Showing items 261 - 280 of 567

Factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women in theEastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Adeola, H A , Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent , Ajayi, Anthony Idowu , Goon, Daniel Ter , Owolabi, Eyitayo Omolara , Eboh, Alfred , Lambert, John
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5272 , vital:44427 , https://neuro.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/29653510/Factors_affecting_adherence_to_antiretroviral_therapy_among_pregnant_women_in_the_Eastern_Cape_South_Africa_
  • Description: Background:Context-specific factors influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among pregnant womenliving with HIV. Gaps exist in the understanding of the reasons for the variable outcomes of the prevention ofmother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme at the health facility level in South Africa. This study examinedadherence levels and reasons for non-adherence during pregnancy in a cohort of parturient women enrolled in thePMTCT programme in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods:This was a mixed-methods study involving 1709 parturient women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Weconducted a multi-centre retrospective analysis of the mother-infant pair in the PMTCT electronic database in 2016.Semi-structured interviews of purposively selected parturient women with self-reported poor adherence (n= 177)were conducted to gain understanding of the main barriers to adherence. Binary logistic regression was used todetermine the independent predictors of ART non-adherence.Results:A high proportion (69.0%) of women reported perfect adherence. In the logistic regression analysis, afteradjusting for confounding factors, marital status, cigarette smoking, alcohol use and non-disclosure to a family memberwere the independent predictors of non-adherence. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed that drug-related side-effects, being away from home, forgetfulness, non-disclosure, stigma and work-related demand were among the mainreasons for non-adherence to ART.Conclusions:Non-adherence to the antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women in this setting is associated withlifestyle behaviours, HIV-related stigma and ART side-effects. In order to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV,clinicians need to screen for these factors at every antenatal clinic visit.Keywords:Adherence, Non-adherence, HIV, Antiretroviral therapy, Elimination of mother-to-child transmission,Prevention of mother-to-child transmission, Stigma, South Africa
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Factors impeding African immigrant entrepreneurs’ progression in selected small and medium enterprises: Evidence from a local municipality in South Africa

Factors Influencing English Reading Competencies Of Grade 4 Learners in the Libode- Mega District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

  • Authors: CORNAS NGEPHI NOMKOPO
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2781 , vital:42864
  • Description: Reading has become the national and international centre of debate as learners persistently read below the required levels and matriculation results are due to learners’ poor reading competencies. The concerns about poor reading competencies has mounted into inflammatory statements in articles and popular media nationally, continentally and internationally. Without the ability to read learners are deprived access to pertinent information and knowledge that can assist individuals in lifelong learning. Being a language teacher, the researcher in this study strongly believe that every learner can read appropriately and teachers can assist learners to improve their reading competencies. The purpose of the study wasto identify the factors contributing to poor reading competencies of grade 4 learners and to provide recommendations to assist in dealing with poor reading competencies. Qualitative research approach was undertaken to deal with all aspects related to research methodology.The data were collected using research instruments such as observation of six learners from three selected primaryschools. The observation was conducted during readingof textby learners in the presence of English teachers. The questionnaires were distributed to eleven teachers offering English in grade 4 as another means of data collection instrument.Major findings of the study revealed that factors affecting reading competencies are hugely emanated from schools, teachers, family background, departmental policy and learners themselves. Despite reading problems exist in schools, there are always positive solutions to bring hope and success to the learners
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Feasibility and acceptability of conducting HIV vaccine trials in adolescents in South Africa: : Going beyond willingness to participate towards implementation

  • Authors: Chandia, Jimmy
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5498 , vital:44586 , http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/12260
  • Description: Background. HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of death in adolescents (aged 15 - 25 years), and in sub-Saharan Africa HIV-related deaths continue to rise in this age group despite a decline in both adult and paediatric populations. This is attributable in part to high adolescent infection rates and supports the urgent need for more efficacious prevention strategies. In particular, an even partially effective HIV vaccine, given prior to sexual debut, is predicted to significantly curb adolescent infection rates. While adolescents have indicated willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials, there are concerns around safety, uptake, adherence, and ethical and logistic issues. Objectives. To initiate a national, multisite project with the aim of identifying obstacles to conducting adolescent HIV vaccine trials in South Africa (SA). Method. A simulated HIV vaccine trial was conducted in adolescents aged 12 - 17 years across five SA research sites, using the already licensed Merck human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil as a proxy for an HIV vaccine. Adolescents were recruited at community venues and, following a vaccine discussion group, invited to participate in the trial. Consent for trial enrolment was obtained from a parent or legal guardian, and participants aged 16 - 17 years were eligible only if sexually active. Typical vaccine trial procedures were applied during the five study visits, including the administration of vaccination injections at study visits 2, 3 and 4. Results. The median age of participants was 14 years (interquartile range 13 - 15), with 81% between the ages of 12 and 15 years at enrolment. Overall, 98% of screened participants opted to receive the vaccine, 588 participants enrolled, and 524 (89%) attended the final visit. Conclusions. This trial showed that adolescents can be recruited, enrolled and retained in clinical prevention trials with parental support. While promising, these results were tempered by the coupling of sexual-risk eligibility criteria and the requirement for parental/guardian consent, which was probably a barrier to the enrolment of high-risk older adolescents. Further debate around appropriate consent approaches for such adolescents in HIV prevention studies is required.
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How good are our guidelines? Four years of experience with the SAMJ’s AGREE II review of submitted clinical practice guidelines

  • Authors: Kredo, Tamara , Wiseman, Roger , Gray, Andy , Parrish, Andy , Miot, Jacqui , Jamaloodien, Khadija , Blockman, Marc
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5296 , vital:44431 , http://10.7196/SAMJ.2018.v108i11.13646
  • Description: The South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) is an established source of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) serving the local healthcare community. CPGs link professional societies and clinicians by guiding best practice through the collation and interpretation of the best available evidence. Not only are CPGs important in standardising the quality of patient care, but they also assist with medicine selection and resource allocation decisions, adjudicating medicolegal claims, and promoting equity by influencing medicine access and health system organisation.[1] In 2014, the SAMJ appointed an editorial subcommittee to review CPGs submitted for publication.[2] This was in response to several concerns, including the global shift in CPG quality requirements, the potential effect of poor-quality CPGs on healthcare quality and cost, and the challenges South African (SA) CPG developers face in meeting new standards. This editorial reflects on the SAMJ CPG review subcommittee’s experience over the past 4 years and describes the value of more robust CPG development.
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Implementing a total reward strategy in selected South African municipal organisations

  • Authors: Patrick W. Bwowe , Newlin Marongwe
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4233 , vital:44048
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Inhibition of NOS- like activity in maize alters the expression of genes involved in H2O2 scavenging and glycine betaine biosynthesis

  • Authors: Phillips, Kyle , Majola, Anelisa , Gokul, Arun , Keyster, Marshall , Ludidi, Ndiko , Egbichi, Ifeanyi
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5256 , vital:44425 , https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-31131-z#citeas
  • Description: Nitric oxide synthase-like activity contributes to the production of nitric oxide in plants, which controls plant responses to stress. This study investigates if changes in ascorbate peroxidase enzymatic activity and glycine betaine content in response to inhibition of nitric oxide synthase-like activity are associated with transcriptional regulation by analyzing transcript levels of genes (betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase) involved in glycine betaine biosynthesis and those encoding antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase and catalase) in leaves of maize seedlings treated with an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase-like activity. In seedlings treated with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, transcript levels of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase were decreased. In plants treated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, the transcript levels of ascorbate peroxidase-encoding genes were down-regulated. We thus conclude that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase-like activity suppresses the expression of ascorbate peroxidase and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase genes in maize leaves. Furthermore, catalase activity was suppressed in leaves of plants treated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor; and this corresponded with the suppression of the expression of catalase genes. We further conclude that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase-like activity, which suppresses ascorbate peroxidase and catalase enzymatic activities, results in increased H2O2 content.Background:Context-specific factors influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among pregnant womenliving with HIV. Gaps exist in the understanding of the reasons for the variable outcomes of the prevention ofmother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme at the health facility level in South Africa. This study examinedadherence levels and reasons for non-adherence during pregnancy in a cohort of parturient women enrolled in thePMTCT programme in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods:This was a mixed-methods study involving 1709 parturient women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Weconducted a multi-centre retrospective analysis of the mother-infant pair in the PMTCT electronic database in 2016.Semi-structured interviews of purposively selected parturient women with self-reported poor adherence (n= 177)were conducted to gain understanding of the main barriers to adherence. Binary logistic regression was used todetermine the independent predictors of ART non-adherence.Results:A high proportion (69.0%) of women reported perfect adherence. In the logistic regression analysis, afteradjusting for confounding factors, marital status, cigarette smoking, alcohol use and non-disclosure to a family memberwere the independent predictors of non-adherence. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed that drug-related side-effects, being away from home, forgetfulness, non-disclosure, stigma and work-related demand were among the mainreasons for non-adherence to ART.Conclusions:Non-adherence to the antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women in this setting is associated withlifestyle behaviours, HIV-related stigma and ART side-effects. In order to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV,clinicians need to screen for these factors at every antenatal clinic visit.Keywords:Adherence, Non-adherence, HIV, Antiretroviral therapy, Elimination of mother-to-child transmission,Prevention of mother-to-child transmission, Stigma, South Africa
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Isolation and Biological Investigation of Bioactive Compounds from Croton grattissimus (Burch) in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Literary representations of Zimbabwean migrants’ lives in selected texts

  • Authors: Mpofu, Tarisai
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Human rights -- Zimbabwe , Homelessness in literature , African diaspora in literature
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3402 , vital:43340
  • Description: It has been nearly two decades since Zimbabwe has been engulfed in both political and economic crises which have had untold hardships to the majority of ordinary people. As the hardships worsened it pushed Zimbabweans to migrate to “greener pastures” as a survival strategy. Due to the sheer numbers of people who left the country, migration became a social phenomenon in the country that even literary writers also explored. It is the purpose of this study to analyse literary reactions to migration in Zimbabwe from the turn of the new millennium to date, with particular reference to selected Zimbabwean fiction in the form of the short story and novel. The dissertation examines how Zimbabwean literature represents life in Zimbabwe in the context of this economic malaise that emerged after the year 2000 and the resultant lives of migrants who left the country as a result of this political and economic crisis. Similar to the majority of African literatures, Zimbabwean literature emerges from specific historical events and this study therefore sought to describe literary representations of people’s responses to the crisis and the life of Zimbabwean migrants in the margins of host communities. This study reveals the intricate relationship between literary responses and the conditions that most migrants found themselves in especially as they fled the country and what obtained in host countries. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2018
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Macroalgal Cultivation and Growth of Weaning Juvenile South African Farmed Abalone Haliotis Midae

  • Authors: Sanele Qondani
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2765 , vital:42860
  • Description: ABSTRACT Haliotis midae Linnaeus, 1758 is the largest among six abalone species found in South Africa, making it the second largest around the world. This species is highly sought after due to its size and delicacy. However, it’s expensive formulated feed and slow growth rate has prompted increasing research on improving its growth using natural feeds. Inclusion of fresh and dried macroalgae (Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, 1753 and Gracilaria gracilis Irvine & Farnham, 1995) onto artificially formulated feed (Abfeed®) was tested on the growth of juvenile weaning H. midae. Therefore the three treatments were referred to as: Abfeed®, Abfeed® plus fresh seaweed and Abfeed® plus dried macroalgae. The growth of U. lactuca and G. gracilis was also compared using four different liquid fertilizers. Results revealed that inclusion of dried macroalgae was the best feed as it showed better consumption (92±0.48%) and growth (SGR = 2.9±0.04 % g. day-1 , DISL = 12.04±0.48 µm. day-1 and CF= 0.97±0.07 g. mm-1 ) rates. The study exhibited no differences in survival rate and feed conversion ratio in all the treatments used. Enriching with different fertilizers at 10 % concentration revealed that Nutrisol® promoted the best growth for U. lactuca among four different fertilizers used while Kelpak® yielded the best growth for G. gracilis. Increasing concentrations to 20 % resulted in Nitrosol® performing better than other fertilizers in U. lactuca growth while G. gracilis grew best in Nitrosol® and Kelpak®. This study therefore demonstrates the potential to develop abalone feeds with inclusions of dried macroalgae meal. Abfeed® as a diet alone performed poorly against the feeds tested as expected due to many previous studies favoring mixed diet. The study further revealed that macronutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) is the limiting ii factor for macroalgal growth and their level in culture system is very critical as it determines growth rate. Key words: Consumption rate, Feed conversion ratio, Fertilizer, Formulated feed, Survival rate
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Perceptions and Attitudes of Health Care Professionals Regarding the Role of Clinical Associates in District Hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Nomzingisi Princess Mnyipika
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2729 , vital:42848
  • Description: ABSTRACT Introduction National Department of Health of South Africa introduced clinical associates in 2002 to work under the supervision of medical doctors in district hospitals. The first cohort of clinical associates was trained at Walter Sisulu Universty, Eastern Cape in 2008. However, there is no information about the attitudes and how other healthcare professionals within the health team and health setting perceive them. Aim The study assessed the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of other health care professionals towards the clinical associates’ role. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey with attitudes and perceptions as dependent variables and role of clinical associates as independent variable. This study was carried out in four district hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, namely, Mthatha General, St Barnabas, Madwaleni and All Saints hospitals. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used for this study. The study population included other healthcare professionals working within the study setting. A simple random sampling procedure was utilized to recruit doctors and nurses in the four district hospitals. Associations between dependent variables (inhibiting factors of effectiveness, scope of practice, benefits from clinical associates to health care, place and overall acceptance of clinical associates (CAS) in district hospitals, personnel monitoring CAS, concerns for diagnosis and management of patients, concerns about performing clinical procedures) and independent and explanatory variables (age, gender, occupation, ethnic group, qualifications, religion, inhibiting factors of effectiveness) were presented using Chi- square test. Student t- test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare means between two groups and ≥3 groups, respectively. P-value < 0.05 was significant for differences.ii Results The participants were characterized by male predominance (28 male professionals vs 9 female professionals), mean age of 59.5 % married, 54 % Christians, 86.5 % Blacks, 78.4 % doctors vs 21.6 % nurses, duration for clinical associates ≥ 1 year by 71.1 % participants, clinical associates supervision in the department by 51.4 % participants. The perceptions were positive about clinical associates on scope of practice (as assistant doctors) in 73 %, Benefits to healthcare in 86.5 %, no concerns on diagnosis and management of patients in 83.8 % and positive relevance in 73.3 %. The magnitude of barriers to positive perceptions about CAS was in non-acceptance by doctors in 67.6 %, concerns about performing clinical procedures in 94.6 %, and knowledge in 94.6 %. For attitudes, personnel monitoring of CAS was positive in 81.1 %, and appointment of more number of CAS was also positive in 83.3 %, need of CAS in district hospitals was expressed in 81.1 %. Respondents with positive perceptions of CAS considered as assistant doctors were older (age = 42.7 ± 16.3 years: P = 0.039) than those with negative perceptions (age = 31 ± 8.7 years). Respondents with negative perceptions from CAS were younger (age = 25.6 ± 5.3: P = 0.028) than those with positive perceptions (age = 41.7 ± 15.4 years). Female gender, Blacks, Christian religion, lowest qualifications of respondents were significantly associated with positive perceptions. There was agreement between quantitative approach and qualitative approach according perceptions and attitudes on the role of CAS. Conclusion These findings demonstrated excellent levels of social accountability for the role of clinical associates in the healthcare system and delivery of patient care. However, recommendations are necessary to minimize few barriers to integration of CAS in the healthcare system.
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Perceptions of school based support teams about providing support to Foundation Phase Teachers in two Butterworth Primary Schools, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Luningo, Mziwonke
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: School based support--Teams Foundation phase--Teachers--Eastern Cape Education support--Primary schools
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D Ed
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1410 , vital:34373
  • Description: The policy on Inclusive Education acknowledges that all children can learn if they are given the necessary support. In order to achieve this goal, the Department of Education (DoE) introduced the establishment of SBSTs whose main function is to support teaching and learning in schools. This study used interpretive paradigm to explore perceptions of SBST about providing support to foundation phase (FP) teachers and to interpret what they said. Nonetheless, there seemed to be challenges on how to support learners experiencing barriers to learning among the members of the SBST. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of the School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs) about providing support to the foundation phase teachers in two Butterworth Primary Schools in the Eastern Cape. This study used the qualitative mode of inquiry and a case study as a research design. Semi-structured interviews using one on one, observations and document analysis were used to collect the data from the SBSTs about their perceptions of providing support to the FP teachers. Purposeful sampling was used where two mainstream primary schools were conveniently selected with six SBST participants from each school, making a total of six participants. Twelve SBST members were interviewed. Data were analysed and common themes emerged. The findings revealed that the SBSTs did not have enough knowledge and skills to support the FP teachers. Some of the challenges they cited included inadequate training, lack of communication, overcrowding and lack of support from the parents. In an attempt to alleviate the above-raised challenges, a model was proposed. These are some of the recommendations that resulted from the findings: all schools should have SBSTs, they should be composed of all the important stakeholders as proposed by the DoE, frequent SBST meetings should be held and further recommendations are made.
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Perspectives about the execution of police powers and functions in the republic of Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Mugari, Ishmael , Obioha, Emeka, E
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4928 , vital:44304 , http://cjssp.uni-corvinus.hu/index.php/cjssp/article/view/220
  • Description: This study was conducted to explore views about the execution of powers and functions of the police in the light of related challenges. This study made use of data from a total of 83 adult participants (a survey involving 73 individuals, and 10 in-depth interviews), including males and females of diverse occupational backgrounds from Bindura and Mount Darwin policing districts in Zimbabwe. A closed-ended, mostly Likert-scale-based questionnaire was used to collect data about the prevalent forms of police abuse of powers and functions, while an in-depth interview guide was provided to harvest information qualitatively. Findings reveal that police officers abuse their powers through unlawful arrests, arbitrary search and seizure, excessive use of force, unlawful methods of investigation, and ill treatment of detainees. Though not as prevalent as other forms of abuse, malicious criminal prosecution and partisan policing were also cited.K EYWOR DS: powers, abuse, function, police, Zimbabwe
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Point-of-care and lung ultrasound incorporated in daily practice

  • Authors: Neethling, E , Roodt, F , Beck, C , Swanevelder, J L C
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5248 , vital:44424 , http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/12293
  • Description: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a fast-growing clinical utility and is becoming an essential clinical skill for all practitioners attending to critically ill patients. Ultrasound equipment is now smaller, more affordable and readily available in clinical work areas. POCUS is performed by a non-cardiologist physician at the patient’s bedside as an adjunct to the physical examination. It is easily taught, non-invasive and allows for real-time clinical information. Bedside use of ultrasound imaging aids with rapid diagnosis of severe and life-threatening pathological conditions. It can be repeated, may change clinical management, and impact on patient outcome. POCUS has a broad clinical use, including, but not limited to, focused assessed transthoracic echocardiography (FATE), lung ultrasound imaging, extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (e-FAST), vascular access and regional blocks. It may also be extended to detect endotracheal intubation and the estimation of intracranial pressure. Assessment of cardiac pathology by POCUS, performed by a novice examiner, has been shown to compare with the gold standard of an expert. Training is paramount. The physician should know his limitations and always relate the information back to the clinical scenario and context. By incorporating POCUS as part of our armamentarium and into our daily medical practice, we might see it reach its full clinical potential, optimising patient care and improving patient outcomes.
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Potential latitudinal variation in orodigestive tract cancers in Africa

  • Authors: Adeola, H A , Adefuye, A O , Jimoh, S A
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5280 , vital:44428 , http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/12259
  • Description: Background. Previous studies have alluded to a causal relationship between pathological entities and geographical variations, but there is a paucity of studies from Africa discussing the effect of latitudinal variation on orodigestive cancers in this region. It seems plausible that the burden of orodigestive cancer would differ as a result of variations in diet, cultural habits, climate and environmental conditions down the length of Africa. Objectives. To analyse regional variations in prevalence, incidence and mortality data in the global cancer statistics database (GLOBOCAN 2012) curated by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Basic descriptive statistical tools were used to depict regional variations in cancer morbidity and mortality. Methods. Data on 13 African countries between longitude 20⁰ and 30⁰ east and latitude 35⁰ north and 35⁰ south were examined for variation in age-standardised orodigestive cancer prevalence, incidence and mortality. Possible regional causes for orodigestive tract cancer development were investigated. Data on lip and oral cavity, oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, gallbladder and pancreatic cancers in the 13 countries were compared. Results. Our empirical findings from this preliminary study support the notion that the incidence and prevalence of orodigestive cancers vary within Africa. This effect may be due to environmental, economic, political and possibly genetic factors. Conclusions. Considering the heterogeneity of the above factors across Africa, disbursement of funding for cancer research and therapy in Africa should be focused in terms of regional variations to make best use of the fiscal allocation by African governments, non-governmental organisations and international agencies.
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Practice intentions at entry to and exit from medical schools aspiring to social accountability: findings from the Training for Health Equity Network Graduate Outcome Study

  • Authors: Iputo, Jehu , Sarah Larkins , Karen Johnston, John C. Hogenbirk, Sara Willems, Salwa Elsanousi, Marykutty Mammen, Kaatje Van Roy, Jehu Iputo , Fortunato L. Cristobal , Jennene Greenhill, Charlie Labarda11 and Andre-Jacques Neusy
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5415 , vital:44567 , https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30424760/
  • Description: Background: Understanding the impact of selection and medical education on practice intentions and eventual practice is an essential component of training a fit-for-purpose health workforce distributed according to population need. Existing evidence comes largely from high-income settings and neglects contextual factors. This paper describes the practice intentions of entry and exit cohorts of medical students across low and high income settings and the correlation of student characteristics with these intentions. Methods: The Training for Health Equity Network (THEnet) Graduate Outcome Study (GOS) is an international prospective cohort study tracking learners throughout training and ten years into practice as part of the longitudinal impact assessment described in THEnet’s Evaluation Framework. THEnet is an international community of practice of twelve medical schools with a social accountability mandate. Data presented here include cross-sectional entry and exit data obtained from different cohorts of medical students involving eight medical schools in six countries and five continents. Binary logistic regression was used to create adjusted odds ratios for associations with practice intent. Results: Findings from 3346 learners from eight THEnet medical schools in 6 countries collected between 2012 and 2016 are presented. A high proportion of study respondents at these schools come from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds and these respondents are more likely than others to express an intention to work in underserved locations after graduation at both entry and exit from medical school. After adjusting for confounding factors, rural and low income background and regional location of medical school were the most important predictors of intent to practice in a rural location. For schools in the Philippines and Africa, intention to emigrate was more likely for respondents from high income and urban backgrounds.
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Predictors of consent to cell line creation and immortalisation in a South African schizophrenia genomics study

Stressful Experiences of Primary School Teachers in One Education District: A South African Case Study

  • Authors: Nomtshongwana Thanduxolo Albert
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2794 , vital:42867
  • Description: ABSTRACT This study sought to establish ways of dealing with stress as experienced by primary school teachers. Stress is a global phenomenon that affects everyone regardless of gender, resources and environment. Although this phenomenon is well researched, it remains a worrying challenge particularly to schools’ effectiveness. Teachers face many challenges in South African schools such as the ill-discipline of learners and overcrowding of schools. It is vital that schools come up with better intervention programs that can assist teachers to overcome stress. This study involved qualitative approach method and a case study design was used for sampling purposes in which five (5) post level 1 Mathematics teachers from different schools responded to interviews. Data were analysed using categories or themes. The findings of this study revealed that stressful experiences of primary school teachers were overcrowding, infrastructure, lack of parental involvement and lack of reliability in doing homework and extra-co-curriculum activities. It is recommended that the school disciplinary committees should be trained in various disciplinary measures that can be implemented in the school to curb learner ill-discipline and lack of commitment. It is also recommended that a working relationship should be built properly between the school and the Department of Basic Education, motivational speakers and educational counsellors should meet with all learners to motivate them to have high desire for and interest in education and to build their self-confidence in the classroom.
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The Folktale and Social Values in Traditional Africa

  • Authors: Enongene Mirabeau Sone
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: folktales; social values; Africa; positive change; ethical behaviour
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2704 , vital:42325
  • Description: Africans, like people elsewhere in the world, have a set of values which they consider worthwhile and necessary for the preservation and wellbeing of their culture. In this way, it may be said that societal values are embodied in and communicated by its system of education and that the education that a society offers its youth reflects the sum total of what is held dear in that society. In many African societies, an important aspect of traditional education is concerned with teaching oral literature using folktales, riddles and proverbs which aim at moulding character and providing children with moral values like honesty, integrity, courage and solidarity. This paper examines the relevance of folktales to the promotion of social values in Africa by demonstrating how folktales can open a window of understanding to a community’s social norms, values, thoughts, concepts and ideas with a view to drawing implications for positive change. It is predicated on the assumption that African folktales, with a particular focus on Cameroon, promote social and ethical values, provide human understanding, facilitate the elimination of anti-social behaviour and help with social identity construction. The point is that folktales, as a form of oral literature, draw their material from the realities of society and hence reflect people’s values and worldview. As a result, folktales are often used as a vehicle for transmitting and preserving shared values and collective experience. The paper concludes by observing that despite the preponderance of modern means of entertainment in Africa, storytelling persists. Contemporary African folktales are imaginatively refined for the purpose of injecting new meanings, ideas and values, based on society’s contemporary experiences and relations.
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The perceptions of Nursing service and Operational Managers on the role of nursing sub-professionals in the Health Service System at Mhlontlo Municipality

  • Authors: Mpini, Minah Malakiwe
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Health service management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nursing sub-professional
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Nursing
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1341 , vital:32258
  • Description: South Africa is experiencing a serious shortage of nurses, especially nursing sub-professionals. The Eastern Cape Province is among the provinces with highest percentage of vacancies for nurses in all nursing categories. Nursing shortage has compromised South African health care services as health services are mostly supported by this group of health professionals. As a result of this shortage, rural health services have for a long time depended on the nursing sub-professionals to perform basic nursing services. This category is however also decreasing, which makes it difficult for nursing professionals to cope with the amount of work. South African rural health centres put pressure on professional nurses to do some of the health care activities that are meant to be done by medical doctors. The aim of the study was to explore the role and value of nursing sub-professionals in the health care system as viewed by the nursing managers. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted to get the perceptions of nursing service managers and operational managers on the role and value of nursing sub-professionals in the health service. A purposive sample of 23 participants was selected and interviewed. Most of the participants viewed the retention of nursing sub-professionals as crucial in the health service system. The participants saw sub-professionals as playing a vital role in the health services as the latter have a scope of practice that enables them to work independently. The reasons they put forth in support of their retention include reduction of litigations, easing the work load of professional nurses, sometimes performing non-nursing duties during crisis periods, reduction in the waiting time for patients/clients, and enabling professional nurses to perform more sophisticated professional duties which include management. Few managers viewed the existence of sub-professional nurses as increasing the work of nursing professionals. They felt that nursing sub-professionals worked under the supervision of nursing professionals. This, according to them, resulted in more work for nursing professionals who had to check and/or repeat what had been done in the name of supervision.
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