Walter Sisulu University
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The Effect of Substance Uses on Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence in Primary Health Care
Get PDFAdherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is the primary factor determining how an individual responds to their treatment. Unfortunately, individuals who use substances experience suboptimal adherence to their treatment, but little is known about the exact effects of their use on ART adherence in primary health care settings..
Fixed Point Theorems in Graphical Cone Metric Spaces and Application to a System of Initial Value Problems
Get PDFIn this paper, we introduce the notion of graphical cone metric spaces over Banachalgebra and prove some fixed point results for a particular type of contractivemappings defined on such spaces. These results extend and generalize several resultsfrom metric, graphical metric, and cone metric spaces. Some examples thatdemonstrate the results proved herein are provided. An application of our results tothe existence of solution of a pair of initial value problems is provided
Components of Citrus Pulp Waste (Eureka Lemon and Clementine) and Yellow Maize Commonly Used as Livestock Feed by South African Farmers
Get PDFCitrus is one of the most extensively grown fruits in several parts of the world. Therefore, its industrial processing produces large amounts of pulp waste. This study was aimed at assessing the nutritive as well as mineral components of citrus pulp waste of Eureka lemon and Clementine from two Citrus farms while drawing potential comparisons with yellow maize for livestock feed. Proximate analyses were done using approved/standard analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), while the mineral constituents were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Proximate evaluation revealed that Eureka lemon and Clementine pulp waste contained comparable amounts of fibre and lipid, and significantly higher protein contents than yellow maize. Meanwhile, minerals including Ca, Mg, K, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were significantly higher in the citrus lemon pulp waste than in yellow maize. The study therefore points out that the Citrus pulp waste have the potentials to be put to more relevant livestock nutritional use
Principals Managing Complexities of Teachers' Stress and Burnout at Primary Schools in the Ngcobo Education District: A South African Context
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate the management of complexities surrounding teachers' stress and burnout at selected primary schools in the Ngcobo Education District. The literature review focused on teacher stress and burnout in relation to high enrolment andovercrowded classrooms, conflicts among teachers, misunderstandings between teachers and governing bodies, and various strategies to overcome teachers' stress and burnout in schools. The qualitative research approach and case study research design were employed. Convenience sampling was used to select three (3) principals, six (6) teachers, and three (3) school management team members from three different primary schools in the Ngcobo Education District. An open-ended interview schedule wasused to conduct face-to-face, in-depth interviews for data collection. Themes were derived from the participants' responses...Degree: D. Educatio
Epidemiology of the Acceptance of Anti COVID-19 Vaccine in Urban and Rural Settings in Cameroon
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolved in December 2019 and to prevent its spread, effective vaccines were produced and made available to the population. Despite their availability so far in Cameroon, the vaccination coverage remains low. This study aimed at describing the epidemiology of the acceptance of vaccines against COVID-19 in some urban and rural areas of Cameroon. A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical survey was conducted from March 2021 to August 2021 targeting unvaccinated individuals from urban and rural area. After receiving appropriate administrative authorizations and an ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Board (or Ethics Committee) of Douala University (N◦ 3070CEI-Udo/05/2022/M), a cluster sam pling at many degrees was performed and a language-adapted questionnaire was completed by each consenting participant. Data were analyzed using Epi info version 7.2.2.6 software and for p-values..
Gender-Based Violence Among University Students: A Need Assessment
Get PDFGender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive public health issue that significantly affects women’s mental, physical, and social well-being. In South Africa, the prevalence of GBV is alarmingly high, with numerous reports indicating that female students are particularly vulnerable. This study investigated the perceived determinants of GBV among female students at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Mthatha Campus and assessed their needs for effective prevention strategies…Degree: M. Public Healt
Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Neisseria meningitidis and Enterobacteriaceae in Two Reference Hospitals of Yaoundé: An Overview before and during COVID-19 Pandemic Era
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic led to tremendously use of antimicrobial due to the lack of proper treatment strategies, raising concerns about emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed at determining the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of selected bacteria isolates in 02 referral health facilities in Yaoundé before and during the COVID-19 pandemic era. We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 03 years (from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021) in the bacteriology units of the Central and General Hospitals of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Data on bacteria genera (Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Neisseria meningitidis and Enterobacteriaceae) as well as their corresponding specifics antibiotics: Cefixime, azythromycin and erythromycin were obtained from laboratory records. The global resistance rate of bacteria as well as their correlation with antibiotics according to COVID-19 pandemic era was determined and compared. For p 0.05, the difference was statistically significant. In all, 426 bacterial strains were included. It appeared that the highest number of bacteria isolates and lowest rate of bacterial resistance were recorded during the pre-COVID-19 period in 2019 (160 isolates vs. 58.8% resistance rate). Conversely, lower bacteria strains but greater resistance burden were recorded during the pandemic era (2020 and 2021) with the lowest bacteria amount and peak of bacteria resistance registered in 2020, the year of COVID-19 onset (120 isolates vs. 70% resistance in 2020 and 146 isolates vs. 58.9% resistance in 2021)
Health facility delivery and early initiation of breastfeeding: Cross-sectional survey of 11 sub-Saharan African countries
Get PDFBackground and Aims: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIB) remains one of the promising interventions for preventing neonatal and child deaths. EIB is positively associated with healthcare delivery or childbirth. Meanwhile, no study in sub‐ Saharan Africa (SSA) appears to have investigated the relationship between health facility delivery and EIB; thus, we assessed the correlation between health facility delivery and EIB. Methods: We used data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 64,506 women from 11 SSA countries. The outcome variable was whether the respondent had early breastfeeding or not. Two logistic regression models were used in the inferential analysis. With a 95% confidence interval (CI), the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for each variable were calculated. The data set was stored, managed, and analyzed using Stata version 13. Results: The overall percentage of women who initiated early breastfeeding was 59.22%. Rwanda recorded the highest percentage of early initiation of breastfeeding (86.34%), while Gambia recorded the lowest (39.44%). The adjusted model revealed a significant association between health facility delivery and EIB (aOR = 1.80, CI = 1.73–1.87). Compared with urban women, rural women had higher likelihood of initiating early breastfeeding (aOR = 1.22, CI = 1.16–1.27). Women with a primary education (aOR = 1.26, CI = 1.20–1.32), secondary education (aOR = 1.12, CI = 1.06–1.17), and higher (aOR = 1.13, CI = 1.02–1.25), all had higher odds of initiating early breastfeeding. Women with the richest wealth status had the highest odds of initiating early breastfeeding as compared to the poorest women (aOR = 1.33, CI = 1.23–1.43). Conclusion: Based on our findings, we strongly advocate for the integration of EIB policies and initiatives with healthcare delivery advocacy. Integration of these efforts can result in drastic reduction in infant and child mortality. Essentially, Gambia and other countries with a lower proclivity for EIB must reconsider their current breastfeeding interventions and conduct the necessary reviews and modifications that can lead to an increase in EIB
The Effects of Using English as A Language of Learning and Teaching on Learner Academic Performance in Senior Phase of Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province
No full textIn-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, 202
Prevalence and risk factors of imaging confirmed neurological complication amongst patients withhypertensive disorders in pregnancy admitted at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital
Get PDFHypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are the world's second leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, with sub-Saharan Africa taking the lead. The prevalence of HDP in Africa is 10%, remarkably higher than the reported global range of 5.2-8%. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of CT-confirmed neurological complications in patients managed at the labour ward at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH) over two years. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on obstetric patients with clinical files at NMAH from January 2018 to December 2020. We tracked and merged hospital admission data and radiological (brain CT) findings in patients managed for HDP at the labour ward at NMAH within the specified period. Descriptive analysis, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated clinical risk predictors of neurological complications. Major findings: Of the 5119 patients with HDP, 153 underwent CT scans. Our study found that 78.2% of the scanned patients with HDP were between 18 and 34 years old. Patients younger than 18 years accounted for 10% of the 154 patients who underwent CT-scan. We found that 81.1% had abnormal CT-brain findings, while 18.9% were normal. The most common abnormal finding was posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) (25.1%), followed by cytotoxic oedema (16,5%), neurocysticercosis (15.1%), and dural sinus thrombosis (7.9%). The most common neurological findings on admission were headache (82%), low GCS (60.1%), fits (55.6%), blindness (28.8%), and focal signs (11.5%). In addition, the following risk predictors were statistically associated with PRES: post-partum onset ( aOR=6.26,95% CI 1.02-38.83, p-value0.049 ), blindness (aOR=3.19, 95% CI; 1.07-9.59, p=0.038) and fits (aOR=0.20, 95% CI: 0.64-0.63, p-value=0.006. Recommendations and clinical implications: The most common radiological finding among obstetric patients with HDP in this study is PRES. The most significant risk predictors for PRES are the post-partum onset of symptoms and blindness. As PRES is | 3 associated with significant morbidity and mortality, vigilance and aggressive management should be continued and include the post-partum period.Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 202