Showing items 1 - 20 of 154

Translanguaging pedagogies and practice for social justice in a multilingual South African previously disadvantaged

  • Authors: Mpofu, Tarisai
  • Date: 2024-06
  • Subjects: Multilingualism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/11131 , vital:75921
  • Description: Over the last two decades, there has been a burgeoning interest in translanguaging as both a theory and a methodology, but a few studies have looked at it as a pedagogy. This has meant that while there is near-consensus on translanguaging’s contribution to knowing, there have been few studies on how it can be implemented systematically in classrooms. This study examines how translanguaging is being practiced at one South African university and makes recommendations on how translanguaging can be implemented systematically for better impact. A mixed method approach was used, meaning that it had both qualitative and quantitative elements. Data for this study were gathered using online questionnaires completed by students and lecturers, interviews with lecturers, and observation. The results show that limited translanguaging was taking place in the classroom, despite both students and staff acknowledging its value to epistemic access. This study calls for intentional and systematic implementation of translanguaging to contribute to socially-just classroom practices. The study proposes the translanguaging matrix model for practice to assist in institutionalising translanguaging through the provision of short learning courses for staff and students on translanguaging, language learning opportunities and clear pedagogical training on when translanguaging must be used in classroom contexts. Key Words: Translanguaging, Language Policy, Social Justice, Multilingalism, Pedagogy , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education, 2024
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Green market emergence as a predictor of green entrepreneurship and sustainable development of small and medium sized manufacturing entities in the North-West province, South Africa

The moderating role of green consumer values in the relationship between green marketing and consumer behaviour:

  • Authors: Ntshangase, Siyasanga Vuyiswa
  • Date: 2024-04
  • Subjects: Green Consumer Values , Education institutions , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/13105 , vital:77657
  • Description: The study aimed to investigate the moderating role of green consumer values in the relationship between green marketing and consumer behaviour. The study focused on the important role of green consumer values in shaping environmentally conscious consumer actions, emphasizing the importance of considering these values in green marketing strategies.To achieve the aim, the study adopted a positivist paradigm, quantitative approach, and a causal research design. A survey technique was employed to gather primary data where a self-administered questionnaire was issued to 450 respondents who were purposefully sampled. The study’s sample constituted consumers that frequently visit hotels in the Eastern Cape. The key findings of the study suggest that there is a significant role that green marketing plays in consumer behaviour towards green products offered in hotels. Furthermore, the findings highlight how green consumer values influence consumers towards value-driven choices for sustainable practices in the hotel industry, high level of satisfaction and preference for green products. Based on the findings, government and the hospitality industry should implement policies that will provide incentives for hotels that practise sustainable measures. This could include free quarterly advertisement of green hotels, free hampers for consumers that make use of green hotels on a regularly basis, and a spa voucher for every new consumer. Government should also provide capital and resources to small businesses to upscale their establishments to meet green hotel standards, for instance provide funding for solar installation and for those who already have installed solar panels to be reimbursed a fraction of the amount they paid.This study makes a significant contribution by highlighting the important role of green consumer values as a moderator. It reveals how these values impact the relationship between green marketing strategies and consumer behaviour. The study provides valuable insights for marketers, emphasizing the need to align strategies with green consumer values to promote more effective and impactful responses from consumers towards environmentally friendly initiatives. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, Business Management and Economics, 2024
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Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards hand hygine practice amongst students at a nursing colledge, Lesotho

  • Authors: Ntaote, Malehlohonolo
  • Date: 2024-02
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/13000 , vital:76187
  • Description: Hands are critical vectors for microorganisms that cause hospital acquired infections, hand hygiene, being done the right way, at the right time and being given the right priority at health care setting is an effective strategy to reduce hospital acquired infections and costs. Different strategies have been put in place to help improve hand hygiene compliance among health care workers, amongst them; continuous training is advised at all levels of care. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards hand hygiene in nursing students in Maluti College Berea Lesotho Methods This study was a quantitative cross-sectional study; 114 questionnaires were distributed and 103 were filled and returned by available willing students in Maluti College, that was 90% response rate. Results Females were more than males at 88% (91). Age range of the respondents were 18-35 years, with a mean of 22 years, 57% (59) were between ages 20-24 years. The students were distributed in four different class levels, lowest was third years at 19% (19) and highest was the nurse midwives at 32% (33). 75% (77) had hand hygiene training in the past three years. 62% (64) had moderate knowledge, all had positive attitudes and 61% (63) had a positive perception towards hand hygiene. There was a significant (p value=0.012) association between knowledge and training. Conclusion and recommendations The study has demonstrated a significant association between knowledge and training, indicating the pivotal role of education in shaping practices related to hand hygiene among healthcare workers. These findings underscore the importance of integrating insights garnered from this study into the existing teaching curriculum for healthcare 3 professionals. Furthermore, the results provide valuable input for enhancing the World Health Organization's (WHO) hand hygiene multimodal strategy, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions that address knowledge and training gaps. Additionally, the study findings advocate for incorporation of evidence-based practices into initiatives such as the SAFE LIFE Clean YOUR HAND campaign, thereby reinforcing the importance of continuous education and training to promote effective hand hygiene practices and mitigate the spread of healthcare-associated infections. This calls for a concerted effort from policymakers, healthcare institutions, and educational stakeholders to implement strategies that prioritize knowledge dissemination and training programs to improve hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers worldwide. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2024
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Navigating the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Landscape:Strategies and Challenges in addressing drivers of AMR

Advantages of postgraduate research supervision and publication output at a selected University in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Cekiso-Smith, Nontuthuzelo
  • Date: 2024-01
  • Subjects: Research Supervision
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/11090 , vital:75917
  • Description: The objective of the study was to investigate how postgraduate research supervision practices may contribute to the improvement of publication output at the selected university. Drawing from extensive literature, the significance of establishing strong supervisor-supervisee relationships was emphasised as paramount to the success of postgraduate research study. In conjunction with the theoretical framework, the research used a well-structured inductive approach, which took into account the context where the research took place, anchored by a case study as it provides tools for the researcher to study complex phenomena within the context of the study. The sample consisted of 24 participants who were purposefully selected from the selected faculty in the selected university. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which were conducted by the researcher in person and detailed procedures, ensuring the credibility and reliability of the study. Strict confidentiality measures were in place, ensuring participants’ anonymity and the safeguarding of their responses, fostering a trustworthy environment for honest revelations. Data were analysed and interpreted with ATLAS.ti software. Data analysis was carried out systematically, identifying themes and subthemes that answered the central research question. This rigorous analysis led to the discovery of several crucial findings. There was a notable call for academic support mechanisms like mentorship, advising and research supervision to bolster postgraduate research outputs, especially in remote universities. Financial constraints and barriers to attending research seminars and conferences emerged as significant hurdles, stressing the need for effective strategies to overcome these challenges. iii In-depth discussions revealed the criticality of fostering healthy supervisor-supervisee relationships from a development’s inception, highlighting the pivotal role of open communication. The study also identified supervisors’ need for institutional support in acquiring the necessary educational capabilities to efficiently mentor postgraduate students. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on the importance of enhancing postgraduate students’ professional writing skills for publication. However, the study did not ignore the challenges faced by research supervisors. Heavy workloads, time constraints and high expectations emerged as considerable stressors. Among the recommendations, the study called for institutional assistance in obtaining the essential educational competencies to effectively guide postgraduate students. Attention to the dire need for improved support systems, research infrastructure, incentives for supervisors and streamlined research procedures. In summation, this research underscores the significance of continuous monitoring, evaluation and engagement strategies to foster an environment conducive to advanced postgraduate research supervision and publication growth Key words: Postgraduate supervision, research publication, postgraduate students, Historically Disadvantaged University. , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education, 2024
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Government expenditure on health services and economic development in South Africa

  • Authors: Magida, Ngesisa
  • Date: 2024-00
  • Subjects: Government expenditure on health services
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10146 , vital:74943
  • Description: Economic development relates to economic growth and improvements in the living standards of people. South Africa is ranked among the slow developing countries in the world, based on the high percentage of people living under poor conditions. This study examines the relationship between government health expenditure and economic development in South Africa between 1994 and 2022. Human development index (HDI), government health expenditure (GHE), inflation, population growth, and unemployment are the variables used to investigate this relationship. Auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) and Granger causality were employed to examine this relationship. Government expenditure on health services and inflation were found to have a positive short-run and long-run relationship with human development index, whereas unemployment and population growth showed a negative relationship with HDI in the long-run. Granger causality results highlighted a unidirectional causality between HDI and GHE in South Africa, among other explanatory variables. HDI Granger causes GHE and vice versa. Continuous increment and monitoring of GHE distribution, to ensure that the growing population receives proper healthcare to boost the life expectancy of the citizens and to fund the preventative measures against health epidemics in South Africa is the policy recommendation to improve HDI in South Africa. Keywords: , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2024
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Positioning consumer studies and intrepreneural skills acquisition in selected Eastern Cape Secondary Schools

  • Authors: Mtshatsha, Nondwe Daphne Mariana
  • Date: 2024-00
  • Subjects: Consumer studies and Entrepreneural Skilss acquisition
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/11121 , vital:75920
  • Description: To be balanced, education should enhance the development of intellectual, emotional, physical, social, moral, occupational, and financial capabilities. In South Africa's secondary education system, entrepreneurship education is aimed at developing learners’ knowledge and skills for self-sustainability and economic development. The emergence of small businesses is one of the main forces behind a country’s economy and has a significant impact on economic expansion, job creation, and the country's ability to compete internationally. Using the human capital theory, this study aimed to explore how Consumer studies can enhance the acquisition of entrepreneurial knowledge and skills among learners in selected secondary schools in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The study is lensed within constructivism paradigm, with a qualitative research approach, case study design, and purposively sampled fourteen participants. Eight educators from eight public secondary schools (four in the Amathole Education District and four in Mnquma Education District), four principals (two from each education district) and two subject advisors (one from each education district) were sampled for the study. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, thematically analysed, and presented according to themes derived from the findings. The study revealed several varied views and experiences on the role of consumer studies in the enhancement of knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship. The findings revealed challenges experienced in the offering of Consumer studies, which include but are not limited to the shortage of adequately trained educators, inappropriate infrastructure, large learner numbers, minimal financial support, and a lack of instructional materials. If left unaddressed, these issues have the potential to undermine the value of Consumer studies as a vehicle for empowerment and change. Recommendations include targeted curriculum revision to streamline content, embracing learner-centred approaches, prioritising subject-oriented professional development, integrating technology for enhanced learning experiences, improving financial support and provision of relevant infrastructure. Keywords: Consumer studies, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, secondary school. , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education, 2024
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Association of antiretroviral therapy adherence and Development of cardiovascular desease risk

  • Authors: Fihla, Qhayiya Mteto
  • Date: 2023-12
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/12894 , vital:76176
  • Description: IAntiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The treatment reduces HIV load to low level, relegating the disease from an acute infection to a chronic condition. Of late, there have been increased reports associating ART with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, further reducing the possibility of complete positive health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH). Poor adherence to the ART has been implicated in the development of some CVD risk factors but levels of adherence is not well known in the Eastern Cape. Thus, this study was designed to determine the level of ART adherence and associated cardiovascular risk factors. A cross-sectional study of a 100 participants was conducted to determine ART adherence and prevalence CVD risk factors in Mthatha. Both Male and female participants above 18 years of age were selected and ART adherence was determined using the adherence in chronic diseases scale (ACDS). The lipid profile, anthropometric measurements, and clinical parameters were used to determine CVD risk factors. Regression models were fitted to determine the association between adhrence and CVD risk factors in PLWH. All statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 28, and the statistical significance was set at The average adherence rate was found to be 90.35% population of PLWH sampled, and 30% participants were found to have the optimum adherence rate ≥95%, which considered be adequate to effect viral progression. The prevalence of CVD risk factors was found to be 97%, with 46% of the participants having CVD. Although it was not statistically significant, the regression analyses indicated that non-adherent patients were more likely to report presence of CVD risk factors. This suggests that sub-optimal adherence to ART may be a contributing factor towards CVD risk development in patients on ART. It is possible that the results are clinically significant but there is a need to collect more data to increase the statistical power of the study , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023
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COVID-19 in Psychiatric Inpatients: A South African Descriptive Study Conducted at Fort England

  • Authors: Gwanya-Mdletye, Sisikelelwe Sylvia
  • Date: 2023-11
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/12977 , vital:76184
  • Description: Psychiatric patients are known to have an increased risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19. Some psychiatric medications are known to have cardiometabolic and immune system-related side effects and have been found to either protect from or worsen outcomes in COVID-19 illness. The interaction of COVID-19 with the cardiometabolic and immune-related aspects of psychiatric illness and treatment has not been sufficiently studied in people with mental illness. Aim: To describe the clinical and demographic characteristics, and clinical outcomes of adult inpatients at Fort England Psychiatric Hospital who contracted SARS-CoV-2 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, including statistical and case analyses of COVID-19 related deaths. Methods: The study was conducted at Fort England Hospital (FEH). Data were obtained from patient files, treatment charts, and the hospital's COVID-19 reporting schedules. Sixty-four patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the first wave of infections in the hospital, and five of them died. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, in which the COVID-19 outcomes of the 64 patients were described alongside their psychiatric disease and treatment factors. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the participants. Fisher’s exact test for contingency tables and Cramér's V effect size were computed to identify possible associations between death and specified clinical variables. Additionally, case analyses were carried out on each patient who died based on participant case notes. Results: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was 21.8% during the first wave of infections, and the case fatality rate was 7.8%. A significant association was ii found between higher age and COVID-19 related death (Fisher’s exact test p = 0.010). Two-thirds (68%) of the patients who recovered were younger than 45, whereas one of the five patients who died (20%) fell in this age group. Race was also strongly related to COVID-19 outcomes, with coloured comprising 80% of the participants who died compared to 80% of black African patients in the recovered group (Fisher’s exact test p = 0.012). All patients who died had co-morbid medical conditions compared to 58% of those who recovered, although this relationship was weak (Fisher’s exact 1-sided test p = 0.076). However, case analyses for the patients who died revealed recurring themes of multiple psychiatric comorbidities, proneness to psychotropic treatment side effects, and a history of frequent relapses among most of these patients. All who died were faced with adversity and dire life circumstances. Conclusions: This study contributes to a better understanding of clinical, demographic and social variables that impacts COVID-19 outcomes in an in-patient psychiatric population. first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with serious mental illness in an inpatient population. More studies of a larger scale are needed to describe the COVID-19 pandemic among psychiatric populations and to investigate factors that contribute to the vulnerability of psychiatric patients to adverse outcomes of COVID-19. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023
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A delphi study tp build consensus on the ultrasound skills required for effective healthcare service delivery at distict hospitals in South Africa

  • Authors: Mans, Pierre Andre
  • Date: 2023-07
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/12923 , vital:76178
  • Description: ABSTRACT Background: Despite increased access to ultrasound machines across the country, there are no guidelines on the required competency level in point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for medical doctors working in district hospitals in South Africa. Through a Delphi process involving nominated experts across the country, this study aimed to develop and achieve expert consensus on the POCUS skillsets required for medical doctors working at district hospitals in South Africa. Methods: A Delphi method of consensus development was performed, comprising several iterative rounds of skillset selection that continued until consensus was achieved on all items. We started this process using the existing American Academy of Family Physicians’ ultrasound curriculum (93 skillsets) as the starting point in the questionnaire. Experts were drawn from across the country; two from district hospitals in each province and two from each academic Family Medicine Department (N=36). In each iterative round, participants were asked to identify which POCUS skillsets were essential, optional (region specific) or non-essential for South African district hospitals. Results: Overall, five iterative rounds were required before consensus was attained on all skillsets (>70% agreement among the experts). In the first round, consensus was reached on 14 skillsets, followed by 21 skillsets in the second and third rounds. In the fourth round, consensus was reached on 26 skillsets, and in the fifth and final round, consensus was reached on the remaining eight skillsets. Of the starting 93 skillsets, three skillsets could not achieve consensus , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023
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Morphometric variation, heavy metal analysis and temperature effects on body weight and stoichiometric ratios (C:N:P) of cerithidea decollata along the Wild Coast, South Africa

  • Authors: Fiki, Sinoxolo
  • Date: 2023-07
  • Subjects: Zoology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9388 , vital:73512
  • Description: The truncated snail, C e rit hid e a d e c olla t a , is one of the major invertebrates in mangrove ecosystems. It’s the rapid ecophysiological response to environmental stress conditions makes C. decollata an ideal species to test the effects of climate change in mangrove ecosystems. Increased temperatures, due to climate change, is one of the major threats faced by aquatic invertebrates as thermal stress may easily lead to death. This study, thus, compared the effects of 1) environmental conditions on the morphology; 2) temperature on body weight and stoichiometry as well as 3) the heavy metal content of C. decollata across three mangrove ecosystems. Morphometry results revealed that sites significantly influenced most of the shell morphological variables (i.e., shell length, shell width, spire height and aperture width). However, sites did not significantly influence the shell depth and aperture length of C. decollata . Temperature effects on body weight revealed that C. decollata individuals gained weight at low temperatures (10 to 20 °C) in all sites. As a result, the mean % weight gain of 6.75 ± 0.11 in Mngazana, 15.82 ± 0.13 in Mbhashe and 11.2 ± 0.13 in Nqabara. Contrary, C. decollata lost weight at temperatures between 25 and 40 °C across all sites leading to a mean % weight loss of 9.51 ± 0.05 in Mngazana; 14.52 ± 0.16 in Mbhashe and 25.74 ± 0.12 in Nqabara. Stoichiometric analysis revealed that soft tissues had higher nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous than the shells. The NP ratio was higher in soft tissues than in shells while CN and CP ratios were higher in shells than in soft tissues. The N, C, P, CN, CP and NP were lowest in Mngazana and highest in Nqabara. Temperature increases resulted in increased nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon and their stoichiometric CN, CP and NP ratios. Heavy metal results showed that Zn, Cu and Cd were highest in the soft tissue than in the shells and sediment. Contrarily, Fe and Pb were higher in the sediment than in shells and soft tissues. The Cu+Zn was highest in the shells than in the soft tissues and sediment. However, arsenic concentrations were below detection levels across all sites. Overall, no significant site differences were detected for heavy metals. It was, therefore, concluded that sites influenced some of C. decollata morphological features while temperature affected the body weight and stoichiometry of C. decollata . , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2023
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Challenges experienced in reading and writing English first additional language by learners in rural grade 4 classes at Lusikisiki, in OR Thambo Coastal District

  • Authors: Nomalala, Lundi
  • Date: 2023-03
  • Subjects: Teaching strategies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10888 , vital:75322
  • Description: This study sought to explore the challenges experienced in reading and writing English First Additional Language by learners in rural Grade 4 classes at Lusikisiki, in O.R. Tambo Coastal District. There are common reading and writing challenges in English FAL learners in Grade 4 classes. The pragmatism paradigm was employed in this study. A mixed methods approach was used through quantitative and qualitative approaches. I used three research designs, that is, case study, explanatory research and descriptive research design since this study is a mixed method. I sampled 10 primary schools to participate in this research. These were purposively sampled as: 20 Grade 4 English FAL teachers (2 per school) to answer semi-structured interviews close-ended questionnaires, 100 Grade 4 learners (10 learners per school) were also randomly sampled to answer close-ended questionnaires. Classroom observations were used to observe the reading lessons; terms 3 and 4 written work of Grade 4 English FAL learners for data collection was examined. Collected data were analysed by means of Applied Thematic Analysis (ATA) where themes and categories emerged; the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used where findings were presented in the form of frequency tables (cross-tabulations), histograms and pie charts. Findings from analysed data revealed major reading and writing challenges, such as spelling, punctuation, paragraphs, word recognition, pronunciation, sentence construction and comprehension. The study revealed that these challenges were caused by the following factors: no reading and writing clubs, English is not the mother tongue of learners, teachers rushing the syllabus, overcrowded classrooms, shortage of LTSM, parental involvement being minimal and transition from Foundation Phase to Intermediate Phase. Based on the findings, recommendations were made. These are the reduction of workload for teachers, libraries to be built in schools and communities and integration of teachers and parental support. , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2023
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Impact of relaxing flood policy interventions on fish production: lessons from earthen pond‑based farmers in Southwest Nigeria

  • Authors: Adewale, Isaac Olutumise
  • Date: 2023
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9169 , vital:73018
  • Description: These days, aquatic (fish) welfare is a major issue and a significant component that affects fish output. Although numerous factors can be involved, climate-induced floods are one of the most critical limiting factors in the aquaculture and fisheries industry’s development. Understanding the extent of losses and damages caused by floods at the farm level will thereby exacerbate pre-emptive policy responses. Thus, the impact of floods on fish production by focusing on catfish earthen pond-based farmers in Southwest Nigeria is presented. A survey is conducted for 150 fish farms in the region. A marginal treatment effects (MTE) approach is employed to determine the heterogeneity across the households and the policy-relevant treatment effects (PRTE). The results show significant heterogeneity in the effects of floods on fish production, considering both observed and unobserved characteristics of the farmers. It is shown that flood significantly increases output loss. Furthermore, farmers with high propensity scores to flood tend to have a high likelihood of incurring output loss. The estimates of PRTE reveal that relaxing policy strategies, such as access to climate information and climate-related training and workshops, would significantly exacerbate output loss due to flood incidences. Thus, intensifying awareness and sensitization on climate change policies will address the flood menace and still increase food production.
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Recent progress in the conversion of agricultural waste into functional materials

  • Authors: Xhamla, Nqoro, Raymond Taziwa,Patricia Popoola
  • Date: 2023
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9238 , vital:73025
  • Description: Agricultural waste is enriched with a variety of environmentally friendly materials that can potentially boost economic growth, reduce the spread of contagious diseases, and serve as a carbon-free renewable energy bioresource. Biopolymers produced from agricultural waste have a range of applications in medicine, agriculture, pharmaceutics, and industrial factories. The chemical extraction of biopolymers from biomass requires a series of alternating alkali, acid, and alkali treatments at controlled temperatures. Chemical extraction of plant-based biopolymers requires elevated temperatures (70–100°C), while for animal and sea organism-based biopolymers, moderate temperatures of 25–60°C are used. The obtained biopolymers are functionalized into various materials for application in a wide range of industries. The reported functional materials are loaded with inorganic nanomaterials, plant extracts, and organic compounds, which resulted in a synergistic effect and enhanced activity of the materials. Several researchers have synthesized biopolymers with synthetic polymers to improve their bioavailability, tensile strength, shelf life, and UV adsorption. This review article reports the extraction techniques of biopolymers from agricultural waste and their application in wound healing, water treatment, food storage, passive cooling, and cosmetics. The dearth of scientific articles on the applications of biopolymers generated from agricultural waste produced from food crops grown in Africa is a motivation for the present compilation.
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An audit of patients with new onset stroke and associated barriers to thrombolysis of hyperacute strokesat a tertiary level hospital in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Pasio, Roswyn Claire
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Medicine
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9891 , vital:74639
  • Description: Globally and in South Africa stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In 2006, the Joint World Congress of Stroke declared stroke a ‘catastrophic illness’ in South Africa. This declaration aims to focus the attention of policymakers on the impact of stroke and engage with them to intervene. Local stroke data is needed to make informed and relevant policy changes. Data is also required to start multi-level initiatives regarding stroke prevention and care. This study aims to analyse the demographic profile of stroke and assess the quality of stroke care using time-based performance measures at Livingstone Tertiary Hospital in the Eastern Cape. Methodology The study is a descriptive, retrospective chart review of patients presenting with an acute stroke to Livingstone Tertiary Hospital Emergency Department over a 12 month period. Demographic data, stroke risk factors, patient comorbidities and mode of transport were collated and analysed. Time parameters were used to ascertain delays within the stroke care pathway of patients and factors precluding patients from thrombolysis were identified. Results The study included 403 eligible patients, 54% of the patients of whom were female. The majority of those were of Mixed-race ethnicity (49%) and aged between 50 and 79 years. Hypertension (71%) was the most common comorbidity followed by smoking (31%) and diabetes mellitus (24%). The median time from onset of symptoms to presentation to hospital was 12 hours 23 minutes (I.Q 20hrs 34min). The average time from arrival to being III seen by a doctor was 1 hour 57 minutes (I.Q 1hr 59min) and the time from arrival to radiological imaging was 17 hours 6 minutes (I.Q. 8hrs 28min). 375 patients had radiological imaging, 58% (n=217) had evidence of an ischaemic stroke compared to 21% (n=80) who had signs of an intracranial haemorrhage. Of the study cohort, 99 (25%) of all stroke patients presented within the 4.5hr thrombolytic window, 68 (32%) of which were ischaemic strokes. However, in-hospital time delays precluded 35% of these patients from thrombolysis. A further 33% of patients had other contraindications to thrombolysis and 32% were not offered thrombolysis based on the clinical discretion of the doctor. Conclusion This study highlights the burden of stroke within Port Elizabeth, located in the Western Region of the Eastern Cape. Risk factor modification and disease control is imperative in reducing the prevalence and impact of stroke. The major precluding factor in stroke patients not being offered thrombolysis is a delay in arrival to hospital. Public education and awareness initiatives need to focus on addressing this issue. The clinical discretion of the treating physician significantly influences the decision to thrombolyse patients with an acute stroke. In-service training can address physicians’ perceptions regarding the benefits of thrombolysis as a treatment option. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in brach of emergency medicine, 2023
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Arterial stiffness in pregnant women with preeclampsia and HIV infection at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital

  • Authors: Flatela, Mlungisi
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Medicine
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9832 , vital:74631
  • Description: Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023
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Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Breaking Bad News Among Paediatric Doctors in a South African Hospital

  • Authors: Thaver, Linesri
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Paediatrics and Child Health
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/12709 , vital:76151
  • Description: Breaking bad news to patients is a difficult but regular task for doctors in clinical practice (Alshami et al. 2020). In paediatrics, doctors have the additional complexity of communicating difficult information with their young patients and their families (Mǎrginean et al. 2017). Despite this essential skill, clinicians are inadequately prepared, which can contribute to poor patient satisfaction and outcomes, litigation and negatively impact the treating clinician (Brown et al. 2009; Alshami et al. 2020). Aim: The study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding breaking bad news, as well as the attitude and perceptions towards breaking bad news among doctors working in the paediatric department at Dora Nginza Hospital, a regional teaching hospital in Gqeberha, South Africa, and compare the findings to the international literature. Approach: A mixed methods knowledge, attitudes and perceptions study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted at the paediatric department at Dora Nginza Hospital. The survey population ranged from junior doctors to senior specialist paediatricians in the department. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and compared to literature available from similar international studies. Impact of study: Despite the importance of this topic, there are limited studies based in South Africa and specifically in paediatrics, which creates a unique context for this study. The setting of Dora Nginza Hospital, with its diverse cultural background of both doctors and patients, provides vital insight into the local 3 challenges of breaking bad news in this context. The further impact of the predominantly junior staff in an overburdened system and the strategies implemented to break bad news in this context provided useful information to adapt protocols to be utilised in this setting. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023
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Private suplementary tutoring and grade 12 education in Geometry performance

  • Authors: Mabhamba, Mfuneko
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Mathematics Education
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10448 , vital:75181
  • Description: The primary intention of this study was to explore the extent to which private tutorials relate to Euclidean Geometry performance amongst Grade 12 learners from selected schools in OR Tambo Inland District. The first objective was to examine the correlation between private tutorials and Euclidean Geometry performance. The second research question was to investigate the Euclidean Geometry means scores of students who attend private tutorials as compared to the group of students who do not attend private tutorials. The study had a sample size of 347 participants from four schools. Lev Vygotsky's Socio-cultural Theory was used as a theoretical framework to underpin the study. The study adopted quantitative research methodology to answer the research questions. A questionnaire and a standardised Euclidean Geometry test were administered to collect the data from the participants. Correlational and regression analysis were performed to analyse to data. The outcomes of the study reveal that private tutorials and Euclidean Geometry performance were significantly correlated. Furthermore, private tutorials were found to be the determinant or predictor of performance in Euclidean Geometry. Secondly, students who are attending private tutorials significantly outperformed their counterparts (i.e., students who are not attending private tutorials) in Euclidean Geometry. Recommendations were made to implicate stakeholders to enhance the effective use private tutorials to boost Euclidean Geometry performance while also improvising alternative measures to students who might want to attend private tutorials, but affordability becomes a detrimental hindrance. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
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The Effects of Using English as A Language of Learning and Teaching on Learner Academic Performance in Senior Phase of Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Marange, Israel, Yeukai
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: teaching strategies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10878 , vital:75321
  • Description: In-service teachers’ lack of adequate instructional approaches to effectively teach geometric concepts and poor learner performance in geometry were the major rationale for this study. The preparedness of in-service mathematics teachers cannot be overlooked. The aim of this study was to develop in-service mathematics teachers’ skills for integrating GeoGebra in the teaching of geometry in a multiple case study of secondary schools in Oliver Reginald Tambo Inland district. The researcher employed ICTs in education, GeoGebra as a learning object, and in-service teachers as conceptual framework that undergirded the study. For the theoretical framework, this study utilised the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK), Constructivist Learning Theory, and the Teaching Change Frame (TCF). This study focused on the technological components of the TPACK framework, such as Technological Knowledge (TK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) and TPACK. The researcher found that constructivism is consistent with the TPACK framework. The implementation of the TPACK was guided and assessed using the Teaching Change Frame. Regarding the methodology, the study followed the pragmatic paradigm and utilised mixed method research following the concurrent triangulation design. Due to the nature of the study, the quantitative method in this study had dominance over the qualitative method. The study was conducted in schools situated in OR Tambo Inland district in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Purposive sampling method was adopted to sample twelve schools, in the ratio of seven urban to five rural schools. The sample consisted of 29 secondary mathematics in-service teachers, 20 from urban schools and nine from rural schools. The TPACK questionnaire, training lesson evaluation form, observation schedule checklist and interview were used to collect data. Reliability and validity were ensured through Cronbach’s Alpha reliability test and a pilot study, whereas data trustworthiness was ensured through qualitative measures including member checking. Findings revealed that the intervention to integrate GeoGebra in geometry teaching impacted positively on in-service teachers with a highly statistically significant and a gain of medium to large effect size on pre- and post-intervention. Thus, the positive impact of using GeoGebra in geometry teaching resulted in significant differences before and after the training of in-service teachers. The findings obtained from the training showed that in-service mathematics teachers developed skills of integrating GeoGebra software in their teaching of geometry. After the training, participants felt that integrating GeoGebra in geometry teaching afforded mathematics teachers the opportunity to use learner-centred approaches, teach geometry with confidence, maintain learners’ attention and alertness in class, and improve learners’ performance. Further, findings obtained from observing participants demonstrating their experience in integrating GeoGebra showed that, not only did in-service teachers’ confidence of using GeoGebra improve significantly, but also their ability to use GeoGebra to set geometry questions. The researcher also observed that integrating GeoGebra when teaching geometry had positive effects on teachers’ understanding of geometric concepts. The findings showed significant difference in participants’ confidence in delivering lessons that can combine technology (T), geometry content (C), and pedagogical (P) knowledge. As a contribution, recent literature has been added to the existing body of knowledge in teacher education related to technology integration studies. Among them is the invention of a new teacher training model called Technology Integration Model for Teaching and Learning. Establishing a GeoGebra institute in teacher training institutions, and engaging Department of Basic Education (DBE) or provincial or district curriculum specialists to train mathematics teachers to integrate GeoGebra were recommended for policy and practice. For further research, the study recommends following-up on trained in-service teachers to track their adoption of GeoGebra in geometry teaching, learner’s performance in geometry, and their perceptions of being taught geometry using GeoGebra. , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2023
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