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Detection of extended spectrum beta‑lactamase genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients in rural Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

- Mojisola C. Hosu, Sandeep D. Vasaikar,, Grace E. Okuthe, Teke Apalata

  • Authors: Mojisola C. Hosu , Sandeep D. Vasaikar, , Grace E. Okuthe , Teke Apalata
  • Date: 2021
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4509 , vital:44128
  • Description: The proliferation of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa represent a major public health threat. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial resistance patterns of P. aeruginosa strains and characterized the ESBLs and Metallo- β-lactamases (MBL) produced. Strains of P. aeruginosa cultured from patients who attended Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and other clinics in the four district municipalities of the Eastern Cape between August 2017 and May 2019 were identified; antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out against thirteen clinically relevant antibiotics using the BioMérieux VITEK 2 and confirmed by Beckman autoSCAN-4 System. Real-time PCR was done using Roche Light Cycler 2.0 to detect the presence of ESBLs; blaSHV, blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes; and MBLs; blaIMP, blaVIM. Strains of P. aeruginosa demonstrated resistance to wide-ranging clinically relevant antibiotics including piperacillin (64.2%), followed by aztreonam (57.8%), cefepime (51.5%), ceftazidime (51.0%), piperacillin/tazobactam (50.5%), and imipenem (46.6%). A total of 75 (36.8%) multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were observed of the total pool of isolates. The blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M was detected in 79.3%, 69.5% and 31.7% isolates (n = 82), respectively. The blaIMP was detected in 1.25% while no blaVIM was detected in any of the strains tested. The study showed a high rate of MDR P. aeruginosa in our setting. The vast majority of these resistant strains carried blaTEM and blaSHV genes. Continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and strict compliance towards infection prevention and control practices are the best defence against spread of MDR P. aeruginosa.
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Exploring the curriculum content knowledge and skills bearing acquired by acquired by advanced certificate in education graduates in a selected institution of higher learning

- Mnukwa Zolile Maxwell

Insulin Resistance is Associated with Gut Permeability Without the Direct Influence of Obesity in Young Adults

- Mkumbuzi, Lusikelelwe, Engwa, Godwill Azeh, Sewani-Rusike, Constance R, Mfengu, Mvuyisi M O

Ageing, exposure to pollution, and interactions between climate change and local seasons as oxidant conditions predicting incident hematologic malignancy at KINSHASA University clinics, Democratic Republic of CONGO (DRC)

- Mireille Solange Nganga Nkanga, Benjamin Longo-Mbenza, Oladele Vincent Adeniyi, Jacques Bikaula Ngwidiwo, Antoine Lufimbo Katawandja, Paul Roger Beia Kazadi, Alain Nganga Nzonzila

Evaluation of Intussusception After Oral Monovalent Rotavirus Vaccination in South Africa

- Michelle J. Groome, Nick Andrews, Jacqueline E. Tate, Marion Arnold, Milind Chitnis, Sharon Cox, Corné de Vos, Mari Kirsten, Susanna M. le Grange, Jerome Loveland, Sello Machaea, Ashwini Maharaj, Shabir A. Madhi, Umesh D. Parashar

The Effects of AfCFTA on Food Security Sustainability: An Analysis of the Cereals Trade in the SADC Region

- Michael Takudzwa Pasara, Nolutho Diko

Physical sciences teaching and learning in Eastern Cape rural schools: Reflections of pre-service teachers

- Merlin John

  • Authors: Merlin John
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4288 , vital:44079
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EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN OPTICS TEACHING MODULE IN ENHANCING CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF GRADE 11 LEARNERS AT A SELECTED SCHOOL IN MTHATHA

- MERLIN JOHN

  • Authors: MERLIN JOHN
  • Date: 2014
  • Language: English
  • Type: PhD Manuscript
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2065 , vital:40812 , DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
  • Description: This study aimed at investigating the conceptions and alternative conceptions regarding the optical phenomena ‘reflection’, ‘refraction’ and ‘total internal reflection’ amongst Grade 11 learners at a selected school in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa and developing remedies to enhance their conceptual understanding of this area. The study adopted a quasi-experimental pre-test – post-test design. To enhance the credibility of the findings of the study, the data were collected using mixed methods (both questionnaires and interviews). The questionnaires developed for the study were 4 tier Optics Diagnostic Instruments (4ODIs) which were designed in such a way that both qualitative and quantitative data could be collected. To explore the findings from the pre-tests, face-to-face interviews with selected learners from both the groups were conducted. This stage was followed by the design an optics teaching module which aimed at enhancing the experimental group learners’ conceptual understanding of the optical phenomena, whereas the comparison group was taught in the traditional teaching method. To test the effectiveness of the designed teaching module, the 4ODIs were administered as post-tests to both groups. To enhance the credibility of the findings from the post-tests, face-to-face interviews were conducted with some selected learners from the experimental group. Since the aim of the interviews at this stage was to test how the designed optics teaching module helped the experimental group learners in enhancing their conceptual understanding, the comparison group learners were not interviewed at this stage since they were taught in the traditional teaching method. The quantitative analyses were carried out using Microsoft Excel and the statistical software, IBM SPSS Version 20. The qualitative analysis was carried out manually by coding and categorizing the learners’ responses from the questionnaires and the interviews. The item analysis of the 1st tiers was carried out using Microsoft Excel. The statistical comparisons of the test scores of the 1st tiers of the tests (pre-test – post-test comparison of both the groups and the experimental group – comparison group comparison of both the pre-tests and the post-tests) were performed using t-tests (independent samples t-test and paired samples t-test). The 2nd tiers (learners’ confidence levels in their responses to the corresponding 1st tiers) and the 4th tiers (learners’ confidence levels in their responses to the corresponding 3rd tiers) were analysed by (using SPSS) calculating measures of central tendencies of their responses. The 3rd tiers (open-ended questions) and the interviews were analysed manually by coding and categorizing learners’ responses. Before the implementation of the optics teaching module, both the experimental and the comparison groups were found to hold a variety of alternative conceptions about the optical phenomena. Moreover, the performances of both the groups were the same. It was also found that the learners from both the groups were not confident when they approached the pre-tests. The qualitative analyses of the learners’ responses to the 3rd tiers and the interviews suggested that most of the correct responses given by the learners to tier-1 of the pre-test questionnaires originated from a faulty or vague understanding of the scientific concepts. Moreover, some of the incorrect responses identified could not be considered as alternative conceptions because of the very low confidence levels the learners displayed in these responses. Such responses were categorized as ‘errors due to lack of knowledge’. The analyses of the post-test questionnaires, and face-to-face interviews conducted immediately after the post-tests, revealed that the experimental group outperformed the comparison group in terms of their conceptual understanding of the optical phenomena. In other words, the number of experimental group learners who held scientifically-accepted concepts increased for some questions of the post-tests and in some other questions, the experimental group learners developed new scientific understanding of many situations with regard to the optical phenomena. To conclude, the findings of the study proved that the Grade 11 learners in the selected school held a variety of alternative conceptions and errors due to lack of knowledge. However, the optics teaching module, which was designed by taking into consideration the learners’ prior knowledge regarding the particular learning area, could remedy most of the alternative conceptions and errors which were merely due to lack of knowledge.
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Pulse amplitude tonometry and angiogenic factors in preeclampsia in rural African women

- Meeme, Allen

  • Authors: Meeme, Allen
  • Date: 2014
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) (Health Sciences, Physiology)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2009 , vital:40800
  • Description: The pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains a puzzle despite extensive research that has been carried out over the years. Endothelial dysfunction and altered angiogenic balance have now been shown to play a significant role in the protean manifestations of this syndrome. There are several direct and indirect methods that have been used for assessing endothelial function during pregnancy. The most commonly used non-invasive method for assessing endothelial function in pregnancy has been the flow-mediated ultrasonic method. Because this method requires a skilled sonographer and a good quality ultrasound machine, it is not readily available for routine investigational use. Pulse amplitude tonometry using the EndoPAT 2000 is a novel non-invasive automated method that has been used rather extensively in recent years for assessing endothelial dysfunction in non-pregnant subjects, with only a few reports in pregnancy. This study set out to assess pulse amplitude tonometry using EndoPAT 2000 in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women in rural African women to determine whether it can demonstrate endothelial dysfunction associated with preeclampsia. In addition, angiogenic factors known to be associated with preeclampsia were measured to assess whether there are any differences in their levels between normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women in the rural African setting. As HIV, a common condition in this population of antenatal mothers, is known to affect endothelial function, secondary evaluation was carried out based on the HIV status to assess if there are any differences in the tested parameters. This was a prospective case-control study conducted in Mthatha Hospital Complex, Eastern Cape, South Africa. A total of two hundred and fifteen (215) participants with known HIV status were recruited into the study; 105 women had preeclampsia (cases) and 110 were normotensive pregnant women (controls). Endothelial function was assessed using EndoPAT 2000 technique that measured pulse amplitude tonometry using the reactive hyperemia index (RHI, arbitrary units). Blood samples were also taken from the subjects and the serum was stored at -70°C until assayed for soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF). Nitric oxide levels were measured indirectly using nitrite and nitrate levels in serum from blood samples taken from the test arm about 5 minutes after the end of the pulse amplitude tonometry, and these were measured using the Cayman colorimetric method. sFLt-1 and PIGF levels were quantified using specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Statistix 8.0 and Graphpad Prism 5 software were used for data analysis. Data were summarised as means ± standard error of the mean (SEM) for normally distributed data and medians (interquartile range, IQR) for non-normally distributed data. Two sample Student’s t-test was used to compare means while Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare medians. Spearman’s correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to determine correlations between variables. Secondary analysis was carried based on whether the cases were early onset or late onset and whether cases and controls were HIV-positive or negative. Kruskal-Wallis and one way ANOVA were used to compare means between cases and controls. Statistical significance was set at a p value of <0.05. Women with preeclampsia were found to have significantly lower RHI [1.70(1.04-3.61)au vs.1.81 (1.18-4.62) au; p˂0.05], lower PIGF levels (90.26 ± 8.99 pg/ml vs. 172.80 ± 20.24 pg/ml; p˂0.01) and higher sFlt1, (2087.3 ± 200.1 pg/ml vs. 1546.5 ± 91.9 pg/ml; p˂0.01) compared to normotensive controls. The sFlt1/PIGF ratio was also found to be higher among women with preeclampsia (66.77 ± 18.66 vs. 22.26 ± 2.95; p˂0.01) compared to the normotensive controls. Unlike the lower RHI, the nitrite and nitrate levels did not differ between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women (6.04 ± 0.52 µM vs 6.12 ± 0.49 µM; p>0.05). No significant relationship was observed between RHI and nitrite/nitrate levels (r=-0.08, p>0.05), RHI and pro-angiogenic factor PIGF (r=0.101, p>0.05) or RHI and anti-angiogenic factor sFlt1 (r= 0.002, p>0.05). There was also no significant relationship between RHI and the sFlt1/PlGF ratio (r=-0.047, p>0.05). HIV-positive status significantly affected sFlt1, baseline pulse wave amplitude and augmentation index compared to HIV-negative status in the different groups of women. RHI, PlGF and the sFlt1/PlGF ratio differences were not statistically significant. Pulse amplitude tonometry measured as reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using EndoPAT 2000 revealed the presence of endothelial dysfunction in rural African women with preeclampsia, thus suggesting that this technique can be used reliably to assess endothelial dysfunction in pregnant women. To our knowledge this is the first such report involving rural African women. The significant differences in the levels and ratios of angiogenic factors found in the preeclamptic women when compared with the normotensive controls in this study also confirm what has been reported in the literature. Although endothelial dysfunction was clearly demonstrable in the preeclamptic rural African women, this appears not to have been associated with either reduced or elevated levels of nitric oxide, as assessed using nitrite/ nitrate levels when compared with normotensive controls. This finding adds to the current conflicting reports on nitric oxide levels in preeclampsia reported in the literature. The RHI in both cases and control pregnant women was also not significantly correlated with the levels of nitrites/nitrates. Although this might raise some questions about the actual role of nitric oxide in endothelial dysfunction in rural African women with preeclampsia, the explanation for this finding might simply be the fact that NO has a very short half-life, and has to be measured indirectly using its more stable metabolites such as nitrites and nitrates. The absence of significant correlation between RHI and angiogenic factors demonstrated in this study could mean that the effect of sFlt1 may be more on the larger arteries than small resistance arteries from which RHI is obtained. It is recommended that prospective studies are carried out to determine whether the RHI becomes abnormal before the onset of clinical preeclampsia or not as the search for predictors of preeclampsia continues.
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Factors associated with glycemic control among South African adult residents of Mkhondo municipality living with diabetes mellitus

- Masilela, Charity, Pearce, Brendon, Ongole, Joven Jebio, Adeniy, Oladele Vincent, Benjeddou, Mongi

Antibacterial activity of crude extracts of some South African medicinal plants against multidrug resistant etiological agents of diarrhoea

- Mary A. Bisi-Johnson, Chikwelu L. Obi, Babatunde B Samuel, Jacobus N. Eloff, Anthony I. Okoh

Conditional economic incentives to improve HIV prevention

- Mark K U Pasayan, Adeyinka A Alab, Douglas F Nixon

Causes of conflict in school governing bodies of Mthatha district schools in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality

- Mandisa Nokwanda Memela

  • Authors: Mandisa Nokwanda Memela
  • Date: 2013
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2838 , vital:42963
  • Description: ABSTRACT According to the South African Schools Act (Act 84, 1996) (SASA), which came into effect in the beginning of 1997, all public schools in South Africa should have democratically elected School Governing Bodies, with parents, educators, non-teaching staff, learners and the principal. Their functions included creating an environment conducive to teaching and learning, developing a vision and mission statement for the school and promoting the best interests of the school. School governance practices are performed with tension due to values inherent in African traditions; customs and values of modern school leadership. Integrating schools and the communities and making the former accountable to its community and having representations of legitimate interests in the schools are seen as politically and socially correct. It is argued that conflicts and tensions in school governance are likely to continue. In this study, the researcher explores and analyses causes of conflict in SGBs of Mthatha District schools in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. A quantitative study using questionnaires was conducted, using five respondents of the School Governing Bodies (SGBs) from each of the rural, semi-urban and urban schools. Two schools were selected from each of these categories. This gave a total of thirty respondents. Non- probability purposive sampling was used. Two types of comparative analysis were done to the quantitative data. There was the usual descriptive statistical analysis meant to draw comparisons based on the responses within a given variable. This was the initial analysis for quantitative data. Some reliable conclusions were determined from this analysis. The findings of the study reveal numerous causes of conflict in SGBs related to SGB‟s in ability to execute their functions and ability to rule the school as prescribed in the South Africa Schools Act.84 of 1996. The causes of conflict include parents‟ level of education, parental interference, illiteracy, or lack of transparency, recruitment and lack of financial mismanagement. Finally, it is also evident that only learners could not be blamed for causing conflict. The study concludes with some recommendations, amongst them that there should be a friendly atmosphere between parents and teachers with teachers accepting the presence and involvement of parents in the running of school activities but that parents should not interfere in the teaching practices of educators and should not be at school during odd hours of the day.
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Weight change among women using intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, a copper intrauterine device, or a levonorgestrel implant for contraception: Findings from a randomised, multicentre, open-label trial

- Mags Beksinskaa,*,, Rodal Issema, Ivana Beeshama,, Tharnija Lalbahadura,, Jenni Smita

Exploring national human resource profile and trends of Prosthetists/Orthotists in South Africa from 2002 to 2018

- Luphiwo Mduzana, Ritika Tiwar, Ned Lieketseng & Usuf Chikte

Exploring national human resource profile and trends of Prosthetists/ Orthotists in South Africa from 2002 to 2018

- Luphiwo Mduzana, Ritika Tiwari, Ned Lieketseng, Usuf Chikte

Suitability of ‘Guidelines for Screening of Prosthetic Candidates: Lower Limb’ for the Eastern Cape, South Africa: A qualitative study

- Luphiwo L. Mduzana, Surona Visagie, Gubela Mji

Factors Influencing Enrolment In Rural Primary Schools In One Circuit, Port St. Johns Cmc, Or Tambo Coastal Education District

- Lungu, Simlindile Humphrey

  • Authors: Lungu, Simlindile Humphrey
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Collaboration, school culture, school merger, rationalisation, educator attrition, enrolment, rural, educators, learners.
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters , Master of Education (M. Ed)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6244 , vital:45343
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing enrolment in rural primary schools in one Circuit in Port St. Johns CMC in OR Tambo Coastal Education District. The literature review looked into each of the following aspects of factors influencing enrolment in rural primary schools: challenges resulting in policy issues, the challenge of infrastructure, other factors that influence enrolment in rural school and strategies to overcome enrolment challenges in rural schools. The study was qualitative in nature and employed case study research design. Convenient sampling was used to select four rural primary schools in one Circuit in Port St. Johns Circuit Management Centre (CMC) in OR Tambo Education District. The principal, one (1) educator, one (1) parent and one (1) learner were purposively selected from each school and this made a total of sixteen (16) participants. Face-to-face individual interviews were conducted to gather data about the views and opinions of the participants. Data were analysed using the interpretational analytical strategies. Themes were drawn from the responses of the participants. The major findings were:When the number of learners decreases, the number of educators is also reduced proportionately as a results educators have to take more subjects.There was a negative effect of the relocation of parents, there was poor quality of teaching and learning, the effect of instability crippled normal functioning of the school, there was poor school management as the schools were hit by having no principals due to internal disputes, there were disruptions of teaching and learning due to instability in rural primary schools. The main recommendations are: Rural primary schools should gradually improve the quality of teaching and learning provisioning and arrest the decline in enrolment;At least each class should have an educator, so that discipline can be maintained in all classes; Given the highly technical nature of the process involved in determining the PPN of schools, the DBE, the Provincial Education Departments as well as educator unions should as a matter of priority engage in a massive campaign to capacitate principals on the application of the PPN and its related formula; An audit into the schools' physical infrastructure be conducted to redress the meaningful pedagogical environment of teaching and learning.
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Management of discipline policy for educators by school management teams in the Maluti district, Eastern Cape Province (RSA): a case study of two selected schools

- Lishman, Bilibane Thabo

  • Authors: Lishman, Bilibane Thabo
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Educational Management and Policy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters, Ed
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2353 , vital:41450
  • Description: This research project was an attempt to determine School Management Teams (SMTs) management of teacher discipline at school using the discipline policy (code of conduct for educators) as a frame of reference. This was because procedures and processes for managing teacher discipline were new to principals and their SMTs. The main aim was to investigate the practices and experiences of SMTs regarding management of discipline policy for better or improved teacher conduct. Again, the study sought to understand and explain the gap between discipline policy and its implementation as SMTs seemed to be grappling with the implementation process thereof. The study is located in an interpretive and qualitative perspective where a case study research design was used. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data from participants selected from two schools (school A and school B). The participants were sampled purposively out of a population of 245 principals and 245 site stewards. The principal and site steward of each school were interviewed because they were found to be relevant to the case of discipline policy implementation. The principal of each school represented the SMT while the site stewards represented the teaching staff. There were therefore four participants who contributed to data collection. During the data collection process, all issues of ethics like voluntary participation, permission, informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity and rights of participants were considered. As data were collected using face-to-face interviews, they were analysed qualitatively, using interim analysis of coding, segmentation, categorising and theming. This research project is grounded in two theories, namely, progressive discipline theory and decentralisation of power theory. The researcher‟s use of progressive discipline as a framework of analysis is based on the fact that the theory focuses on discipline as a corrective measure and not a punitive measure. It also focuses on a series of steps in ii which the disciplinary action is taken each time an educator commits an act of misconduct. The decentralisation-of-power theory is used as a frame of reference because it states that a current trend in education reform is the decentralisation of decision-making powers from a central level to a school level, hence there is schoolbased management. The literature sourced for this study is also based on these two theories. Major findings were established, discussed and recommendations were made. The literature, together with the major findings, generally agreed that all schools had SMTs to manage schools on a day-to-day basis. It was also revealed that the discipline policy for educators was there in every school and was clear, actionable and was the product of collective participation. The onus is upon the capacity of the SMTs to implement the policy for the benefit of quality education. The findings and recommendations suggest that for the implementation of this discipline policy, SMTs must first improve the school culture and school climate.
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Cardiometabolic risk factors and early indicators of vascular dysfunction: a cross-sectional cohort study in South African adolescents

- Letswalo, Boitumelo Prescilla, Schmid-Zalaudek, Karin, Brix, Bianca, Matjuda, Edna Ngoakoana, Klosz, Fabian, Obernhumer, Natalie, Gaisl, Michael, Engwa, Godwill Azeh, Sewani-Rusike, Constance, Fredriksen, Per Morten, Nkeh-Chungag, Benedicta, Goswami, Nandu

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