equations linking inflation and its eterminants. The results suggest that the long-run relationship between inflation and bank credit to the private sector is negative and statistically significant at 10% level. The determinants that are significant at 5% level are: money supply, real gross domestic product, the money market rate, rand/dollar exchange rate and imports. The results are consistent with previous findings. The speed of adjustment in response to deviation from the equilibrium path was found to be negative at 10.56% per quarter, which is consistent with findings by Ohnsorge and Oomes (2003) for Russia. Both the signs and the magnitude of the coefficients suggest that the co integrating vector describes a long-run inflation equation. The impulse response functions confirm the theoretical expectations except for the import prices. The most persistent and significant shocks observed are on impulse response functions of money supply and bank credit to the private sector. The variance decomposition results also suggest that inflation responds quicker to innovations from money supply and the money market rate. The overall results provide evidence that the surge in inflation is associated with an increase in money supply as well as the instability in exchange rate. The effects of exchange rate fluctuation on inflation are reflected through changes in import prices. Based on the results we conclude that an increase in bank credit during the period 1970:1-2006:4 had a negative mpact on inflation in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Dominant and non-dominant group's perceptions of the government-led economic transformation process in South Africa: report
- Authors: Dlamini, Thobile G. K
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Group identity -- South Africa Post-apartheid era -- South Africa South Africa -- Ethnic relations Social change -- South Africa South Africa -- Social conditions -- 1994- South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2963 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002472
- Description: The enormous social, economic, and political government-led societal transformation South Africans have experienced over the past 15 years have brought about numerous societal and identity changes. The aim of the present study was to explore how dominant (White participants) and non-dominant (Black participants) groups experiencing the government-led societal transformation process deal with perceptions of intergroup differences based on Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986) and related field research. Social Identity Theory predicts that in the presence of intergroup differences group members irrespective of their status position will apply identity management strategies to either improve or maintain their status position. The relationships between perceptions of intergroup relations and identity management strategies as proposed by Social Identity Theory were tested studying 170 second year Rhodes University psychology students. Sixty participants indicated themselves as Black South Africans (representing non-dominant group) and 110 participants identified themselves as White South Africans (dominant group). The results revealed that dominant and non-dominant groups differ systematically regarding the functional interaction between beliefs about the intergroup situation and identity management strategies. The results of the study indicate too, that ingroup identification differentiates between individual and collective strategies irrespective of the group’s status position.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Dlamini, Thobile G. K
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Group identity -- South Africa Post-apartheid era -- South Africa South Africa -- Ethnic relations Social change -- South Africa South Africa -- Social conditions -- 1994- South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2963 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002472
- Description: The enormous social, economic, and political government-led societal transformation South Africans have experienced over the past 15 years have brought about numerous societal and identity changes. The aim of the present study was to explore how dominant (White participants) and non-dominant (Black participants) groups experiencing the government-led societal transformation process deal with perceptions of intergroup differences based on Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986) and related field research. Social Identity Theory predicts that in the presence of intergroup differences group members irrespective of their status position will apply identity management strategies to either improve or maintain their status position. The relationships between perceptions of intergroup relations and identity management strategies as proposed by Social Identity Theory were tested studying 170 second year Rhodes University psychology students. Sixty participants indicated themselves as Black South Africans (representing non-dominant group) and 110 participants identified themselves as White South Africans (dominant group). The results revealed that dominant and non-dominant groups differ systematically regarding the functional interaction between beliefs about the intergroup situation and identity management strategies. The results of the study indicate too, that ingroup identification differentiates between individual and collective strategies irrespective of the group’s status position.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
From song to literary texts : a study of the influence of isiXhosa lyrics on selected isiXhosa texts
- Authors: Dlepu, Siziwe Everrette
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Xhosa (African people) -- Songs and music -- Texts , Folk songs, Xhosa -- South Africa , Xhosa (African people) -- Music , Xhosa -- Music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8460 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/943 , Xhosa (African people) -- Songs and music -- Texts , Folk songs, Xhosa -- South Africa , Xhosa (African people) -- Music , Xhosa -- Music
- Description: Songs play a vital role in the everyday life of the AmaXhosa. Each and every occasion or gathering is accompanied by singing. Their anger or pain, sorrow or joy is reflected in their singing. Although these songs are composed for social purposes and entertainment, they are also educational. Songs may be composed and sung to comment on political affairs, complain against the abuse of power by the authorities, declare war, protest, praise a hero, encourage working together and ridicule the foolishness of someone. Vocabulary and diction used in the composition of these songs, relays the message in a clever and witty style. Since the AmaXhosa are intellectuals, irony and satire are used. The satirical or ironical songs hide the meaning and the listener must unravel the real meaning. AmaXhosa singing, chanting and dancing is accompanied by instruments. These instruments add more rhythm to the dance.The AmaXhosa use anything at their disposal when carving their instruments. Their songs may be accompanied by the beating of cow-hide drums, blowing of reed-pipe whistles, animal horns, beating of sticks and hand-clapping. The most important instrument the AmaXhosa use is the human voice. They are experts in humming, gruff singing and whistling. The songs of the AmaXhosa encourage togetherness. When one composes a song, one does not express one’s own feelings, but also the feelings of the community. The AmaXhosa songs are about participation so group singing and dancing is encouraged. Everyone participates either by singing, dancing or clapping. x Respect is the central core of the AmaXhosa songs. That is why the songs are composed according to age groups and sex. Instruments are also used according to ages and sex. Written texts are also a tool to educate the reader. The writers have decided to include songs in their writings to act as a form of entertainment and education. Although some songs lack the hallmarks of a traditional song, they communicate the idea or relay the message the writer wants to convey to the reader. Terms: Mock enconuim, the grotesque and the principle of beautiful deformity, anaphoric construction, diction and connotation, authorial comments, the mask-persona form, usurping of authority and reduction of traditional status.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
From song to literary texts : a study of the influence of isiXhosa lyrics on selected isiXhosa texts
- Authors: Dlepu, Siziwe Everrette
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Xhosa (African people) -- Songs and music -- Texts , Folk songs, Xhosa -- South Africa , Xhosa (African people) -- Music , Xhosa -- Music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8460 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/943 , Xhosa (African people) -- Songs and music -- Texts , Folk songs, Xhosa -- South Africa , Xhosa (African people) -- Music , Xhosa -- Music
- Description: Songs play a vital role in the everyday life of the AmaXhosa. Each and every occasion or gathering is accompanied by singing. Their anger or pain, sorrow or joy is reflected in their singing. Although these songs are composed for social purposes and entertainment, they are also educational. Songs may be composed and sung to comment on political affairs, complain against the abuse of power by the authorities, declare war, protest, praise a hero, encourage working together and ridicule the foolishness of someone. Vocabulary and diction used in the composition of these songs, relays the message in a clever and witty style. Since the AmaXhosa are intellectuals, irony and satire are used. The satirical or ironical songs hide the meaning and the listener must unravel the real meaning. AmaXhosa singing, chanting and dancing is accompanied by instruments. These instruments add more rhythm to the dance.The AmaXhosa use anything at their disposal when carving their instruments. Their songs may be accompanied by the beating of cow-hide drums, blowing of reed-pipe whistles, animal horns, beating of sticks and hand-clapping. The most important instrument the AmaXhosa use is the human voice. They are experts in humming, gruff singing and whistling. The songs of the AmaXhosa encourage togetherness. When one composes a song, one does not express one’s own feelings, but also the feelings of the community. The AmaXhosa songs are about participation so group singing and dancing is encouraged. Everyone participates either by singing, dancing or clapping. x Respect is the central core of the AmaXhosa songs. That is why the songs are composed according to age groups and sex. Instruments are also used according to ages and sex. Written texts are also a tool to educate the reader. The writers have decided to include songs in their writings to act as a form of entertainment and education. Although some songs lack the hallmarks of a traditional song, they communicate the idea or relay the message the writer wants to convey to the reader. Terms: Mock enconuim, the grotesque and the principle of beautiful deformity, anaphoric construction, diction and connotation, authorial comments, the mask-persona form, usurping of authority and reduction of traditional status.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model for local government
- Authors: Dowd-Krause, Amanda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1211 , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Description: The purpose of this study was to develop an optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model for application within local government authorities, more specifically for application within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted which provided for an understanding on how skills development structures and strategies have changed in recent times and how the laws which provide the framework and landscape for skills development in South Africa, have been adapted to accommodate these changes. The literature review continued with an analysis of various theoretical training and skills development models in order to determine an optimal systematic approach to training and development in South Africa, and to determine the sequential flow of skills planning and implementation process flow steps. From the literature and theoretical models, an all-embracing skills development planning and implementation process flow model was developed for implementation in local government authorities. This model was used as the basis for the development of a survey questionnaire to establish to what extent metropolitan municipalities, agreed or disagreed, that it implemented the aspects of the proposed model developed in this study. Structured interviews were conducted using the survey questionnaire. The results obtained were used to adapt the theoretical model, and to align it with the viewpoints of the majority of the respondents. Although various facets of skills development were found to be implemented across metropolitan municipalities, the majority of the municipalities did not apply optimal skills planning, nor did they apply optimal sequential process steps to ensure effective and efficient skills development. iv The empirical study established without a doubt that a dire need exists for an optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model within local government authorities. Based on the analysis and interpretation of the research findings, the model proposed for local government authorities was customised to produce a process flow model to facilitate optimal skills development planning and implementation within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Dowd-Krause, Amanda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1211 , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Description: The purpose of this study was to develop an optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model for application within local government authorities, more specifically for application within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted which provided for an understanding on how skills development structures and strategies have changed in recent times and how the laws which provide the framework and landscape for skills development in South Africa, have been adapted to accommodate these changes. The literature review continued with an analysis of various theoretical training and skills development models in order to determine an optimal systematic approach to training and development in South Africa, and to determine the sequential flow of skills planning and implementation process flow steps. From the literature and theoretical models, an all-embracing skills development planning and implementation process flow model was developed for implementation in local government authorities. This model was used as the basis for the development of a survey questionnaire to establish to what extent metropolitan municipalities, agreed or disagreed, that it implemented the aspects of the proposed model developed in this study. Structured interviews were conducted using the survey questionnaire. The results obtained were used to adapt the theoretical model, and to align it with the viewpoints of the majority of the respondents. Although various facets of skills development were found to be implemented across metropolitan municipalities, the majority of the municipalities did not apply optimal skills planning, nor did they apply optimal sequential process steps to ensure effective and efficient skills development. iv The empirical study established without a doubt that a dire need exists for an optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model within local government authorities. Based on the analysis and interpretation of the research findings, the model proposed for local government authorities was customised to produce a process flow model to facilitate optimal skills development planning and implementation within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Investigation of the microstructure of nuclear grade matrix graphite
- Authors: Downey, Justin Michael
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Graphite -- South Africa , Microstructure , Nanostructured materials -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10540 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/944 , Graphite -- South Africa , Microstructure , Nanostructured materials -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation focuses on the investigation of the microstructures of two nuclear grade matrix graphites. These graphites were intended for use in the core components of a high temperature test reactor (HTTR) of the pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) design. The graphites were provided in the form of fuel spheres and a reflector block. The techniques used in the analysis of the materials include fracturing, etching, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nano-indentation, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microstructures of the materials were characterized successfully. The fuel sphere material consisted of a high concentration of curved graphite flakes and grains in contact with turbostratic matrix graphite. The well graphitized flakes and grains were polycrystalline in nature. Delamination cracks were prevalent in the graphite crystallites. There was no significant difference in the microstructures of the center, interior and surface regions of the fuel sphere material. No evidence of amorphous carbon or resin residues was found. The reflector material consisted of a low concentration of graphite crystallites embedded within turbostratic matrix graphite. Delamination cracks were observed within the graphite crystallites, and many cavities were present in the material. TEM observation also revealed the presence of diamond crystallites. It was concluded that the fuel sphere graphite was most probably suitable for use as is, provided that the material also possessed other required properties for use in a HTTR. The reflector material however was considered to be unsuitable for use in a HTTR. It was thus suggested that the reflector material could be made more suitable by sufficient graphitization of the turbostratic graphite which formed the bulk of the material.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Downey, Justin Michael
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Graphite -- South Africa , Microstructure , Nanostructured materials -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10540 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/944 , Graphite -- South Africa , Microstructure , Nanostructured materials -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation focuses on the investigation of the microstructures of two nuclear grade matrix graphites. These graphites were intended for use in the core components of a high temperature test reactor (HTTR) of the pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) design. The graphites were provided in the form of fuel spheres and a reflector block. The techniques used in the analysis of the materials include fracturing, etching, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nano-indentation, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microstructures of the materials were characterized successfully. The fuel sphere material consisted of a high concentration of curved graphite flakes and grains in contact with turbostratic matrix graphite. The well graphitized flakes and grains were polycrystalline in nature. Delamination cracks were prevalent in the graphite crystallites. There was no significant difference in the microstructures of the center, interior and surface regions of the fuel sphere material. No evidence of amorphous carbon or resin residues was found. The reflector material consisted of a low concentration of graphite crystallites embedded within turbostratic matrix graphite. Delamination cracks were observed within the graphite crystallites, and many cavities were present in the material. TEM observation also revealed the presence of diamond crystallites. It was concluded that the fuel sphere graphite was most probably suitable for use as is, provided that the material also possessed other required properties for use in a HTTR. The reflector material however was considered to be unsuitable for use in a HTTR. It was thus suggested that the reflector material could be made more suitable by sufficient graphitization of the turbostratic graphite which formed the bulk of the material.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The effect of temperature and turbidity on spawning chokka squid, loligo reynaudii, in Eastern Cape waters
- Authors: Downey, Nicola Jean
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Squids -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa , Squids -- Effect of turbidity on -- South Africa , Squids -- Spawning -- South Africa , Loliginidae -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10719 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012895 , Squids -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa , Squids -- Effect of turbidity on -- South Africa , Squids -- Spawning -- South Africa , Loliginidae -- South Africa
- Description: Several studies suggest the environment influences chokka squid catches which are mostly based on the successful formation of inshore spawning aggregations. None of the evidence, however, is direct observation. Acoustic telemetry offers a means to determine the response of spawners to changes in the environment and insight into the behaviour of spawning squid. A hexagonal array of VR2 receivers deployed 500 m apart was deemed to be ideal to monitor the movement patterns of squid on the spawning sites. In isothermic conditions, an area up to 1.28 km2 could be monitored as there was an approximate 50 m overlap in individual VR2 receiver range. In thermocline conditions however, “acoustic dead zones” as wide as 350 m may have existed between VR2 receivers, limiting the performance of this configuration. Similarly benthic turbidity events would also decrease detection range and limit performance. A hexagonal array of VR2 receivers was moored in Kromme Bay on and around active spawning aggregations during the squid fishery closed seasons of November 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Squid were caught on jigs and tagged with V9 acoustic pressure telemetry transmitters. A total of 45 animals were tagged. Presence-absence analysis identified three general behaviours: (1) arrival at dawn and departure after dusk, (2) a continuous and uninterrupted presence for a number of days and (3) presence interrupted by frequent but short periods of absence. Overall, the data suggests frequent migrations between spawning aggregations and offshore feeding grounds. The pressure sensor data showed both males and females stayed persistently near the seabed during the day, but at night, this pattern was broken with common activity higher up in the water column. The squid did not remain exclusively in the water column and regularly made excursions to the seabed. CTD and temperature data indicated the intrusion of a cold bottom layer due to upwelling at the monitored spawning sites on a number of occasions. The formation of spawning aggregations appears to be triggered by upwelling events and spawning behaviour, once initiated, disrupted by upwelling events with a rapid onset, possibly due to an inability to adapt physiologically over such a short time period.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Downey, Nicola Jean
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Squids -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa , Squids -- Effect of turbidity on -- South Africa , Squids -- Spawning -- South Africa , Loliginidae -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10719 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012895 , Squids -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa , Squids -- Effect of turbidity on -- South Africa , Squids -- Spawning -- South Africa , Loliginidae -- South Africa
- Description: Several studies suggest the environment influences chokka squid catches which are mostly based on the successful formation of inshore spawning aggregations. None of the evidence, however, is direct observation. Acoustic telemetry offers a means to determine the response of spawners to changes in the environment and insight into the behaviour of spawning squid. A hexagonal array of VR2 receivers deployed 500 m apart was deemed to be ideal to monitor the movement patterns of squid on the spawning sites. In isothermic conditions, an area up to 1.28 km2 could be monitored as there was an approximate 50 m overlap in individual VR2 receiver range. In thermocline conditions however, “acoustic dead zones” as wide as 350 m may have existed between VR2 receivers, limiting the performance of this configuration. Similarly benthic turbidity events would also decrease detection range and limit performance. A hexagonal array of VR2 receivers was moored in Kromme Bay on and around active spawning aggregations during the squid fishery closed seasons of November 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Squid were caught on jigs and tagged with V9 acoustic pressure telemetry transmitters. A total of 45 animals were tagged. Presence-absence analysis identified three general behaviours: (1) arrival at dawn and departure after dusk, (2) a continuous and uninterrupted presence for a number of days and (3) presence interrupted by frequent but short periods of absence. Overall, the data suggests frequent migrations between spawning aggregations and offshore feeding grounds. The pressure sensor data showed both males and females stayed persistently near the seabed during the day, but at night, this pattern was broken with common activity higher up in the water column. The squid did not remain exclusively in the water column and regularly made excursions to the seabed. CTD and temperature data indicated the intrusion of a cold bottom layer due to upwelling at the monitored spawning sites on a number of occasions. The formation of spawning aggregations appears to be triggered by upwelling events and spawning behaviour, once initiated, disrupted by upwelling events with a rapid onset, possibly due to an inability to adapt physiologically over such a short time period.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Understanding social learning processes in a citrus farming community of practice
- Authors: Downsborough, Linda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386949 , vital:68191 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122819"
- Description: This paper focuses on what would traditionally be termed ‘non-formal’ learning processes in the context of a case study examining how citrus farming communities in the Patensie Valley in the Eastern Cape in South Africa were learning conservation practices. Communities of Practice theory was used to provide a conceptual framework for researching these learning interactions. Through historical and other qualitative research methods, I was able to establish that farmers in this community of practice learned mainly through responding to change and uncertainty, through forming and drawing on networks and community structures, through intergenerational learning, and through various interactions with each other. The historical research also pointed to the significance of policy and market-based changes in farmer learning, and their attachment to the land, which is shaped through historical associations with the land, and through embedded relations in farming practice cultures. The paper provides an example of how Communities of Practice theory, complemented by historical research, can be used to understand non-formal learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Downsborough, Linda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386949 , vital:68191 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122819"
- Description: This paper focuses on what would traditionally be termed ‘non-formal’ learning processes in the context of a case study examining how citrus farming communities in the Patensie Valley in the Eastern Cape in South Africa were learning conservation practices. Communities of Practice theory was used to provide a conceptual framework for researching these learning interactions. Through historical and other qualitative research methods, I was able to establish that farmers in this community of practice learned mainly through responding to change and uncertainty, through forming and drawing on networks and community structures, through intergenerational learning, and through various interactions with each other. The historical research also pointed to the significance of policy and market-based changes in farmer learning, and their attachment to the land, which is shaped through historical associations with the land, and through embedded relations in farming practice cultures. The paper provides an example of how Communities of Practice theory, complemented by historical research, can be used to understand non-formal learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Applicability of the REALM health literacy test to an English second-language South African population:
- Dowse, Roslind, Lecoko, Motlalepule L E, Ehlers, Martina S
- Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Lecoko, Motlalepule L E , Ehlers, Martina S
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156798 , vital:40051 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-010-9392-y
- Description: Objective and setting. To investigate health literacy in an English second language population using the REALM test, to evaluate its appropriateness and to compare health literacy between four different education categories. Setting Primary healthcare clinics and participant homes in Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Lecoko, Motlalepule L E , Ehlers, Martina S
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156798 , vital:40051 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-010-9392-y
- Description: Objective and setting. To investigate health literacy in an English second language population using the REALM test, to evaluate its appropriateness and to compare health literacy between four different education categories. Setting Primary healthcare clinics and participant homes in Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Using pictograms in a patient information leaflet to communicate antiretroviral medicines information to HIV/AIDS patients in rural South Africa:
- Authors: Dowse, Roslind
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156817 , vital:40053 , ISBN
- Description: The objectives were to design a simple, illustrated patient information leaflet for the antiretroviral regimen of stavudine, lamivudine and efavirenz and to evaluate its readability and acceptability in the local Xhosa population. In order to achieve this, a further objective was to design and evaluate illustrations to include in the patient information leaflet which were culturally acceptable and well interpreted. Illustrations or pictograms were designed to illustrate selected instructions appearing in the patient information leaflet and were individually tested in 30 Xhosa participants who had a maximum of 8 years of formal schooling. Results were used to improve the pictograms for inclusion in the patient information leaflet. The patient information leaflet was designed and tested in sixty Xhosa participants with varied levels of education who had stated they could read. Demographic data were collected and they were then asked to read the patient information leaflet, available in both English and isiXhosa, and a series of questions was asked to assess its comprehension and acceptability. The overall average rate of understanding was 95. Six of the 20 questions were located and understood by all participants, and only two questions resulted in less than an 85 correct response. Physical appearance and quantity of information were highly rated and all participants were enthusiastic about the inclusion of pictograms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Dowse, Roslind
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156817 , vital:40053 , ISBN
- Description: The objectives were to design a simple, illustrated patient information leaflet for the antiretroviral regimen of stavudine, lamivudine and efavirenz and to evaluate its readability and acceptability in the local Xhosa population. In order to achieve this, a further objective was to design and evaluate illustrations to include in the patient information leaflet which were culturally acceptable and well interpreted. Illustrations or pictograms were designed to illustrate selected instructions appearing in the patient information leaflet and were individually tested in 30 Xhosa participants who had a maximum of 8 years of formal schooling. Results were used to improve the pictograms for inclusion in the patient information leaflet. The patient information leaflet was designed and tested in sixty Xhosa participants with varied levels of education who had stated they could read. Demographic data were collected and they were then asked to read the patient information leaflet, available in both English and isiXhosa, and a series of questions was asked to assess its comprehension and acceptability. The overall average rate of understanding was 95. Six of the 20 questions were located and understood by all participants, and only two questions resulted in less than an 85 correct response. Physical appearance and quantity of information were highly rated and all participants were enthusiastic about the inclusion of pictograms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009