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Crossbreeding of indigenous watermelon for high oil content
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Botany)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is an annual plant which survives better under warm temperatures, and is believed to have originated in southern Africa. The plant is now distributed across the world and grown because of the juicy appetising flesh of its fruit. There are more than 12000 varieties of watermelons across the world. Looking at the rate at which population size is rapidly increasing, it is not surprising that it is expected to reach about 8.1 billion by 2040. This puts a great pressure on available resources. Oil is one of the essential resources that human need. It is used in the production of lots of our daily needs like medicine and cosmetics. Watermelon is one of the crops that produces seeds that are rich in oil. However, their seeds are not enough to harvest and extract adequate oil for industrial purposes. Each variety has got its superior and inferior seed production traits. The aim of the study was to crossbreed different types of indigenous watermelons in an attempt to produce a hybrid or hybrids with high oil content. As a result, Bitter and Weedy watermelon varieties were planted in the nursery on the grounds of the University of Limpopo, and cross-pollinated. The crossed seeds were then self-pollinated. Dried seeds from all watermelon types including Bitter, Weedy Cross and F1 generation were ground into powder and oil was extracted. Oil percentage together with some physiochemical properties of oils were determined and compared. This study found that there was an improvement in terms of seed production, oil quality and quantity for both cross and F1 generation. Cross fruits showed to have improved in terms of the total number of seeds (717); the seeds had the highest oil content (39.16%) with the highest saponification (118.67 mg KOH/g oil) and iodine (114.21 g of Iodine/100 g oil) values. The F1 generation which resulted from self-pollinated Cross plants had the highest mass of 100 seeds (13.51 g); mean geometric diameter (6.91 mm); and coming second (33.30%) after Cross seeds for oil content. On the other hand, Weedy produced oil with the highest specific gravity (0.91) and lowest moisture content (2.98%). It is concluded that the crossbreeding of Bitter and Weedy watermelons produces improved offspring which performs better after self-pollination. The physiochemical properties of the current investigated watermelon oils are mostly within the acceptable ranges of oils reported to be of good quality for soap production and consumption industrial purposes. In conclusion, Cross watermelons are the most superior ones because of their adequate intermediate amount of total
seeds produced, highest oil yield and better physiochemical properties of oil. However, watermelon oil is still inadequately used industrially. This can be improved by further studying more physiochemical properties such as index viscosity, flash point and fatty acid composition of the current investigated watermelonsNational Research Foundation (NRF
Using geogebra to enhance grade 11 learners' conception of transformations of functions
No full textThesis (M. Ed. (Mathematics Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The function concept, which is a central idea in mathematics, is difficult for learners to
grasp, nonetheless, transformations of functions aid in this understanding. The
purpose of the study was to investigate whether the use of GeoGebra
enhances Grade 11 learners’ conception of transformations of functions. A qualitative
case study design, as envisaged by Merriam (1998), was used to solicit learner
interpretations and reasoning when working with transformations of functions.
Participants for the study consisted of 28 mixed ability Grade 11 learners who were
purposively and conveniently selected at the researcher’s workplace in Polokwane,
South Africa. The APOS theory was put to use as the theoretical framework for the
study and the ACE cycle adopted for instructional design. Indicators for APOS theory
conception levels were formulated in a genetic decomposition of transformations of
functions and used together with deductive thematic analysis of qualitative data to
analyse the collected data from learners’ written activities and task-based interviews.
The results brought out into the open that Grade 11 learners could not easily recognise
transformations on functions and that their mental constructions were based on
isolated facts or procedures. The results also conveyed that GeoGebra is an effective
tool in supporting conceptual understanding in the learning of transformations of
functions. The failure to recognise transformations of functions stemmed from the
failure by learners to apply learnt concepts in the solution of new problems and also
from giving partial descriptions of transformations of functions. These findings reveal
that further research on GeoGebra use is needed so as to explore its capabilities to
support retention of knowledge of transformations of functions
Exploration of the government officials' interference on the editorial independence of South African Broadcasting Corporation
Get PDFThesis (M. A. (Media Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Public media broadcasting exists in the world as an advocate of society in all aspects of life globally. Public media broadcasting is provided in many ways, such as television, radio, online, and social media platforms. Public media broadcasting accommodates all types of audiences regardless of their conditions and disability status. The research explored the government officials’ interference in the editorial independence of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Audiences use public media broadcasting entities to be informed and educated about social, economic, and political issues, as well as the ability to deliver critical information freely to citizens and protect people’s human rights at an affordable cost. Public broadcasting entities such as the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) greatly impact how citizens view and analyse societal activities and incidents in day-to-day operations. The research objectives are to assess the implementation of the SABC’s news editorial policy, to examine the alleged editorial interference of the SABC on the public and to establish the effects of editorial interference of the SABC on the public. The research utilised agenda-setting theory and Authoritarian theory, which show an interlinked relationship between media, authorities, and media agenda. The study analysed various literature, which aligns with the study's aim and objectives. The qualitative approach method was utilised in the study, and it yielded outcomes retrieved through textual analysis and focus group discussion. Textual analysis and reflexive thematic analysis were used to analyse the collected data. The population utilised as a sample were online news articles that reported on the alleged editorial interference at the SABC and audiences that are utilising SABC platforms to receive and access news and information. Textual analysis of the online news articles' findings reveals that the SABC has experienced activities of editorial interference by government officials, primarily politicians who abused their power to pass their agenda to society via SABC platforms. Furthermore, focus group findings show that participants have strong beliefs supported by incidents/events that they provided as examples of SABC experiencing editorial interference by government officials. Keywords: SABC, Audience, Government, Editorial, Entities, Officials, Broadcasting, Public
Spatial distribution of obesity, its predisposing factors and associated complications at the Dimamo Population Health Research Centre, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Medical Sciences)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Introduction: Obesity is a physical condition resulting from excessive fat storage in
the body. Globally at least 2.8 million people die due to being overweight and obesity.
Changes in life habits and patterns, such as dietary behaviors, advances in technology, beliefs, sedentary life, and a decrease in physical activities, increases obesity and weight gain among men and women Obesity has also been associated with socioeconomic status. The prevalence of spatial distribution of obesity and overweight has been shown to be high in urban areas and wealthier regions of the country. Purpose: To profile obesity in terms of spatial distribution, new classifications, measurements of predisposing factors, and associated complications at DIMAMO Population Health Research Centre (PHRC), Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study. The present study used secondary data from the AWI-Gen phase 1 study. The present study analysed 791 participants (242 males and 459 females). Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27. Results: The present study's findings showed a high proportion of obesity (35.4%) and central obesity (59.9%). The proportion of healthy obese by high BMI in the total population was 22.9% and the proportion of healthy obese by high WC in the total population was 23.6%. Obesity correlated negatively with smoking, alcohol consumption, single, and divorced status, and also correlated positively associated with married status. Central obesity correlated negatively with smoking, and also correlated positively associated with married status, and being unemployed. The prevalence of obesity and central obesity was significantly higher in cluster A and B as compared to other clusters. Spatial distribution of general obesity and central obesity correlated with gender, smoking alcohol, consumption and married status
Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and central obesity were both high in the study
population. Obesity and central obesity were more common in the North-eastern villages clusters compared to the Western and Southern clusters> The distribution of Obesity seems to be determined by gender, smoking alcohol, consumption and married status.Africa Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic Studies (AWIGEN consortium
Determination of factors contributing to failure rate of induction of labour at selected hospitals in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M. (Nursing)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Induction of labour implies the artificial initiation of regular uterine contractions before the onset of spontaneous uterine contractions with the purpose of achieving a vaginal delivery. The aim of the study was to determine the factors contributing to the failure rate of induction of labour at the Maphutha L. Malatji and Van Velden Hospitals in the Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional research method was used to identify the factors contributing to the failure rate of induction of labour. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire from 60 Registered Midwives. Ethical clearance was obtained from Turfloop Research and Ethical Committee, Limpopo Province Department of Health Ethics Committee and Hospital management. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 24) and descriptive statistics were used to analyse. Therefore, shortage of the staff, bad staff-patient ratio, overcrowding of patient, lack of equipment, workload of staff and poor training of staff are factors contributing to failure rate of induction of labour. The study recommended that all staff should be well trained and ‘in-serviced’ to be able to use partograph effectively and also to have education training on speciality qualifications.University of Limpop
Interactive effect of harvesting seasons and drying methods on the quality of jatropha zeyheri tea leaves
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Horticulture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Worldwide, second to water, tea is in the upper class of the most consumed beverages and has greater popularity. The increased consumption and popularity of tea is associated with its health promoting properties and medicinal use. Jatropha zeyheri is being used for various purposes due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. In some parts of South Africa, the leaves of J. zeyheri are harvested during winter when the leaves are dry to make tea beverage. However, appropriate harvesting seasons and suitable drying methods that will contribute towards optimising the quality of J. zeyheri tea leaves is not documented. Therefore, the objectives of this study were two folds, namely, (i) determine whether harvesting seasons and drying methods have an effect on phytochemicals and antioxidants activity of J. zeyheri leaves and (ii) investigate whether harvesting seasons and drying methods have an effect on essential and non-essential mineral elements of J. zeyheri leaves. Leaves of J. zeyheri were collected from Khureng village, Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. To achieve the objectives, a 3 x 4 factorial experiments, with first factor comprising harvesting seasons (autumn, winter and summer), while the second factor constituted the drying methods (shade, sun, oven and freeze drying), were arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD), with 9 replications. Approximately, 1 g of ground powdered plant materials were extracted with 10 mL of acetone. After the preparations, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay was used to quantify the antioxidant activity (AA) of the acetone extracts of plants. The total phenol content (TPC) and total tannin content (TTC) in each plant extract were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay method. The total flavonoid content (TFC) was determined using the Aluminium Chloride colorimetric assay. The absorbance for AA and phytochemicals were achieved using UV/visible spectrophotometer. Mineral elements were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer-9000. Harvesting seasons had highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) effects on TPC, TFC, TTC and AA contributing 68, 86, 80 and 65% in TTV, respectively. Drying methods had highly significant effects on TPC, TFC, and AA contributing 18, 10 and 18% in TTV, respectively, whereas drying methods had no significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on TTC. Interaction of drying methods and harvesting seasons had highly significant effects on TPC and AA, contributing 10 and 14% in TTV, respectively, whereas total TFC was significantly affected, contributing 2% in TTV. However, TTC was not affected by the interaction between harvesting seasons and drying methods. Summer harvesting season was more efficient in retaining the highest TPC and AA, autumn harvesting season retained the highest TFC while, winter retained TTC. Drying methods demonstrated that oven drying is more efficient in retaining TPC and TFC of J. zeyheri tea leaves, as compared to other drying methods. However, freeze drying is more effective in retaining AA of J. zeyheri tea leaves. Interactively, the results of this study conclude that summer and oven drying had the highest TPC and TFC, however summer and freeze drying had the highest AA. Harvesting seasons had highly significant effect on essential mineral elements, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, and P contributing 14, 50, 25, 42, 53, 74 and 49% in TTV, respectively, whereas Zn was significantly affected, contributing 13% in TTV. However, harvesting seasons had no significant effect on Mg. Drying methods had highly significant effects on Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and P contributing 57, 37, 57, 25 and 19% in TTV, respectively, whereas, Cu and K were significantly affected, contributing 14 and 13% in TTTV. However, no significant effect was observed on Ni and Zn. Interaction of harvesting seasons and drying methods had highly significant effects on Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, P and Zn contributing 25, 26, 30, 32, 20, 24 and 48% in TTV, respectively, whereas Mg was significantly affected contributing 14% in TTV. However, no significant effect was observed on Ni. Summer harvesting season accounted for the highest content of essential mineral elements (Fe, Ni, P and Zn), additionally summer harvesting accounted for the highest non-essential mineral elements (Al and Na). Drying methods demonstrated that sun and oven drying accounted for the lowest contents of the selected elements, whereas most of the elements were retained by freeze and shade drying. Interactively summer and shade drying retained most of the mineral elements. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that harvesting of J. zeyheri tea leaves should be done during the summer season and subjected to oven-drying for improved accumulation of phytochemicals. However, for improved accumulation of AA harvested leaves should be freeze-dried, whereas, for improved accumulation of mineral elements, the leaves of J. zeyheri should be subjected to shade and freeze-drying methods.Limpopo Ago-Food Technology Station (LATS
Disclosure of positive Human Immunodeficiency Virus status to children diagnosed with the infection and on antiretroviral treatment
Get PDFThesis (M.A. (Nursing)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Introduction and background: Disclosure of HIV status remains low in South Africa
and globally. Care givers commonly delay the HIV disclosure process until the child is
over 10 years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that disclosure of
HIV status to infected children, as the gateway to treatment, has failed to keep pace
with the increasing access to ART globally. Non-disclosure if allowed to continue can
have negative ramifications for not only the affected children but the entire nation. The
study, therefore, envisages determining and exploring the experiences of care givers
as they disclose to individual children under their care about their HIV status.
Methodology: Qualitative, explorative, and descriptive phenomenological design was
utilised to respond to the objectives of this study, to describe the experiences of primary
care givers regarding HIV disclosure to children living with HIV. This study was
conducted in Mopani District Limpopo Province, South Africa. Sixteen care givers were
included in the study. Non-probability sampling was utilised to sample the facility for
inclusion and the participants in this study. Semi-structured and face-to-face interviews
were conducted to collect data from participants. During data collection, the researcher
used an interview guide, and the participants were audio-recorded. Data were
analysed using the ATLAS.ti 9 program, according to the thematic method of analysis.
Results: Care givers indicated that they have trouble initiating the HIV disclosure
process for the child. Care givers also state that they disclosed HIV status to the child
because of their individual reasons, they believe is the right of the child to know the
truth about their condition and the treatment they are taking. Care givers expressed
that HIV disclosure improves child understanding of their condition, the importance of
treatment, adherence, and quality of life. Care givers state that non-disclosure of HIV
status resulted in children refusing treatment, which will lead them to get sick and
increases the risk of HIV transmission to others. Care givers state that they didn’t
receive any training or education from healthcare providers.
Conclusion: Care giver’s experience suggested that HIV disclosure is a difficult
process to initiate and is aggravated by a lack of skills and support from healthcare
providers on how to disclose HIV to children. However, care givers acknowledge the
importance of HIV disclosure and the complication of non-HIV disclosure. More support
from a health provider is required to guide care givers to initiate HIV the disclosure
process at an ideal age
Factors contributing to the non-use of pharmacological pain relief methods by midwives during the intrapartum period on nulliparous women in the North West Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.A. (Nursing)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Background: Pharmacological pain relief management is one of the effective methods
of relieving pain during the intrapartum period. The ideal pharmacological pain relief
methods must be safe, and effective and should not interfere with the labour mother. But,
very few pregnant women experience pharmacological pain relief methods during labour.
Aim: To determine factors contributing to the non-use of pharmacological pain relief
methods by midwives during the intrapartum period on nulliparous women in selected
hospitals in the North West Province of South Africa.
Method/design: The study applied a quantitative, descriptive design to investigate
factors contributing to the non-use of pharmacological pain relief. A total population
sampling method was used to sample 93 midwives. A self-designed questionnaire was
used to collect data and with the use of descriptive statistical analysis to analyse the data
obtained. Permission to collect data was obtained from the North West Department of
Health, the District office, Hospital Chief Executive Officer and ethical clearance was
obtained from the Turfloop Research Ethics Committee. The study ensured the reliability
and validity of the data collection instrument by conducting a pretest to identify errors.
Results: The majority of midwives, 55.9% agreed that pain management is important and
46.2% agreed that mothers should be given pain relief. The results from the study have
shown that factors contributing to the non-use of pharmacological pain relief were: a
shortage of pharmacological pain relief, the unavailability of equipment, a shortage of
staff, the lack of in-service training and the side effects of the medication administered.
Conclusion: The unavailability of drugs and equipment, concerns about the side effects,
and a lack of in-service training were identified as factors contributing to the non-use of
pharmacological pain relief. Nursing management should enforce in-service training at
least every second month and midwives must be encouraged to advance their skills. The
National Department of Health (NDoH) should include detailed pain management during
delivery, in its guideline
Strategies to enhance the utilization of digital health in early detection and treatment of pre-eclampsia by gravid women in Emalahleni Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province
Get PDFThesis (M.A. (Nursing)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Background: Gestational Hypertension and Pre-Eclampsia are the most prevalent
conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa leading to undesirable perinatal and maternal
outcomes. In South Africa, a high rate of maternal death was noted due to Pre-
Eclampsia. However, the use of digital maternal health in South Africa has become of
significance for the reinforcement of health care. Digital health initiatives such as
mobile health initiatives were developed to improve better access to communities in
low and middle-income countries. The implementation and practices of digital health
seem to be growing and expandable to achieve the Universal Health Coverage goals
in the provision of care to all globally and nationally.
Purpose: To develop strategies to enhance the utilization of digital health in the early
detection and treatment of Pre-Eclampsia by gravid women in Emalahleni Local
Municipality, Mpumalanga Province.
Methodology: A mixed convergent parallel research method was adopted in this
study. In this study, the data was collected using quantitative and qualitative strands.
The quantitative data was collected from midwifery practitioners using self-developed
Likert scale questionnaires with a total of 64 items. The questionnaires were
administered to 109 midwifery practitioners and the data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics. The qualitative data was collected from the 10 gravid women
using semi-structured one-on-one interviews and was analyzed using Tesch open
coding method. A pilot study was conducted before conducting the main study to
measure the validity and reliability of the questionnaire and interview guide. Thereafter
the findings were merged to determine the extent to which they converge, diverge,
and correlate. The integrated findings informed the development of the strategies.
Thereafter a McKinsey 7s Model along with Appraisal of Guidelines for Research &
Evaluation II guided the development of the strategies to enhance utilisation of digital
health. The ethical standards were adhered to in this study. Ethical approval was
obtained from Turfloop Ethics Committee (TREC/81/2022:PG).
Results: The integrated findings showed that there are inconsistencies on the
knowledge and importance of digital health utilization in the management of Pre-
Eclampsia. Moreover, there are barriers to the utilization of digital health such as lack
of awareness, shortage of digital and human resources, power supply inconveniences
impacting network connectivity, lack of training about the use of digital health, and lack
of digital health initiatives validation and policies. These results informed the
development of the strategies to enhance the ulitization of digital health in early
detection and treatment of pre-Eclampsia.
Conclusion: For South Africa to succeed in achieving the Universal Health Coverage
goals, midwifery practitioners should adopt digital health practices in clinical practice.
The implementation of digital health should be reinforced and emphasized. Although
there are more barriers to the implementation of digital health, the implementation of
the developed strategies could possible facilitate a successful digital health use among
midwives and gravid women and possible reduce perinatal and maternal mortalities
and morbidities associated with lack of knowledge and access to healthcare
informatio
The influence of socio-demographic factors and risky lifestyles on the criminal victimisation of students : the case of a Kenyan University
Get PDFJournal article published in Africa Perspectives of Research in Teaching in Learning (APORTAL) Vol 7 (1) (2023)Unlike crimes committed against tourists or police officers, the annual crime statistics released by the Kenya National Police Service do not reflect crimes committed against university students per se. While there is substantial evidence on the extent and characteristics of criminal victimisation in the general population, as well as among university students in America and the West, evidence on this subject in Sub-Saharan Africa is drawn from limited studies. To date, the extent and characteristics of criminal victimisation among university students in Kenya are yet to be examined. While using a quantitative approach and a survey research design, a sample size of 1717 respondents was randomly computed from a population of 17167 individuals at a peri-urban university, west of Kenya, to determine the relationship between victimisation and socio-demographic factors and risky lifestyle exposure characteristics. Findings indicate that socio-demographic variables such as age, marital status, employment status, and residence were significantly related to victimisation. Additionally, risky lifestyle activities such as frequenting bars, socialising with strangers, partying on and off campus, and abusing bhang (a derivative of cannabis) and alcohol were significantly related to victimisation. To reduce student victimisation, we recommend the design of effective victimisation reduction advertisements and investment in on-campus housing