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Working from home : experiences of employees of a government department in Polokwane, Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits and challenges of working from home in a client services department of a public sector organisation in Limpopo. The study was conducted taking a qualitative approach, through in-depth interviews for data collection. The acquired data was processed using thematic analysis, from a combination of employees who were working from home, and those who had opted not to work from home. The study has highlighted the benefits, challenges, skills, and support required for employees to work effectively at home. The findings revealed common themes that employees have experienced while working from home, which are in line with previous studie
The role of community radio on the dissemination of healthcare information on communicable diseases to women in Mankweng : a case of Radio Turf, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M. A. (Media Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024This study analyses the role of community radio in the dissemination of healthcare information on communicable diseases to women in Mankweng, which is a case of Radio Turf in Limpopo province, South Africa. It is a qualitative study that examines the way in which community media, specifically community radio, plays a role in covering healthcare content on communicable diseases in a manner that empowers and develops women in a community. The literature reviewed the effectiveness of community radio in broadcasting healthcare information on communicable diseases for women in a local, national, and international context. It also analysed the challenges faced by community radios and women in relation to broadcasting healthcare information. Since the study adopted the qualitative approach, a case study design was selected for the study. The purposive sampling method was used to sample a population of 14 women who reside in and around the area of Mankweng. Data collection was done by employing two focus groups for women and in-depth interviews with Radio Turf personnel and documents were analysed to guarantee a fair and honest conclusion of the study. The study employed an inductive thematic content analysis. It showed that women in a community, as well as the community still rely on community radio because women listeners have proven to be affected by what is covered and what is not covered on community radio. In as much as community radio has effectively served its audience, it is also facing challenges that potentially hinder it from serving its purpose which is to educate and inform listeners. These challenges include technical issues, lack of time, lack of staff, and lack of money. The study has recommended ways in which Radio Turf could attend to its challenges, which also includes approaching non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other organisations to help fund them
Error-correcting codes from 2-representations of the unitary group U(3,3)
Get PDFThesis (M. Sc. (Mathematics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024In this dissertation, we use modular representation theory to find error-correcting codes admitting finite simple group as a primitive permutation group and show that every binary
linear code admitting group G as a primitive permutation group is a submodule of the permutation module of the primitive action of the group. If the Schur multiplier of the group G is trivial and P is a permutation module of degree n, then every binary linear code of length n invariant under G is a submodule of P. As an illustrative example, we select the finite simple group G = U(3, 3) which is referred to by other authors as PSU(3, 3) and identify the complete set of linear codes derived from its 2-representations. We will find the maximal subgroups of the simple group G = U(3, 3). After finding the maximal subgroups we find the permutation representation, each permutation representation has a corresponding permutation module which we will find. Our computations are based on MAGMA. We then classify these codes and determine their properties such as the minimum distance, minimum weight and the support and other properties. Then we will discuss whether a certain code has good error-correcting or error-detecting abilities based on their properties. In addition, we use the supports of the codes to construct certain designs that remain invariant under the action of U(3, 3) and establish connections between these designs and the corresponding linear codes.Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA
Development of a model to support midwives experiencing adverse events in obstetric units of the Tshwane District, Gauteng Province
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (Nursing Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Background: The World Health Organisation has reported that Adverse Events (AEs) are announced daily internationally and nationally. An AE is an unintentional event that is and could be harmful to the patient, occurring during health care delivery. The United States of America was reported to have the highest AEs among developed countries. Although in SA ‘The Status of Women's Health’ indicated progress regarding the maternal mortality ratio that has decreased nationally from 105.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019 to 88 deaths on media in 2020. The mission of the National Department of Health (NDoH) in South Africa (SA) is to improve the health status of the community, prevent ill health, deliver service, and ensure that adverse events (AEs) are decreased. From 2020 to 2021, 252 AEs occurred in three Gauteng district hospitals in the presence of midwives who were expected to carry on with their duties. Midwives in obstetric units were affected by the occurrence of AEs as they were blamed when AEs occurred. Once blamed, they were psychologically and emotionally affected, leading to poor delivery of care. Fear of being stripped of their professional status once found guilty by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) the professional body, as litigations are rife in the health profession. Social media pressure on nursing misconduct and negligence of patients in public hospitals added fear to the midwives, resulting in poor performance and lack of concentration when caring for patients. Midwives, once involved in AEs become psychologically and emotionally disturbed, and cannot deliver proper care to mothers as they face consequences, fearing loss of their professional status once criminal charges are laid or the regulatory body SANC finds them guilty. As such, this study was conducted to develop a model to support midwives after experiencing AEs in the Tshwane district, Gauteng province. The objectives of phase one that emerged from the qualitative strand were to describe challenges experienced by midwives related to AEs in obstetric units of the Tshwane district. Secondly, to explore the strategies used by managers in case of an AE in obstetric units. The quantitative objectives were to assess the support offered to midwives by their managers post AEs in obstetric units. Another strategy was to identify the factors influencing proper delivery of care by midwives to prevent AEs in obstetric units of the Tshwane district, Gauteng province. Methodology: A convergent parallel mixed-method research study design was used for this study which had three phases. Phase 1 utilized a Mixed Method Research (MMR) design which comprised qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. The population used in this phase were Midwives, line and Operational managers. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to recruit participants. Selected participants had to have more than two years of experience in the obstetric unit, and know or experienced the studied phenomenon. The quantitative strand made use of the Slovin formula, sample size was calculated by the statistician. Ethical Clearance was obtained from the University of Limpopo Research Ethics Committee and the Tshwane District of Health selected facilities. Participants signed the consent form before data collection. Self-administered questionnaires for the quantitative 0approach and in-depth face-to-face interviews for the qualitative approach were used for data collection. The population size the for quantitative strand was 100, and the sampled number of midwives was 89. In the qualitative strand, data saturation was reached at 22 midwives. Managers were interviewed separately and a total of 12 managers were interviewed categorized as line managers and operational managers of the selected public district hospitals of Tshwane Gauteng province. A total of 34 qualitative interviews were conducted in the selected district hospitals of Tshwane, Gauteng province. Data analysis was analysed using Tesch’s open coding method for qualitative and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 for the quantitative strand. Trustworthiness was adhered to, that is credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability.
Phase 2: Concept analysis was selected as an appropriate method of choice followed in the model development, as defined by Walker and Avant (2005). This method involves examining the basic elements, structures of concepts, definitions, and functions of concepts, followed by the development of the model following the concepts, according to Chinn & Kramer (2018). Phase 3: Model validation, where the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was used to validate the developed model according to Chinn and Kramer 2018. Experts in maternal health care services were sampled to validate the developed model for its importance, simplicity, applicability, and relevancy in supporting midwives who might experience AEs in maternal health care services. Recommendations: Raised recommendations were that operational and psychological support was vital for participants to cope with AEs. Flexible working hours were identified as a relief for strenuous long working hours and shortage of staff. Open lines of communication were suggested, and involvement in decision-making matters that involved participants rather than management taking decisions on their behalf. Equal treatment of participants and recognition where necessary and considered points of concern. Summary: This study focussed on raising facts on challenges faced by midwives in public hospitals exacerbated by a lack of support from management on both human and material resources. Lack of proper care gave rise to adverse events and financial litigations of the Health Department by the community. Shortage of staff added to the lack of support for midwives in providing care. Strategies were implemented by managers to provide support to midwives. Concepts were used to guide the development of a model used as a framework of reference. Recommendations were set to reach the optimum goal of care in the district hospitals of Tshwane
Beyond traditional teaching: impact of web-based instructional application on Lagos State secondary school students’ academic achievement and attitude in commerce
Get PDFJournal article published in African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning Journal Issue 4, Volume 8, 2024This study examined the difference in the achievement and attitude of the commerce-taught students using WBIA and those traditionally taught at Lagos State Secondary School. Researchers have often focused on problems related to the field of science, neglecting the other arms at this level. A research question and a hypothesis were formulated to guide this study. This research uses a mixed method (quantitative and
qualitative). A convenience sampling technique was used to select two intact classes of 100-80 students drawn from the population of students who offer commerce in Lagos State Secondary Schools. A WBIA was developed to teach five different topics in commerce, a standardised commerce achievement test, and a web-based instructional application interview guide were used to collect data and validated. The reliability of the commerce achievement test was r = 0.83. The hypothesis formulated was analysed using MANCOVA. The result of the hypothesis signifies a statistically significant difference in achievement
and shows a positive attitude towards commerce at [F (1,104) = 266.08; p < .05, attitude F (1,104) = 9.96; p < .05. The use of WBIA features that link commerce concepts with real-world scenarios is highly recommended
Monitoring and evaluation as a contributing factor towards sustainable service delivery: a case of Waterberg District Municipality, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (Public Administration)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The study’s intention was to investigate the role of monitoring and evaluation as a contributing factor towards the sustainable delivery of service to the community. The main rationale was informed by observed factors such as community dissatisfaction, which emanated from poor service provision and lack of accountability by government to the community.
The researcher conducted a comprehensive literature review focusing on the following: contribution of monitoring and evaluation processes, causes and effects of service delivery challenges and other elements that could complement mechanisms towards the achievement of improved service provision to communities by three spheres of government, including the assessment of the existing legislative framework. The researcher went further to review literature on how, compared to South Africa, countries like Mexico, Australia, Canada, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Uganda conceptualised Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approaches and how they implement those M&E frameworks and processes within their governance context.
The Waterberg District Municipality in the Limpopo province with its five local municipalities, was used as a case study and the exploratory research method was applied in the process. Similar studies may be replicated in other similar municipalities in the province. The population size and samples were drawn from the three spheres of government as follows: councillors, ward committee members, community members, community structures and the officials from the national and provincial departments especially those responsible for monitoring and supporting the municipalities. Data was collected through various tools, such as questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. Consequently, it was captured and analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, which was further used as a tool to produce results that are presented in a descriptive statistic, percentages, and frequencies. The qualitative data was presented in words rather than statistically. It was interpreted and analysed with the use of assisted questionnaires. The report was written in word format so that, it could be understood through a series of words interpreted from raw data by the respondents. The key findings, conclusions, recommendations, and the lessons learned through the
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literature review and the inputs provided by the participants are outlined in detail to inform the final conclusions of the study. The study proposes and recommends that, Government-wide M&E System be retained but with a combination of Results-based and Participatory approach systems
The impact of cadre deployment on the audit and financial performance of provincial departments : the case of selected provincial departments in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024This study examined the impact of the cadre deployment policy on the audit and financial performance of the selected provincial departments in Limpopo, South Africa. The AGSA report 2021/22 indicated that several departments, such as health, in Limpopo, still face compliance challenges. The report indicates negligence in the legislation that carries out public mandates set out by their institutions. There is also a need for consequence management. The 2019/20 report by the late and former AG Kimi Makwetu stated that the Limpopo Health Department is among these departments, which needs to be fixed or more functional regarding financial performance. Underpinning this dysfunctionality was mismanagement due to political instability or interference, corruption, and incompetence, often resulting in poor service delivery, thus prolonging the periods of underdevelopment and inadequate access to essential services. This study argues that cadre deployment partly contributes to the dysfunctionality of public sector institutions. This has been noted in various departments in Limpopo, such as the Department of Health and Treasury, where cadre deployment has infiltrated such institutions' departments and operations. These institutions are mandated to deliver services to the people; thus, the effect has been riots, adverse audit outcomes, protests, and irregular expenditure, especially at the provincial government level. This results in participatory exclusion regarding collective development, which must be characterised by public participation. To answer the guiding questions of this study, a qualitative research approach was adopted where semi-structured interview guides were distributed to three selected departments in Limpopo. Findings revealed that the quest for effective governance, consistent financial performance, and clean audit outcomes in South Africa’s public sector depends on the availability of competent staff with the required skills. It was revealed that cadre deployment promotes a culture of impunity and lack of accountability. The policy undermines the functioning of the public, thus contributing to a breakdown of governance and service delivery. As such, this will have widespread implications for inclusive development, poverty eradication, and good governance free from corruption and nepotism
Information management practices at Mankweng Public Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M. (Information Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Over the years, information management (IM) has become a key anchor in the successful delivery of healthcare services, facilitating access and provision of information to those providing services at the point of care, as well as informing strategic decision-making and prompting key reforms in hospitals. The aim of the study was to examine information management practices at Mankweng Public Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study was guided by the process model of information management. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology through a descriptive case study research using semi-structured interviews as a method of data collection. The key findings showed that information officers recognise and are aware of the users’ information needs. The perceptions of the information officers included lack of a larger office space to allow for a coordinated information storage, as well as poor data provided by source points which was believed to be a constant burden hampering the efficiency of the information management section. Tools used by information officers to manage information included physical wards and clinics registers, and daily and monthly input forms which are unique to the ward speciality. Factors that were uncovered to affect the application of information management in this study were limited budget, shortage of staff and equipment, lack of staff training and poor data from source points. Information management strategies that can be implemented to remedy the malady included recruitment of information officers, procurement of equipment, staff training, acquisition of electronic health records and the installation of Wi-Fi. This study recommends that, in light of the fact that many of the problems faced by the information management section stem from financial constraints, adequate budget must be allocated to facilitate the recruitment of information officers, the procurement of the necessary hardware and software, particularly computers, a multifunctional printer and electronic health records. Staff training programmes should be initiated for both information officers and source points, as well as the provision of a larger office space
Development of strategies to reduce under-5 mortality rate at selected public hospitals in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M. Nursing Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024BACKGROUND The most common causes of under-five mortality rates are due to conditions such as diarrhoea, malaria, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, prematurity, and congenital abnormalities. The study shows that seeking medical attention early, complying with Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or Tuberculosis treatment, and vaccinating children can reduce under-five mortality. The aim of this study was to develop strategies to reduce under-five mortality in selected public hospitals in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province.
METHODOLOGY A quantitative research method was used, and data was collected using an adapted questionnaire. A total of 130 respondents out of 196 people participated in the study. The probability sampling method and stratified random sampling were used. The questionnaire was piloted to ensure reliability and validity in a different setting. Data was analysed using SPSS, IBM version 28.0. The results are presented as frequencies and percentages in tables, pie charts and bar graphs. Ethical standards were adhered to throughout the study. RESULTS The study revealed that the factors that facilitate the reduction of under-five mortality include seeking medical attention at an early age, nurses doing outreach services, vaccinating children, educating parents about how to care for their children, and compliance with treatments such as Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. However, the study discovered that 65,4% strongly agreed that nurses doing outreach services, vaccinating children, educating mothers about how to care for their children can contribute to reducing under five mortality, while 3,8% disagree with the statement. CONCLUSION The study concluded that the reduction of under-five mortality should be enhanced by providing immunization programs and the availability of treatment in all public health care facilities, providing community services, and educating mothers and caregivers on when and where to seek medical attention when their children are sick
Psychometric properties of the perceived vulnerability of diseases scale in South African teenagers during the covid-19 outbreak
Get PDFThesis ( M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Few factors throughout human evolutionary history have impacted human behaviour more than the effect of pathogens and infections as regards our adaptation and survival. To this end, human beings have evolutionary systems to preserve human existence and interact daily with pathogens. The behavioural immune system (BIS) and attachment functions are such evolutionary systems that humans use to perceive and avoid what may be of threat to their survival. This study examined the factor structure and cross-cultural validity of the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Scale (PVD), a measure of the BIS system, in a sample of South African teenagers (N = 474; Age: M = 16.96 [SD = 1.31; range = 14 – 22yrs]). The PVD is important as it assists in understanding individual’s perceptions of infections, hence assisting in public health interventions. Varying CFA models (unidimensional and bidimensional models) were evaluated and cross-validated with Rasch analysis. The results showed that the PVD had a two-factor structure (Perceived Infectibility [PI] and Germ Aversion [GA]) in South African teenagers. Among other results, the findings show that the PVD measures perceived infectability equivalently across gender groups. Furthermore, the study highlights the impact of culture on the reliability of the measure